Wildlife safari, Hindu temples, short jungle treks, traditional tribal villages, and a final night in an historic colonial tea plantation bungalow
India
Arunachal Pradesh & Assam
Duration
15 days
Culture Tour, Tribal Tour,
Wildlife Tour & Mountain Tour
Leisurely
INTRO TO CENTRAL ARUNACHAL TRIBAL FESTIVAL VILLAGES TOUR
Travel in a comfortable, modern, private vehicle for a cultural tour across the plains of Assam and into the imposing Himalayan mountains of Arunachal Pradesh, explore its tribal villages, participate in the Apatani tribe Myoko Festival* and finally relax in the luxurious surrounds of a British tea plantation bungalow.
Head from historic Guwahati to Kaziranga National Park and onwards over the plains of Assam. Sail across the mighty Brahmaputra River to magical Majuli Island, the largest river island in the world, before driving high into the imposing Himalayan mountains of Arunachal Pradesh.
Once we reach the Apatani tribe village of Ziro, we will enjoy either the traditional Myoko Festival (if visiting in March*) or (if visiting in November) other Apatani cultural experiences .
We drive across tribal boundaries to visit the small tribal towns of Daporijo, Aalo and Pasighat, enjoying successive exhibitions of traditional dancing and cookery pertaining to the Nishi, Tagin, Gallo and Minyong tribes. We go one step further and undertake a series of day treks on foot into the surrounding mountains to reach these tribes’ traditional villages.
Finally, we follow the banks of the Brahmaputra River back down to Dibrugarh to relax in an historic British tea plantation bungalow.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Ancient Hindu temples in Guwahati
- Elephant and jeep safaris in search of the endangered white one-horned rhino in Kaziranga National Park
- Crossing the mighty Brahmaputra River by local ferry
- The unique historic satras of Majuli Island
- Apatani Myoko Festival (March only)
- Nishi, Tagin, Gallo and Minyong tribe towns and villages
- Day treks on foot into the Eastern Himalayas
- Tribal dances and cookery classes
- Ancient Hindu Malinithan Temple
- Accommodation in a former British colonial tea plantation bungalow (availability permitting).
PLACES TO BE VISITED
- Guwahati – Kaziranga – Majuli Island – Ziro – Daporijo – Aalo – Pasighat – Malinithan Temple – Dibrugarh
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 (14 nights), including 1 night in an historic tea plantation bungalow
- Meals: all meals (15 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):
– Mon 22nd December 2025 – Mon 5th January 2026
– Mon 16th March – Mon 30th March 2026
– Tue 22nd December 2026 – Tue 5th January 2027
– Tue 16th March – Tue 30th March 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*
£2650
from £400
*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 opt for the Central Arunachal Tribal Villages Tour in December/ January, why not build up to this by first joining up with our Hornbill Festival Tour from 5th till 20th December?
On the other hand, if you opt for your Central Arunachal Tribal Villages Tour in March, why not build up to this by first joining our Temples, Chortens and Gompas Tour from 1st till 14th March?
Our tours have been designed to fit together like a hand in a glove.
DAY 1
Arrive in Guwahati for a day of sightseeing
Arrive in Guwahati where you will be met by your driver and guide and transfer to your accommodation. In the afternoon, time permitting, there will be the opportunity to visit visit Kamakhya temple, Kalashetra and its museum, plus the state emporium. Overnight in Guwahati.
DAY 2
Drive from Guwahati to Kaziranga National Park
In the morning, continue sightseeing in Guwahati not completed on Day 1.
In the afternoon, drive from Guwahati through the plains of north Assam along the southern banks of the Bramaputra river to Kaziranga National Park. The park is located on the floodplains on both sides of the Brahmaputra river and is home to the endangered one-horned rhino. Overnight at Kaziranga.
A whole day of 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 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.
A full day exploring Majuli Island
Visit 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 Ziro
Take a ferry from Majuli Island, crossing now to the north bank of the Brahmaputra river. Drive further northwards into the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh, pausing occasionally to visit traditional Nishi houses, in order to reach the Apatani settlement of Ziro. Overnight at Ziro.
A full day visiting Apatani tribe villages on foot
Trek 1- Apatani Tribe Village Trail: enjoy a gentle day’s trekking through traditional Apatani villages on the periphery of the high plain around Ziro. Overnight at Ziro.
A full day in Ziro
In March we will enjoy the traditional donyi polo animist Myoko Festival.; in November we will enjoy alternative Apatani cultural experiences and visit the local museum. Overnight at Ziro.
Drive from Ziro to Daporijo
Drive eastwards through the mountains of Central Arunachal Pradesh from Ziro to Daporijo making occasional stops to explore traditional Nishi tribe villages on foot. Once in Daporijo, we will enjoy an evening of traditional entertainment provided by Nishi tribal dancers. Overnight at Daporijo.
DAY 10
Excursions to visit Tagin tribe villages
Tagin Tribe Village Trail: enjoy a gentle day’s drive to visit some traditional Tagin villages as well as the Hindu Shiva cave temple at Menga. In the evening we will enjoy a local Tagin cookery class. Overnight at Daporijo.
DAY 11
Drive Daporijo to Aalo
We continue our tour through the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh by driving further eastwards from Daporijo to Aalo, making occasional stops to explore Tagin tribe villages on foot. In the evening we will enjoy traditional entertainment provided by Galo tribal dancers. Overnight in Aalo.
A full day visiting Galo tribe villages on foot
Trek 2 – Galo Tribe Village Trail: enjoy a gentle trek through traditional Galo villages, reached by first crossing the River Siyom via another dramatic wooden foot bridge and then heading through the jungle to find their rice fields and orange tree orchards, before returning to Aalo by road. In the afternoon there is the option of visiting the local museum, time permitting. In the evening you will enjoy a local Galo cookery class. Overnight in Aalo.
Excursions to visit Minyong tribe villages on foot and drive to Pasighat
Trek 3 – Minyong Tribe Village Trail: cross the Siang river, the local name given to this stretch of the Brahmaputra, again by means of dramatic suspended wooden foot bridges, to enjoy a beautiful trek through jungle to visit the Minyong village where Noel Wilkinson was killed by a local tribesman in 1922. Seek out the British political officer’s memorial. Continue by road to Pasighat. Once we reach Pasighat, if time permits, we will visit the local market. Overnight in Pasighat.
Drive from Pasighat to Dibrugarh
Drive along the north bank of the Brahmaputra river, making a short detour to visit the ancient remains of the famous early medieval Hindu Malinithan Temple, right on the Arunachal-Assam border, before crossing the Brahmaputra river by local ferry for a final time to reach the environs of Dibrugarh. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing on the verandah of your tea plantation bungalow and enjoying leisurely walks through the surrounding tea plantation gardens themselves while reflecting upon your experiences of the last two weeks.
Drive to Dibrugarh and depart
After breakfast, transfer to Dibrugarh Airport in good time for your departure flight.
