Received at Imphal airport and transferred to a hotel. Afternoon visit to the British and Indian War Cemeteries and Khawairamband Bazar or Ima market Overnight at hotel.
British and Indian War Cemeteries: Commemorating the memory of British and Indian soldiers who died during the Second World War, these cemeteries are managed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Serene and well maintained, the graves carry little stone markers and bronze plaques recording the sacrifice of those gallant soldiers.
Women's market or Ima keithel: A unique all women's market, having 3000 "Imas" or mothers who run the stalls. It is split in two sections on either side of road. Vegetables, fruit, fish and household groceries are sold on one side and exquisite handlooms and household goods on the other. Not far away is a street where beautiful wicker work and basketry are sold.
Day 02 : At Imphal
Post breakfast drive to Moirang (45 kms / 1 ½ hrs) to visit INA Museum. Enroute we visit Red Hill. Return to Imphal and visit the State Museum and Shree Shree Govindajee Temple. Overnight at hotel. Moirang is just 45 km away and it is here that Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose first hoisted the flag of the Indian National Army (INA) on Indian soil. There is an INA museum, which contains letters, photographs, badges of rank and other articles associated with this movement. Red Hill (Maibam Lokpa Ching) : It is a hillock about 17 Kms south of Imphal City on Tiddim Road. The place was an action-packed location where a fierce battle took place between the Allied Forces and the Japanese Forces in World War II. Japanese war veterans constructed a monument at the foot of this hill and it was significantly named” India Peace Memorial” Manipur State Museum has a rich collection of Manipuri costumes, war implements, historical documents and relics, and gives you a taste of the state's complex history. Here, the visitors can also see sculptures of the local forest gods, and the motif of the Phakangba, the man who could turn himself into a dragon. Represented in his dragon form, Phakangba is considered as the ancestor of all Vaishnavites. These speak about the importance that the Manipuris attach to the organic relations of humanity with nature.
Shree Shree Govindajee Temple: A historic Vaishnavite center adjoining the Royal palace of Manipur's former Maharajas, the Govindajee temple is a simple yet beautiful structure. Twin domes, a paved courtyard, and a large raised congregation hall form a perfect backdrop for priests who descend the steps to accept offerings from devotees in the courtyard.
Day 03: Imphal - Guwahati - Dibrugarh
Post breakfast transferred to Imphal airport to connect flight for Guwahati. Later at Guwahati airport board another connecting flight to Dibrugarh. On arrival at Dibrugarh airport you will be received and transferred to a heritage Chang Bungalow (20 kms/30mins) in the midst of a rolling tea garden. Evening enjoy a dance performance by an ethnic dance group on the bungalow lawns. Overnight at the Chang Bungalow.
DIBRUGARH is the gateway to the “Hidden Land” of Eastern Arunachal Pradesh and Northern Myanmar. The Ahoms from Thailand came through Northern Myanmar to this area in the 13th century to establish their Empire which thrived in the ancient land of Assam. It is the “Camellia” town of Upper Assam, an undisturbed haven, with its rich tea gardens resembling a lush green carpet. CHANG BUNGALOWS. Chang in the local language means “raised on stilts” and the design served multi purposes- to keep the house cool by allowing the breeze to blow underneath and to keep both water and animals out! BIHU is the most popular folk dance of Assam. The people of Assam are very proud of its unique position among all other such dances of India. Except Bhangra (the popular folk dance of Punjab), no other folk dance in India can compete with the rhythmic exuberance of the Bihu dance.
Day 04: At Dibrugarh
After breakfast, we take you on a tour, around a tea estate to learn all about tea – its origin, how it is grown and all about tea tasting and its quality. Later drive on to the river front and take a boat cruise on the mighty Brahmaputra, the lifeline of the region. A picnic lunch is organized on one of the numerous islands in the midst of the river. Enjoy the view of the Eastern Himalayas and take a nature walk in the vast expanse of grasslands surrounding the island. Return to the mainland and visit a weaving centre to see traditional looms and the weaving of silk textiles of Assam, famous all over the world. Also, visit a local village or a Namghar – the congregational prayer hall for the Assamese community. Overnight at the Chang Bungalow.
A TEA TOUR through a 157 years old heritage tea garden gives an insight into the different activities that vary from season to season. It teaches us all about tea- its origin, how it is grown, tea tasting and its quality. Please note that there is no tea plucking between December and mid March and hence the actual manufacturing process of tea cannot be demonstrated when one visits the factory during this period. Factory also remains closed on Mondays of the week
Day 05: Dibrugarh - Digboi
Today we will drive to Digboi (80 kms/ 2 hrs), the first oil town of South Asia. Visit the Oil Museum and the 2nd World War Allied Forces Cemetery where 200 graves are permanently maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Later drive to Margherita (16 kms / 30 mins) and visit the Singpho village. Option to visit Ledo-Stillwell road and Ledo Air Strip. Return to Dibrugarh for overnight stay.
Digboi Oil Museum was set up to mark the100th Anniversary of the Digboi Oil Refinery. Some of the very old, original machines are on display here. Digboi War Cemetery lies about two miles east of the Assam Oil Company Campus and has 200 graves of different Allied Forces personnel from UK, India, West Africa, Burma, Belgium, USA and Italy who sacrificed their lives during the 1939-1945 War. It is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Ledo - Stillwell Road : In 1937 Japan attacked China and drove the Chinese Nationalist Forces into the hinterland occupying the entire Pacific Coastal belt. Generalissimo Chiang Kai - Shek’s force was there to withstand and check the Japanese.
The British started work on the Ledo Road in February 1942 through Myanmar to affect that vital link to Yunan. The progress was very slow and it was also opposed by the Japanese 18th Division. Later on General Joseph Stillwell took over the road construction in December 1943. Over 30,000 Indians, Burmese and Chinese were employed for this work and it was completed in May 1945 linking up with the Burma Road. The end of the war caused it to go into disuse; particularly the Pontoon Bridge across the Irrawady which had to be dismantled in 1947 to allow river craft movement. It was finally blocked due to the Kachin insurgency and the Burma Communist Party armed conflict after Myanmar’s independence in 1948.
The total length of the road is 1726 km of which 911 km is the old Burma Road. Ledo Air-Strip : This historic Air-strip was the only supply air base during the II World War by the Allied Forces. The isolated Chinese forces were supplied by the United States by a massive airlift across the hump from this airstrip. The airstrip is still in a good condition. Singpho people are Theravada Buddhists by religion. The Singphos are divided into a number of clans, each under a Chief known as “Gam”. They were the first to introduce the tea culture in Assam. The Singphos make shields from buffalo hide, many of them can be as long as four feet. They also have helmets made from either buffalo hide or rattan-work These are varnished black and decorated with boar tusks. The houses are built on stilts mounted with palm leaves on the roof. N.B.- Digboi museum remains closed on Mondays.
Day 06 : Dibrugarh - Sivasagar - Jorhat
Today we drive to Jorhat (140 kms / 3 hrs). Enroute we visit the 13th Century Ahom monuments at Sivasagar. Overnight at a hotel. Sivasagar was once the capital of the Ahom Kings. The Shans who came from Thailand through Northern Myanmar to this area in early 13th century, ruled for 600 years. The Siva Temple, built by the Ahoms, situated here is believed to be the tallest of all existing Hindu temples. The ruins of the Ahom palaces and monuments dot the landscape around this historical town. Centuries, before the arrival of the British, this part of the world was controlled by a number of tribal chieftains.
In the town of Sivasagar, one can still see the remaining relics which date back to the Ahom period. Palaces, tanks, forts, places of worship etc. present the richness of this highly evolved and advanced civilization. The largest and the oldest amphi-theatre of Asia (Rang Ghar) is also another remarkable landmark in the history of Sivasagar. The Tai-Ahom museum of Sivsagar contains some of the relics of the Ahom period -such as-swords, clothes, manuscripts and sundry artefacts. Jorhat is another tea hub in the Upper Assam region. It is the headquarters of the Jorhat district and is the gateway to Majuli Island. Many small and big tea estates which were planted by the British surround this town. Jorhat also boasts of the Tea Experimental Station at Tocklai where tea scientists continuously endeavour to introduce new and better plantation practices which include developing of new clones and saplings.
Day 07 : Jorhat - Kohima
Post breakfast we drive to capital city of Nagaland , Kohima (230 kms / 7 hrs) and check in at a hotel. Enroute we stop for lunch in Dimapur and also visit the Kachari monuments. Overnight at hotel. Kohima, situated in the south at an altitude of 1444 m above sea level, occupies pride of place as the capital city of Nagaland. Kohima has the advantage of being centrally located - being bounded by the state of Assam on the west, Wokha district on the north, Zunheboto and Phek districts on the east and Manipur state on the south. The Angami, Rengma and Zeliangrong communities mainly inhabit Kohima District. Dimapur is an important commercial town of Nagaland. Dimapur is an axis around which the economic and developmental activities of the district are centered. The town is named after the Dimasa river, that irrigates it. Dimapur in Nagaland is one of the fastest growing townships in the North-Eastern region of India. The town is also a gateway to Nagaland and Manipur. Dimapur town is distinct in its character where all the different communities have congregated into a mini India Kachari ruins are situated in Dimapur, the ancient Kachari capital. It is one of the important sites of megalithic culture. Most of the ruins appear to be contemporaneous with the Kachari civilization. Though the Kacharis are predominantly non-Aryan with elaborate rituals and the cult of fertility, there are evidences of a touch of Hindu influence on most of them.
Day 08 : At Kohima
Today after breakfast we visit the 2nd World War Cemetery, where the famous battle of tennis court took place, and the State Museum. Afternoon visit the handloom and handicraft emporium and the local market. Overnight stay at a hotel.
WW II Cemetery The supreme sacrifice made by the 1500 Commonwealth soldiers who lie buried in the Kohima Allied War Cemetery is best expressed by the following lines-
“When you go home tell them of us and say
For your tomorrow, we gave our today.”
The war cemetery is built on Kohima Ridge, where the Royal West Kents held out against overwhelming Japanese numbers thus halting their invasion of India. The cemeteries are built on the hillside terraced with lawns and flower beds, all well attended - another place that will be for ever ENGLAND The State Museum treasures a collection of rare articles from different tribes. All speak about the history and tradition of the Nagas. The State Emporium displays the finest collection of tribal shawls, handbags, wood carvings, makhelas, cane and bamboo handicrafts and ready made garments made from traditional weaves.
Day 09 : At Kohima
After breakfast visit Jakhama and Kigwema village inhabited by the Angami tribe of Nagaland. Post lunch visit Khonoma village. Overnight at the hotel.
Khonoma Village : Located 20 kms west of Kohima is Khonoma village.The village referred to as “Khwünoria” by the residents is estimated to be around 700 years old and is surrounded by hills that are as high as 9000 ft. It was here that the Naga warriors made their last stand against the British in 1879. The village is named after a plant locally known as “Khüno” that grows in the area. The alder tree (Alnus Nepalensis) is found in abundance in this region and Khonoma is famous for its management of jhum fields with alder trees, which fixes nitrogen in the soil and checks soil erosion.
With its mission ”Green Khonoma”, it has become the model village for eco-tourism. The village council has made it mandatory for every household to have dustbins. Once in a month, a sanitation drive is carried out and the community’s garbage is burnt. The ashes and the residue are then used as manure. The combination of rich bio-diversity and stunning landscape makes Khonoma an excellent candidate for eco-tourism.
Day 10 : Kohima - Dimapur Fly out
Today drive to Dimapur airport (80 kms/ 2 hrs) to connect flight for Kolkata.
