FESTIVAL TOURS

Loku & Hornbill Festival

The "Loku" the greatest festival of the Noctes of Arunachal Pradesh, basically related to agricultural activities, is celebrated with remarkable pomp and grandeur during month of November following transplantation of paddy when after long arduous work in the fields the villagers find a time for leisure and relaxation and pray to god expecting a rich harvest and at the same time give vent to their artiest feelings. Pigs and buffaloes are sacrificed on the first day of festival and the meats are subsequently used in the community feast. The famous Chalo dances of the Noctes add much colour and grace to the Loku festival. The social customs, traditional culture and history of the Noctes are beautifully narrated through the attractive dance and the accompanying songs. ….

The "HORNBILL" festival of Nagaland, which is a yearly feature in the first week of December, is a cultural extravaganza worth a watch. You can see s mélange of Naga cultures on display in one place. For a tourist with a keen interest in people, their customs, food habits, sports, dances and songs, you will be more than satisfied.


ITINERARY : "LOKU" festival in Arunachal Pradesh and "HORNBILL" festival at Nagaland:

24th November
Day 01 Calcutta/Delhi-Dibrugarh-Khonsa : Assistance on arrival and drive to Khonsa (150kms 6hrs). Overnight stay at Khonsa.

25th November
Day 02 Khonsa : Full day attain "LOKU" festival of Noctes. Overnight at Khonsa.

26th November
Day 03 Khonsa-Laju-Khonsa : Today explore Nocte tribal villages like Khate and Laju village (42kms). Overnight stay at Khonsa

27th November
Day 04 Khonsa-Wakka (116kms)-Longding : Full day explore Nocte and Wangcho tribe. Overnight stay at Longding

28th November
Day 05 Longding-Mon : Drive to Mon [Nagaland]. Overnight at Mon.

29th November
Day 06 Mon-Shangnyu-Chui-Mon : Drive to Shangnyu village, this village is ruled by the Chief Angh is a prominent village in Mon district. Post lunch drive to Chui village situated about 8kms from the district headquarters of Mon.
After lunch drive to Langmeing to see head hunting trophies. On way back to Mon visit Chui village still retains its old world charm. One can see the Angh's mansion and other houses constructed in the true Konyak tradition with palm leaves roofing and the main pillars jutting out. Overnight Mon.

30th November
Day 07 Mon- Mokokchung (1325mts) : Drive to Mokokchung (208kms 8hrs drive), This picturesque town is the cultural center of the Ao tribes. The Ao Nagas is famous for their colourful dances. Evening visit Ungma village, the biggest Ao village and looks like a adjunct of Mokokchung town. According to legend, the early Aos settled here first after coming from Chungliyimti. This village is many centuries old and can be of interest to people who have a desire to peep into Ao folklories, customs and traditions. Overnight at Mokokchung.

31st November
Day 08 Mokokchung-Kohima : After breakfast drive to Kohima, Enroute visit Longkhum village. A vanguard village of the Aos in the days of headhunting is strategically situated at an altitude of 1846 meters. The people of this village are hard working and one can find exquisite handicrafts and handloom items in this village. On a clear day, on can view the eastern Himalayas of Arunachal and beyond and also the industrial smoke bellowing from the industries in Assam. The Aos have a belief that Longkhum is the resting place of the spirit of dead on their onward journey to paradise. As the local legend goes- a single visit to Longkhum is not enough……… for you have to return to the village again to collect your soulm, which had stayed behind on your first visit.. Overnight at Kohima.

01st December
Day 09 Kohima : Full day attain "HORNBILL" festival. Overnight at Kohima.

02nd December
Day 10 Kohima : Full day attain the festival. Overnight at Hotel.

03rd December
Day 11 Kohima : Full day attain the festival. Overnight at Hotel.

04th December [Festival continues till 7th December, if interested you can stay further]
Day 12 Kohima-Dimapur-Calcutta/Delhi : Drive to Dimapur to connect flight to Calcutta/Delhi. Tour ends

“Reh” and “Boori-Boot” Festivals of Arunachal Pradesh

The "REH" is the most important festival of Idu Mishmi Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. This community festival is celebrated every year from 1st to 3rd February in all the Idu Mishmi inhabitant areas in the state. Animal sacrifice and performance of rituals by the priests are important parts of the festival. These are basically done to appease the deities for well being of mankind, livestock and for bumper cropping.

The "BOORI BOOT" is a very popular community festival of the Hill Miris of Subansiri, which is celebrated, in the last week of the month Lake Polo (February) for three or more days. At Raga and Daporijo, it is performed in a grand scale for the entire Hill Miri community. A little while before the festival, a committee works out the whole programme and requisite materials are collected from all over the area. The Tagin, Gallongs, and Nishis inhabiting the area also join in enthusiastically.


ITINERARY : "REH" and "BOORI-BOOT" festivals of Arunachal Pradesh:

31st January
Day 01 Delhi/Calcutta-Dibrugarh-Roing : Assistance on arrival and drive to Roing (160 km, 6hrs) through the tea gardens of Upper Assam and cross the river Lohit by country boat in the backdrop of enchanting Himalayas. Overnight at Roing.

1st February
Day 02 Roing : After breakfast drive to Rehko, the main venue to attend the Inaugural Ceremony of REH FESTIVAL. Remain in the Rehko premises and participate in various traditional sports and other entertainment activities until lunchtime. Post lunch; visit Rehko to rejoin the celebration. In the evening, visit some of the villages and join in the traditional dances. Dinner and overnight Roing.

2nd February
Day 03 Roing : After breakfast drive to nearby villages and participate in the celebration of the festival. Return to Roing after joining them in the village community feast. Post lunch, visit local market or at leisure. Evening campfire followed by dinner. Overnight Roing.

3rd February
Day 04 Roing-Along : Early morning drive to Along (275km, 9-10hrs). Overnight at Along.

4th February
Day 05 Along-Domporijo : Today drive to Domporjio (164kms 7hrs). Enroute visit Adi (Gallong) Tribal village like Darka etc. Houses in these villages are artistically built on the hill slop without using nails but only of bamboo and cane. Overnight at Domporjio.

5th February
Day 06 Daporijo-Raga : Drive to Raga to attain "Boori-Boot" Overnight at Raga.

6th February
Day 07 Raga : Full day attain "Boori-Boot" festival. Overnight at Raga.

7th February
Day 08 Raga-Ziro : Drive to Ziro. Afternoon free. Overnight at Ziro.

8th February
Day 09 Ziro : Full day explore Apatani tribal villages, like Hong-Dibbo-Hija-Bulla-Hari etc. The uniqueness of Apatani tribe is tooting on women face and its nose plug. After noon visit museum, emporium and local market. Apatani, like other tribes also believe in sun and the moon as a god and have traditional altar in there home made up of Bamboo and Cane. Overnight at Ziro

9th February
Day 10 Ziro-Kaziranga : Early morning drive to Kaziranga National Park (412km, 9-10hrs). Overnight at Kaziranga.

10th February
Day 11 Kaziranga NP : Elephant back safari in the early morning hours for sighting wild life. Afternoon Jeep Safari in the evening. Overnight stay.

11th February
Day 12 Kaziranga-Guwahati : Today transfer to Guwahati to board a flight to Delhi/Calcutta.

“Tamladu” and “Serkrenyi” Festivals of Arunachal Pradesh

The "TAMLADU" is the most popular festival of the Digaru Mishimis of Lohit district in Arunachal Pradesh. It is celebrated with tremendous zeal and enthusiasm. During the festival supreme God "IEBMALU" is worshiped and prayed for all round prosperity and welfare of the human beings, standing crops and domesticated animals. Dances are a part and parcel of the festival.

The "Sekrenyi" festival of the Angami Nagas, organised by Tuophema village in Nagaland, is a festival of purification and revolves around the rituals and ceremonies of clearing the village pond. It is starts with all man, young and old going to the village pond for bathing in the morning. At night the pond is cleaned by two youths and to ensure that no one takes water from the cleansed pond, a night vigil is kept by the youths of the village. The best part of the festival is 'Thekra hie' on this day all the young men and women of the village sit together and sing traditional songs over mugs of rice and plates of meat.


ITINERARY : "TAMLADU" festival of Arunachal and "SEKRENYI" festival of Nagaland"

14th February
Day 01 Dibrugarh-Tezu : Assistance on arrival and drive to Tezu (150km, 5hrs). Overnight Tezu.

15th February
Day 02 Tezu : Full day attain "TAMDADU" Festival. Overnight Tezu.

16th February
Day 03 Tezu-Khonsa : Drive to Khonsa (230kms 8hrs). Overnight stay at Khonsa.

17th February
Day 04 Khonsa-Laju-Khonsa : Today explore Nocte tribal villages like Khate and Laju village (42kms). Overnight stay at Khonsa

18th February
Day 05 Khonsa-Wakka (116kms)-Longding : Full day explore Nocte and Wangcho tribe. Overnight stay at Longding

19th February
Day 06 Longding-Pangchou-Longding : Full day explore Wangcho villages. Overnight at Longding.

20th February
Day 07 Longding-Mon : Drive to Mon [Nagaland]. Overnight Mon.

21st February
Day 08 Mon-Shangnyu-Chui-Mon : Drive to Shangnyu village, this village is ruled by the Chief Angh is a prominent village in Mon district. After returning from Shangnyu village visit Mon Village, here also you will find tattooed Konyaks. Post lunch drive to Chui village situated about 8kms from the district headquarters of Mon.
After lunch drive to Langmeing to see head hunting trophies. On way back to Mon visit Chui village still retains its old world charm. One can see the Angh's mansion and other houses constructed in the true Konyak tradition with palm leaves roofing and the main pillars jutting out. Overnight Mon.

22nd February
Day 09 Mon-Longwa-Mon : Full day excursion to Longwa (45 km 9hrs) to see the Konyak tribes. Longwa is among the biggest village in the district. As the village straddles the international boundary line, one half of the Angh's house falls within the Indian territory and the other half lies in Myanmar. However, the whole village is controlled by the Angh and the village council Charirman.

23rd February
Day 10 Mon-Tuensang (1371 mts) : Morning drive to Tuensang (165kms 8hrs), the homeland of Chang Naga. En route visit Changhangshu village of upper Konyak. Overnight at Govt. Guest House Tuensang.

24th February
Day 11 Tuensang-Noklak-Shamator : Drive to Noklak, the land of the Khiamniungan Naga, visit Noklak and Pangsha villages. On the way back to Tuensang visit Shamator, the land of Yimchuger Nagas. Overnight at Tuensang.

25th February
Day 12 Tuensang-Mokokchung (1325mts) : Morning visit Tuensang village, the oldest and biggest village in Tuensang Dist. It is inhabited by the Chang Nagas. Later drive to Mokokchung (115kms 6hrs drive), This picturesque town is the cultural center of the Ao tribes. The Ao Nagas is famous for their colourful dances. Evening visit Ungma village, the biggest Ao village and looks like a adjunct of Mokokchung town. According to legend, the early Aos settled here first after coming from Chungliyimti. This village is many centuries old and can be of interest to people who have a desire to peep into Ao folklories, customs and traditions. Overnight at Mokokchung.

26th February
Day 13 Mokokchung-Touphema : After breakfast drive to Touphema (120km 3hrs drive), Enroute visit Longkhum village. A vanguard village of the Aos in the days of headhunting is strategically situated at an altitude of 1846 meters. The people of this village are hard working and one can find exquisite handicrafts and handloom items in this village. On a clear day, on can view the eastern Himalayas of Arunachal and beyond and also the industrial smoke bellowing from the industries in Assam. The Aos have a belief that Longkhum is the resting place of the spirit of dead on their onward journey to paradise. As the local legend goes- a single visit to Longkhum is not enough……… for you have to return to the village again to collect your soulm, which had stayed behind on your first visit.. Overnight at Touphema Tourist village, Touphema.

27th February
Day 14 Touphema : Full day attain "SEKRENYI". Overnight Touphema.

28th February
Day 15 Touphema-Dimapur-Calcutta/Delhi : Drive to Dimapur (119km, 6hrs) to board flight. Tour ends

“Myoko” & “Monyu” & "Aoling" Festivals

The "MYOKO" is celebrated each year at beginning of the agricultural cycle corresponding to the months of March. The performance of Myoko, apart from its ritualistic character, also assumes the nature of a social obligation, following a fixed pattern of observance from time immemorial. Domestic animals such as Cow, Chicken and Pig are sacrificed during the festival.
For the celebration of this rites the Apatani villagers have been divided into three major groups (1) Hong (2) Hari, Reru, Tajang, Kalong, (3) Hajo, Mudang-Tage, Dutta, Michi, Bamin for all socio-religious purposes. One of these three groups celebrates the Myoko in the Particular year and the other two groups join the hostivity of the host group: the following year the second group celebrates the Myoko month, which corresponds to March/ April, there is the celebration every year of the Myoko Festival in the Valley.

The "MONYU" is a festival marking the end of the old year and beginning of the new. It is an occasion for the male members of the family to renew their affections towards their married daughters and sisters. They present them with the choicest rice beer and specially prepared food. Such conduct shows that Phom women are held in high esteem by their men folk and enjoy high status.

The "AOLING" festival the entire Konyak community of Nagaland, observed Aoleang Monyu in the month of April every year since from time immemorial. It is observed with the following great significance. Aoleang is observed after completion of sowing seeds in the new fields and to mark the end of the old year and entering the new year beginning with spring and riot of flowers white, pink, blue and yellow; and asking Almighty God for bountiful of crops in that very year. The Aoleang Monyu is celebrated for six days.
Monyu, the most popular and biggest festival of Phoms falls in the month of April every year soon after the sowing season.


ITINERARY : "MYOKO" festival of Arunachal and "MONYU" & "AOLING" festivals of Nagaland:

17th March
Day 01 Arrive Guwahati-Tezpur : Assistance on arrival and drive to Tezpur (190km 5hrs). Overnight at Hotel, Tezpur.

18th March
Day 02 Tezpur-Ziro : After breakfast drive to Ziro (350kms 9hrs) to attain "MYOKO" festival. Overnight at, Ziro.

19th March
Day 03 Ziro : Full day attain "MYOKO" festival. Overnight at Ziro.

20th March
Day 04 Ziro : Full day attain the festival. Overnight at Ziro.

21st March
Day 05 Ziro-Daporijo : Morning drive to Daporijo (160 km 7hrs) Enroute visit Nishi and Hill Miri Tribal villages like Raga, Tamin and mori etc. Evening free at local market. Overnight at, Daporijo.

22nd March
Day 06 Daporijo : Full day explore Tagin tribal villages. Overnight at Daporijo.

23rd March
Day 07 Daporijo-Along : Drive to Along (160km 7hrs), Along the headquarter of west Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh located at an altitude of 300m inhabitants of Adi (Gallong) tribes. Enroute visit tribal villages Tapi, Tribin and Bam, etc. Houses in these villages are artistically built on the hill slop without using nails but only of bamboo and cane. Evening free at Darka Village, one of the largest Adi (Gallong) tribal village. Overnight at Along.

24th March
Day 08 Along : Full day explore Adi Gallong and Miyong tribal villages like Kabu and Karjing. Kabu village is just on the bank of river of Yomgo/Syom and on river Yomgo there is hanging bridge made of cane and bamboo. Overnight Hotel.

25th March
Day 09 Along-Pasighat : Today drive to Along (105Kms 5hrs). Enroute visit Adi minyong tribal villages like Panging, Panging one of the largest Adi Minyong tribe village with more then five hundred house, women of the village weaving their own cloths. Overnight at Hotel Oman, Pasighat.

26th March
Day 10 Pasighat-Dibrugarh : Morning drive and then ferry to reach Dibrugarh. Overnight at Dibrugarh.

27th March
Day 11 Dibrugarh-Khonsa : Drive to Khonsa (150kms 6hrs). Overnight stay at Khonsa.

28th March
Day 12 Khonsa-Laju-Khonsa : Today explore Nocte tribal villages like Khate and Laju village (42kms). Overnight stay at Khonsa

29th March
Day 13 Khonsa-Wakka (116kms)-Longding : Full day explore Nocte and Wangcho tribe. Overnight stay at Longding

30th March
Day 14 Longding-Sibsagar : Drive to Sibsagar. Afternoon local sightseeing. Overnight at Sibsagar.

31st March
Day 15 Sibsagar-Longleng : Drive to Longleng to attain the "MONYU" festival. Overnight at Longleng.

01st April
Day 16 Longleng : Full day attain the "MONYU" festival. Overnight at Longleng.

02nd April
Day 17 Longleng : Full day attain the festival. Overnight at Longleng.

03rd April
Day 18 Longleng : Full day attain the festival. Overnight at Longleng.

04th April
Day 19 Longleng-Mon : Drive to Mon to attain "AOLING" festival. Overnight at Mon.

05th April
Day 20 Shangnyu-Chui-Mon : Full day visit Koniya villages to see the festival first drive to Shangnyu village, this village is ruled by the Chief Angh is a prominent village in Mon district. After returning from Shangnyu village visit Mon Village, here also you will find tattooed Konyaks. Post lunch drive to Chui village situated about 8kms from the district headquarters of Mon.
After lunch drive to Langmeing to see head hunting trophies. On way back to Mon visit Chui village still retains its old world charm. One can see the Angh's mansion and other houses constructed in the true Konyak tradition with palm leaves roofing and the main pillars jutting out. Overnight Mon.

06th April
Day 21 Mon-Longwa-Mon : Full day excursion to Longwa (45 km 9hrs) to see the Konyak tribes. Longwa is among the biggest village in the district. As the village straddles the international boundary line, one half of the Angh's house falls within the Indian territory and the other half lies in Myanmar. However, the whole village is controlled by the Angh and the village council Charirman.

07th April
Day 22 Mon-Dibrugarh : Drive to Dibrugarh (180km, 6hrs). Overnight at Hotel.

08th April
Day 23 Dibrugarh-Calcutta/Delhi : Transfer to airport to board the flight for onward journey. Tour ends

"Tsokum" festival of Nagaland and "Chindong" festival of Arunachal

1st November
Day 01 Dimapur-Kohima : Assistance on arrival (0815hrs) and transfer to Kohima (74kms 3hrs). Overnight at Kohima.

2nd November
Day 02 Kohima-Touphema : Am excursion to Khonoma village, this village that lays 20km west of Kohima was known for its fighting prowess in the past. It is also known for the fallow management of its alder trees, which balances nature in the surrounding areas. The beautiful terraces that are carved out of the hill slopes surrounding the village are a sight to behold. These terraces grow over 20 types of paddy at different elevations.
Afternoon drive to Touphema village, Govt. of Nagaland is developing this village as a tourist village in order to promote tourism in Nagaland. Sekrenyi, Angami Naga festival is organized every year from 25-27th February. Overnight at Touphema Tourist village, Touphema.

3rd November
Day 03 Touphema-Mokokchung : Am Drive Mokokchung (120Kms 5hrs). Enroute visit Longkhum village. A vanguard village of the Aos in the days of headhunting is strategically situated at an altitude of 1846 meters. The people of this village are hard working and one can find exquisite handicrafts and handloom items in this village. On a clear day, on can view the eastern Himalayas of Arunachal and beyond and also the industrial smoke bellowing from the industries in Assam. The Aos have a belief that Longkhum is the resting place of the spirit of dead on their onward journey to paradise. As the local legend goes- a single visit to Longkhum is not enough……… for you have to return to the village again to collect your soulm, which had stayed behind on your first visit.
Evening visit Ungma village, the biggest Ao village and looks like a adjunct of Mokokchung town. According to legend, the early Aos settled here first after coming from Chungliyimti. This village is many centuries old and can be of interest to people who have a desire to peep into Ao folklories, customs and traditions. Overnight at Mokokchung.

4th November
Day 04 Mokokchung-Tuensang : Morning drive to Tuensang (115kms 6hrs), to attain "TSOKUM" festival of Khiamniungan tribe. Overnight at Tuensang.

5th November
Day 05 Tuensang-Noklak-Tuesnsang : Full day excursion to Noklak to see the "TSOKUM" festival of Khiamniungan tribe.

6th November
Day 06 Tuensang-Noklak-Tuesnsang : Full day excursion to Noklak to see the "TSOKUM" festival of Khiamniungan tribe.

7th November
Day 07 Tuensang-Mon : Early Morning drive (180Kms 8-9hrs) Mon. Overnight at Circuit house, Mon.

8th November
Day 08 Mon-Longwa-Mon : Full day excursion to Longwa (45 km 9hrs) to see the Konyak tribes. Longwa is among the biggest village in the district. As the village straddles the international boundary line, one half of the Angh's (King) house falls within the Indian Territory and the other half lies in Myanmar. However, the whole village is controlled by the Angh and the village council Chairman. An interesting feature of this village is that the Angh has 60 wives and his jurisdiction extends up to Myanmar and Arunachal Pradesh.

9th November
Day 09 Mon : Full day visit Shangnyu village, this village is ruled by the Chief Angh is a prominent village in Mon district. There is a wonderful wooden monument measuring 8 feet in height and 12 feet in breadth- believed to be constructed by heavenly angels. Human beings and other creatures are carved on this monument. Memorial stones are also found in front of the Angh's Palace. History records that good and friendly relationship existed between the Shangnyu and the Ahom Kings of Assam. Shangnyu Angh use to collect taxes from all the villages under his domain-extending from Sibsagar in Assam to the Wanchos in Arunachal.
After returning from Shangnyu village visit Mon Village, here also you will find tattooed Konyaks. Post lunch drive to Chui village situated about 8kms from the district headquarters of Mon. Chui village still retains its old world charm. One can see the Angh's mansion and other houses constructed in the true Konyak tradition with palm leaves roofing and the main pillars jutting out. Overnight Mon.

10th November
Day 10 Mon-Dibrugarh : Am Drive (180Kms 8hrs). Enroute visit Wakching villages which has more then one thousand house manly made of bamboo and palm and later visit Naganimora, a sub-division in the Mon district and is sited in Kongan village land. According to legend, a Konyak Queen, Watlong Konyak, married to an Ahom king died at Lakhan. The king renamed Lakhan as Naganimora in honour of his dead wife. "Nagani" means Naga Queen and "Mora" meaning death. The dying place of Naga queen. Every Saturday, there is an interesting weekly market here with a medley crowd of Assamese and Konyak Nagas-bringing their wares for sale. Overnight at Dibrugarh.

11th November
Day 11 Dibrugarh-Kaziranga National Park : Drive to Kaziranga NP (295km, 6hrs). Afternoon free. Overnight at Kaziranga NP.

12th November
Day 12 Kaziranga NP : Morning Elephant safari (1hrs) to see the wild life & in the afternoon start Jeep Safari to see the wild life. Later return back to hotel. Rest of the time free at leisure. Dinner & Overnight at hotel

13th November
Day 13 Kaziranga NP-Bomdila : After breakfast enter the "land of dawn - lit mountain" as Arunachal is called through Bhalukpong. Visit to Tipi, Asia's largest Orchid Sanctuary and onward journey (204 km, 6hrs) to Bomdila. Overnight Stay.

14th November
Day 14 Bomdila-Nafra : Morning drive to Nafra (55km) to attain "CHINDONG" festival of Miji tribe.

15th November
Day 15 Nafra : Full day attain the "CHINDONG" festival at Nafra. Overnight at Nafra/Bomdila.

16th November 200_
Day Bomdila/Nafra-Tawang : Morning proceed towards the Sela Pass (13703 ft) spend some lovely times by the paradise lake and overnight at Tawang (143 km, 7hrs ). Night rest at Tawang.

17th November
Day 04 Tawang : After breakfast, visit to the world's second biggest monastery surrounded by snow covered himalayan peaks and later trek to Bramdungchung Ani Gomap, which are the adobe of nuns. Unlike the monks, the girls become nuns and join the nunnery on their own and there is no social pressure or tradition making the practice compulsory. Brama durng chung ani gompa is the oldest Ani Gompa in the Tawang District.
Post lunch visit Urgelling Monastery, situated 5km to the south of Tawang Township. It was here in 1683 Tsangyang Gyatso, the sixth Dalai Lama was born later proceed to explore the Monpa tribal villages. Overnight at Tawang.

18th November
Day 18 Tawang-Dirang : Morning, drive to Jang to get a breath taking view of waterfalls. Pay homage at the Jashwant Garh Indo Chinese War Memorial and down hill drive (145 kms, 6hrs ) to Dirang. Overnight at Dirang.

19th November
Day 19 Dirang-Tezpur : Drive back to Tezpur (200km, 7hrs). Afternoon free. Overnight at Hotel.

20th November
Day 20 Tezpur-Guwahati-Calcutta/Delhi : Drive to Guwahati to board flight to Delhi/Calcutta. Tour ends