This tour introduces the discerning traveller to the NE portion of India, starting in the city of Kolkata, experiencing India's unique wildlife in the Kaziranga National Park and finishing at the vibrant annual tribal Hornbill Festival.
You will be introduced to the major sights of India's largest city before transferring later to the unique fauna and flora of Kaziranga National Park with its tiger and rhino populations, amongst others. From here you will transfoer to Nagaland and the Hornbill Festival.
Nagaland in NE India is home to 16 different tribal groups. Historically they were often at war with each other but now the Hornbill Festival, named after the large forest bird which is a symbol of ‘respect’ and ‘folklore’ in Nagaland, celebrates the cultures and heritage of the different tribes. The festivities begin in Kisami Heritage village in the first week of December each year.
The festival offers exhibitions of tribal art, folk singing, live handicraft and art making. Martial art performances, cheered on by the locals, include Naga wrestling., archery, greased bamboo pole climbing, and bamboo stilt walking. The Hornbill Festival is home to one of the best music events and competitions in India.
A further attraction at the festival is the Kohima Night Bazaar. Here visitors can shop for handicrafts and souvenirs or buy art, paintings, and wood carvings. It is then possible to try the delicious foods prepared by the various tribes, washed down by the local rice beer, Zutho.
Apart from all these fun activities one activity which has gained a lot of popularity over the years, is the ‘King Chilli eating contest’. ‘Bhut Jolokia’, one of the world’s ten hottest peppers, is cultivated in Nagaland. The people of Nagaland are extreme spicy food lovers, and hence the chili-eating competition. Tourists who are chili-lovers are also welcome to participate in this competition or the ‘pork fat eating contest’.
To sum up, the unique and exciting Hornbill Festival celebrates togetherness in a modern world which recognises the tribal multi-ethnicity of the region and its cultural heritage. It is a exceptional annual festivity, which will introduce the visitor to a different aspect of life on the vast sub-continent.
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day 0 |
The Oberoi Grand Kolkata Hotel | Kolkata |
2 nights |
B&B |
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day 2 |
The Diphlu River Lodge | Kaziranga National Park |
2 nights |
FB |
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day 4 |
Kohima Camp Nagaland | Nagaland |
3 nights |
FB+ |
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B&B: Bed and Breakfast |
FB: Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch |
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FB+: Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities |
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8 Days / 7 Nights
Special Interests: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2pD7cmv40U
Includes:
- Room with attached private facilities inclusive of presently applicable taxes. Hotel check–in time is 1400 hrs and checkout time is 12 Noon.
- Meal Plan: Full Board Basis; Except Kolkata on Bed & Breakfast.
- Airport transfers, drives and sightseeing as specified air conditioned Vehicle inclusive of representative assistance and porterage at airports as under:
- Mini Coach for airport transfers & Kolkata Sightseeing.
- 04 Toyota Innova (Up to 03 Pax) for Guwahati Airport to Kaziranga & Kaziranga to Kohima transfers including English Speaking Escort Service.
- Local English Speaking Guide & entrance fee to the listed Monuments.
Inclusions for TUTC Camps, Kohima:
- Arrival and departure transfers by an A/C Innova from Dimapur airport.
- Accommodation in Luxury Suite Tent.
- Personalized butler service.
- All meals, including tea/coffee and soft beverages served in the camp restaurant.
- Guided excursions as specified in the tour programme (kindly, refer attached itinerary program).
- Still camera fees (not professional) as applicable.
Inclusions for Diphlu River Lodge, Kaziranga:
- Accommodation in air-conditioned cottages.
- 02 Jungle safari per day, 01 safari in the morning and 01 safaris in the afternoon.
- (N.B: Elephant Ride is subject to availability from the Forest Dept.)
- All meals and 02 bottles of packaged drinking water each day.
- All Park entrance fees, amateur still camera charge, and government taxes.
- Transport to elephant ride point, jeep pick-up point, or for activities listed
- Services of resident Naturalist.
- Other activities: campfire, tribal dance (only for a group of 12 pax and above), village visits, bird watching, and tea garden walk.
- Domestic Airfare for Kolkata/ Guwahati (Baggage: Check-in 15kgs & Cabin 7kgs) & Dimapur / Kolkata in Economy Class (Baggage: Check-in 25kgs & Cabin 8kgs).
- All sightseeing and excursions as per itinerary.
- All currently applicable taxes (Subject to change as per govt. norms).
Excludes:
- International flight cost (own arrangements).
- Travel Insurance.
- Visa fee for India.
- Vehicle / Guide on free days.
- Accompanying escort. (For groups only)
- Expenses of personal nature like laundry, telephones calls, hard & soft drinks & beverage and mineral water etc.
- Lunch, Dinner & beverages throughout the transfers (unless mentioned)
- Video Camera permits at sites.
- Still and video camera fee at monuments and game parks
- Tips anywhere – to drivers, porters, bellboys, guides & waiters etc
- Any items not mentioned in the itinerary and inclusions.
