Day 01: Arrival Kolkata & Local Sightseeing

Welcome on arrival at Kolkata and transfer to Hotel.  Kolkata is the city of Joy, contrast and culture. Once the capital of British India – now the capital of West Bengal. A visit to Kolkata will bring visitors in touch with a combination of a rich 400 years old heritage, vibrant modern life and different cultures.

Afternoon visit the St. Paul’s Cathedral, the first ‘Episcopal Cathedral Church’ in an oriental country, and the Victoria Memorial also referred to as the Taj of the Raj. This splendid white marble structure was built in memory of Queen Victoria between 1906 and 1921 and was formally inaugurated by the Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VIII of England. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 02: Kolkata

Full day to explore Kolkata. Visit the Mother House – the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity and the interesting Kalighat Kali Temple – one of the 52 Shakti Peethas in India, devotees from all over the country come to visit this holy temple. In between you can also enjoy a short Tram Ride in the crowded streets of Kolkata. Later visit Howrah bridge.Overnight at hotel

Day 03: Kolkata – Guwahati – Tezpur (180 kms / 4 hrs)

Today drive to Kolkata airport for your onward journey to Guwahati. Meet and assist by JTI staff at the Guwahati airport and transfer to Tezpur. Check into hotel on arrival. Dinner and overnight.

Day 04: Tezpur – Dirang (195 kms / 6½ hrs)

Today we will head further up into the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh from another side – the Eastern Himalayas. The landscape will gradually change from flat plains to lofty hills and mountains with deep gorges. We will drive along the Kameng River. Check into hotel on arrival.

Day 05: Dirang – Tawang (145 kms / 7 hrs)

After breakfast, visit the old Dirang Village. Locally known as ‘DZONG’, the 17th century fort at Dirang represented the authority of the King / Chief and also acted as an important centre of public administration. It was also the centre of military and judicial activities concerning the entire population within his jurisdiction. The fort was built at Dirang in 1831. It is strategically located and is a four storied fortified building in which the entire village could take refuge at the time of war. The two-storied fort was built out of huge stone slabs and wooden logs.

Drive on to Tawang. On the way, stop by the Sela Pass at 13700 ft, the highest motor able pass in the Northeast. Also, visit Nuranang fall. Check into hotel on arrival drive to Tawang at about 10000 ft. Check into hotel. Evening walk around Tawang town. Overnight.

Day 06: Tawang

After breakfast, visit the famous 400 years old Tawang Monastery. Intermingled with the lamas (monks). Post lunch; visit a Monpa village, and Ani Gompa. Evening visit market.

GandenNamgyalLhatse the Tawang Monastery is one of the largest lamaseries of Mahayana sects and the second oldest Monastery in the world after Lhasa. The Monastery is housed with more than 500 monks. This Monastery was founded by a monk Mera Lama LodreGyatso a contemporary of His Holiness Fifth Dalai Lama in 17th century AD.

Brahma-dung-chung Ani Gonpa, is the oldest Ani Gompa in Tawang district situated north of Tawang township abou 8 Kms from the town. This Ani Gonpa was constructed by a Lama KarchenYeshiGelek of Tsang province of Tibet in the year 1595 AD. Presently the Gonpa is housed with 40 Anis (Nuns).

Day 07: Tawang – Bomdila (180 kms / 7 hrs)

After breakfast drive back to Bomdila at an altitude of 8000 ft. Enroute visit Urgelling monastery – the birth place of the 6^th Dalai Lama .Before crossing Sela Pass stop at JaswantGarh, a war memorial of 1962 saga. Check into hotel on arrival. Afternoon visit lower Gompa and the local market.

The Urgelling Monastery is believed to have been in existence since 14th century. It was one of the first three monasteries built by UrgenSangpo, the youngest brother of TertonPempalingpa, the famous Treasure-Revealer. It was here in 1683 TsangyangTashi, His Holiness the 6th Dalai Lama was born. He was the son of Lama Tashi Tenzin of Urgelling village a descendent of Terton Pempalingpa

Day 08: Bomdila – Wild Mahseer (160 kms / 6 hrs)

Today we will drive to Wild Mahseer in Balipara near Tezpur. Wild Mahseer is a historic one characterized by its Victorian architecture and has spacious rooms across four individual bungalows. The accommodation is located on 22 acres of tropical land surrounded by tea gardens and the land has been bestowed with a wide variety of trees, plants, flowers, insects and birds. According to hearsay the Balipara tea estate was established by the British Assam Tea Company sometime around 1875.

Check-in on arrival. Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight.

Day 09: Wild Mahseer – Ziro (320 kms / 7-8 hrs)

Set off to Ziro in the central Part of Arunachal Pradesh today. En route, visit villages inhabited by the Nishi tribes. On arrival check into hotel. Evening visit local market.

Ziro is home to the Apatani tribes and it is located in an extremely picturesque valley called Apatani Plateau surrounded by pine-covered mountains. The Apatani tribes themselves are Ziro’s greatest attraction. The older men-folk tie the hair in top-knots and tattoo the faces. Apatani women wear wooden nose plugs and tattooed their faces. However, new generation of Apatani men and women have stopped this practice of tying hair knot, noseplugs and face tattooing since early 1970s. The Apatani are good cultivators and practice both wet and terrace cultivation. Paddy cum fish culture is very popular among them.

Day 10: Ziro

Whole day exploring villages of the Apatani people in Ziro.

Day 11: Ziro – Lakhimpur (150 kms / 5 hrs)

Morning, visit nearby Apatani villages. Later proceed to Lakhimpur for overnight stay. Check into hotel Maple Leaf on arrival. Dinner and overnight.

Day 12: Lakhimpur – Majuli – Jorhat

Today we will proceed towards Majuli; we will take a ferry across (1 hr) the mighty river Brahmaputra to one of the biggest river islands in the world and also the heart of the Assamese culture – Majuli. Here in Majuli, we will be exploring this cultural place and the seat of Vaishnava culture in Assam. The great 15^th century Assamese reformer and saint, Shankardeva had come down here and set up ‘satras’ or Vaishnavite monasteries to make the people motivated towards culture and religion.

We will be visiting these ‘satras’ and interact with the monks and other locales there. Afternoon visit a tribal village of the Mishing – the Mishing tribes migrated all the way down from the hills of Arunachal Pradesh. They are found settled on the outer rim of this island or near rivers and water bodies in general. Very good fishermen – they are well known for their skill in navigation on the ever changing sand banks of the Brahmaputra.

Afternoon, take ferry (1½ – 2 hrs) to the other side, onward to Jorhat. Check into a heritage Tea Bungalow or a hotel/lodge on arrival. Dinner and overnight.

Day 13: Jorhat

Full day at Jorhat.Local visits/leisure.Overnight at hotel

Day 14: Jorhat – Kolkata (By Air)

Today you will be transferred to Jorhat airport to connect your flight to Kolkata. On arrival check into hotel in Kolkata. You may opt for short walks in the streets of Kolkata.Later transfer to NSCB Airport to connect your flight home.

Entry formalities (for foreign nationals):

Please note that all foreign nationals need Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to visit Arunachal Pradesh. The Government stipulates the number of tourists to minimum 2 in a group to apply for RAP. Arunachal Pradesh Govt. charges USD 50 per person for a 30 days permit (non-extendible).

The following documents are required for the permit and we need at least 10 – 15 working days to process the same after we receive these documents:

1. Photocopy of passport & Visa
2. 4 passport size photographs
3. Duly filled RAP application form (provided by us)

Entry formalities (Indian Nationals):

Please note that all Indian nationals need Inner Line Permit (ILP) to visit Arunachal Pradesh.

The following documents are required for the permit and we need at least 3–4 working days to process the same after we receive these documents:

1. Full name, age and address
2. 4 passport size photographs
3. Photo Identity proof (Passport/ driving license)
4. Police Station
5. Post Office

Note

• The duration mentioned in the itinerary may not be precise; it is the time that can be expected when strictly driving, depending on the present road conditions. Otherwise, the journey is conducted in such a way that we always stop midway for visiting villages, markets, photography, major landmarks of importance or interest depending on the client’s interest.
• The sector/places of Arunachal Pradesh in the itinerary are some of the least visited areas of India. And as such, the choices of facilities are very limited. We use the best available hotels / guest houses that provide relatively good services in the area, however will be basic in nature.
• Please note that some of the sights/itinerary may change due to time limit, weather, national holidays, and special events. We maintain the rights to alter the itinerary since tours are made in advance and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve your overall travel experience.