North East India is waiting to be explored by the savvy tourist. Nagaland, one of the 7 "sister" tribal states of India, is one of the least explored. It’s rustic and raw, English is barely spoken, the roads are pretty poor and the accommodation is basic. However, if experiencing unique culture first hand is your thing, few places left on the planet match this region of India. At the Hornbill Festival in India’s remote Nagaland, sixteen local tribes converge to showcase their culture and traditions. The colours, the sounds, the music, dance, along with the region’s natural beauty, will blow your mind. These same tribes were known for fighting one another not that long ago but now they come together to celebrate. On this small group tour you will see much of the surrounding countryside, villages, towns and cities. Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to interact with these incredibly friendly, happy, smiling locals. And, as apposed to many destinations you’ll travel to, they are happy to have their photos taken. Don’t be surprised if they want photos of you too! These tribal people have had limited contact with Europeans and look more Asian than what we consider typical Indian. We will taste their food, enjoy their music, see their amazing wares and come away with an experience that will stick with you for the rest of your life.
The region of Orissa (recently renamed Odisha), is one of the most beautiful states in India to explore. It has a distinctive cultural heritage and is known for its architectural marvels and its unique art. The UNESCO World Heritage listed Sun Temple at Konark is one of the most impressive man-made monuments anywhere in the world. This medieval temple is a breathtaking sight, with its exquisitely preserved sculpture, including some eyebrow-raising erotica. The ancient rock-cut caves and ornate temples of Bhubaneswar, the state capital, hark back to an era when the kingdom stretched from the Ganges delta to the mouth of the River Godavari. The Jagannath Temple at Puri is the site for one of the world’s most spectacular devotional processions. At Raghurajpur village we will discover Patachitra, a local art of painting stories from mythology - large scrolls of which were used to adorn the walls of palatial homes. On this section of the tour, will spend two nights at Rajbari on the outskirts of Kolkata. Rajbari is a traditional Bengali Zamindari home – it was a 250 year- old ruin before much loving care was invested over 7 years to restore it. The Zamindars were feudal lords who commanded large tracts of land and built their palatial homes in the villages.
There is so much more to this tour. Chances are, you wont see another western face for days on end. Come join us on this three-week spectacular small group tour. Much more of an adventure than a holiday!
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
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- The Hornbill Festival just outside Kohima where all the local tribes display their song, dance and wares – tribal culture at its best
- The Hindu temples of Bhubaneswar in the state of Odisha
- Spotting single-horn rhinos in Kaziranga National Park
- The hotel stay at the Rajbawi Bawali – an amazing hotel renovated with much love and care
- Tuk tuk ride and cruise on the Ganges south of Kolkata
