Grand ethnic tour in four “Seven Sisters”
€7500
per person
Discover the undiscovered heart of India on a 30-day grand ethnic tour that takes you through four unique states: Meghalaya,Assam, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. This journey is a deep immersion into the tribal cultures and ancestral traditions of Northeast India.
Northeast India, a crossroads of cultures, pristine landscapes, and ancestral traditions, remains one of the least explored regions of the subcontinent. This grand ethnic tour invites you on an exceptional journey, off the beaten track, to the heart of a mosaic of unique peoples and lifestyles in four of the “seven sisters” of the Northeast: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Meghalaya.
From the fertile plains of Assam, the cradle of tea and Assamese culture, to the rugged mountains of Arunachal Pradesh, a land of isolated tribes and breathtaking landscapes, each stop on this itinerary has been designed to connect you with the history and customs of its inhabitants.
You will venture into Nagaland, once known as the “Land of Warriors,” where the art of weaving and colorful festivals tell tales of tribal pride. Finally, Meghalaya, the “Abode of Clouds,” will reveal the fascinating matriarchal society of the Khasi and their feats of natural engineering, through the famous living root bridges.
This journey is an ode to diversity, a rare opportunity to meet people who have preserved their identity in the face of modernity.
Who is this trip for?
- Culture and ethnography enthusiasts: Those seeking to understand tribal lifestyles, ancestral traditions, and the history of the people who inhabit these regions.
- Responsible tourism enthusiasts: People who want a trip with a positive impact, supporting local communities and respecting their customs.
- Adventurers and explorers: Those who want to get off the beaten track to discover less-visited regions, sometimes with limited infrastructure.
- Photographers: Northeast India offers breathtaking landscapes, fascinating faces, and vibrant scenes of life, ideal for artistic creation.
- Lovers of unspoiled landscapes: This trip includes the discovery of majestic landscapes, from mountains to rivers, and allows you to see How tribal peoples live in symbiosis with their natural environment.
NOTE: This trip is designed for travelers seeking an authentic immersive experience rather than the comfort of a traditional trip (hotels can be very basic). This is a journey for curious and flexible minds, open to human encounters and the surprises of a less conventional itinerary.
When is the best time to do this tour?
From October to March
Each trip is tailor-made, so the price indicated is an estimate. Your final quote will depend on your choices, such as hotel category, number of participants, vehicle type, and time of year. We will provide you with a personalised (and free) quote after discussing your preferences in detail.
THIS TRIP INCLUDES (For 2 people)
- Accommodation in double rooms: guesthouses and 3* hotels
- Transport: Toyota Innova Crysta / Scorpio
- Meals: breakfast and dinner included
- Guidelines: expert English-speaking guide in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh
- Local guides
- Permits for Arunachal Pradesh
- 2 Rino Jeep Safaris in Kaziranga National Park
- Round-trip ferry to Majuli Island (car included)
- Excursion to Dibru-Saikhowa National Park (boat ride + one Walking tour to observe the houlocks gibbons.)
- Excursion to Nameri Park
- Donation for the people
- 24/7 concierge service, we are in constant contact with you.
THE TRIP PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- International flights
- Domestic flights
- Entrance to Monuments, parks, etc.
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Any arrangements not included in the initial program
- Any personal expenses.
- Tips.
- Anything not mentioned in “included”
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14 days
ETHNIC / PHOTOGRAPHY
Ethnic trip in Arunachal Pradesh with a first stop in Kaziranga (Assam) to visit its rhinoceros sanctuary, then to Mon (Nagaland) to meet the latest Konyak warriors.
12 days
ETHNIC / CULTURE
Discover the unseen heart of India on a 30-day ethnic grand tour that takes you through four unique states: Meghalaya, Assam, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. This journey is a deep immersion into the ancient traditions of Northeast India
30 days
Day 1
ARRIVAL IN GUWAHATI > SHILLONG (MEGHALAYA) (2.5 HOURS)
Arrival in Guwahati (Assam). Our driver will warmly welcome you at the airport. You will then drive to Shillong in Meghalaya - Check into your hotel.
*
Depending on available time: Visit the Don Bosco Tribal Museum and the marketsof Shillong, including Lewduh, the oldest in the city.*
Overnight stay in a 3-star hotelDay 2
SHILLONG > NARTIANG > JOWAI (2H30)
Departure for the Jaintia Hills.
*
On the way, stop at the Nartiang site, which boasts an impressive number of monoliths, said to be the largest in the world. These stones, dating from 1500 AD and 1835 AD, were erected to mark the reign of the ancient kings of Jaintia.*
Then stop at the Krang Shuri Waterfalls with its turquoise waters Overnight at a 3-star resortDay 3
JOWAI > NOHWET (2H30)
Today, we drive to Nohwet, a village inhabited by the indigenous Khasi community.
*
En route, you will cross the Indo-Bangladesh border where the blue waters of Meghalaya's Dawki River flow into Bangladesh's Goyain River.*
Upon arrival, settle into your guesthouse.Day 4
NOHWET & SURROUNDINGS
A peaceful day exploring Nohwet and its surroundings with a local English-speaking guide from the Khasi community.
*
- You will first visit a traditional Khasi house over 200 years old and the surrounding area.
- You will then go to the 30-meter-long Nohwet Living Root Bridge, which crosses the Thyllong River, considered sacred by the locals. Along the way, we can admire the view of the Bangladesh Valley.
Day 5
NOHWET > CHERRAPUNJI (2H40)
process to Cherrapunji (Sohra)
Cherrapunji is the most visited region in Meghalaya, and for good reason, as it is dotted with magnificent waterfalls and also boasts several living root bridges.
*
Upon arrival, check into your hotel, then explore the region, renowned for its numerous waterfalls (more or less abundant depending on the time of year): Wahkaba, Dainthlen, Wei Sawdang, Noh-Kalikai, Nohsngithiang.*
Overnight in SohraDay 6
Trekking to the double bridge of living roots
Drive to Nongriat, where you will hike to the double living root bridge with a local guide (good physical condition required).
*
The trek is approximately 3 km long, mostly descending approximately 3,500 steps. The descent generally takes 1 to 2 hours, while the ascent can be longer and more challenging. You will cross metal suspension bridges and other smaller root bridges along the way.*
Option to continue your trek to Rainbow Falls, which is approximately another 3 km from the double bridge.*
Overnight stay at a guesthouse near the double bridge.Day 7
NONGRIAT > KONGTHONG (2H)
Today, you'll first have to climb the 3,500 steps.
*
Then head to an unusual village: Kongthong Villagecommonly called the "singing village."Each villager has a unique name, which is a whistled lullaby, and the villagers call each other by whistling the lullaby.*
Overnight stay at a guesthouseDay 8
A DAY IN THE SINGING VILLAGE
We will stay 1 day in the singing village, meeting its charming inhabitants and discovering new bridges of living roots.
Day 9
KONGTHONG > GUWAHATI - ASSAM (5H)
After breakfast, we'll return to Assam.
Arrival at the end of the day and check-in to your hotel.
Check-in to your 3-star hotel
Day 10
GUHAWATI > KAZIRANGA (3H00)
After breakfast, with an English-speaking guide, visit the Kamakhya Temple, dedicated to the goddess of the same name, a major site of tantric worship in India, as well as the Temple of the Nine Planets.
*
Then depart for Kaziranga, a nature reserve home to two-thirds of the world's large one-horned rhinoceroses. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to approximately 1,600 adult rhinoceroses and many other protected species such as tigers and Asian elephants. Overnight in Kaziranga at a 3-star hotelDay 11
KAZIRANGA SAFARIS
At 7:30 a.m., after an early breakfast, you will depart for a private jeep safari to encounter the one-horned rhinoceros and perhaps also see wild elephants and tigers (duration 3.5 hours).
*
In the afternoon, you will depart for another rhino safari in the western part of the national park.*
Overnight in Kaziranga at a 3-star hotel
Day 12
KAZIRANGA > JORHAT > MAJULI ISLAND (5H)
After breakfast, we will depart for Jorhat where we will take the ferry to Majuli Island (2 hours). Along the way, we will stop to see some tea plantations.
*
Majuli is a river island approximately 400 kilometers long, formed by the Brahmaputra, Kherkutia Xuti, and Subansiri rivers. It is home to many indigenous peoples, mainly the Misings, Deoris, and Sonacals Kacharis, and boasts a unique feature in India: the "Satra" monasteries, which practice what is known as the Assamese "neo-Vishnu" culture, initiated around the 15th century by Srimanta Sankardeva and his disciple Madhavdeva.*
Overnight stay in a guesthouseDay 13
MAJULI ISLAND
With an English-speaking guide, you will visit the most important satras, the Vishnu monasteries.
You will also meet the indigenous Mishing people.
Day 14
MAJULI > SIVASAGAR (3H)
Early in the morning, we will take the ferry to Jorhat and then head to the city of Sivasagar, which was the capital of the Ahom kingdom from 1699 to 1788.
*
The Ahoms ruled Assam for six centuries, until their kingdom fell to the Burmese in 1819 and their ruling class was virtually wiped out. The Ahom rulers left behind several remarkable monuments.*
Visit the city's major monuments,with a local English-speaking guide: Talatal Ghar, Rang Ghar, Charaideo, Joysagar Tank, and temples. Overnight stay in a guesthouseDay 15
SIVASAGAR > MON (NAGALAND) (3H)
Today, depart for Mon, your first stop in the state of Nagaland.
You will meet your English-speaking guide who will accompany you to Nagaland and Arunachal.
*
The region is inhabited by the Naga Konyak people. The Konyaks, now peaceful warriors, were once known for their attacks on neighboring villages, which often resulted in the beheading of the opposing warriors. The severed heads were taken as trophies and usually hung in the baan (community house). The number of heads hunted indicated a warrior's strength.*
Overnight in Mon,in a traditional hutDay 16
MEETING THE KONYAKS
Today, you will explore the Mon district and the Naga Konyak people.
In Shangnyu, you will visit the village chief's house, which is said to be over 500 years old. In Longwa, the villagers' unique feature is their dual nationality: one Indian and the other Burmese.
Day 17
MON > KHONSA (ARUNACHAL PRADESH) (5H)
Today, we'll head to Khonsa, the homeland of the Ollo people, your first stop in Arunachal Pradesh.
*
The Ollos are a branch of the Nagas. Twenty years ago, women still tattooed their faces and bodies. Today, only a handful of tattooed women remain.*
Overnight stay in Khonsa at a guesthouse
Day 18
VILLAGES OLLO
Day dedicated to meeting the Ollo people in their villages.
Day 19
KHONSA > NAMPHAKE > TINSUKIA (ASSAM) (3H30)
Departure for Tinsukia, near Dibru-Saikhowa National Park.
*
On the way, stop in Namphake, a village home to a Buddhist temple and many Tai Phakey families, a people also found in Thailand.*
Visit the Gompa and meet the locals who are committed to preserving their traditions.*
Overnight stay in Tinsukia at a heritage hotelDay 20
PARC NATIONAL DIBRU-SAIKHOWA
Today, you will visit Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, which includes a boat ride on the Brahmaputra River and a walk in the village of Barekuri to observe the holock gibbons.
*
The park is bordered by the Brahmaputra and Lohit rivers to the north and the Dibru River to the south. It is the largest swamp forest in northeast India.Day 21
TINSUKIA > ZIRO (ARUNACHAL PRADESH) (6-7H)
Departure for Ziro, home of the Apatanis, one of the oldest tribes in Arunachal. This will be a long journey.
*
Along the way, we will stop in several villages inhabited by the Nyishi people. The Byopa, a traditional headdress made from a toucan's beak, is considered one of the most important elements of Nyishi cultural attire. It is generally worn on important socio-cultural occasions to symbolize the tribe's identity.*
Overnight stay in a guesthouse or 3-star hotelDay 22
VISIT OF ZIRO AND THE APATANI PEOPLE
This day is entirely dedicated to exploring the Ziro region and itsvillages inhabited by the Apatani people.
*
Apatani women wear "dat," rattan nose plugs that open their nostrils. This centuries-old tradition was observed until the 1970s, when the Indian government banned the cutting of nose plugs. Currently, only older women wear these facial emblems.Day 23
ZIRO > JAMIRI (6H)
Departure for Jamiri, a stopover town on the way to Thembang.
This will be a long leg.
Overnight stay in a guesthouse
Day 24
JAMIRI > THEMBANG (3H)
Departure for Thembang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site inhabited by the Monpa people.
Due to the wealth of heritage structures found in the village, the locals consider Thembang itself a monument.
Overnight at a guesthouse
Day 25
THEMBANG
Visit to Thembang.
This region is inhabited by the Dirkhipa clan of the Monpas. Historically, the Tibetan word Monpa referred to all the indigenous tribes of southern Tibet and Bhutan. They converted to Tibetan Buddhism and were later separated from their Tibetan ties when British colonists drew the MacMahon Line border with China. The Monpas remained in Indian territory.
Day 26
THEMBANG - SHERGAON (2H)
Departure for Shergaon, a picturesque village located in the West Kameng district
which was recently awarded the title of "Most Beautiful Village in India".
*
The place is inhabited by the Sherdukpen ethnic group and offers a pleasant climate, breathtaking scenery, and a rich cultural heritage.*
The Sherdukpen ethnic group takes its name from the villages Sher (Shergaon) and Tukpen (the former name of Rupa). It has a population of 5,000, making it one of the smallest tribal communities in India. The Sherdukpen believe that their mythological ancestor, Asu Gyaptong, was a descendant of the Tibetan king Songtsan Gampo, who came to the plains of Assam and married a native Ahom princess. They therefore have a long line of Tibetan ancestry and have inherited Tibetan culture.
*
Overnight stay in a guesthouseDay 27
SHERGAON
Today you will set off to explore the region inhabited by the Sherdukpen people.
Day 28
SHERGAON - NAMERI (3H30)
Today, we'll slowly return to Assam with a break in the Nameri reserve.
En route, we'll visit tribal villages.
Overnight in Nameri
Day 29
NAMERI PARK
A day dedicated to exploring the Nameri Tiger and Elephant Reserve.
Located in the center of a densely forested region in the foothills of the Himalayas, it is bordered by the Jia Bhoroli River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra. It is one of the easternmost protected areas of the Kameng River. The park is home to many rare species.
Overnight in Nameri. Along the way, visits to tribal villages.
Overnight in Nameri
Day 30
NAMERI > GUWAHATI (4H30)
Retour vers Guwahati.
Installation à votre hôtel 3* près de l’aéroport.
FIN DU VOYAGE AVEC NOUS. NAMASKARAM