Welcome to India, or as we say ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ (The guest is an incarnation of God). Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you!!

Late night arrival, meeting and assistance upon arrival as our representatives welcome you and escort you to your car.

Whilst the room keys and check-in is organized, our representative would introduce the tour to you and hand over the documents to you.

Overnight at Calcutta Bungalow, Kolkata (Boipara – Upgraded) (No Meals)

After breakfast, we will proceed on a special tour of Kolkata that will highlight the cultural potpourri of this city that is affectionately known as “City Of Joy”. We will start our tour with a visit to the Dalhousie Square from where once the British ruled the roost. The red building reminds us of a time of a colonial era which is very present even now. We will then visit the Mausoleum of Job Charnock situated in St. John’s Church where you will have an insight into the life & times of this Englishman. Job Charnock was widely known as the founder of Kolkata, but, the 2003 ruling of Calcutta High Court denied him the legacy. However, history will remember him with its own observation. 

Then, we will have a Bazaar Tour where you get to feel the warmth of the people, the passion, and, the love for their city. First, we will visit the Flower Market, beneath the east end of Howrah Bridge; this is eastern India’s largest flower market with hundreds of stalls and people sitting on the ground. Then, we will visit the Burra Bazar area, which is a world in itself. The Marwaris from Rajasthan migrated here a long time ago, and, made it their home. Actually, you would notice a unique ecosystem where their business and, dwellings coexist in a colorful harmony. These unique bleeding’s have indeed contributed to Kolkata’s thrilling cultural legacy.

Following our Bazzar tour, we will be visiting the Synagogues of Kolkata including the Maghen David Synagogue. Built in 1884, Maghen David literally means the Shield of David. The entrance sees the Star of David, one of the three synagogues which have the most beautiful interiors. Marble floor, shiny chandeliers, and Belgium stained glass windows give this place its exotic look.

Later, we will also visit the St. Paul’s Cathedral, known as the first Episcopal Church of the eastern world. It is an Anglican cathedral of the Church of North India. Besides, being a religious site, the cathedral is also an architectural marvel. St. Paul‘s Cathedral is 247 feet in length, 81 feet in width and 114 feet at transept. The flagstaff rises to a height of 175 feet above ground level.

Next, we will be visiting the The Park Street cemetery. It is one of the first non-church cemeteries in the world. In the 19th century, it was known as the ‘Great Christian Burial ground’ in Asia. The cemetery was named after “Park Street” after the private deer park built by Sir Elijah Impey around Vansittart’s garden house. The cemetery served as a burial ground for the European expatriates who were settled in Calcutta during the colonial period. The cemetery houses the graves of many notable European figures of the regal era. Most distinguished tombs are those of ‘Rose Aymler’, beloved of the poet Walter Savage Langdor, Henry Louis Vivian Derozio, the initiator of the Young Bengal Movement who lived an eventful life for a short period of just 22 years; Charles Dickens’ son, Sir William Jones, founder of the Asiatic Society, Calcutta in 1796, David Drummond, C. F. Andrews and Michael Madhusudan Dutta, the illustrious and anglicized poet of Bengal.

We will also be visiting the Victoria Memorial, the exquisite marble building of Victoria Memorial stands tall in all its glory. As beautifully it is designed as carefully it has been curated and looks picturesque during the dusk as well as in the sunrise. Also, the Victoria Memorial Hall exhibits some of the finest collections of paintings from the colonial era. From portraits of eminent colonial administrators to paintings of Indians princes and rulers, the collection exhibits a diverse range of themes and mediums. 

Later, following our tour, we will also visit Mother Teresa’s 'Missionaries of Charity'. Kolkata, apart from housing several worship places, also houses the sacred sanctum of social work, called 'Missionaries of Charity'. It is essentially a Roman Catholic religious order, founded in 1950, by Mother Teresa in Kolkata (then Calcutta), which works for the poor and destitute. Started with just 12 volunteers, this order has now spread to 133 nations of the world, with about 4,500 permanent women volunteers called 'Sisters'. ‘Missionaries of Charity’ in Kolkata works for the real needy and deprived section of society. It helps the sick, orphans, lepers, AIDS victims, abandoned elderly, mentally challenged people, refugees and ex-prostitutes. The charity has 19 homes in Kolkata; each of them working for a specific cause, e.g. NirmalHriday - the home for pure heart, working for the sick, dying and destitute in the city of Kolkata. Other homes include Shanti Nagar - the city of peace, meant for leprosy patients and NirmalaShishuBhawan, meant for orphaned kids. The Missionary also works for educating the street children of Kolkata.

Overnight at Calcutta Bungalow, Kolkata (Boipara – Upgraded) (B)

Following a leisurely breakfast, we will visit Kumartuli. This unique artisan village dates back 400 years, making it perhaps the oldest of its kind in the world. It is the lifeblood of Bengal‘s biggest festival and keeps the Puja fervor alive among Bengali communities in other countries. Around 250 artists work to produce 40,000 idols a year, including 3500 images of Durga. With more than a thousand workers assisting the artisans, Kumartuli is a mini industry. It exports 50 Durgaidolsto virtually all corners of the world, including UK, USA, Canada, Germany and Switzerland. 

We will then visit the College Street Book Market, Kolkatans are well-known for their passion for books and this area is a treasure for the book lovers of the city - you can find of them every day spending hours browsing through the loads of new books or bargaining for buying a second hand one. Some of the Kolkata‘s most renowned academic institutions like Kolkata University, Presidency College, Kolkata Medical College and Sanskrit College are also located in this street. (Closed on Sundays & National Holidays)

We will then visit the Indian Coffee house and get engaged in an informal chat session with university students. Also known as "Albert Hall", this is the most favorite gathering place for the writers, intellectuals, artists and students for many decades. Casual chatting for hours about any issue is the most favorite social activity of any Bengali and here in this large historical and legendary café, entire day you can find hundreds of Kolkatan's are busy discussing about their favorite issue over a cup of coffee.

Following our engaging session at Coffee House, we will now take a Tram ride from College Street to Bhim Chandra Nag sweet shop, de board the tram and savor traditional Bengali sweets at this heritage sweet shop. They specialize in a mouth-watering sweet called Ledikeni, a light reddish-sbrown fried sweet ball made of chena and flour and soaked in sugar syrup. The sweet was first prepared by Bhim Chandra Nag for Lady Canning, the wife of Charles Canning - the Governor-General of India during 1856-62. Ledikeni, a unique variation of gulabjamun (North Indian Delicacy), originated in the mid-19th century.

Overnight at Calcutta Bungalow, Kolkata (Boipara – Upgraded) (B)

After breakfast we will drive to Kolkata airport for your onward flight to Dibrugarh.

Dibrugarh is known as the tea capital of Assam, lust tea gardens all throughout the town. 

Evening, we will explore the local market of the town and if time permits walk by the bank of the Brahmaputra River to capture the sunset. 

Overnight at Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow, Dibrugarh (AC Double Dihang) (D)

We will start our day with a stroll through the lush tea gardens of Dibrugarh and, if operational, visit a tea factory. 

We will also embark on the journey to Namphake Village, a pristine village by the side of the Buridhining river one of the major tributaries of Brahmaputra River. Explore the Namphake Buddhist Monastery, one of the oldest Monasteries of Assam. 

Immerse yourself in the unique culture of the Tai Phake community, whose ancestors migrated from China in 1775.  

This village is inhabited by lesser known Tai – Phakes community with about 72 house hold. In spite of the small number the dwellers are so much devoted toward preservation of the culture and tradition making Namphake a suitable example. Tai Phakes migrated from Men Mau of South China, across Myanmar and then Pat Kai Hills and then entered Assam in 1775 and then settled in Brahmaputra valley.

Overnight at Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow, Dibrugarh (Dihang) (B, L & D)
 

Morning, after a leisurely breakfast, we will drive towards Digboi.

Upon arrival, we will visit to the Centenary Oil Museum and 2nd World War Cemetery at Digboi (remains close on Mondays/state/central govt. holidays or for any other reason). This museum illustrates in details the history of Oil Industry in India. Later visit the historic STILWELL ROAD and visit the Historic Lekhapani Railway Station. At Tipong, click your pictures with the oldest operational steam locomotives of the likes of DAVID and 796 here. If time permits visit the Ledo Club which served as the office of the first Governor General of Independent India – Lord Mountbatten. Return to Dibrugarh for overnight stay.

Overnight at Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow, Dibrugarh (Dihang) (B, L & D)

We will drive to tribal destination of Nagaland – Mon. 

The district of Mon is home to the Konyak Nagas who are by far the largest in numbers of all the different Nagas and also the most recognizable. Mon is located near the Indo - Myanmar border, you can enter this far away destination of Nagaland ‘Mon’ through the wormy dust and gravel roads of Nagaland. The tattooed Konyak, all over their face and hands this tribe is famous for their muzzle loading guns. This divine place offers its best in raw natural beauty and for an adventurer; this place is perhaps an ideal place to visit for exciting activities like visiting the border village between India and Myanmar and encountering the decedent of the legendary head-hunters.

Overnight at Helsa Morung, Mon (Naga Cottage) (B, L & D)

After breakfast, we will visit Hongphui village inhabited by Konyak tribes.

Post-lunch, we will visit Longwah village in Mon district, one of the best places to see the unique diversity of Naga people. Located on the border of India and Myanmar (not to worry, you don’t need a Myanmar VISA to visit this village). Here we shall visit some of the villages inhabited by the Konyak tribe. The most interesting part to see in this village is to see the Village Chief’s house located on the border line of Indo – Myanmar and passes through his house dividing into two halves. Longwa is a quiet and serene place with hospitable Naga people.

Please note: The road condition to access this village is very poor. Depending on the road conditions, we may have to change/cancel the visit to the mentioned villages.

Overnight at Helsa Morung, Mon (Naga Cottage) (B, L & D)

This morning, we will drive to Mokokchung. 

Mokokchung is the cultural capital of the Ao Naga’s. The Ao tradition gives an account of their origin from ‘Longtrok’ (six stones), from which emerged six persons, who came to be the progenitors of the Aos. The first settlement known to the tribe is ‘Chungliyimti village’. As the village became overcrowded in due course of time, a large number of them migrated across Dikhu River and settled in the present territory of Ao. Thus, these people were called as ‘Aor’ or ‘Ao’ meaning ‘going ones or gone’. There are two divisions of Ao tribe, the Mongsen and the Chungli, who not only speak dialects which differ but also have minor differences in their customs and like all other Nagas, the Aos have Mongoloid features. The villages are generally built on the highest hills and fortified for defence. 

Overnight at Whispering Winds, Mokokchung (Executive Room) (B & D)

Following breakfast, we will drive to the capital of Nagaland – Kohima, the land of the Angami Naga tribe located with an average elevation of 1261 meters. The name, Kohima, was officially given by the British as they could not pronounce the Angami name Kewhima or Kewhira (Tenyidie for "the land where the flower Kewhi grows"). It is called after the wild flowering plant Kewhi, found in the mountains.

The town of Kohima is located on the top of a high ridge and the town serpentines along the top of the mountain ranges as is typical of most Naga settlements.

En route we will stop to visit some villages in Wokha.

Overnight at Hotel De Oriental Grand/Hotel Vivor, Kohima (B)

We visit and photograph one of the most fascinating festivals of Nagaland – The Hornbill festival, where the various tribes of Nagaland get together to showcase their customs and traditions. Spend entire day spent at Kisama village – the location of Hornbill Festival (program as per festival schedule). 

Evening, we will visit the Hornbill Night carnival (timing 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM). Colorful stall adored with sparkling lights; each one has something unique to offer. 

We will return back to our hotel.

It was in the year 2000, the State Government of Nagaland desirous of promoting tourism embarked upon an ambitious project to exploit the cultural assets of Nagaland, through a weeklong festival to coincide with the celebrations of Nagaland Statehood Day on 1stDecember. Thus, the inception of the Nagaland Hornbill Festival is so named is collective reverence to the bird enshrined in the cultural to espouse the spirit of unity in diversity. Today this festival has become one of the largest celebrations of the indigenous warrior of Nagaland, where thousands of tourists from different counties are being attracted. Even if tremendous modernity has entered into their lives, but the well-preserved rich tradition, their unique heritage and customs, legacy, are being displayed in these 10 days converge of cultural, dance and sporting bash.

Overnight at Hotel De Oriental Grand/Hotel Vivor, Kohima (B)

Morning we will visit Hornbill Festival ground.

Later, we will visit Kigwema an Angami hilly village – which once undergone the attack of the Japanese troupe on 4-4-44, exactly at 3-30 pm. This village was attacked by the Japanese military. The simplicity stone memorial constructed exactly at the beginning of the village area is something that goes along with this brutality. Besides the uniqueness of the Angami lifestyle that the village folk is still maintaining is also worth-seeing.\

Visit the World War Cemetery – constructed in memory of the officers and men who made supreme sacrifices during World War II. On each grave there are beautiful epitaphs engraved in bronze. The famous inscription written on the War Memorial stone reads "WHEN YOU GO HOME TELL THEM OF US AND SAY, FOR YOUR TOMORROW WE GAVE OUR TODAY". 

Later go for day trip to Khonoma is an Angami-tribe warrior village that is known for its battles with the English and for its leading role in the Naga freedom struggle. In recent years Khonoma has become famous for its community-based conservation projects and eco-friendly tourism initiatives.  

Overnight at Hotel De Oriental Grand/Hotel Vivor, Kohima (B)

After breakfast, we will check out from hotel and transfer to Dimapur airport to board flight for your onward flight back home.

NO HOTEL QUOTED FOR THIS DAY (B)