Received at the airport and transferred to a heritage Chang Bungalow 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 to establish their empire in the 13th century. 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 02: At Dibrugarh
Post breakfast we visit a tea plantation. Take a walk around the tea plantation to know all about tea - its origin, how it is grown, all about tea tasting and its quality. Later we visit 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. Afterwards drive to Margherita (20 kms / 45 mins) and visit the Singpho village. Return to Dibrugarh for overnight stay 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. Digboi Oil Museum was set up to mark the 100th 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. 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. 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
Digboi museum remains closed on Mondays
Day 03: Dibrugarh-Wakro
Post breakfast drive to Wakro (190 kms / 4 hrs). Enroute we visit Empong Village to see the Khampti tribe and also visit the Buddhist Gompa which is considered to be the largest of its kind in the North-east near Namsai- the land of the Khampti tribe who are believed to be the descendants of the Tai Ahoms. They migrated from Thailand during the early part of 13th century to the Lohit district. Overnight at Purvi’s Mishmi Retreat at Wakro. (traditional Mishmi huts)
Khamptis are one of the major tribal inhabitants of the Lohit District. They are deeply influenced by buddhist ethics and morality. The Khamptis are Buddhists of the Theraveda School. They are the only tribe in Arunachal Pradesh who have their own script for the language. Traditionally, they live on the cultivation of paddy and other crops. The social structure of the Khamptis is well organized on the basis of clan or village determined by kinship or locality. Wakro (maximum valley altitude 2000m) is the homeland of the “Mishmis” one of the Mongoliod tribes of Tibeto-Burman origin. They speak their own dialect which varies from different groups. The three major Mishmi groups are “Idus” “Tarons” and the ‘Kamans’. Mishmis are very rich in culture and may be termed as a festival loving people. They believe any day of the year is auspicious for a ceremony if provisions exist. On these days animals are sacrificed. Mishmis are nature worshipers.
Mishmis are the inhabitants of the Lohit District. They are animists and believe in a number of higher spiritual beings. Kabeya, or Pharai in their traditional village council exercise judgment on any disputes which occur in their society. The Mishmi society is divided into a number of sub-tribes such as Idu - Mismis, Digaru Mishmis, Miju Mishmis- which have distinctive differences in the way they dress. This tribe can be easily distinguished from others by their hairstyle.
Their dress reflects their artistic taste and the cultural thinking of the society. The male dress of Mijus and Digarus consists of a sleeveless black or maroon coloured coat with ornamental borders and a waist cloth with an embroidered flag in the front. They wear a head dress of woven cane. The women wear black skirts with coloured stripes reaching above the ankle and a beautiful embroidered bodice and a shawl. The also wear beautiful ornaments made of silver.
The women are expert weavers . The men are involved in making cane and bamboo products. The puffing of opium with the help of silver or wooden pipes by both men and women is part and parcel of their tradition. These people may be termed as a festive tribe. Reh is the most important festival celebrated by the Idu-Mishmis during the 1st week of February.
Day 04: At Wakro
After breakfast visit the local school and interact with Mishmi tribal villagers to learn about their rich culture and tradition. Also visit Parasuramkund – a pilgrimage site where thousands of pilgrims come every year during Makar Sankranti to take a holy dip in the Lohit River. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Purvi’s Mishmi Retreat.
Day 05: Wakro-Roing
After breakfast drive to Roing (160 kms/ 5 hrs) in the Debang valley of Arunachal Pradesh crossing the Lohit River at Digaru. Afternoon visit a local Idu Mishmi tribal village. Overnight at Purvi Nefa Camp (tented accommodation with attached toilet, but without running water. Water will be provided in buckets). Roing rises from the Himalayan foothills to the middle ranges with the highest point of Mayodia at a height of 2655 meters from mean sea level. Snow-capped peaks, turbulent rivers, mystic valleys and abundance of rich flora & fauna are a few attractions of the district. The district is well known for its largest cover of thick green forest with almost 80% of the area being notified as reserved forest, wild life sanctuaries or unclassified state forests. Idu Mishmi is the major tribe inhabiting this area along with the Adi Padam tribe in the lower plain areas. The Idu Mishmi tribe is also known as Chulikatas. They build their houses on the slant of hills or in the forest .The roof is thatched with grass, bamboo, timber etc. Their main festival is Reh. Their dress is remarkable for the wealth and beauty of its design. Most of it is made locally from wood, partly from cotton and sometimes of nettle fibre. They also wear thick coats with a black and white pattern made of nettle fibre and human hair.
The abundance of natural beauty, colorful and charming tribes, ancient archeological sites make the place a perfect destination for nature lovers, adventurous tourists, archeologists and anthropologists.
Day 06: At Roing
Early morning we drive to Mayodia Pass (55kms/ 1 ½ hrs) - a unique pass situated at an altitude of 7000 ft amidst lofty hills, lush green forests and breathtaking landscapes. Return to Roing and visit the local villages. Overnight at Purvi Nefa Camp.
Day 07: Roing-Dibrugarh
After breakfast drive back to Dibrugarh (160 kms/5hrs). Enroute cross the mighty Brahmaputra by ferry (local country boat). Afternoon at leisure or option to visit the local market, temple and a weaving centre to see the traditional looms and the weaving of silk famous all over the world. Overnight at Heritage Chang Bungalow.
Day 08: Dibrugarh - Fly out
Drive to Dibrugarh Airport to board flight for onward destination.
