Home > Destinations > Eastern India > Nagaland and the Hornbill Festival
NAGALAND AND THE HORNBILL FESTIVAL
Day 1 Depart London Heathrow
Today depart London on the Emirates flight to Dubai. (N)
Day 2 Arrive Dubai
Dubai to Kolkata
Arrive into Dubai and connect onto the Emirates to Kolkata. On
your arrival you will be met and transferred to the Oberoi Grand
Hotel where you will stay overnight. Kolkata, the gateway to Eastern
India, is a city of extreme contrasts. Sometimes described as the
forward–thinking intellectual capital of India and noted for some
wonderful landmarks of the British Raj, on the other hand, the city
has been called ‘the soul of India’ and is one of the most populous
urban areas on earth. (N)
Day 3 Kolkata to Dimapur – by air
Dimapur to Kohima
Today fly to Dimapur. On your arrival you will be met and transferred to
Kohima and the Cimorb Hotel or the Razhu Pru Heritage Bungalow where you
will stay for the next four nights. The state capital of Nagaland, Kohima
is situated at an altitude of 1,444 metres and is a beautiful town with wide
panoramic views of the surrounding area. Later visit Kohima village, or Bara
Basti, with its large traditional gate decorated with horns of buffalo which
represents the bravery and valour of the local Angami Tribe. (B/D)
Day 4 Kohima – Hornbill Festival
Located in the North Eastern corner of India, Nagaland is made up of sixteen
major tribes, each with its own language, cultures and traditions. All Naga
tribes celebrate their distinct festivals which are seasonal in nature and
characterised by grand displays of colour, music and dance. During December
the annual Hornbill Festival takes place in the village of Kisema – a grand
celebration attended by all of the tribes of Nagaland. Later continue to the
festival to soak up the atmosphere of this great event. (B/L/D)
Day 5 Kohima – Hornbill Festival
Today return again to the festival. By visiting on different days you get
to see a good cross-section of the various tribes and their cultures. (B/L/D)
Day 6 Kohima
This morning visit the villages of Jakhama and Kigwema which are inhabited by the
Angami tribe. Located south of Kohima, both villages are encircled by terraced
paddy fields each with a traditional entrance gate and the customary Angami houses.
Afterwards, continue onto the village of Khonoma. It was here that the Naga warriors
made their last stand against the British in 1879. (B/L/D)
Day 7 Kohima to Touphema – 40kms
Today drive to Touphema and stay overnight at the basic Touphema Tourist Cottage.
Home of the northern Angami tribe, Touphema is situated deep in the central Naga
Hills. Later visit the village inhabited by the Angami tribe and nearby Tsiminyu
Village which is home to the Regma Tribe. (B/L/D)
Day 8 Touphema to Mokokchung – 120kms
After breakfast leave Touphema and drive to Mokokchung. This picturesque town
is the cultural centre of the Ao tribes who are famous for their colourful dances.
In the evening visit Ungma village, the largest of the Ao villages, according to
legend, the early Ao’s first settled. The village is many centuries old and has
much folklore, customs and tradition. Stay for two nights at the Metsuben Hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 9 Mokokchung
This morning visit the tribal villages of Mopungchukit and Chuchuyimlang – both of
which are inhabited by the Ao Nagas and are known for their festivals which take
place at the start of May. After lunch, end the day at Longkhum village where on a
clear day it is possible to see the eastern Himalayas of Arunachal and beyond. A
vanguard village of the Ao’s in the days of head hunting, Longkhum is today best
known for the exquisite handcraft and handloom items that the villagers produce.
The Ao’s have a belief that Longkhum is the resting place of the spirits of the dead
on their onward journey to paradise. (B/L/D)
Day 10 Mokokchung to Mon – 260kms
After breakfast drive to Mon the headquarters of the Konyak tribe who wear traditional
dresses with feathered headgear and have tattooed faces. En-route visit Wakching, a
typical Konyak tribal village. Stay for two nights at the basic Helsa Cottage. (B/L/D)
Day 11 Mon
This morning drive to Longwa village. One of the largest villages in Mon district,
Longwa straddles the international boundary between India and Myanmar with half of
the Angh’s houses falling within India and the remainder in Burma. Later in the
afternoon return to Mon. (B/L/D)
Day 12 Mon to Dibrugarh – 140kms
Today leave Mon and drive to Dibrugarh, stopping en–route to visit Chui Village.
Once in Dibrugarh continue to the Heritage Chang Bungalow for your overnight stay.
Dibrugarh is the gateway to the ‘Hidden Land’ of Eastern Arunachal Pradesh and
Northern Myanmar. (B/L/D)
Day 13 Dibrugarh to Kolkata – by air
This morning transfer to Dibrugarh Airport in good time to catch the onward flight to
Kolkata. On your arrival you will be met and transferred to the Oberoi Grand Hotel where
you will stay overnight. (B)
Day 14 Kolkata to Dubai
Dubai to London Heathrow
Today transfer back to Kolkata Airport to catch the Emirates flight to Dubai. On your
arrival connect onto the onwards Emirates flight London Heathrow Terminal Three. (B)
STAYING ON
Extend your time in northeast India to include Arunachal Pradesh – one of the country’s most remote states.
Planning your journey: We can design a unique journey to suit you as our tours are totally tailor made. By combining your own ideas with our knowledge and experience we can help you to create your own journey tailored exactly to your requirements Once you have formulated your ideas, or if you require some general or specific advice, please call us on 01892 515966 or simply send your ideas to pettitts@btconnect.com. On receipt of your enquiry we will provide you with a full written quotation together with our suggestions and recommendations.
A Guide to Price – NAGALAND AND THE HORNBILL FESTIVAL
Prices vary according to selected airlines, hotels and season, however, an indication to the current cost of this itinerary is from £2,860. All prices are per person and are based on a minimum of TWO persons travelling together and sharing a twin bedded room with meals as indicated. If you wish to travel alone we will be pleased to assist you with your arrangements and can provide a proposal on request.
Note: Meal Basis (N) = No Meal; (B) = Breakfast; (L) = Lunch; (D) = Dinner
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