Naga Tribes In North East India

Duration: 7Days / 6 Nights
Places Covered:Kolkatta – Dimapur – Kohima - Tuophema – Mokokchung – Dibrugarh - Kolkatta

Day I:Arrive Kolkatta
You will be received on arrival and escorted to your hotel. In the afternoon you will proceed on a city tour. The most famous personality of the city is the Noble Laureate, Mother Teresa. A visit to her Ashram is a life enriching experience. Also visit the Victoria Memorial, which is one of the oldest museums in the city. Located at the top end of Chowringhee is the Birla Planetarium, it is the only planetarium in the country whose dome houses a collection of projectors and optical equipment imported from East Germany. It is the largest planetarium in South-East Asia and the second largest planetarium in the world. Also visit the Botanical Gardens. The garden was founded in 1787 by the East India Company and was formerly known as the Royal Botanical Garden. It is famous for its huge collection of bamboos, orchids, palms and the plants of screw pine genus. The garden spreads over 270 acres and more than 1700 plant species can be found here. The Central National Herbarium of the Botanical Survey of India is here and has 2,500,000 dried plants in its collection. A botanists dream come true for sure.
Overnight stay in your hotel.

Day 2:Kolkatta - Dimapur (145 M / 479 Ft) - By Ic 7701 / Dep At 0955 Hrs / Arr At 1200 Hrs - Kohima (1,444 M / 4,765 Ft) - By Surface / 74 Km / Approx 2 ½ Hrs
You will be transferred in time to board your flight to Dimapur. On arrival at Dimapur you will be received and embark on a scenic drive into the Naga Hills for Kohima, reaching there by the evening. It is a pretty town that is endearingly unspoiled, tranquil and immersed in history
After settling in to your hotel, for a slice of local colour, head for the local bazaar that springs up near the supermarket. Village women in their bright,
tribal costumes sell farm produce, fish, rice, mushrooms, fruit and other local delicacies. Also visit Kohima Village, called Barra Basti (Big Village), which, according to Naga legend, is where Kohima began. Said to be the second biggest village in Asia, it has one of the finest ceremonial gates, common to all Naga villages. The beautiful carvings of warriors and guns, and the symbol of prosperity, the 'mithun', heighten the importance of the Naga gateway. Overnight stay in your hotel.

Day 3:In Kohima
In the morning visit The Kohima War Cemetery, which was constructed in memory of the officers and men who made the supreme sacrifice during World War II. It is serene, beautifully located and superbly maintained. Roses bloom in season, the grass is always billiard-table smooth and two tall crosses stand at the lowest and highest points of the cemetery overlooking Kohima, between them, and stretching all the way across this gently rising hill in the center of the town, are stone markers with shinning bronze plaques. Each commemorates the name of a single man who gave his life for freedom. At the base of the upper cross there is an inscription which says: "Here, around the tennis court of the Deputy Commissioner lie men who fought in the Battle of Kohima in which they and their comrades finally halted the invasion of India by the forces of Japan in April 1944." Also visit the Catholic Cathedral at Aradurah hill, which is an important landmark in Kohima. It is the largest Cathedral in the whole of North East. Its quiet and serene ambience is conducive for meditation and prayer. It has a blend of the indigenous and modern architectural styles.
In the afternoon visit the State Museum, which show cases in dioramas, some of the most fascinating aspects of Naga tribal life in all its variety and wealth of tradition. Housed here is ancestral weaponry, carved gateposts, status pillars that record Feats of Merit and traditional Naga costumes. The Government Sales Emporium is in the heart of the town. It has a collection of Naga handloom and handicraft items.
Overnight stay in your hotel.

Day 4 Kohima - Tuophema - By Surface / 41 Km / Approx 1 ½ Hrs
From Kohima, the State capital you begin your journey further into this state that has its own unique tribal customs and traditions. You drive to the ethnic tourist village of Tuophema that has all the ingredients of a traditional Naga village and is maintained by the village community. Here you will enjoy modern amenities in an ethnic setting. The village is known for its model Village Development Board. This village has been chosen by the Tourism Department for the promotion of Angami Sekrenyi festival celebrated during 25 - 27 February every year. Sekrenyi is a festival of purification and revolves around rituals and ceremonies of cleansing the village as well.
Overnight stay in an ethnic village.

Day 5: Tuophema - Mokokchung (1,325 M / 4,373 Ft) - By Surface / 121 Km / Approx 4 ½ Hrs
Your Nagaland Odyssey continues with a drive to the picturesque town of Mokokchung, which is the Headquarters of the Ao Nagas. The main festivals of the Aos are Moastu that is held in the first week of May and Tsungremmong in August. The highlight of Tsungremmong is the tug-of-war between the men's and women's team.
You have the afternoon & evening to soak in the ambience and get to learn of the ethnic customs and traditions of yet another one of the 16 major tribes in Nagaland. One can have a beautiful view of Mokokchung town from the viewpoint at the Town Park. The market is an interesting sight to pass through. Women sell their village produce such as green vegetables, dried vegetables, cereals and other forest products. Naga delicacies are also served in the eateries in the market place. Mokokchung is on of the great centers of Ao Naga tradition. The prowess of the Ao warriors is reflected in the gorgeous red and black shawls with a white decorated band that signifies their victory over their enemies. The footprints of Jina and Itiben - the Romeo and Juliet of the Aos - are found on the rocks in several places in the Ao.
Overnight stay in your hotel.

Day 6: Mokokchung - Dibrugarh - By Surface / 194 Km / Approx 5 ½ Hrs
From Mokokchung you exit the Naga Hills driving to Sibsagar. On the way visit Aliba Village and experience the sound of largest log drum in the world. You proceed by road to Dibrugarh. It is the "Camellia" town of Assam, an undisturbed haven, with its endless stretches of tea gardens. At Dibrugarh you will stay at the Mancotta Chang Bungalow located 12 km from the town. This 140 years Heritage Chang Bungalow built by pioneering Scottish tea planters offers a unique experience of the traditional plantation life. In the evening take a tea tour - learn about its origin, how it is grown & also have an experience of the fine art of tea tasting.
Overnight at the Chang Bungalow.

Day 7:Dibrugarh - Kolkatta - By Flight / Ic 702 / Dep At 1200 Hrs / Arr At 1330 Hrs - Departure Kolkatta
After break fast you will get the feel of the mighty Brahmaputra River as you take an hour long river cruise on a country boat, traveling first up-stream & the down-stream to the start point.
Your Nagaland sojourn ends with a flight from Dibrugarh to Kolkatta. On arrival at Kolkatta you will be received & have the rest of the day at leisure for last minute shopping.
Later in the evening you will be transferred in time to the International Airport to board you flight back home.