Himalayan Trails & Tibetan Tales

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Cherrapunjee. Cherrapunjee in Meghalaya is one of the wettest places on the planet and the only place in India to receive rain throughout the year. The town is nestled in the East Khasi Hills, about 50 km southwest of the state capital, Shillong. Cherrapunjee, also known as Sohra or Churra, means "the land of oranges." The cliffs of Cherrapunjee offer stunning views of the plains of Bangladesh. Visit Arwah Cave, Nohkalikai Falls, Mawsmai Cave, Seven Sister Falls, Garden of Caves & Eco Park. Return to Shillong, en route visiting Elephant Falls, a mountain stream cascading down two successive falls set amidst fern-covered rocks. Overnight at Shillong.

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Tezpur. Tezpur, often considered a stopover for travellers heading to Arunachal Pradesh or Upper Assam, is a charming town with beautifully maintained parks, attractive lakes, and enchanting views of the mighty Brahmaputra River as it flows along the town's edge. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Dirang. Dirang is an almost picture-perfect Tibetan-Monpa stone village, marred only by the main road passing through it. Above the charming stone houses rises a steep rocky hill topped with Old Dirang Gompa and several protective walls. Overnight at Dirang.

After breakfast, drive to Tawang. En route, witness the snowcapped Sela Pass at 14,000 ft and visit the Jaswant Garh War Memorial. Legend has it that Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat (Mahavir Chakra Awardee, posthumous, of the 4th Battalion Garhwal Rifles) fought a lone battle against the invading Chinese forces during the 1962 war. His spirit is still believed to guard the place. Tawang is situated at an altitude of 3,500 metres. The natural beauty and solitude of the Gudpi and Chong-Chugmi ranges, the Tawang Chu River, and the Tawang Valley are truly mesmerizing. The inhabitants of the district are predominantly from the Monpa tribe, except for Shyo village, which is dominated by people of Tibetan origin. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed for sightseeing of the 400-year-old (17th century) Tawang Monastery, the second largest monastery in the world after the Potala Palace in Tibet. The monastery building is approximately 113 feet long and 80 feet wide and houses valuable antiquities, as well as handwritten and printed books and manuscripts. Later, visit the Tawang War Memorial, a 40-foot-high multi-hued structure built in stupa design. Dedicated to the martyrs of the 1962 Sino-Indian War, the memorial is nestled among beautiful peaks and overlooks the Tawang Chu Valley. The rest of the day is free to stroll around the streets of the town. Overnight at the hotel in Tawang.

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Bomdila. Bomdila, the headquarters of West Kameng district, is situated at an altitude of 8,500 ft above sea level. The town offers several attractions for visitors, including its cool climate, apple orchards, artistic local culture, snow-capped Himalayan peaks, and Buddhist Gompas. The Bomdila Monastery is an important repository of the region's rich cultural heritage. In the afternoon, explore the town and its scenic surroundings. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive from Bomdila to Guwahati. Known as the gateway to the Northeast and the largest, most cosmopolitan city in the region, Guwahati serves as the starting point for most Northeast itineraries. While much of the city reflects modern development, there are several interesting temples and cultural sites worth exploring. A walk through its back alleys and old quarters reveals local flavour amid suburban ponds, palm trees, traditional single-storey houses, and colonial-era mansions. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, visit the Kamakhya Temple, dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, an incarnation of Sati. The temple is located on Nilachal Hill. According to the Shiva Purana, the yoni (creative organ) of Sati fell here when Vishnu, in an attempt to save the world from Shiva's Tandavanrittya (dance of destruction), cut her body into 51 pieces with his Sudarshan Chakra. Also visit the Navagraha Temple and Umananda Temple (by Government ferry). Later, transfer to the airport/railway station in time for your onward connection.