SEKRENYI FESTIVAL

Arrive at Guwahati and transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Guwahati: The city of Guwahati is situated on the southern bank of River Brahmaputra in the Kamrup District of Assam, it is one of the fast growing premier cities of India. The city is gate way to the North Eastern States of India and a principal center of socio cultural, political, industrial and trade and commerce of the entire region. Dispur, the capital city of Assam is a part of Guwahati. Earlier, this city was full of areca nut trees rappled by pan creepers. Hence this city subsequently got the name Guwahati. The word ‘Guwa’ in Assamese means areca nut and ‘Hat’ means market.

After breakfast visit Kamakhya Temple, Sualkuchi and Hajo. Later drive to Kaziranga (220 kms / 04 ½ hrs). On arrival check in at hotel for 02 nights.

Situated atop the Nilachal Hills, the foremost shrine of Assam, Kamakhya Temple dominates the life of Guwahati, as much as the great Brahmaputra River. Kamakhya is an ancient seat of tantric and shakti cults of Hinduism. A rush of devotees throng the Temple during the Ambubachi Puja (June).

Sualkuchi: Located on the banks of the Brahmaputra, 35 kms north of Guwahati, Sualkuchi is a weaving village that produces some of the best silk in the state. This sleepy little village exudes a charm like no other. Once can notice an adjacent shed (karkhana) that houses the traditional bamboo looms, the gentle click-clacking of which can be heard from the streets. One can walk around the numerous workshops and observe the skilled weavers giving birth to intricate patterns on the golden Muga silk. It has been identified about 17000 silk looms in Sualkuchi producing a range of silk products. Most of Sualkuchi’s silk is woven into mekhela-chadar and gamosas. Considering to the increasing demand from various parts of the country, the weavers of Sualkuchi have diversified its products to shawls, saris and dress materials. The silk weaving industry of Sualkuchi provides direct and indirect employment to more than 25,000 people throughout the year. The large number of looms and the ever increasing output from them has earned Sualkuchi the monicker “Manchester of the East”.

Hajo – the meeting point of Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist and faiths on the northern bank of river Brahmaputra, has a number of temples. The main among them being the Hayagrib Madhab Temple – a place of pilgrimage both for Hindus and Buddhists. Hajo’s bell-metal work is renowned for the interesting artifacts made by the local craftsmen.

Kaziranga national PARK. The park is a World Heritage Site and known for one horned Rhinoceros. Apart from rhinos, tigers more than 81, Asiatic Water Buffalo numbering over 1200, elephants over 1000, Barking deer, Swamp deer, and Hog deer can be seen. About 400 species of birds are found in Kaziranga National Park. Swamp Francolin, Streak Throated Woodpecker, Kalij Pheasant, , Mallard, Gadwall, Greylag Goose Northern Shoveller, Northern Pintail, Eurasian Wigeon, Bay Woodpecker, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Osprey, Great Hornbill, Palas’s Fish Eagle, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Greater Adjutant Stork, Black necked Stork, Pied Falconets, Grey-headed Lapwing, Indian White Backed Vulture, Long Billed Vulture, along with a large number of Spotted Billed Pelican. Sighting is excellent and is always a great experience. The speciality is the blue napped pitta among a host of eagles and waterfowl.

Note: The park remains open from 2nd Oct to 30th April.

Spend the full day exploring the beautiful forests and grasslands of the National Park with morning 01 Elephant Safari followed by 01 Jeep Safari post breakfast. Post lunch enjoy another Jeep Safari. Overnight at the hotel.

ELEPHANT SAFARI:

Elephant Safari: Approximately 45 mins duration 05.30 to 06.30 06.30 to 07.30 Elephant safari for foreign nationals are held only on Kaziranga Range, Kohora (Central Range) Allocation of elephant riding seats and timings are regulated by the forest department, Kaziranga National Park, Government of Assam. The tickets for the same are issued only on the previous evening of the ride after 7:30 PM. subject to availability. It starts very early in the morning and continues for approx 45 minutes. It is the best way to explore the wide variety of wildlife in Kaziranga National Park. The park is covered by elephant grass which is very high and so the view from elephant back is perfect! During the course of the safari one can see herds of Indian Elephants, One-horned Rhinoceros at a very close distance. This proximity to wild animals in Kaziranga National Park makes the trip memorable and thrilling. The elephant safari takes place in the central range of the park and one gets good views of the rhino while traversing through its terrain of swamps and tall grass. It is also great for early morning photography of rhinos in the mist. There are good chances of seeing the Bengal Florican from elephant back.

JEEP SAFARI:

Forenoon: Entry time between 07:00 to 09:30 Hours. Visiting time is till 12:00 Noon Afternoon: Entry time between 13:30 to 15:00 Hours. Visiting time is till sunset. Jeep Safaris are permitted on pre-defined tourist circuits within Kaziranga National Park- currently at the following points:

1. Mihimukh in Central Range at Kohora
2. Bagori in Western Range at Bagori
3. Agaratoli in Eastern Range at Agaratoli
4. Burapahar Range

The Central Range passes through the entire habitat spectrum from ox-bow lakes, savannah woodland to swamp forests. It is very good for mammal sightings as well as for birds (Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Great Hornbill, Rufous Woodpecker). While driving along the trail, one can see rows of Indian Roofed and Tent Turtles (Kachuga tecta and Kachuga tentoria). Water Monitors Varanus salvator are sometimes spotted in the beels.

The Eastern Range abounds in water birds such as bar-headed geese, falcated duck, grey-headed lapwing and spot-billed pelican (a colony of 200 pairs of this globally threatened species nesting on the Bombax trees can be found here).

The Western Range has the highest density of rhinos as this part of the park is swampier. It has grassland birds and raptors (swamp francolin, pallas's fish eagle etc). Smooth Indian Otters (Lutrogale perspicillata) can sometimes be seen fishing in it’s ox-bow lakes.

Post breakfast we drive to Kohima (215 kms / 05 hrs). On arrival check in at hotel. Later in the afternoon visit 2nd World War Cemetery, where the famous Battle of Tennis Court took place, the State Museum, handloom and handicraft emporium.

Kohima, is situated at an altitude of 1444 m above sea level, and is the capital city of Nagaland. Kohima is covered by the state of Assam on the west, Wokha district on the north, Zunheboto and Phek districts on the east and Manipur state on the south. The Rengma, Angami and Zeliangrong communities mainly inhabit Kohima District.

KOHIMA WORLD WAR-II CEMETERY : Overlooking Kohima amidst scenic environs, the Kohima War Cemetery is a memorial in honor of those officers and soldiers killed during the World War II. Formerly known as Garrison Hill it is designed as a series of terraces with magnificent stone steps, bearing testimony to one of the most stubborn, close and bloody fighting in the whole of the Second World War. On the 18 plots of the cemetery, there are 1421 slabs erected in memory of soldiers who were killed in the battle of Kohima. The cemetery is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Before leaving Kohima the British erected a moving memorial in memory of their fallen comrades:

“When you go home, tell them of us, and say: ‘For your tomorrow, we gave our today.’

STATE MUSEUM: Located at Bayavü Hill, about 1½ km from the main town, it houses a rare collection of artifacts of each Naga tribe. The State Museum also has authentic Naga precious stones on display. Here one can see the most valued and expensive necklaces used by the Nagas. They are an assortment of precious stones which include coral, cornelian, core of xancus, tourmaline, ivory and other beads, brass and silver bells. Another interesting display is the Naga Morung/hut models. One can make out that the villages were located on hilltops. Perhaps it was to survey/watch the valley below for approaching friends or foes. The variations in architecture among the different tribes are just amazing. Musical instruments are also displayed. The various instruments give an insight into how music formed an integral part of Naga life. Log drum, Tati, a single stringed instrument, and other instruments made of bamboo and buffalo horns are used during festivals and other social gatherings. For the art lovers the state museum has an art gallery which houses collections of paintings by different local artists. The themes vary from traditional to modern.

The State Emporium displays the finest collection of tribal shawls, handbags, wood carvings, mekhalas, cane and bamboo handicrafts and readymade garments of traditional weaves, designed to modern taste.

After breakfast drive to Tuophema Village (40 kms/ 1 ½ hr) and check in at Phezo Resort. Later we shall participate in the festival of purification which will be filled with colourful dances, songs, games, etc. Overnight at the hotel.

Touphema, home of the northern Angami tribe, situated deep in the central Naga Hills, is a tourist village resort and a unique initiative on community tourism with all the ingredients of a traditional Angami Naga village. It was originally called Hutuophema after the Erithrina Tree in the belief that the village will triumph over the enimies of war.

Sekrenyi – it is the festival of the Angami tribe and is celebrated in the month of February. It is a festival of purification with singing and feasting. The term Sekrenyi literally means sanctification festival. The festival takes places after the harvest. The festival follows a circle of ritual and ceremony.

The most interesting part of the Sekrenyi Festival is the thekra hie. To celebrate Thekra hie young people of the village sit together and throughout the day sing traditional songs. As part of the festival Jugs of beer, rice and plates of meat are part of the festival.

This morning witness Sekrenyi festival and later drive to Kohima. Overnight at the hotel. Time permitting option to visit Khonoma village

Today after breakfast drive to Mokokchung (160 kms/ 5 ½ hrs). Enroute we visit, Longsa village inhabited by Lotha tribe at Wokha and Tseminyu Village inhabited by Regma Tribe. On arrival check in at hotel

Tseminyu Village: Tseminyu is the home to the Rengma tribe. The whole countryside is located on gentle slopes without much difficult terrain almost the whole area could be put to use for cultivation, so the main occupation of this tribal people is agriculture and blacksmith. They practice both Jhum and terrace cultivation. The houses are made up of bamboo and mud. The granary is always out of the village. They are fond of rearing pig mainly for religious and social occasions. “Ngada” is the main festival here which falls in the month of November. A popular belief among the ancient Rengmas is that the spirit of the death visits their graves and the homes of their relatives once every year, particularly during this festival.

Breakfast at the hotel. Later drive to Mon (260 kms/ 08 hrs). On the way visit the temples at Sivasagar and Ahom monuments. Watch the 600 year old history of the Ahom Dynasty. On arrival check into the hotel.

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

Mon– Mon is the home of the Konyak Nagas, situated at an altitude of 897 metres above sea level. Hereditary chiefs known as Anghs (Chief) rule the Konyak and the institutions of Anghship prevail only to the Konyak Naga tribe. It is interesting to see tattooed faces, wearing featured head gears and war traditional dresses. They are known for excellent in handicraft, wood carving and blacksmither.

This morning drive to Longwa village which is a 57 kms / 01 ½ hrs drive. One of the biggest villages in Mon district, the village straddles the international boundary between India and Myanmar. On return visit Shangnu and Hongphoi village. Overnight at the Guest House.

After breakfast visit Mon Village. Proceed to Dibrugarh (160 kms / 06 hrs). Check in Chowkidinghee Heritage Chang Bungalow.

DIBRUGARH is the gateway to the “Hidden Land” of Eastern Arunachal Pradesh and Northern Myanmar. In the 13th century, the Ahoms from Thailand came through Northern Myanmar to this area. They established their Empire which thrived in the ancient land of Assam. Enjoy and experience the richness of these tea gardens while staying at the Heritage Chang Bungalows. These are constructed on stilts and are situated in a serene atmosphere free from pollution.

During mid 19th century, when the British established their tea plantations and quickly built comfortable bungalows. One of the main features of these buildings has given rise to their name – CHANG BUNGALOWS, means raised on stilts.

This morning option to take a tea walk. In time transfer to Dibrugarh airport to board flight for onward destination.