Charismatic Tribes
Privileged visits to the local tribes of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, rarely visited by foreign travellers.
Start date | End date | Days | Prices from | Single Supplement | Tour Expert | Group Size | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11/15/21 | 11/30/21 | 16 days | $6,469 ex. flights | $874 | 8 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
This tour is new and exciting. It offers privileged visits to local tribes who can often trace their indigenous history to faraway places in Mongolia and Southeast Asia. Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland are India’s last frontiers and are home to a way of life that is fast disappearing.
Privileged visits to the local tribes of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, rarely visited by foreign travellers.
Discover Dibrugarh, Assam’s original tea city, located on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra River.
Journey through a variety of landscapes, from mountain passes to riverbeds.
An emerging destination, to be accompanied by a friendly and helpful face from Steppes.
Day 1
Delhi
Day 2
Delhi - Guwahati - Tezpur
Day 3
Tezpur to Ziro
Day 4
Ziro
Day 5
Ziro to Majuli Island
Day 6
Majuli Island
Day 7
Majuli Island to Pasighat
Day 8
Pasighat to Damro
Day 9
Pasighat to Roing
Day 10
Roing Tribal villages
Day 11
Dibru-Saikhowa National Park
Day 12
Dibrugarh to Mon
Day 13
Mon
Day 14
Mon to Dibrugarh
Day 15
Dibrugarh - Delhi
Day 16
Delhi
Day 1
Delhi
Arrive into Delhi at anytime today. Not only the Capital of India, but Delhi is also one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world.
Day 2
Delhi - Guwahati - Tezpur
Fly from Delhi to Guwahati, from here drive to Tezpur. Situated on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra, Tezpur is a beautiful and multifaceted city steeped in mythology and history. Tezpur is a pleasantly laid-back town with some well-kept parks, attractive lakes and beguiling views of the mighty Brahmaputra River as it laps the town’s edge.
Day 3
Tezpur to Ziro
Travel from Tezpur to Ziro. One of the most beautiful hill stations of Arunachal Pradesh, Ziro is located in the midst of the pine-clad mountains and is the headquarters of the Lower Subansiri District inhabited by more than 50,000 friendly Apatanis.
Day 4
Ziro
Spend time in the Ziro valley, with the Apatani tribal villages of the Hong, Hari and Hija. These villages are rarely visited by foreign travellers, so it will be a unique experience and an honour to visit them.
Day 5
Ziro to Majuli Island
Travel to Majuli Island, a World Heritage Site nestled between the confluence of the Subansiri and the Brahmaputra River and is the largest inhabited riverine island in the world.
Day 6
Majuli Island
Spend a full day exploring Majuli Island and The Mishings.
Day 7
Majuli Island to Pasighat
Travel from Majuli Island to Pasighat, Arunachal’s oldest town, founded in 1911. It is referred to as the gateway to Arunachal Pradesh and is in an area of natural beauty, known for its many waterfalls, hanging bridges and mountain cliffs.
Day 8
Pasighat to Damro
Drive to Damro. On arrival, hike from the longest hanging bridge in Arunachal Pradesh and visit Adi Padam Tribal village to learn about their unique Donyi-Polo culture.
Day 9
Pasighat to Roing
Drive from Pasighat to Roing. This region is well known for its largest cover of thick green forest with almost 80% of the area being notified as reserved forest, wildlife sanctuaries or unclassified state forests.
Day 10
Roing Tribal villages
Full-day excursion to Wakro, a journey time of around three hours. Enroute visit Empong Village inhabited by the Khampti tribes and also visit the Golden Pagoda at Chowkham.
Day 11
Dibru-Saikhowa National Park
Visit Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and Magori Bheel. Enjoy a boat ride on the Dibru River, looking out for birds and dolphins along the way. From here, take a short walk through the jungle.
Day 12
Dibrugarh to Mon
Depart Dibrugarh and drive to Mon, on poor quality, dirt roads. Visit the village of the Konyaks, one of the main Naga tribes.
Day 13
Mon
Visit the village of Lungwa, situated on the Myanmar border. Here you will visit the Chief’s house. The chief has dozens of wives and his house is decorated with trophies of various animal skulls. Experience the traditions and hospitality of the Naga Konyak tribe.
Day 14
Mon to Dibrugarh
Drive from Dibrugarh to Mon. En-route visit the Ahom monuments and temples at Sivasagar that encompass the 600-year-old history of the Ahom dynasty.
Day 15
Dibrugarh - Delhi
Travel to a local tea estate to gain an insight into the 160 years old heritage tea garden and learn all about tea, its origin, how it is grown and it’s quality. In the afternoon, fly to Delhi.
Day 16
Delhi
Transfer to the airport to catch your onward flight.
Accommodation in these two areas of north-east India is rather simple but rooms are clean and have private bathrooms. Hot water is sporadic at times and will occasionally be provided in a bucket. It is suggested that you pack a sleeping bag liner and a travel pillow. WIFI is not always available but is surprisingly common.
Begin your journey in Arunachal Pradesh, known as ‘the land of dawn-lit mountains’ and a land of supreme natural beauty and rich ancient traditions. This region of India feels like an entire world of its own. Nine large Himalayan rivers flow through this area, on their course to the plains of Assam, and each of these form spectacular valleys inhabited by a variety of fascinating tribes.
This pioneering journey continues, via Assam, into the state of Nagaland. Among other tribes, Nagaland is home to the fierce Konyak warrior tribe whose facial tattooing and recent history of headhunting make them an extraordinary people to spend time with. Warm and welcoming they will invite us into their homes and meeting halls – an opportunity that will soon vanish as most of these former headhunters are in their seventies.
As with all our other Pioneering Group Tours, this trip will be accompanied by one of the Steppes’ team. This not only means that a friendly face will be there at all times – willing to help out and deal with any issues that might arise – but it also gives us the chance to explore a destination that is just as new for us as it is for you.
This tour is for anybody wanting a fascinating yet sensitive insight into the world of north-east India’s last tribal elders.
Why should I travel with Steppes Travel to India?
This tour is for anybody wanting a fascinating yet sensitive insight into the world of north-east India’s last tribal elders.
One of the key highlights of this tour is the privileged visits to the local tribes of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Astoundingly, in a single state as small as Arunachal Pradesh, more than 100 tribes and sub-tribes live here, tracing their indigenous history to faraway places in Mongolia and Southeast Asia.
In Nagaland, spend time in the presence of the Konyak tribe, former head-hunters, where you will be able to spend time sitting talking to the elders – an incredible experience.
Is it safe to travel to Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland?
Yes. Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh are both politically sensitive areas with certain groups campaigning to be a separate state and not part of India. However, this situation rarely impacts on tourism and when it does is more likely to be in the form of peaceful roadblocks or protests rather than anything more sinister. The people of this region are very friendly and welcome tourists. However, please note that unforeseen road closures may mean altering the itinerary.
What will the road conditions be like in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland?
Road conditions are very poor in this region of India, so road journeys may take a long time and are likely to bumpy and windy at times. We have detailed rough journey times in the day to day itinerary, seven hours being the longest journey, from Dibrugarh to Mon. It is advisable to pack a travel pillow or cushion. As above, road closures do happen and this can mean last-minute changes to the planned itinerary. All part of a pioneering journey.
Is this tour suitable for solo travellers?
Our group tours are perfect for solo travellers, as travelling as part of an organised group in faraway places does provide security and peace of mind. We handle all of the arrangements for you and there will be a local tour guide on hand throughout to provide advice and help if needed, as well as the expertise of a Tour expert.
If you are willing to share, we will always do our best to match you up with another solo traveller of the same sex so that you do not have to pay for a single room.
If you would prefer the privacy of your own room and would like this guaranteed, then the single room price supplement will apply.
Is the food different in this region of India?
The staple food in Arunachal Pradesh is rice along with fish, meat and green vegetables. The Arunachali’s prefer not to have their meat fried, and it is therefore either boiled or smoked. The most common meat is that of an animal called Mithun (Bos frontalis), a member of the cattle family found only in the North East.
Nagaland is the home of the fiery Naga King Chilli, one of the hottest in the world. Naga chilli chutney is everywhere but tread carefully, it is ferocious. Dishes tend to involve pork or chicken and rice but with plenty of fresh local vegetables as well.
This won’t be a tour for ‘foodies’ and eating can get slightly repetitive. It’s worth bringing a few favourite snacks from home e.g. cereal bars, sweets, nuts, as road journeys are long and opportunities to stop can be few and far between. Packed lunches will be provided where possible and where lunch stops at restaurants cannot be guaranteed.
Do I need to be physically fit to enjoy this tour?
You need to be relatively fit to enjoy this tour, there will be a number of walks to the local tribal villages, which may be up steep slopes and over uneven ground. In addition, there are several long travel days, which can be tiring, so we have taken this into consideration when rating the activity level for this tour. You will be in remote areas during this trip with limited/basic/no medical facilities.
Please make sure you bring a good comfortable pair of walking shoes as some of the cities and areas we visit will have uneven surfaces.
Can I extend my time in India?
Yes, this can easily be arranged at the end of the tour. Private travel arrangements with a car and driver will be provided and a private guide arranged for sightseeing.
Haven’t found what you’re looking for?
We have been running insightful and groundbreaking group tours since our inception in 1989. We have worked with institutions such as the British Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum and run wildlife tours in conjunction with conservation agencies such as Fauna & Flora International, Wildlife Conservation Society, the Orangutan Foundation, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and the Jane Goodall Institute.
Our average group size is typically eight to ten people, smaller than other group tours typically offered – a factor which many of our clients appreciate. Travelling as part of a smaller group provides a more intimate, personalised and relaxed atmosphere.
We have developed an enviable pool of expertise from which to choose our tour experts, who we carefully select based on their knowledge, companionship and personality. Often, these experts can use their influence to facilitate private access to sites not typically open to the public.
Steppes Travellers are like-minded people – interesting, interested and curious. Our group tours aim to create an easy and informal atmosphere – we have a lot of fun on our tours and many friendships have been formed.
Our tours are well-priced to ensure you get real value for money. We include gratuities on the majority of our tours and do not pass on currency surcharges. We strive to look after single travellers as well as we can, keeping single supplements to a minimum.
When you travel on one of our group tours, you will be looked after by our local agents and your tour expert with the back-up of our 24-hour emergency number and duty manager. All our holidays are fully bonded and protected – our ATOL number is ATOL 6495.
Travelling on your own? Our group tours are perfect for solo travellers, as travelling as part of an organised group in faraway places provides security and peace of mind. We handle all of the arrangements for you and there will be a local tour guide on hand throughout to provide advice and help if needed, as well as the expertise of a Tour expert.
To allow flexibility, our group tours do not include international flights as standard. We can arrange international flights on your behalf, please get in touch with our travel experts for a quote. All international flights from the UK are ATOL protected.
For further information about any of these tours please call 1 740 4000644
Start date | End date | Days | Prices from | Single Supplement | Tour Expert | Group Size | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11/15/21 | 11/30/21 | 16 days | $6,469 ex. flights | $874 | 8 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
Our travel experts have a wealth of first-hand knowledge, so if you have any questions about this expert-led group tour, please get in touch. They would love to help. We hope you can join us on this tour.
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Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. A curiosity of the world and of you, and your passions. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
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