NE-S4: North East Explorer

Day 1: Arrival at Guwahati Airport/Railway Station – Hotel (Assam) – May 21, 2025

Begin your Northeast journey with a warm welcome in Guwahati, the gateway to the region, followed by cultural visits. Key activities include:

• Arrival & Welcome: Our representative will meet and greet you at Guwahati Airport or Railway Station and assist with your transfer to the hotel.
• Kamakhya Temple Visit: Visit the revered Kamakhya Temple on Nilachal Hill, a significant Shakti Peeth known for Tantric rituals and the annual Ambubachi Mela festival.
• State Museum & Planetarium (Time Permitting): Depending on your arrival time, explore the Assam State Museum, showcasing artifacts from the region’s history, and the Guwahati Planetarium for an educational astronomy experience.

Enjoy an overnight stay in Guwahati, soaking in the city’s vibrant energy.

Day 2: Guwahati – Nameri (240 km / 5 hrs) – May 22, 2025

Travel to Nameri National Park, a biodiversity hotspot in Assam, with an opportunity for adventure. Key activities include:

• Drive to Nameri: After breakfast, drive to Nameri National Park (240 km, 5 hours), located at 157 feet (48 meters) elevation, known for its lush forests and the Jia Bharali River.
• River Rafting (Time Permitting): If time allows, enjoy river rafting on the Jia Bharali River (additional cost), a thrilling activity offering views of the park’s wildlife and scenery along the riverbanks.

Check into your accommodation in Nameri for an overnight stay, surrounded by nature.

Day 3: Nameri – Dirang (138 km / 5 hrs) – May 23, 2025

Journey from Nameri to Dirang, transitioning from Assam to Arunachal Pradesh, with scenic stops en route. Key activities include:

• Morning Trekking (Optional): Early in the morning, opt for a trekking experience in Nameri’s forest area, a chance to spot birds like the white-winged wood duck and other wildlife (additional cost, subject to guide availability).
• Drive to Dirang: After breakfast, proceed to Dirang (138 km, 5 hours), located at 4,910 feet (1,560 meters) in Arunachal Pradesh, known for its serene landscapes and cultural heritage.
• Tipi Orchidarium: En route, visit the Tipi Orchidarium on the banks of the Bharali River, home to over 500 orchid species, including rare varieties, showcasing Arunachal’s status as India’s orchid capital.
• Nag Temple: Stop at the Nag Temple, a spiritual site dedicated to the snake deity, revered by locals, offering a glimpse into Arunachal’s indigenous beliefs.
• Apple Orchard & Kiwi Farm (Seasonal, Time Permitting): If time and season permit (best in autumn), visit an apple orchard and kiwi farm in Dirang, known for its high-altitude fruit cultivation.
• Hot Water Springs: Learn about Dirang’s hot water springs, believed to have medicinal properties for skin ailments, though a visit may depend on time and accessibility.

Check into your hotel in Dirang for an overnight stay, surrounded by the Himalayan foothills.

Day 4: Dirang – Tawang (130 km / 6 hrs) – May 24, 2025

Travel to Tawang, the “Land of Hidden Paradise,” through stunning high-altitude landscapes. Key activities include:

• Drive to Tawang: After an early breakfast, drive to Tawang (130 km, 6 hours), located at 9,998 feet (3,048 meters), a spiritual and scenic gem in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Sela Pass: En route, marvel at the beauty of Sela Pass (13,700 feet), the border between Tawang and West Kameng districts, offering panoramic views of snow-capped peaks.
• Sela Lake: Visit Sela Lake, a small high-altitude lake near the pass, often frozen for most of the year, surrounded by rugged terrain and prayer flags.
• Jaswant War Memorial: Stop 10 km ahead at the Jaswant War Memorial, honoring Jaswant Singh Rawat, who bravely defended the pass during the 1962 Indo-China war.
• Nuranang Falls: Visit the majestic Nuranang Falls, a 100-meter waterfall where scenes from the Bollywood movie *Koyla* were filmed, offering a stunning natural spectacle.
• Evening at Leisure: Arrive in Tawang, check into your hotel, and spend the evening at leisure, acclimatizing to the high altitude.

Enjoy an overnight stay in Tawang, preparing for the next day’s cultural exploration.

Day 5: Tawang Sightseeing – May 25, 2025

Immerse yourself in Tawang’s rich cultural heritage with a full-day **Tawang Monastery tour** and visits to historical sites. Key activities include:

• Tawang Monastery: Visit the 17th-century Tawang Monastery (Galden Namgyal Lhotse), perched at 10,000 feet, the largest in the Himalayan region and second oldest in Asia, housing 500 lamas, an 8-meter-high gilded Buddha statue, and ancient scriptures written in gold.
• Urgelling Gompa: Explore Urgelling Gompa, the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, the only Indian to hold such a high position in the Gelugpa Sect, featuring stupas visited during the Buddhist New Year for blessings.
• War Memorial: Visit the Tawang War Memorial, a 40-foot-high stupa-like structure (Namgyal Chortan), dedicated to the 1962 Sino-Indian War martyrs, with 2,420 names inscribed on 32 black granite plaques.
• Craft Center: Stop by the craft center to shop for handwoven carpets, silver jewelry, coral and amber accessories, masks, and ‘chubas’ (local dresses), offering affordable mementos of Tawang’s craftsmanship.
• Evening at Leisure: Spend the evening at leisure, exploring local markets or relaxing at your hotel.

Enjoy an overnight stay in Tawang, filled with spiritual and historical insights.

Day 6: Day Trip to Bumla Pass – May 26, 2025

Embark on a high-altitude adventure to Bumla Pass, a historic border point, with a visit to PTSo (Madhuri) Lake. Key activities include:

• Local Vehicle Hire: Due to restrictions, hire a local vehicle for the trip to Bumla Pass and PTSo Lake, as outside vehicles are not permitted (additional cost applies).
• Bumla Pass: Drive to Bumla Pass (15,200 feet, 37 km from Tawang), a historic border point on the Indo-China border, significant for the 1962 war, offering panoramic views of the Himalayas and a glimpse of the Chinese side (special permits required).
• PTSo (Madhuri) Lake: Visit PTSo Lake, popularly known as Madhuri Lake after the actress filmed a song here for *Koyla*, a serene high-altitude lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks, often frozen in winter.

Return to Tawang for an overnight stay, cherishing the day’s breathtaking views and historical significance.

Day 7: Tawang – Bomdila (170 km / 8 hrs) – May 27, 2025

Travel from Tawang to Bomdila, a scenic town known for its monasteries and cool climate. Key activities include:

• Drive to Bomdila: After breakfast, drive to Bomdila (170 km, 8 hours), located at 7,923 feet (2,415 meters), the headquarters of West Kameng District in Arunachal Pradesh.
• About Bomdila: Bomdila is known for its Buddhist monasteries, apple orchards, and serene environment, offering a peaceful retreat amidst the Himalayas.
• Bomdila Monastery: In the evening, visit the Bomdila Monastery (Gontse Gaden Rabgyel Ling), established in 1965, a significant center of Mahayana Buddhism with stunning views of the valley.

Check into your hotel in Bomdila for an overnight stay, enjoying the town’s tranquil ambiance.

Day 8: Bomdila – Kaziranga (280 km / 6-7 hrs) – May 28, 2025

Journey back to Assam, arriving at Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Key activities include:

• Drive to Kaziranga: After breakfast, drive to Kaziranga National Park (280 km, 6-7 hours), enjoying en route views of Assam’s tea gardens, a hallmark of the region’s economy.
• Orchid Park (Time Permitting): If time permits, visit the Orchid Park in Kaziranga, showcasing over 600 orchid species and cultural displays of Assam’s ethnic tribes.

Check into your hotel in Kaziranga for an overnight stay, preparing for the next day’s wildlife adventure.

Day 9: Kaziranga – Shillong (280 km / 6-7 hrs) – May 29, 2025

Experience a **Kaziranga safari** before traveling to Shillong, the “Scotland of the East.” Key activities include:

• Elephant Safari: Start early at 5:00 AM for an Elephant Safari (5:00 AM–8:00 AM, 1-1.5 hours, subject to government rules), offering close-up views of Kaziranga’s wildlife, including one-horned rhinos, tigers, and birds.
• Jeep Safari: After breakfast, enjoy a Jeep Safari (2-3 hours) in the national park, exploring zones like the Western Zone (Bagori) for sightings of rhinos, elephants, and wild buffaloes.
• Drive to Shillong: Proceed to Shillong (280 km, 6-7 hours), the capital of Meghalaya, known for its rolling hills and colonial charm.
• Umiam Lake (Time Permitting): En route, stop at Umiam Lake (Barapani), a man-made reservoir surrounded by pine forests, offering stunning views and opportunities for photography or boating (additional cost).

Check into your hotel in Shillong for an overnight stay, surrounded by the city’s cool climate.

Day 10: Shillong Local Sightseeing – May 30, 2025

Discover Shillong’s cultural and natural attractions with a full-day **Shillong sightseeing** tour. Key activities include:

• Shillong Peak: Start your day at Shillong Peak (1,961 meters), the highest point in Meghalaya, offering panoramic views of the entire city and the surrounding hills.
• Don Bosco Museum: Visit the Don Bosco Museum, showcasing Northeast India’s cultural heritage with exhibits on tribal artifacts, costumes, and traditions.
• Williamson Sangma State Museum: Explore the Williamson Sangma State Museum, highlighting Meghalaya’s history, anthropology, and tribal heritage.
• St. Cathedral: Visit the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, a beautiful Gothic-style church, a significant landmark in Shillong reflecting its colonial Christian influence.
• Polo Ground: Stop by the Polo Ground, one of the highest polo fields in the world, a historic site often used for local events and festivals.
• Ward’s Lake: Stroll around Ward’s Lake, a man-made lake surrounded by gardens, ideal for a leisurely walk or pedal boating (additional cost).
• Lady Hydari Park: Visit Lady Hydari Park, a well-maintained garden with a mini zoo, named after the wife of Assam’s first governor, offering a peaceful retreat.
• Police Bazaar: End the day at Police Bazaar, Shillong’s bustling market, perfect for shopping for handicrafts, woolens, and local delicacies like Khasi snacks.

Enjoy an overnight stay in Shillong, reflecting on the day’s cultural and scenic experiences.

Day 11: Shillong – Cherrapunjee (50 km / 1.5 hrs) – May 31, 2025

Travel to Cherrapunjee, known for its **Cherrapunjee waterfalls**, and explore its natural wonders. Key activities include:

• Drive to Cherrapunjee: After breakfast, drive to Cherrapunjee (Sohra), 50 km (1.5 hours) from Shillong, renowned as the second wettest place in the world.
• Mawkdok Viewpoint: En route, stop at Mawkdok Viewpoint, offering stunning views of deep valleys and waterfalls, a perfect spot for photography.
• Nohkalikai Falls: Visit Nohkalikai Falls, India’s tallest plunge waterfall at 340 meters (1,115 feet), with a tragic Khasi legend behind its name, offering breathtaking views.
• Seven Sisters Falls: Explore the Seven Sisters Falls (Nohsngithiang Falls), a segmented waterfall representing the seven northeastern states, best viewed during the monsoon season.
• Eco Park: Stop at the Eco Park, offering panoramic views of the Sylhet plains in Bangladesh and a variety of flora, maintained by the Meghalaya government.
• Mawsmai Cave: Explore Mawsmai Cave, a limestone cave with illuminated passages, showcasing natural formations like stalactites and stalagmites, a thrilling experience for adventure seekers.
• Elephant Falls: On the way back to Shillong, visit Elephant Falls, a three-tiered waterfall named by the British for its elephant-shaped rock (now eroded), surrounded by lush greenery.

Check into your hotel in Cherrapunjee for an overnight stay, surrounded by the region’s misty landscapes.

Day 12: Cherrapunjee – Dawki – Mawlynnong – Shillong (80 km / 2-3 hrs) – June 1, 2025

Explore the pristine beauty of Dawki and Mawlynnong before returning to Shillong. Key activities include:

• Drive to Dawki: After breakfast, drive to Dawki (50 km, 1.5 hours from Cherrapunjee), a town on the Indo-Bangladesh border known for the Umngot River’s crystal-clear waters.
• Umngot River: Visit the Umngot River, where you can opt for a boat ride (additional cost) to see fish swimming beneath the transparent water, with views of the Bangladesh plains on one side.
• Border View: Experience the Indo-Bangladesh border at Dawki, marked by a suspension bridge, offering a unique geopolitical perspective.
• Mawlynnong: Proceed to Mawlynnong (30 km, 1 hour), known as Asia’s cleanest village, famous for its natural beauty and community-driven cleanliness initiatives.
• Single Decker Root Bridge: Trek to the Single Decker Living Root Bridge in Riwai village, a natural marvel crafted by the Khasi tribe using rubber tree roots (30-minute trek each way).
• Return to Shillong: Drive back to Shillong (80 km, 2-3 hours), enjoying the scenic landscapes of Meghalaya.

Enjoy an overnight stay in Shillong, cherishing the day’s blend of natural beauty and cultural experiences.

Day 13: Shillong – Guwahati Airport/Station Drop (100 km / 3 hrs) – June 2, 2025

Conclude your Northeast journey with a transfer back to Guwahati for your onward travel. Key activities include:

• Drive to Guwahati: After breakfast, drive to Guwahati Airport or Railway Station (100 km, 3 hours), enjoying final views of Meghalaya’s rolling hills.
• Local Sightseeing (Time Permitting): Depending on your flight or train timing, explore additional Guwahati attractions like the Umananda Temple on Peacock Island or the bustling Paltan Bazaar for last-minute shopping.

Your **Assam Arunachal Meghalaya package** ends here, leaving you with unforgettable memories of Nameri, Tawang, Kaziranga, Shillong, and Cherrapunjee.