North East Glimpses, 5 Sister States – Silver Tour

Fly to Guwahati State Capital of Assam & Gateway to the North Eastern Region. Previously known as Pragjyotishpura in ancient Assam, Guwahati in the modern era — is an ancient urban area, largest city of State and one of the fastest developing cities of India. Many ancient Hindu Temples are in the city, so also known as the "The City of Temples”. Dinner & overnight stay in Guwahati. Meet & greet by Aradhana’s representative at the Airport. Tour Starts. Depart for Shillong, the capital & Hill station of Meghalaya, one of the smallest states in India. It is situated at an average altitude of 4,908 feet (1,496 m) above sea level, with the highest point being Shillong Peak at 6,449 feet (1,966 m). It is said that the rolling hills around the town reminded the European settlers of Scotland. Hence, it is known as "Scotland of the East". It remained the capital of undivided Assam until the creation of the new state of Meghalaya on 21 January 1972, when Shillong became the capital of Meghalaya and Assam moved its capital to Dispur in Guwahati. Dinner & overnight stay in Shillong!

After breakfast explore Mawlynnong village, also referred as ‘God’s own garden’ has won the acclaim of being the cleanest village in Asia in 2003 as well as the Cleanest Village in India in 2005. The community has made collective effort to maintain the ambience of a clean village. The village offers picturesque natural beauty, a trek to the living root bridge at a neighboring village Riwai. The village also offers a sight of natural Balancing Rock, a strange natural phenomenon of a boulder balancing on another rock. Dawki, hidden paradise & a friendly international border between India & Bangladesh. Dinner & overnight stay in Shillong!

After breakfast we’ll depart for Cherrapunjee, credited as being the wettest place on Earth. However, nearby Mawsynram currently holds that record. Though, it still holds the world record for the most rainfall in a calendar month and in a year. It received 9,300 mm (366 in) in July 1861 and 26,461 mm (1,041.75 in) between 1 August 1860 and 31 July 1861. The original name for this town was Sohra, which was pronounced "Churra" by the British. This name eventually evolved into the current name, Cherrapunjee. The name "cherrapunjee" which means 'land of oranges' was first used by tourists from other parts of India. Enrout we’ll visit some of the shilling local sightseeing points which will include Elephant Falls: The original Khasi name for the falls was ‘Ka Kshaidlaipateng Khohsiew’ (three steps waterfalls, because of the fact that the water falls in three steps. British who named it ‘Elephan falls’ because of the stone that resemble an Elephant near the falls. But the stone was destroyed by an earthquake in 1897. In Cherrapunjee we’ll visit Ramakrishna Mission School, Mawsmai Caves: Of all the caves in Meghalaya, including the longest cave system of India are situated in the Jaintia Hills. Mawsmai cave is by far the most accessible cave for many travelers as it is one of the few caves one can explore without a guide. It is just a small introduction to the world of caves and underground adventure.

Nohkalikai Fall: is the tallest plunge waterfall in India. Its height is 1115 feet (340 meters). Name of the falls (in Khasi Language - "Jump of KaLikai") is linked to a legend about local women Likai who after family tragedy became insane and jumped off the cliff next to the falls. After sightseeing depart for Guwahati State Capital of Assam & Gateway to the North Eastern Region.

After breakfast we’ll visit the famous Kamakhya Temple: a Hindu temple dedicated to the mother Goddess Kamakhya. This is one of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Pithas situated on the Nilachal Hill. It is an important pilgrimage destination for general Hindu and especially for Tantric worshipers.

Balaji temple: Popularly known as PurvaTirupati Sri Balaji Temple. Boat ride in river Brahmaputra (Sub. To availability). Dinner & overnight stay in Guwahati!

After Breakfast we’ll depart for Tezpur. Enroute we’ll pass Kalia Bhomora Bridge: It is named after the Ahom General Kolia Bhomora Phukan. This bridge connects Sonitpur (today’s Tezpur) on the north bank with Nagaon District on the south bank. The length of this bridge is 3015 meters. The construction of the bridge took place from 1981 to 1987. Dinner & overnight stay in Tezpur!

After breakfast we’ll depart for Bomdila, a beautiful small town situated at a height of about 8000 ft. above the sea level from where one can see the brilliant landscape and snow-clad mountains of the Himalayan Range. Before that in & around Tezpur we’ll visit Agnighar: it is the site of the fortress which was built by Banasura to keep his daughter Usha in isolation. The name itself is derived from the words ‘Agni’ (meaning Fire) and ‘Garh’ (meaning fortress or wall) in Sanskrit. & Chitralekha Udyan: a unique museum of Archeological survey of India, Ganesh Temple. Dinner & overnight stay in Bomdila / Dirang!

After breakfast we’ll depart for Tawang - the name was given by Mera Lama in the 17th century. The district is approximately 2085 sq. km. bordered by Tibet in the North, Bhutan in the South-West and Sela ranges separate West Kameng district in the East. Enroute we’ll visit, Paradise Lake - SelaPass: usually snow - covered to some extent all through the year & offers excellent and heavenly views all year round at a height of 13700 Ft. Dinner & overnight stay in Tawang!

Today after breakfast we’ll have a half day local sightseeing tour of Tawang which will include, Tawang monastery (400 years old with 500 resident monks) : Is the largest monastery in India & said to be one of the biggest Buddhist monasteries in the world outside of Lhasa, Tibet & It is one of the largest Viharas in Asia. It is founded by Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso in 1680-1681. The monastery is also known in Tibetan as Golden Namgey Lhatse, which translates to 'celestial paradise in a clear night', Nunneries locally called Ani Gompa: One of the oldest nunneries (Ani Gompa) & was commissioned by Karchen Yeshi Gelek in 1595 and houses about 45 nuns. Urgelling Monastery - 460 years old Monastery established by Lama Urghen Sangpo Bhumthang – the birthplace of His holiness 6th Dalai Lama,

Tawang War Memorial: build in memory of 2140 Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in the 1962 Indo-Sino War& Crafts Emporium. Dinner & overnight stay in Tawang!

After breakfast we’ll have a half day tour to Madhuri Lake, locally call as Sangetsar Lake. On the way we’ll see Pengateng Tso: Penga Teng Tso or PT Tso as it is locally known, is a high-altitude lake that is located at around 12,000 feet. This serene looking lake is located amidst sensational natural beauty with snowcapped mountains surrounding it on all sides, Y junction, Sangetsar Lake: This lake was formed during the earthquake of 1950. The entire scene is breath-takingly beautiful. The lake has bare trees standing like guards in vigil. The lake is popularly known as Madhuri Lake after her shooting a film Koila in Arunachal Pradesh. Dinner & overnight stay in Tawang!

After breakfast we’ll start for our return journey to Bomdila. On the way back we’ll visit Nuranang water fall Also known as Bong Bong Falls or Jung Falls, some 100 meters in height. It is one of the most     spectacular waterfalls in this part of the country yet unknown to many travelers, according to a popular myth, Nuranang river and Nuranang falls are named after a local Monpa girl named Nura who had helped a soldier, Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat, in the 1962 China war. Jaswantgarh: When it was final phase of the Sino – Indian War in November 1962, his company was asked to fall back, Jaswant Singh remained at his post at an altitude of 10,000 feet and held back Chinese soldiers for three days assisted by two local Monpa girls named Sela and Nura. They set up weapons at separated spots and maintained a volume of fire that made the Chinese think they were opposed by a body of troops. Finally, the Chinese captured the man who was supplying rations to Jaswant and he revealed to them that they were opposed by only one man. They attacked in force, Sela died in a grenade burst, Nura was captured and Jaswant supposedly shot himself with his last cartridge when he realized that he was about to be captured. It is alleged that the Chinese cut off Jaswant Singh's head and took it back to China. However, after the ceasefire, the Chinese commander, impressed by the soldier's bravery, returned the head along with a brass bust of Jaswant Singh. The bust, created in China to honor the brave Indian soldier, is now installed at the site of the battle. Dinner & overnight stay in Dirang / Bomdila!

After breakfast we’ll depart for World Heritage site National Park, Kaziranga National Park! Dinner & overnight stay in Kaziranga!

Early morning we’ll enjoy the elephant ride in Kaziranga National Park. The park hosts two-thirds of the world's Great one horned Rhinoceroses. It boasts the highest density of tigers among protected areas in the world and was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2006. The park is home to large breeding populations of Elephants, Wild water Buffalo & Swamp Deer. Compared to other protected areas in India, Kaziranga has achieved notable success! It has been the theme of several books, songs, and documentaries. The park celebrated its centennial in 2005 after its establishment in 1905 as a reserve forest. Orchid Park. You can take a Jeep Ride – optional. Rest of the day free at leisure. Dinner & overnight stay in Kaziranga

After breakfast we’ll depart for Kohima – State Capital of Nagaland, is the land of the Angami Naga tribe. The name, Kohima, was officially given by the British as they could not pronounce the Angami name Kewhima or Kewhira "the land where the flower Kewhi grows". It is called after the wild flowering plant Kewhi, found in the mountains. Earlier, it was also known as Thigoma. Sightseeing of Kohma: Kohima State Museum (Monday, 2nd& 4th Saturday closed) : Which has a wonderful collection of 16 tribes of Naga like Jewelry, Textiles, Totem Pillars and Naga Masks etc. One of the most important attractions of this museum is Ceremonial Drum, which is very large and beautiful. One can also look at traditional dresses kept inside the museum which are the symbols of the state’s rich culture, 2nd World War Cemetery: Which is dedicated to the valiant soldiers who sacrificed their lives at the time of World War II. It consists of 5 Canadian, 1,100 British burials and 330 Indian burials inside its chamber. Heritage Village: It is designed in the form of an ancient Naga village to give an authentic feel of a true Naga village & the experience of travelling back in time & to keep the Naga village alive. Dinner & overnight stay in Kohima!

After breakfast depart for Kohima, State capital of Manipur. Rest of the day free. Dinner & overnight stay in Imphal!

After breakfast we’ll depart for to Imphal local sightseeing in and around Imphal which will include Sri Gobindraj Mandir: This temple adjacent to the palace of the former rulers of Manipur, is a sacred center for Vaisnavites. The presiding deity, Radha Govinda is flanked by idols of Balaram and Krishna on one and Jaganath, Balabhadra and Subhadra on the other. Moirang – Red Hill: It is a hillock about 17 Kms. 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”, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Smarak I. N. A. Memorial (Mon closed): It was at Moirang that flag of the Indian National Army was first hoisted on Indian soil on April 14, 1944. There is an INA Museum exhibiting letters, photographs, badges of ranks and other articles associated with INA. A bronze statue of Netaji in uniform stands proud in the lawn. Loktak Lake& Sandra Island: It is like a miniature sea. It is the largest fresh water lake in the North-East. Sendra is a hillock of an island of Loktak lake. From the top of Sendra island, visitors can get a bird’s eye-view of the unique Loktak Lake and the floating mass called "Phumdis”. Dinner & overnight stay in Imphal!

After breakfast Imphal Airport Drop to connect Imphal – Kolkata / Mumbai / Pune flight. Tour Ends.