SEEK THE ENDANGERED WHITE ONE-HORNED RHINO, VISIT ANCIENT HINDU TEMPLES, AND MEET THE LAST OF THE HEAD HUNTERS IN THEIR TRADITIONAL NAGA VILLAGES BEFORE CELEBRATING THEIR SONGS, DANCES AND SPORTS AT THE ANNUAL HORNBILL FESTIVAL
Follow the length of the mighty Brahmaputra River from historic Guwahati to Kaziranga National Park in search of the endangered white one-horned rhino. Head across the plains of Assam to Majuli Island, the largest inhabited river island in the world, visiting unique ancient Hindu temples and satras (monasteries). Journey onwards up into the forested hills of Nagaland, right up to the Burmese (Myanmar) border, to explore its traditional tribal villages and meet the last of the Naga head hunting warriors in their own homes, before reaching the former British hill station of Kohima. Finally, engage with all 16 Naga tribes at the Hornbill Festival and join in the celebrations of dance, song, cuisine and sport.
India
Nagaland & Assam
Duration
16 days
Culture Tour, Tribal Tour,
Wildlife Tour & Mountain Tour
Leisurely
INTRO TO HORNBILL FESTIVAL TOUR
Travel in a comfortable private vehicle for a cultural tour across the plains of Assam and into the evocative hills of Nagaland, explore its tribal villages and reach Kohima in time for the spectacular annual Hornbill Festival celebrations.
We head from historic Guwahati, to Kaziranga National Park and onwards through Assam. We sail across the mighty Brahmaputra River to reach magical Majuli Island, the largest river island in the world, before driving on to the majestic hills of Nagaland, home of the infamous Naga head hunters.
We visit tatooed warriors in their traditional villages, walk along the Indo-Myanmar border and witness scenes of epic nineteenth century battles where local tribe took on the might of the British Empire.
Finally, we take time out in picturesque Kohima, capital of Nagaland, spread across a series of forested ridges, to visit the immaculate CWGC Second World War cemetery, the city’s wonderful cathedral, its state museum and central market.
We finish our tour by spending the best part of three days at the spectacular Hornbill Festival. With music, costumes, dance, food and much more, this is the largest live exhibition of the culture and traditions of Nagaland today.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Ancient Hindu temples of Guwahati and Sibsagar
- Elephant and jeep safaris in Kaziranga National Park in search of the endangered white one-horned rhino
- Double crossing of the mighty Bramhaputra River by local ferry
- Unique historic satras of Majuli Island
- Ancient Ahom royal palace and other archaeological ruins of this once-great dynasty
- Traditional Konyak, Ao and Angami tribe villages and their tatooed warriors
- Khonoma, battleground of the most fierce resistance to British imperialism in Nagaland
- Walking along the Indo-Myanmar border
- Kohima, home of the CWGC Second World War cemetery, the largest cathedral in Nagaland, its national museum and central market.
- Up to three days at the spectacular Hornbill Festival
PLACES TO BE VISITED
- Guwahati – Kaziranga – Majuli Island – Sibsagar – Mon – Hongpoi – Longwa – Burmese border – Chui – Mokokchung – Chuchuyimlamg – Mopungchuket – Touphema – Kiguema – Kohima – Khonoma – Hornbill Festival (Kisama) – Dimapur
KEY INFORMATION
- We have set departure dates for this tour. Please see ‘Dates’ section for more information
- This tour can be organised as a bespoke tour at other times of the year
- Similarly, if this itinerary is not exactly what you have in mind, please do contact us for a discussion as all itineraries can be adapted according to your wishes
- In exceptional circumstances, local conditions may require the route to be altered in your interests at short notice
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Reception: airport or station reception and transfer upon your arrival in North-East India & final drop-off at the end of your trek or tour as per the standard itinerary. (For clients arriving earlier and or departing later, special arrangements can be made for accommodation and/or airport transfers if required or requested – additional charges will be calculated for this.)
- Full escort: our treks and tours are fully escorted by an official, local, English-speaking guide
- Accommodation: all accommodation (15 nights)
- Meals: all meals (16 days)
- Transport: all transport throughout your tour in a comfortable, modern vehicle equipped with air-conditioning and seat belts, with a professional driver
- Permits: all restricted area permits as required
- Entrance fees: all entrance fees to sites & parks
- Activity fees: all fees for activities included in your itinerary
- Documentation: provided documents include a personalised itinerary for your tour, a full risk assessment of your route, a bespoke equipment list and facts about the country.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visas
- Tips
- Soft drinks & items of a personal nature
- Camera fees
DATES
Forthcoming set group tour dates (maximum 8 pax):
– Fri 20th November – Sat 5th December 2026
– Sun 6th December – Mon 21st December 2026
– Sat 20th November – Sun 5th December 2027
– Mon 6th December – Tue 21st December 2027
Bespoke, private tours:
Please talk with us if you would prefer a private, bespoke, tailor made tour for dates of your own choosing.
PRICES
PRICE PER PERSON
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT*
£2895
from £590
*THE SINGLE SUPPLEMENT CHARGE IS ONLY REQUIRED FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS WHO CHOOSE NOT TO SHARE A ROOM WITH ANOTHER SUITABLE TRAVELLER. IF WILLING TO SHARE, THE SUPPLEMENT WILL NOT BE CHARGED.
If this itinerary is not exactly what you have in mind, please do contact us for a discussion as all itineraries can be adapted according to your wishes
Other tours you might be interested in:
If you have opted to start your Hornbill Festival Tour on 20th November, why not start your trip by first joining up with our Temples, Chortens and Gompas Tour from 4th till 17th November?
On the other hand, if you have opted to finish your Hornbill Festival Tour on 20th December, why not follow up by joining our Central Arunachal Tribal Villages Tour from 22nd December till 5th January?
Our tours have been designed to fit together like a hand and glove.
DAY 1
Arrive in Guwahati and drive to Kaziranga National Park
You will be met at the airport by your driver and guide. Time permitting, there will be an opportunity to visit visit Kamakhya temple, Kalashetra and its museum, plus the state emporium.
Drive from Guwahati to Kaziranga National Park, located on the floodplains on both sides of the Brahmaputra river, and home to the endangered one-horned rhino. Overnight at Kaziranga.
DAY 2
Safaris in Kaziranga National Park
Enjoy two game drives in the National Park: an early morning elephant safari to seek out the one horned rhino, along with a range of other magnificent animals and birds, followed by an afternoon jeep safari. Overnight at Kaziranga.
Drive from Kaziranga National Park to Majuli Island
Drive from Kaziranga to Majuli Island, taking a ferry ride over the mighty Brahmaputra River. Overnight on Majuli Island, the biggest inhabited river island in the world.
Full day on Majuli Island
Explore Majuli Island, visiting a variety of very different satras (Hindu monasteries), and see pottery making in a local village. Overnight on Majuli Island.
Drive from Majuli Island to Sibsagar
Drive to Sibsagar and visit the eighteenth century Hindu temple of Shiv Dol, dedicated to Lord Siva, and the highest Hindu temple in all of India. Built by Queen Madambika, wife of the Ahom King Shiva Singha, it has long been established as one of the most revered and sacred pilgrimage sites in the country. Overnight at Sibsagar.
Drive from Sibsagar to Mon
Visit the ancient Ahom royal house of Talatal Ghar, Kareng Ghar and other historic sites in the vicinity of Sibsagar as time permits before driving to Mon in Nagaland. Overnight at Mon.
Excursion to Hongpoi
Today we will visit Hongpoi village in the morning where we will meet tattoed Konyak tribe warriors. In the afternoon we will explore Mon, the largest village in the north of Nagaland, including its markets. Overnight at Mon.
Excursion to Longwa and Chui
Drive out to Longwa, a village famous for its local opium production, which straddles the Myanmar-Nagaland border. You might even choose to step across the border yourself into Myanmar. Visit the home of the village angh (chief) and other local houses, too. Afterwards drive on to visit the traditional village of Chui. Overnight at Mon.
Drive to Mokokchung
Today involves a very long drive which requires most of the day, first heading into Assam via Sibsagar and then onwards back up into the mountains of Nagaland, through beautiful scenery, to reach Mokokchung town, renowned for its markets. Overnight at Mokokchung.
DAY 10
Excursions to Chuchuyimlang and Mopungchucket
Visit Chuchuyimlang, a typical Ao tribe village, and then Mopungchuket, where we will visit stylised traditional carvings in the village park. Overnight at Mokokchung.
DAY 11
Drive to Kohima
Drive to Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, pausing at the Angami tribe village of Touphema to visit its small museum, its amphitheater and community kitchen. Overnight at Kohima.
Visit Hornbill Festival with an excursion to Kigwema
In the morning, visit the Hornbill Festival at the “heritage village” of Kisama for the opening day ceremony. In the afternoon visit Kigwema, a typical Angami tribe village where some of the houses still bear the traditional kikeh crossed-horn gables. Overnight at Kohima.
Spend a full day at the Hornbill Festival
Spend a full day at the Hornbill Festival enjoying endless presentations of colourful dances and songs from a variety of Naga tribes, each dressed in their own traditional costumes. Overnight at Kohima.
Spend a full day in Kohima
In the morning explore the exotic local market in Kohima and the World War Two cemetery, immaculately maintained by the British War Graves Commission. In the afternoon, visit Khonoma village, scene of epic nineteenth century battles of independence against the advance of the British Empire. Overnight at Kohima.
Spend another full day at the Hornbill Festival
Enjoy a final full day back at the Hornbill Festival. Overnight at Kohima.
DAY 16
Drive to Dimapur and depart
After breakfast, transfer to Dimapur and onwards to the airport. If time permits, we will enjoy a visit to Chumpo Museum on the way.
