Arunachal Pradesh and the Reh Festival

Day 1 Depart UK

Today depart the UK on the Emirates flight to Dubai. (N)

Day 2 Arrive Kolkata

Arrive into Dubai and connect onto the Emirates flight to Kolkata in the heart of Eastern India. One of the forward-thinking intellectual capitals of India, the city has long been noted for its wonderful architectural landmarks—many of which date from the period of the British Raj. Kolkata is also known as the 'soul of India', one of the most populous urban areas on earth and an intensely human city. (N)
Accommodation in Kolkata: The Elgin Fairlawn
Upgrade option: Oberoi Grand Hotel

Day 3 Kolkata to Guwahati — by air

This morning transfer back to Kolkata Airport in good time to catch your onward flight to Guwahati. Holding a commanding location on the banks of the Brahmaputra River, the city of Guwahati is a gateway to the North East of India and the commercial, cultural and political centre of the entire region. On your arrival in Guwahati visit the Kamakhya Temple which is located atop Nilachal Hill and is believed to be an ancient Khasi sacrificial site before continuing to your accommodation. (B/D)
Accommodation in Guwahati: Radisson Blu Hotel

Day 4 Guwahati to Kaziranga – 230kms via Sualkuchi and Hajo

Leave Guwahati and drive towards Kaziranga National Park stopping en-route at the island temple of Umananda, Sualkuchi, which is the centre of Assam's silk industry, and Hajo - a meeting point and place of pilgrimage for Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. From here continue to Kaziranga National Park where you will stay for two nights. A World Heritage Site, Kaziranga National Park is located in a beautiful setting on the banks of the Brahmaputra River and covers a vast area. Predominately swamp with tall thickets of elephant grass, Kaziranga provides the ideal habitat for the Indian one-horned rhinoceros. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Kaziranga National Park: Diphlu River Lodge

Day 5 Kaziranga National Park

Today enjoy early morning and evening game safaris by jeep and on elephant back. Aside from the one-horned rhinos, Kaziranga is also home to over 1,000 wild buffalo, sambar, swamp deer, elephant, python and tiger. There is also a wide variety of birdlife as well as river otters and dolphins which are regularly seen. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Kaziranga National Park: Diphlu River Lodge

Day 6 Kaziranga National Park to Dibrugarh – 220kms via Sivasagar

After breakfast leave Kaziranga and drive to Sivasagar where a series of Ahom monuments, tanks and temples encompass the 600 year old history of the Ahom dynasty. From here continue on to Dibrugarh, the starting point for all visits to the 'hidden land' of Arunachal Pradesh. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Dibrugarh: Heritage Chang Bungalow

Day 7 Dibrugarh

Today explore Dibrugarh and visit the Mancotta Tea Estate to learn all about tea - from its origin to how it is grown to its processing and tasting. This area of India is one of the oldest tea producing regions in the country and plenty of time will be spent enjoying the estate's 157 year old tea gardens. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Dibrugarh: Heritage Chang Bungalow

Day 8 Dibrugarh to Tinsukia – 100kms

After breakfast drive to Naharkatiya and visit the village of Namphake which is home to the Tai Phakial people. Visit the historic Buddhist monastery and meet the villagers to learn about their rich traditions and culture. Namphake is the largest of the Tai-Phake villages in Assam and the families here can trace their heritage to the great Tai race. The inhabitants speak a dialect similar to that in Thailand and still follow many traditional customs and dress. Later continue on to Tinsukia for a two night stay.
Accommodation in Tinsukia: Wathai Heritage Bungalow

Day 9 Tinsukia - visit Wakro (150kms each way)

After an early breakfast, make a full day visit to Wakro across the border in Arunachal Pradesh. On the way stops will also be mad in Empong which is home to the Khampti people and the Golden Pagoda at Chowkham. The area surrounding Wakro is the heartland of the Mishmi tribe and today there are plenty of nearby villages to explore and a chance to understand their rich cultural traditions. Believed to be of Tibetan-Burmese origin, the villages are colourful, artistic and welcoming and provide a wonderful chance to experience their culture at first-hand. Return to Tinsukia in the afternoon. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Tinsukia: Wathai Heritage Bungalow

Day 10 Tinsukia to Roing – 130kms

This morning, leave Tinsukia and drive to Roing. Set in the Himalayan foothills, Roing is surrounded by snow-capped peaks, rivers, valleys and an abundance of rich flora and fauna. Known for its thick forests, the district is predominantly home to the Idu Mishmi tribe and is the setting for the Reh Festival - one of the most important in Arunachal Pradesh. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Roing: Dibang Valley Jungle Camp

Days 11 & 12 Roing – Reh Festival

Over the next two days attend the colourful Reh Festival. This annual event commences every year on the 1st February with the celebrations generally lasting for three days. Held in honour of their 'creator', the festival promotes Mishmi culture and society with prayers, dances and feasting. It is also possible to visit the spectacular Mayodia Pass which, at an altitude of 7,000 feet, offers wonderful views of the surrounding landscape. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Roing: Dibang Valley Jungle Camp

Day 13 Roing to Tinsukia – 155kms

Today leave Roing and drive via the spectacular Mayodia Pass which, at an altitude of 7000 feet, offers wonderful views of the surrounding landscape. On arrival in Tinsukia return to the charming Wathai Heritage Bungalow which is set on the Limbuguri Tea Estate close to Dibru Saikhowa National Park and where you will stay for two further nights. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Tinsukia: Wathai Heritage Bungalow

Day 14 Tinsukia - visit Dibru Saikhowa National Park

This morning it is an early start for a full day visit to Dibru Saikhowa National Park. Dibru Saikhowa is a bird watchers paradise with over 350 species calling it home, however, this pristine and little visited national park also provides the perfect habitat for tiger, leopard, sloth bear, slow loris and, along the river, Gangetic dolphin. Ranging from semi-evergreen jungle to swampy marshland, the park will be explored on foot and by small country boat. In the late afternoon return to Tinsukia.
Accommodation in Tinsukia: Wathai Heritage Bungalow

Day 15 Tinsukia to Dibrugarh – 55kms

Upon leaving the ferry continue by car to Digboi, South Asia's first oil town and location of a World War II Allied Forces Cemetery. Leaving Digboi, continue to Dibrugarh where you will stay overnight. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Dibrugarh: Heritage Chang Bungalow

Day 16 Dibrugarh to Kolkata – by air

After lunch you will be met and transferred to Dibrugarh Airport in good time to catch your onward flight to Kolkata. On your arrival you will be met and transferred to the Holiday Inn Airport Hotel which is ideally located close to the international airport and where you will stay overnight. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Kolkata: Holiday Inn Airport Hotel (or similar)

Day 17 Kolkata to the UK

Today transfer back to Kolkata Airport to catch the Emirates flight to Dubai. On your arrival connect onto the onwards Emirates flight to the UK. (B)

Arunachal Pradesh and the Reh Festival

17 days from £4365 per person

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Itinerary: Arunachal Pradesh and the Reh Festival

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