Assam and Nagaland: India's Final Frontier

Discover historic Calcutta, the capital of British India until 1911. Begin your explorations with a heritage walking tour that includes the Writer’s Building, which was originally the headquarters of the East India Company. Then, visit the splendid Victoria Memorial – often called the ‘Taj of the Raj’; the poignant Park Street Cemetery and St. John’s Church. Then, enjoy a delicious lunch at the Tollygunge Club and reminisce about the legacy of the empire. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Fly to Dimapur and drive to Kohima, the capital of Nagaland and a charming hill station spread over many hills and ridges. Later this afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Kohima, the picturesque capital of Nagaland that played an important role in World War II. Your tour includes a visit to the war cemetery and a private museum with an interesting collection of artefacts from World War II.

Begin your day with a visit to the Naga villages of Jakhama and Kigwema, home to the Angami tribe. Both villages enjoy a scenic setting on the outskirts of Kohima and are surrounded by terraced paddy fields. Each village has its own ceremonial gate known as ‘Kharu, ‘ and as you walk around Jakhama village, you will notice that the walls of the houses still have bullet marks from World War II. At Jakhama, you will have an opportunity to see how the Angami people use traditional methods to fish, and at Kigwema village, observe Angami women weave traditional baskets and shawls. Then, on arrival at the village of Khonoma, enjoy lunch with an Angami family before visiting Morungs, where you will have the chance to see young children learning and practising indigenous games like wrestling.

A morning’s drive through picturesque villages will bring you to the striking Longkhum tribal village, which was once regarded as the vanguard village of the Ao tribe and is set amongst rhododendrons and pine forests. On arrival, set off on a short trek through wooded hills to rock formations locally known as ‘Longlangba’, where you can see the footprints left by Ediben and Jina, the Romeo and Juliet of the Ao tribe. Then, proceed to Jubilee Tower, the highest point in the village, which offers panoramic views of the entire village. Weather permitting, you might even see the distant snow-capped Himalaya. Next, continue to the small, beautiful town of Mokokchung, regarded as the cultural centre of the Ao tribes, famous for their colourful dances.

This morning, enjoy a guided tour of Ungma village, the largest of the Ao villages and one of the most urbane Naga villages. Ungma is also one of Nagaland’s most historically rich villages, and it is believed that early Ao’s first settled in this village. Your guided tour will showcase the breathtaking landscape and reveal that many of their unique, ancient customs and traditions are still preserved and practised by the Ao tribes. Hence, this village is now regarded as a ‘living museum of the Ao tribe’. Then, continue to the village of Mon, the stronghold of the proud and legendary Konyak tribe.

Spend the morning exploring Longwa village, which enjoys a picturesque setting and is one of the largest villages in Mon district. Your guided tour will allow you to meet one of the last surviving headhunters and learn about their old customs and traditional crafts. You will notice that even today, the village elders tend to dress in traditional costumes, and almost everyone carries the ‘dao‘ – a machete originally used for head-hunting and presently a standard accessory for the Konyak tribe. Conclude your explorations with a visit to the village headman’s house, which dramatically straddles the India-Myanmar border and contains a range of weapons and old totems within. Then, join the Longwa tribal family for lunch before returning to Mon. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Rise early this morning and drive through small towns to Nimati Ghat, where you will board your private houseboat, the R.V. Rudrasingha, for your two-night cruise along the mighty Brahmaputra. As your boat starts sailing downstream, you glide by isolated riverside villages while relaxing on the sundeck. Later this afternoon, stop at a local riverside village to get an insight into Assamese rural life. Then, return to your boat and enjoy pre-dinner drinks as the sun starts to set. Later in the evening, sample a delicious traditional dinner cooked on board by the crew.

This morning, arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Majuli Island, the largest inhabited river island in the world. Majuli has acted as a monastic retreat for the peaceful Vaishnavite community and is home to the Hindu monastery of Auniati Satra and the local Mishing villages. Spend the morning exploring the temples and cycling through the villages before returning to your houseboat. After lunch, go for a stroll around the sandbanks. Then, continue cruising downstream towards Silghat.

After breakfast, disembark at Silghat and drive to the picturesque Kaziranga National Park – home to the endangered one-horned rhinoceros and a UNESCO World Heritage-listed Biosphere.

Rise early and drive to the Park’s Western Range, where you will enjoy an elephant back ride through the tall elephant grass and get up close with one-horned rhinos and other wildlife. Then, after a sumptuous lunch at your lodge, return to the park for a late afternoon jeep safari in the eastern range.

Accompanied by your naturalist, enjoy a guided jeep safari through the park’s central range in the morning. Then, drive to Jorhat and fly to Kolkata. On arrival, proceed to Rajbari Bawali, an utterly charming manor house and an excellent base to relax and discover rural Bengal.

Today is at leisure to relax and enjoy the facilities at your hotel. Treat yourself to a relaxing Ayurvedic massage or master your culinary skills during a cooking lesson. Alternatively, borrow a bicycle from the hotel and explore the sleepy villages surrounding your hotel.

Today, you will be transferred from your hotel to Kolkata International Airport. On arrival, check in for your onward flight.