Explore Assam & Meghalaya

Post breakfast we can go for a short walk in the tea gardens. We will also indulge in activities like Boat rides. Later, time permitting; we drive to Tai Phakial village (80 km; 2 hr) – an ethnic village. The villagers still maintain their age-old culture – a village worth exploring. Enroute we can visit the Bell’s Temple. Overnight stay at hotel in Dibrugarh.

Tai Phakial village is situated near the River Buri-Dihing. A Buddhist Monastery dots the village which belongs to the Hinayana sect. Tai translation of the Ramayana written on handmade paper has been newly discovered in this village. The structure of the houses is unique as the walls are made of bamboo and the roof is of palm leaves (Toko), mounted over a Chang or stilt.

The story behind how this Bells Temple was born goes back to about 50 – 60 years, where a man had a dream where he was told to tie a thread around the tree. On doing this, his wish was fulfilled. One night he again dreamt that as a thanks giving he should hang a bell on the tree. So he did just that. Today, one can see thousands and thousands of bells of different sizes hung around the tree. The banyan tree is right in the middle of the temple, a huge tree, with a band of red thread around it.

Please note that there is no tea plucking between December to mid-March and hence the actual manufacturing process of tea cannot be demonstrated when one visits the factory during this period. The factory also remains closed on Mondays.

Today we leave for Jorhat after breakfast. Enroute visit Sibasagar. The evening is at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Jorhat.

Sibasagar was once the capital of the Ahom Kings. The Shans who came from Thailand through Northern Myanmar to this area in the early 13^th century, ruled for 600 years. The Siva Temple, built by the Ahoms, situated here is believed to be the tallest of all existing Hindu temples. The ruins of the Ahom palaces and monuments dot the landscape around this historical town. Centuries, before the arrival of the British, this part of the world was controlled by a number of tribal chieftains.

In the town of Sibasagar, one can still see the remaining well-preserved relics. The largest and the oldest amphitheatre of Asia (Rang Ghar) is also another remarkable landmark in the history of Sibasagar. The Tai- Ahom Museum of Sibsagar contains some of the relics of the Ahom period like – swords, clothes, manuscripts and sundry artifacts.

After breakfast we drive to Neematighat for ferry crossing (2 hrs upstream boat cruise- the time depends upon the water level of the river) to Majuli – the largest inhabited river island in the world and famous for the Vaishnavite Satras or monasteries (Kamalabari Satra, Auniati Satra, Benganti satra, and many more) and culture. It is nestled between the confluence of the Subansiri and the Brahmaputra River. Visit the monastery and interact with the tribes on the island. Return to the Jorhat and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

Majuli Island – A World Heritage Site is located in the Brahmaputra River and is the largest inhabited riverine island in the world.  The island has long served as a monastic retreat to the Vaishnavite community and is noted for its beautiful rural setting and the traditional Assamese and Mishing tribal architecture.

On arrival, you will be transferred by road to a monastery, enroute pass through both Assamese and Mishing Villages – the Mishing houses are typified by being built on stilts and their ‘long house’ style of design. At the monastery, you will be given an orientation tour by one of the monks of the monastic cell and temple.  Please note that you will be expected to remove your shoes when entering the Vaishnavite monasteries. These Satras were set up by Srimanta Shankerdev, the leader of Vaishnavite revival in the 16^th Century. These are active and nurture the traditional dance form ‘Satriya’ (which is the 5^th nationally recognized dance form other than Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kathakali and Manipuri), music and crafts (mask- making), besides religious teachings.

Post breakfast we head to Kaziranga National Park. We go for an afternoon jeep safari. The evening is at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Kaziranga.

Kaziranga National Park: A World Heritage Site, is home to more than 75% of the world’s population of the great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros. Kaziranga has a wide variety of fauna and fauna in a unique habitat. Grasslands mainly comprise close tangled and thorny rattan cane, elephant grass and tall trees of the evergreen forest, interspersed with numerous water bodies, marshes and shallow pools. The main wildlife besides the Rhino comprises of the Asiatic Water Buffalo, Elephant, Tiger, Leopard, Swamp Deer, Barking Deer, Hog Deer, and Sambar. More than 400 species of birds are found in the park.

Early morning, we take an elephant safari in the central range of the park then back to Hotel & relax later explore Hatikhuli & Organic tea estate. In the afternoon, we go for an afternoon jeep safari. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Kaziranga.

The Central Range passes through the entire habitat spectrum from ox-bow lakes, savannah woodland to Dillenia Swamp Forest. It is very good for mammal sightings as well as birds (Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Great Hornbill, Rufous Woodpecker). Driving along one can see rows of Indian Roofed and Tent Turtles (Kachuga tecta and Kachuga tentoria). Water Monitors Varanus salvator is sometimes seen in the beels. The elephant ride also takes place in this part of the park and one gets good views of the Rhino while traversing through its terrain of swamps and tall grass. It is also good for early morning photography of rhinos in the mist. There are chances of seeing Bengal Florican from the elephant.

The Western Range has the highest density of Rhinos, as this part is swampier with extensive Haemarthia compressa stands. It is also good for grassland birds and raptors (Swamp Francolin, Pallas’s Fish-Eagle, etc.). Smooth Indian Otters are sometimes seen fishing in the ox-bow lakes.

Post breakfast, drive to Shillong. En-route you will visit the largest manmade lake of Northeast India – Umium Lake as time permits, and Cathedral of Merry Church. Overnight stay at hotel in Shillong.

Post breakfast, sightseeing tour of Shillong: We visit Lady Hydari Park, Ward’s Lake, Cathedral Catholic Church, Capt. Williamson Sangma State Museum, Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures, Shillong Peak Overnight stay at hotel in Shillong.

Lady Hydari Park: A popular spot both with locals and tourist, it is located in the heart of the city with an abundance of plants and flowers.

Ward’s Lake: A beautiful man-made lake named after Sir William Ward, the then, Chief Commissioner of Assam. A beautiful little lake with short garden walks and boating facilities. This is a popular spot for both local and visiting tourists.

Cathedral Catholic Church: In the heart of the city, there stands a beautiful cathedral of Roman Catholics.

Capt. Williamson Sangma State Museum: For those interested in ethnic tribal culture and tradition this Govt. Museum under the control of the Art and Culture Department offers insights into the lifestyle of the people. This museum is in the State Central Library complex where monuments for the great patriots of the state had been erected beside the statue of Smt. Indira Gandhi and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures: A three-in-one Institution combining a museum with a research and publication centre, for promoting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of North East India -a unique fusion of the entire sister states under one roof.

Shillong Peak: An ideal picnic spot, 1965m above sea level and 10 km from the city, offers a panoramic view of the countryside, and is also the highest point in the State. Obeisance is paid to U Shulong at the sanctum at the peak’s summit every springtime, by the religious priest of Mylliem State. In the evening the city lights below appear like a star-studded abyss.

After breakfast we drive to the picturesque village of Mawlynnong, acclaimed to be the cleanest one in all of Asia. Walk through this flower laden village, interacting with the locals to understand what motivates them to keep their village spick and span. Crank up the excitement with a walk to your first ever Root bridge in the neighbouring village of Riwai.

Living Root Bridges are unique live bridges found only in the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya.  The secondary roots of a species of Indian Rubber Tree Ficus Elastica- are trained over 20-25 years to form these living bridges to cross fast flowing rivers and streams. Some of these bio-engineering wonders are 53 feet, 70 feet, 100 feet long. The Double Decker Root Bridge has two levels. The bridge is strong enough to carry the weight of 50 people at a time and some of the bridges in that area may be well over 500 years old one such bridge is the Umishiang Double-Decker Root Bridge which is believed to be the only one of its kind in the world.

After enjoying our local meal in Mawlynnong, continue to Cherrapunji. Overnight stay at hotel in Cherrapunji.

Post breakfast we visit Noh Kalikai Falls, Kshaid Dain Thlen Falls & Mawsynram. Overnight stay at hotel in Cherapunji.

Cherrapunji (Sohra): Better known as Sohra, Cherrapunji is situated 56 km from Shillong and 1300m above sea level and is known all over the world as the rainiest place on the planet. Besides a number of roaring waterfalls, including the famous Nohsngithiang falls the lovely town is also famous for its limestone caves, orange, honey, a headquarter of the Syiem of Sohra and a Centre of the Khasi Culture and literature.

Kshaid Dain Thlen Falls: Located near Sohra, meaning the falls where the mythical monster of Khasi legend was finally butchered. The axe-marks made on the rocks where Thlen was butchered are still intact and visible.

Mawsmai Cave: This 250m long cave is the major attraction for the tourists in Cherrapunjee. This cave is located 6 km away from Cherrapunjee near to Mawsmai village. This natural limestone cave is wide enough for a person to walk comfortably, and one can see the myriads of stalagmites and stalactites all over the caves which are growing gradually. The caves are dark inside and electric torches are installed for the convenient of the tourists.

Post breakfast drive from Cherapunji to Guwahati. Overnight stay at hotel in Guwahati.

Start early in the morning for our final drop to Guwahati airport. Participants are advised to book their flights after 2 pm.