ASSAM – ARUNACHAL PRADESH

Altitude: Guwahati: 55 meters
Arrive Guwahati airport and transfer to hotel. Later visit Nabagraha Temple and Srimanta Shankardeva Kalekshetra. Overnight in Guwahati.
Nabagraha Temple built by the Ahom King Rajeshwar Singha in the 18th century is located on the top of Navagraha Hill, in Guwahati city. Enshrind in the temple are nine Shivalingams, representing the nine (Nava) Clestial (Graha) bodies, with a Shivalingam in the centre symbolizing the Sun. These celestial bodies are Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Chvvaai/ Mangal (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Guru/ Brihaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (North Lunar Node) and Ketu (south Lunar Node). Sankardev Kalakhetra - located in a beautifully landscaped setting and inaugurated in 1998, is a multi-Arts complex showcasing the rich culture of the state. Named after the most honoured Vaishnava saint and the greatest integrator of Assamese society Srimanta Sankardeva, the Kalakshetra houses a Central Museum where objects and day-to-day articles used by different ethnic groups are exhibited. It preserves the cultural identity of various communities and tribes of Assam by promoting dance, drama, music and art. There is also an Artists’ Village that creates the atmosphere of a typical Assamese community, the Lalit-Kala Bhavan art gallery where exhibitions, art and sculpture workshops are also held, a Heritage Park, an open-air theatre with the capacity to hold 2,000 people, a traditional Vaishnavite temple and the Sahitya Bhavan library of rare books and manuscripts.

Altitude: Guwahati: 80 meters
[06 hrs on road] After breakfast ride to Nameri (240kms). Check into hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Altitude: Guwahati: 1497 meters
[09 hrs on road] After breakfast we will ride to Dirang (165 KMS), En route at Tipi 08 kms from the border of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam visit Tipi Orchid Centre for varieties of Wild Orchids. On reaching Dirang check into hotel and evening at leisure.
Dirang: Located at an altitude of 1439 mtrs, it has Hot water springs where people take bath for curing skin ailments, Apple and Kiwi orchards, National Yak Research and Breeding Centre at Nigmadung, Sheep Breeding Farm and Sangti Valley where Siberian black necked storks visit during winter are the places worth visiting. Overnight at Dirang.

Altitude: Guwahati: 3048 meters
[09 hrs on road] This morning after breakfast you will take your ride through the hilly terrain to Tawang district. On the way you will visit the Sella Lake and Jaswanthgarh, is a memorial to the brave soldiers who single handedly tried to get hold of the Chinese army during Chinese Aggression, 1962. On reaching Tawang, transferred to hotel. Stay Overnight.

Altitude: Guwahati: 3048 meters
[05 hrs on road] Today after breakfast visit Anni Gompa (Women Monastery) and Tawang Monastery (It is an important seat of Mahayana Buddhism founded by Mera lama Lodre Gyaltso during the 17th Century) and Tawang war Memorial. After lunch we ride to a Mompa Village (30 kms). Evening explore the Tawang market. Overnight at Tawang.

Altitude: Guwahati: 2217 meters
[09 hrs on road] After breakfast we ride back to Bomdila (185 kms), reach Bomdila and check into hotel.

[07 hrs on road] Today after breakfast we will ride to Nameri (130 kms), reach Nameri and check into Eco Camp. Overnight at Nameri National Park.

Altitude: North Lakhimpur: 101 meters
[06 hrs on road] Today after breakfast we ride to North Lakhimpur (195 kms), en-route explore Assamese villages, reach Lakhimpur and check into hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Altitude: North Lakhimpur: 1918 meters
[06 hrs on road] Today after Breakfast we ride to Ziro (165 kms), en-route visit Nishi village, and reach Ziro valley and explore the village, later check into hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

[06 hrs on road] Ziro: Have a little early breakfast and ride to visit Apatani tribal village. Ziro is the districts headquarter of Lower Subansiri district and home of the famous Apatani tribe.
‘Apatani’ a Tibeto-mongoloid race believe to be migrated from Tibet area. The time of migration is unknown as there are no written records. They are animist by religion and decedent of Abo-Tani the universal father of all the Tani group tribes (viz., Nyishi, Adi, Galo, Tagin and Apatani). The religion is known as Donyi-poloism though Christianity also has its presence felt in the state. Farmer by profession depends mostly on agriculture and forest. Their way of farming the Paddy-cum-pisciculture is famous world wide and recognize as world heritage site by UNESCO. The women here are also equally famous for their face tattoo and nose plugs. Though the tradition of this practice is been abolished by the govt. is a social evil. It can be seen only the older women as the younger generation does not do it anymore. The Apatani has many festivals, rituals and ceremony. Famous of all is the ‘Dree’ festival celebrated on 5thJuly every year after the sowing of paddy praying and offering for good crops, harvest, health and wealth. Other festival is ‘Myoko’ celebrated by group of villages divided in 3 different groups after a gap of 2 years. Shaman (priest) holds the main attraction as without him nothing can be performed. The entire Abotani group buries the deaths with sacrifices and taboos.
Visit Hong village the largest village in the Apatani plateau and the 2ndlargest in Asia after Kohima or Bara Basti village in Nagaland walk to end of the village where the alter is erected offering chicken sacrifice to the malevolent and benevolent sprits, walk back to village visit local house and interact with the people. As being so famous and much sought after by the tourist so for their photographs we need to have the permission from them. Later visit Hari, Bulla and later have lunch in a local restaurant after visit Hija and Dutta village. Evening visit the local market.

Altitude: Daporizo: 600 meters
[08 hrs on road] After breakfast, we will ride to Daporizo – the headquarter of the Upper Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, located at an altitude of six hundred meters is an inhabitant of Tagin tribes. Enroute you can visit Hillmiri tribal villages at Raga. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Daporizo.

Altitude: Aalo: 619 meters
[08 hrs on road] After breakfast, we will ride to Along – the headquarter of West Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh located at an altitude of 300 meters an inhabitants of Adi (Gallong ) tribes. The tribe Adi has different sub tribes which differ from each others like Adi (Gallong, Minyong, Pasi, Padam, Bori and Boker). Afternoon visit Kabo village. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Along.

Altitude: Aalo: 1829 meters
[06 hrs on road] Morning ride to one of the beautiful valley/ place of Arunachal Pradesh, the Mechuka, home of the Memba tribe and they are Buddhist by religion. Overnight I.B/ Local guest house.

[05 hrs on road] Explore the scenic beauty of Mechuka on bike, overnight at Mechuka.

Back to Aalo and overnight stay.

Altitude: Pasighat: 152 meters
[07 hrs on road] After breakfast, ride to Pasighat (165 kms) – the headquarter of East Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh, located at an altitude of 150 meters, an inhabitant of Adi (Minyong) tribe. En-route visit the Adi Galong Tribe and enjoy the great view of the confluence of Siang and Siyom rivers, which is the origin of great river Brahmaputra. If time permits visit the local market at Pasighat, evening at leisure. Overnight at Pasighat.

[06 hrs on road] Today explore the Adi villages on bikes, overnight at Pasighat.

Altitude: Dibrugarh: 99 meters
[06 hrs on road] Ride to Dibrugarh(Assam) - crossing River Brahmaputra by country made ferry which takes five to six hours in the river Brahmaputra to reach Dibrugarh -it is situated on the South bank of river Brahmaputra. It is a major town and trade centre of Upper Assam and also a major tea producing and educational centre. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Dibrugarh.

[06 hrs on road] Explore the Namphake village (64 kms), back to Dibrugarh and overnight stay at Dibrugarh.

[40 Minutes on road] Today after breakfast ride to Dibrugarh airport for onward destination.