ASSAM, MEGHALAYA & ARUNACHAL PRADESH - II

03N SHILLONG + 02 KAZIRANGA + 01N DIRANG + 03N TAWANG + 01N BOMDILA + 01N TEZPUR + 01N GUWAHATI
Package Code : GC-NE-30

Itinerary :
Day 01
ARRIVAL AT GUWAHATI-SHILLONG (130 Kms / 3 ½ hrs drive)
Welcome on arrival in Guwahati Airport/Station and drive to Shillong. En route witness the Umiam Lake or Barapani - is the biggest artificial lake in Meghalaya in midst of sylvan hills adorned by Khasi pines & peerless beauty.
If time permits visit Cathedral of Marry and Ward’s Lake. Evening free at leisure to explore the region on own. You may take a walk to the famous Police Bazaar for shopping. Overnight in Shillong.

Day02
SHILLONG – CHERRAPUNJEE – SHILLONG (60 KMs / 2 hrs-One way)
After breakfast drive to Cherrapunjee, the wettest place on the earth, for an awesome day trip. En route visit the famous Elephant. At Sohra, stop at the Duwan Sing Syiem view point for mesmerizing views of the Hills.

In Cherrapunjee be witness to the gorgeous Seven Sisters (Nohsngithiang) Falls and Nohkalikai Falls. Later take a soft cave walk inside the Mawsmai Cave. The limestone cave is a natural wonder with innumerable formations inside it. Also visit the Ramakrishna Mission. Drive back to Shillong for overnight stay.
Note: Most of the waterfalls are dry during winter season.

Day 03
SHILLONG - MWALLYNONG - SHILLONG 
After breakfast drive to Mwallynong, the cleanest village in Asia (100 kms / 3 hrs drive approx), also known as ‘God’s own Garden’. With over 80 households, the village gives the ambiance of walking in a well maintained park !  Climb the 80 ft Sky Walk at Mawlynnong village for a bird’s eye view of the Village, the plantations and faraway plains of Bangladesh. You will also be acquainted to the Khasi lifestyle, their culture and economy.  

A trek to the nearby Rewai Village is another interesting activity. Walk down a flight of almost 100 steps to witness nature’s wonder, living-root bridge.  The bridges are tangles of massive thick roots, which the local people inter-twine to form a bridge that can hold several people at a time. The root bridges, may be up to over a hundred feet long and take ten to fifteen years to become fully functional, but they become very strong in the process. The bridges live and keep growing and strengthen over time. The useful lifespan of the bridges, is thought to be 500–600 years.

Later drive to Dawki, a village of the Jaintia community whose prime occupation of fishing. Be mesmerized by the beauty of the Umngot river, the venue of the annual boat race held during March - April at Umsyiem. The Umngot itself is a prime fishing spot for fishermen of the villages. The river is also famous for its crystal clear water, so clear that when seen from a distance, it appears as if the boat is floating in mid-air! The Umngot river is the natural boundary between Ri Pnar or Jaintia Hills with Hima Khyrim of Khasi hills over which is a single span suspension bridge was constructed. This is the gateway to Bangladesh where major export and import transactions take place. Enjoy an amazing country boat river ride. Drive up to the Bangladesh border. Later proceed to Shillong for overnight stay.
Note: It is advisable to carry packed lunch to Mwallynong. 

Day 04
SHILLONG – KAZIRANGA (350 kms / 7 hrs)
After Breakfast drive to Kaziranga. Check in hotel. Evening free. Overnight at Kaziranga.
Kaziranga, the World Heritage Site is the oldest park in Assam & is located on the banks of the Brahmaputra River.Kaziranga National Park is a natural habitat for conservation of biologically diverse flora & fauna. It is inhabited by the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses besides sheltering about 15 species of India's threatened mammals. There are numerous other major wildlife fauna.

Day 05
KAZIRANGA
Early morning go for Elephant ride @ 5:00 am. Return for Breakfast to hotel. After breakfast proceed for Jeep safari in the Central Range. With Kohora as the entry point, the Central Range covers the Daglang and Foliomari area. Later enjoy Local Village & Tea Garden (Outer View) tour. Overnight at Kaziranga.

In the afternoon you may take an optional Jeep Safari (at ADDITIONAL COST) in Western Range of Kaziranga National Park. With Baguri as the entry point, the range covers the Monabeel, Bimoli, Kanchanjuri areas. Overnight in Kaziranga.  

Day 06
KAZIRANGA – DIRANG (250 kms / 8.5 hrs)
Morning after breakfast, drive to Dirang (4910 ft). Enroute visit Tippi Orchid Centre.  Arunachal, the 'Orchid Paradise' is famed to have the largest variety of orchids in India. The Orchidarium at Tipi shelters 500 or more varieties of orchids which are available in various parts of Arunachal Pradesh. It is a premier Institute of excellence in orchid research and development, under the State Forest Research Institute (Department of Environment and Forests , Arunachal Pradesh). Check in Hotel. Evening at Leisure. Overnight at Dirang.

Day 07
DIRANG – TAWANG (145 Kms / 6 hrs)
Morning after breakfast, drive to Tawang (10,000 ft). Also witness the snowcapped Sella Pass at 13700 ft, the Jaswant Garh War Memorial and Jung Falls.  Overnight in Tawang. 
Jaswant Garh War Memorial : Legend has it that Jaswant (Mahavir Chakra Awardee (Posthumous) of 4th Batallion Garhwal Rifles), fought a lone battle against the invading Chinese during the 1962 war. His spirit is still believed to protect the place.

Sela Pass : @13700 ft, the Sela Pass is  is snow-covered (full or partial) all through the year and has breathtaking mystic views. Close to the Pass is the beautiful Sela Lake, a heart-shaped lake chiseled between the mountains, which intensifies the beauty of the region. The Lake is mostly frozen in winter.  The Sela Pass is the main route to access Tawang town and is located 78 km before reaching Tawang.
Jung Falls : The Nuranang falls  (original name) @6000 feet is located about 40 km before reaching Tawang is famed as one of the most stunning waterfalls in North East India. The falls height is about 100 meters. The legend about the waterfalls goes that it is named after a Monpa girl Nura who aided an Indian soldier during the 1962 Sino-Indian War.
 
Day 08
TAWANG
Tawang is the beautiful land of the Monpa tribes. ‘The Land of Dawn-lit Mountains’ at 3500 mts gives you unparallel purity of nature. After breakfast, visit the Tawang Monastery, Urgelling Monastery, Ani Gompa.
The Tawang Monastery, also known as the “GALDEN NAMGYEL LHATSE” is one of the largest Lamaseries of Mahayana sect in Asia and is the largest of its kind in India. The Monastery is 400 year old  and is adorned with the 18 feet high statue of Lord Buddha. It stands at 10,000 feet amidst the exotic Himalayan ranges and overlooks the Tawang-Chu valley.  The Urgelling Monastery is located 5 km from Tawang city, and is the birth place of the 6th Dalai Lama, born in the 17th century. The monastery was established by the Lama Urgen Sangpo in the 15th century. Later visit the War Memorial commemorating the bravery of the Indian heroes of the Indo-China war of 1962. Witness the light & sound show in the evening.  Overnight in Tawang.

Day 09
TAWANG
After breakfast proceed for an excursion to Sangestar Lake, Bum La Pass and China Border (subject to permission from Indian Army).
The Sangestar Lake, or more popularly known as the Madhuri Lake, is about 20 kms from Tawang, en route to the road leading to Bum La Pass.  The lake is surrounded by the majestic snow-capped mountains and a marvelous valley offering spectacular views.

The Bum La Pass is one of the four officially agreed BPM (Border Personnel Meeting) point between Indian Army and People's Liberation Army of China for regular consultations and interactions between the two armies, which helps in defusing face-offs.  The other BPM points in India are - Chushul in Ladakh, Nathu La in Sikkim and Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand.

The process of procuring permit to visit China Border requires at least one of the guest members to visit the DC’s office the previous day for certain formalities. Permission is on the discretion of the officials. Sometimes there may be last moment cancellation even after getting permission as the region is a high security zone. DC’s office remains closed on Saturday & Sunday. Overnight in Tawang.

Day 10
TAWANG – BOMDILA (180 Kms / 6 hrs)
Morning drive back to Bomdila. En route witness the unique Dirang Valley famous for its monasteries, hot Springs, Apple & kiwi Orchards, sheep breeding farms & charming valleys. Evening free at leisure. Overnight in Bomdila.

DAY 11
BOMDILA – TEZPUR (190 Kms / 6.5 hrs)
After breakfast drive to Tezpur. Check in Hotel. Overnight in Tezpur.

DAY 12TEZPUR - GUWAHATI  (180 kms / 4 hrs)
After breakfast drive to Guwahati. ‘The light of the East’ is the commercial capital of North East lying adjacent to the shores of the turbulent Brahmaputra.  Afternoon visit Kamakhya Temple. Evening enjoy  a River cruise over the river Brahmaputra (cruise charges additional). Overnight in Guwahati.

Situated on top of the Nilachal Hill, Maa Kamakhya Temple is the most sacred among the tantrik shrines of Shakti worship in the world. Kamakhya temple is also famed for the annual Ambubachi Mela held for 4 days  during monsoon season. There are images of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Chamundi and many dance fixtures. Situated on the Nilachal Hill, the temple structure resembles a Shikhara - a beehive.  Besides the main Devi temple, there are temples of 10 Mahavidyas in and around temple. These include  Bhuvaneshvari,  Bagalamukhi,  Chinnamasta,Tripura Sundari,  Tara,  Kali,  Bhairavi,  Dhumavati, Matangi and Kamala Temples. Temple doors remain open for devotees in the following timings - 08:00 am to 01:00 pm & 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Day 13GUWAHATI AIRPORT DEPARTURE 
After breakfast transfer to Guwahati airport for onward journey. TOUR ENDS HERE.