India
Dates:
22 November - 6 December 2024
Duration:
15
days
Group:
12
ppl
Jorhat → Kaziranga → Jorhat → Majuli → Jorhat → Mon → Sibsagar → Dimapur → Kohima → Imphal → Loktak Lake → Imphal
Day 1: Jorhat - Kaziranga
On arrival in Jorhat, your guide and driver will escort you to Kaziranga National Park. Check into the lodge and rest of the day free to relax. Overnight in Kaziranga.
Day 2: Kaziranga
Early morning game drive in Kaziranga. Return to the lodge for breakfast. Free time to rest or visit the nearby Orchid Sanctuary. After lunch, proceed for afternoon game drive. Return to the lodge for dinner. An evening to relax. The evening is free to relax. Overnight in Kaziranga.
Day 3: Kaziranga - Jorhat
Early wake up with a hot cup of chai and biscuits. A jeep will take you to the Central Sector for your elephant safari [optional]. Return to the jungle lodge for breakfast. The rest of the morning is free at your leisure. In the afternoon, leave for a jeep safari in the eastern sector. Afterwards, leave for Jorhat. On arrival check into your accommodation. Evening free to rest. Overnight in Jorhat.
Day 4: Jorhat - Majuli - Jorhat
Get an early morning private boat and spend the day exploring one of the largest river islands in the world. Visit the island's ancient satras (rare Hindu Vaishnavite monasteries worshipping Lord Vishnu) and pop into the local mask and pottery workshops to watch master craftsmen at work. In the afternoon, take the boat back to Jorhat. The evening is free at your leisure. Overnight in Jorhat.
Day 5: Jorhat - Mon
After breakfast, drive to Mon District, home to the Konyak Naga tribe. Once one of the most elaborate and fierce head-hunting tribes of Nagaland, the tribal elders still exhibit signs of their ancient customs including tattooed faces, elaborate headdresses, and many of their homes still display animal skulls. Overnight in Mon.
Day 6: Mon
Full day exploring more of Mon, including a visit to the village of Longwa which straddles both India and Myanmar. Take a look inside a typical tribal bamboo hut and learn about their way of life. The evening is free at your leisure. Overnight in Mon.
Day 7: Mon - Sibsagar
After breakfast, leave for Sibsagar, the former capital of the Ahom Dynasty. The road will be bumpy so the rest of the day will be free to rest. Overnight in Sibsagar.
Day 8: Sibsagar
Spend the day visiting the ruins of the Ahom dynasty in Sibsagar. Later also visit the nearby Mising tribal village to get an insight into rural village life in Assam. Overnight in Sibsagar.
Day 9: Sibsagar - Dimapur
Leave for Dimapur, the second largest town in Nagaland which borders Assam. Check in to your accommodation and enjoy lunch. Afterwards, visit the Dimasa Kachari ruins and the Kali Temple. The evening is free to relax. Overnight in Dimapur.
Day 10: Dimapur - Kohima
Drive to Kohima and visit the famous World War II cemetery in Kohima, commemorating the British and Nagas who fought side-by-side to defeat the Japanese. Check-in at the hotel and later in the evening, visit the local street food carnival where numerous food stalls serve local snacks. Overnight in Kohima.
Day 11: Kohima
After breakfast, set off for the village of Kisama on the outskirts of Kohima. Stop at the viewpoint en-route for excellent views of the valley. On arrival in Kisama, take your seat in the amphitheatre where the main tribal performances will take place. This day of the festival typically sees tribes from all over North East India's 'Seven Sister' states perform traditional dances depicting war cries or customs relating to their interaction with nature and agriculture. During the day visit the many 'morungs' (communal tribal hut) set up around the venue. Each tribe has its own unique morung. After the festival finishes, return to the hotel. The evening is free at your leisure. Overnight in Kohima.
Day 12: Kohima
Arrive around 9 am at the festival ground. This gives ample time to wander around the morungs again and take photos of the various tribes. This day usually sees each of the Naga tribes performing dances or enacting scenes relating to war and their way of life. The Nagas are the most elaborately dressed of the tribes in North East India, so this is perhaps the most important day of the festival. There are various food stalls serving Naga specialities, which includes smoked pork - the aroma can be smelt all around the venue! Visit the handicraft and textile shops where you can pick up some Naga souvenirs. Return to the hotel, where the evening is free to rest. Overnight in Kohima.
Day 13: Kohima - Imphal
Set off for Imphal, the capital of Manipur. On arrival, check-in at the hotel and after refreshing have lunch then proceed to Khwairamband Bazaar (also known as Ima Keithel market), which is predominantly run by women and the largest of its kind in India. Evening free and overnight in Imphal.
Day 14: Imphal - Loktak Lake - Imphal
Day trip to Loktak Lake, the largest 'floating national park' in the world, and one of the most picturesque lakes in India. Stop at the viewpoint for tea/coffee and take in panoramic vistas of the lake before driving to the shore where you will board traditional wooden boats for a tranquil ride on the lake against the stunning backdrop of the Sendra Hills. Watch your boatsman navigate the moving phumdis and how fishermen catch their haul. Afterwards, take a short village walk to get an insight into local life. Enjoy a traditional Manipuri lunch and cultural show depicting local dance forms. Late afternoon return to Imphal. Evening free. Overnight in Imphal.
Day 15: Departure
Morning free at leisure. Optional visit to Kangla Fort (closed on Wed, opens at 10 am) before transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Note: extensions to other parts of the region or India can be organised. Contact us for more information.
Watch one-horned rhino & wildlife in Kaziranga
Enjoy song and dance at the Hornbill Festival
Discover Satras and village life on Majuli island
Explore ruins of Ahom Dynasty in Sibsagar
Learn tribal culture of Nagaland
Observe the unique floating 'phumdis' at Loktak Lake
Allison
USA
First time with the World of Discoveries tour but my fifth time overall with tour guided trips. They did an amazing job finding the best hotel places especially the Museum Hotel that was connected to the QT. Loved that we could do laundry since we were traveling for 2 weeks. The selection of itinerary was spot on and had so many wide arrangement for all to participate. The Hobbiton was surprisingly my favorite and definitely need to go. Our tour guide Micheal was extremely friendly, knowledgeable and helpful through your our trip. Communication was very good having the WhatsApp helped with knowing when and where we needed to meet at all times. Plus the other travels on the tour guide was a bonus since we all loved soccer and got along extremely well. OVERALL the trip was a big success and I would ? book another trip with them.
Dragan Rakic
Australia
Great experience and organisation by the team at World of Discoveries - communication was great all the way through the trip
Erika Proano
USA
I decided to take my dad to the World Cup to watch Ecuador play and enjoy the opening ceremony. After some online research, I found World Of Discoveries and I am beyond glad I found them. I trusted them with all the details and our experience was exceptional. World of Discoveries personalized approach is something I beyond appreciate; the team was in touch and answer my questions super timely and very clearly (I had many many questions). I received guidance on next steps as we were approaching the world cup and I knew I was not going to miss any details because they were on top of everything. The World Cup experience was above and beyond what we expected. We didn't have to worry about anything, World of Discoveries took care of the logistics and planned everything for us! even our side trip to Dubai was unforgettable! Thankful to companies that deliver above and beyond expectations and help us make memories that we will cherish forever. I can't wait for our next adventure!
Pascal Adolphe & Family
Australia
The World of Discoveries team made organising a complex holiday to the Qatar World Cup a breeze. My initial contact, Michael, managed to bring the cost of the holiday in line with my budget where other travel agents told me or would be impossible. On the ground we had a great experience on the desert tour and generally had a ball. Thank you
Karen Stowell
Australia
Varya and her team made everything run smoothly. We had World Cup tickets already purchased but could not marry with accommodation. Varya came up with an itinerary included flights, transfers and hotels, supported by 24 hour help, which was tested on several occasions. We have no hesitation in recommending WofDi, and foresee using their services again. Thank you so much for so much
Arturo Chaltelt
USA
WOD is a company you can trust and feel comfortable asking for anything to make your experience better. I just traveled to the 2022 World Cup with them and it was a blast. Everything nicely coordinated and great constant service and communication.