16November 2012

This is a specialist tour for the photographer AND the non-photographer.

Visit remote Nagaland the land of the headhunters! A rare opportunity to visit a lesser known part of India, a special permit area of India.

Travel with the guidebook writer and travel photographer.
Patrick Horton is a professional writer, photographer and contributing author to many editions of the Lonely Planet India and Delhi guides. He is also the author of the travel Ap - Delhi Expert. Patrick can’t stay away from India so join him in this very special itinerary.

India
From the snows and glaciers of the highest mountains in the world to barren desert and tropical rainforest; from teeming cities to ageless villages; from the grandeur of Maharajahs’ palaces to thatched mud huts; and from an advanced software industry to thousands of years-old cultural and religious traditions, India displays countless contrasts.

This is a country where a myriad of ethnic groups speaking more than the 18 main languages and practicing the major religions of the world all live together and call themselves Indian. There can be few countries with such diversity. Our tour samples a portion of that variety and we hope to give you a taste and passion for more.

• Visit Nagaland and witness the Hornbill Festival - The Land of the Headhunters.
• Visit Sikkim Darjeeling and see Mt.Kanchenjunga
• Cruise on River Brahmaputra
• Visit Kaziranga Nationap park (UNESCO Heritage Site) and see the Rhinos and Tigers
• Visit Nameri NP and raft the Jia Bharaoli River
• Visit the beautiful Majuli Island
• Explore the sights of Kolkata

Photography

The region we will visit, its wild scenery, vibrant ethnic communities and diverse wildlife offer forth a palate from which a photographer can indulge. Our tour will allow sensible time for photography at vantage points condusive to this interest. Onsite guidence can be obtained from Patrick Horton. Non photographers, or those with a more reduced interets in the art, will find no hindrince to the core structure and content of the tour. In fact the 'time out' and locations will only enhance the overall experince. There will be a continuous series of talks by Patrick on travel photography.

THE TOUR

Day 01 16 November 2012 – ARRIVE KOLKATA
Upon arrival in Kolkata teransfer to the hotel for overnight stay.

DAY 02 – IN KOLKATA
After breakfast visit the famous sights of the city. Kolkata is often called the city of Joy which is home to 15 million people. The Howrah Bridge, Kalighat , Belue Math, Archirtencture from the time of The British are some of the highlights to visit.

DAY 03 – KOLKATA TO DARJEELING
After breakfast transfer back to the airport for flight to Siliguri. Upon arrival in SIliguri transfer to Darjeeling through some breathtaking scenery. Upon arrival in Darjeeling transfer to the hotel. Rest and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 04 – IN DARJEELING
Visit the Chourasta, The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Tibetan self help centre, Tea Garden amongst various attractions of Darjeeling.

DAY 05 – DARJEELING TO PELLING
A scenic hill drive to Pelling. Upon arrival at Pelling rest for a while and later explore the beautiful surroundings of beautiful Pelling.

DAY 06 – IN PELLING
Visit the Pemayangtse Monastery, Rabdentse Ruins and visit to the Kechopalri lake.

DAY 07 – PELLING TO GANGTOK VIA RUMTEK
Drive to the capital city of Sikkim i.e Gangtok via the famous Rumtek Monastery. Upon arrival in gangtok teransfer to the hotel. Later explore the colorful Lal bazaar.

DAY 08 – IN GANGTOK
Today visit the Enchey monastery and Institute of Tibetology and also the Orchidarium to see some beautiful rare orchids and explore the colorful streets of Gangtok.

DAY 09 – GANGTOK TO KALIMPONG
After breakfast drive to beautiful kalimpong town. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Later explore the beautiful town and also visit the Bhutanese Monastery.

DAY 10 – KALIMPONG TO BAGDOGRA AND FLIGHT TO GUWAHATI
An early start to the day and drive to Bagdogra airport for flight to Guwahati. Upon arrival in Guwahati transfer to the hotel and later visit the Kamakhya temple and if time permits than enjoy tea by river Brahmaputra and enjoy sunset.

DAY 11: GUWAHATI – NAMERI -Distance 220 Kms / 05 hrs
Arrive at Guwahati Airport. You will be received and transfer to Nameri National Park - a Tiger Reserve and also a birder’s paradise, covering an area of 200 Sqkms. It is also a bio – diversity hot spot. Enjoy the evening beside the bon – fire. Overnight at Eco – Camp.

DAY 12: NAMERI
Explore the reserve forest on foot escorted by a forest guard. The trek is about 3.2kms long and passes through thick forest and open grasslands. Back to the camp and go for a rafting trip on rubber dinghies for 1.5 hrs in Jia – Bhoroli River along the National park. Evening at leisure. Overnight stay at Eco – Camp.

DAY 13: NAMERI – KAZIRANGA NP - Distance 120 Kms / 03 hrs
Check out Eco camp and take a drive to Kaziranga National Park – a World Heritage Site and Tiger Reserve, covering an area of 430 Sqkms. It is the home to more than 80% of world’s Rhino population. Overnight at Kaziranga.

DAY 14: KAZIRANGA NP
You will be awakened by a morning alarm a bit earlier than your usual timing as you will be going for an Elephant ride in the Central Range followed by a jeep safari. Afternoon Jeep safari in the Western range of the park. Stay overnight at Kaziranga National Park.

DAY 15: KAZIRANGA – KOHIMA - Distance 214 Kms / 05 hrs
Today drive to Kohima the capital city of the state Nagaland. Evening free at leisure. Overnight at Kohima.

DAY 16: KOHIMA
After breakfast, drive to Kisema village the venue of Hornbill Festival. Rest of the day at festival ground. Overnight at Kohima.

DAY 17: KOHIMA
Morning visit War cemetery of World War II then proceed to Kisema village to see the Hornbill festival. Evening visit the local market at Kohima and stay overnight.

DAY 18: KOHIMA – JORHAT Distance 250 Kms / 06 hrs
After breakfast at hotel drive back to Jorhat. Afternoon visit tea garden at Jorhat and stay overnight at Heritage Tea Bungalow.

DAY 19: JORHAT - MAJULI
Today drive to Nemati ghat – to cruise on the Mighty river Brahmaputra and reach Majuli. Majuli – the largest river island the world and the centre for Vaisnavite culture of Assam. After visit Auniati Satra – the largest satra of Majuli. Overnight at Majuli.

DAY 20: MAJULI
Visit the satras of Majuli like – Uttar Kamalabari satra, Garmurh satra and the Samaguri satra. Evening enjoy the Satriya Dance perform by the Monks of Komolabari Satra. Overnight at Majuli.

DAY 21: MAJULI - GUWAHATI Distance 320 Kms / 08 hrs
Cruise to reached the main land then drive to Guwahati. Overnight at Guwahati.

DAY 22: GUWAHATI - FLY Distance 25 Kms / 01 hrs
After breakfast drive to Guwahati airport to board the flight for your onward destination.

Cost:

AU$5220 per person twin share.

Single suppliment AU$1267.

We will offer to introduce those book on their own to others who may wish to share rooms.

• The above cost includes:
• All arrival and departure transfers
• Assistance at the airport
• Accommodation in Kolkata on bed and breakfast basis
• Accommodation on all meals basis Darjeeling, Pelling, Gangtok, Kalimpong
• English speaking guide in Kolkata
• An AC Coach for the entire tour with driver
• All meals
• All transfer by Innova ( max 04 person in one car)
• All sightseeing as per the itinerary
• 01 elephant ride
• 02 jeep safari at Kaziranga
• Trekking & rafting at Nameri
• Evening cruise at Brahmaputra
• Special ferry to Majuli
• Accompanied English speaking guide
• Forest entry fees
  
• The above cost does not include
• International airfares
• Camera fees, mineral water, beverages, soft drink & snacks etc.
• Local guide
• And any other expenses not specified in the inclusion

HOTELS:
KOLKATA – THE LYTTON
DARJEELING – THE ELGIN
PELLING – MOUNT PANDIM
GANGTOK – NORKHILL
KALIMPONG – SILVER OAKS
GUWAHATI – HOTEL NANDAN / NAKSHATRA
NAMERI – ECO CAMP
KAZIRANGA – JUPURI GHAR / SIMILAR
KOHIMA – HOTEL ORCHID & HOMESTAY
MAJULI – PRASANTI ECO TOURIST LODGE
JORHAT – SANGSUA TEA PLANTER’S BUNGALOW

Elgin Hotel Darjeeling - tiffin anyone?

For further enquiries and expressions of interest email us