Assam – Arunachal Pradesh (12 Days / 11 Nights)

GUWAHATI – TEZPUR – DIRANG – TAWANG – BOMDILA – TEZPUR – ZIRO – DAPORIJO – AALO -DIBRUGARH
Arunachal Pradesh, a serene land tucked into the North Eastern tip of India, invites you to relax in its picturesque hills and valleys, enjoy its salubrious climate and meet its simple and hospitable people, with their glorious heritage of arts and crafts and colourful festivals that reflect their ancient faith in the inexorable power of nature. There are places of worship and piligrimage such as Parasuramkund and 400 years old Tawang Monastery, or the sites of archeological excavations like Malinithan and Itanagar, the serene beauty of lakes such as Ganga lake & Sela lake or the numerous variations of snowclad mountain peaks and lush green meadows where thousands of species of flora and fauna prosper. In addition, the state provides abundant scope for angling, boating, rafting, trekking and hiking. Besides, there are a number of wild life sanctuaries and national parks where rare animals, birds and plants fascinate the visitor.

Day 1  Guwahati – Tezpur (200 KM – 5 Hours)

Arrive at Guwahti airport
Drive to Sualkuch Village which is 42 km from Guwahti. The village is famous for silk weaving and produces 90% of the best Assam Silk. Here you can learn the whole process of silk weaving,
Later proceed to Tezpur and check in at hotel. Tezpur is stopover point for visitors travelling into Arunachal Pradesh or Upper parts of Assam. It is a fascinating city that boasts of well kept parks, beautiful lakes and dazzling views of the mighty Brahmaputra River.
Overnight stay.

Day 2  Tezpur – Dirang (180 KM – 8 Hours)

After breakfast at hotel, drive to Dirang – the land of Tribal Mahayana Monapas. The drive takes you along the mighty River Kameng, flowing from the West Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh.
Situated in West Kameng district, this small town has enchanting snow-capped mountains, lush greenery and streams.
Reach Dirang and visit Dirang Dzong and Monpa village.
Dirang Dzong is a tribal area located on the shores of Dirang River. The architecture of this place is astonishing. Few of the houses here are over five centuries old. These were constructed in order to sustain the harsh weather in this region. Dzong is now in ruins, but the remains are proof of architectural excellence of the old days. You can have spectacular views from Dirang Dzong.
Overnight stay.

Day 3  Dirang – Tawang (180 KM – 8 Hours)

After breakfast drive to Tawang. Stop en-route to visit Sella Pass and Sella Lake situated at an altitude of 13476 ft.
Also visit Jaswant Ghar and Nunarang fall before reaching Tawang. Jaswant Ghar is a home of a warrior who fought against Chinese soldiers continuously for 72 hours during Indo-China war in 1962.
Reach Tawang and check in at Hotel. Evening is at leisure.
Tawang, situated at an altitude of 10000 feet is surrounded by lakes. The location of Tawang is fascinating with Tibet to its north, Sela range of West Kameng to the east direction. One never ceases to be amazed by its breathtaking valleys, waterfalls and misty rivers.
Overnight stay at Tawang.

Day 4  Tawang

After breakfast visit Tawang Monastery – the second largest monastery in Asia and the largest in India. It was established by Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso in 1680-81. The Monastery is situated amidst picturesque landscape. It stands on the spur of a hill, about 10,000 feet above sea level. It offers a charming view of the Tawan-Chu valley. It appears like a fort as if guarding the votaries in the wide valley below. It is also an important centre of Buddhist learning for young Buddhist monks. It houses great collection of manuscripts, artifacts and books.
Also visit Urgelling Monastery – the birth place of Sixth Dalai Lama, it lies about five kilometers to the south Tawang. It is a home to many Buddhist monks and Lamas following the Lamaistic Mahayana school of thought.
Then visit Tawang War Memorial. The memorial was erected in honor of unsung heroes of India China war which took place in 1962. This is also known locally as the ‘Namgyal Chortan’. It has names of 2420 soldiers etched in gold on 32 black granite plaques who lost their lives for the country.
Also visit Ani Gompa which is unique because it is a Buddhist monastery run by nuns and very similar to the Christian society. Such monasteries are called Ani Gompas, which literally means ‘Nunnery’. No male monks are to be seen near these Ani Gompas. Nuns manage the day-to-day affairs of the Gompa.
Overnight stay.

Day 5  Tawang – Bomdila (195 KM – 8 Hours)

After breakfast drive back to Bomdila which is a picturesque town in the foothills of Himalayas and the headquarter of West Kameng District the land of the Monpa, Sherdukpen, Aka (Hrusso), Miji and Bogun (Khawas) tribes.
After reaching Bomdila, visit Bomdila Monastery and a small Tribal Monpa local market.
Bomdila Gompa is one of the most important centres for Lamaistic faith of Mahayana Buddhism. It is a replica of the Tsona Gontse monastery at Tsona which is located in the southern Tibet. The monastery is also known as the Gentse Gaden Rabgyel Lling monastery and was established by the twelfth reincarnate of the Tsona Gontse Rinpoche
Evening is at leisure.
Overnight stay.

Day 6  Bomdila – Tezpur (145 KM – 6 Hours)

Breakfast at hotel and drive to Rupa – a small village where you can visit a very old monastery known as Rupa Monastery made of wood.
Later visit Chilpam monastery which is located on a ledge and the view of the river valley, Rupa town and hills beyond from here is amazing.
A visit to Bimdila – Tezpur trail cannot be complete without a visit to village of fascinating traditional Monpa tribe who have lived here for centuries. An interesting characteristic of a Monpa family is that it is patriarchal. They have since long time attracted the attention of anthropologists because they practice both monogamy as well as polygamy. The follow Mahayana Buddhism.
Later, continue the drive and after reaching Tezpur, check in at hotel for overnight stay.

Day 7  Tezpur – Ziro (360 KM – 10 Hours)

After breakfast drive to Ziro.
The drive passes through the villages of Assam and vast paddy fields. Ziro is located 1500 metres above sea level. It is a beautiful hill station and one of the oldest towns of the state. It is mainly inhabited by the Apatani tribe. This valley is rich in biological diversity. This town wears a festive look during festival celebrated by Apatani people.
Reach Ziro and check in at hotel for overnight stay.

Day 8  Ziro

Breakfast at hotel.
Later drive to visit the Apatani tribal village. Visit Hong village, the largest village in the Apatani plateau and the 2nd largest in Asia after Kohima or Bara Basti village in Nagaland. Walk to end of the village where the alter is erected offering chicken sacrifice to the malevolent and benevolent sprits, walk back to village to visit local house and interact with the people. Being so famous and much sought after by the tourist for their photographs, you need to have permission from them.
Overnight stay.

Day 9  Ziro – Daporijo (175 KM – 8 Hours)

After breakfast drive to Daporijo – the land of the Tagin tribes of Arunachal Pradesh.
Stop en-route to visit the Adi and Nishi tribal villages like Pamluk, Tamen, Bao Simla and Ranag villages. You may either have packed lunch en-route or you can also try the local cuisine of the tribe.
Reach Daporijo and overnight stay.
Day 10  Daporijo – Aalo (165 KM – 7 Hours)
After breakfast, explore Ligu village and then drive to Aalo. You will be served packed lunch en-route.
Reach Aalo and check in at hotel.
Aalo is located in a picturesque valley at the confluence of two rivers, Sipu and Siyom. It is one of the oldest towns with backdrop of verdant hills at an altitude of 300m above sea level. The serene surroundings laced with lush green plantations makes it a must visit place. You can visit Patum Bridge over Yomgo River, Museum and Donyi-Polo.
Overnight stay.

Day 11  Aalo – Dibrugarh (145 KM, 5 Hours + 2 Hrs + ½ Hr To Hotel)

After breakfast drive to Moibari River Ghat which takes approximately 5 hours but it also depends on river condition. Cross the river Brahamputra on a country made motor boat.
Reach Dibrugarh and check in at hotel.
Dibrugarh is located along the river Brahmaputra. It is also referred to as the gateway to Arunachal Pradesh. Dibrugarh, surrounded by tea gardens with the misty outlines of the Himalayas in the background is a fascinating place.
Go on a tea tour as Dibrugarh is the largest tea exporting town in India. The tea tour takes you through tea gardens. During the winter season, the dormant bushes are pruned to ensure good growth during the warmer months. During rainy season and when the temperature rises, the gardens come alive with group of colorfully dressed tea pluckers, mostly ladies as they are considered to be better than men to pluck the delicate buds and leaves.
You can visit Chang Bunglows during visit to Tea Estates. These were built by Britishers when they established their tea plantations in the mid-nineteenth century. These are comfortable bungalows designed to make life as pleasant as possible for them. Chang in the local language means “raised on stilts” and the design was to serve the purpose of keeping the house cool by allowing breezes to blow underneath and to keep water and animals out of reach.
Overnight stay.

Day 12  Dibrugarh

Transfer to Dibrugarh airport to catch flight for onward destination.

END OF TOUR