India's Last Frontier, Arunachal Pradesh

(15 days - call for dates)

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Lost Frontiers is pleased to add the fascinating and isolated state of Arunachal Pradesh to our growing list of tribal programs. Once known as the "Hidden Land", this is the only state in India that has been completely closed to all outsiders since the beginning of time. A limited number of travelers are now being permitted to visit this beautiful state for the first time since 1993.

A sentinel of the country in the northeast, this ancient land finds mention in early Indian literature such as the Kalika Purana, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. It was here that Parasuram is said to have washed away his sins, Vyasa meditated, Bhismaka founded is kingdom, Lord Krishna married his consort Rukmini and King Balinarayana drew men for his armies from among the hardy people of Arunachal Pradesh. The 6th Dalai Lama was born on the soil of Arunachal Pradesh and the present 13th Dalai Lama found refuge and safety here.

Arunachal Pradesh is situated on the northeastern tip of India, bordering Bhutan on the west, Tibet/China on the north, Burma, (Myanmar) on the east and the Indian state of Assam to the south. It covers 84,000 square kilometers, its climate varies from sub tropical to alpine. Some 80% of the state is covered by natural forest, with numerous turbulent streams, roaring rivers, deep gorges, lofty Himalayan mountains and hundreds of species of flora and fauna.

Although as many as 25 tribal groups make up the population of the area, the population density is only about 8 persons per kilometer square. This low density allows the individual tribes to retain a rich and well-preserved cultural heritage. During the 200 years of British rule in India, the British Government closed the borders to all outsiders, even their own colonial administrators. Arunachal Pradesh is also one of the few states in British India where Christian missionaries were not allowed to proselytize to the local inhabitants, unlike the neighbouring states of Nagaland and Mizoram.

The society of Arunachal is patriarchal and primogeniture and the fundamental laws of inheritance, with variations, are not uncommon. They follow endogamy and strictly observe clan exogamy. Polygamy was socially sanctioned and practiced by most of them. The people are highly democratic and each tribe has its own organized institutions that maintain law and order, decide disputes and take up all activities of the welfare of the village.

Itinerary

Day 01
Arrive Calcutta. You are met and transferred to Hotel Oberoi Grand.

Day 2.
After breakfast depart for a tour of Calcutta. A village in the 17th century, Calcutta today is one of the largest cities in the world. The city was built around Fort William. Overnight at Hotel Oberoi Grand.

Day 3.
Calcutta to Dibrughar by air. Overnight at government guesthouse.

Day 4.
Pasigaht/Yembung. Break camp and depart on the 6 to 7 hour drive through small villages of different tribes. Overnight government guesthouse.

Day 5.
Yembung/Daporijo. 6-hour journey over a serpentine road offers spectacular panoramic views of the countryside and an insight into the lifestyles of the Tagin, Hill Miri and Adi tribes. Overnight in camp or at the government tourist bungalow.

Day 6.
Daporijo/Ziro. After breakfast drive six hours to Ziro, the headquarters of the Lower Subansiri district. Situated in the heart of the Apa Tani Valley, Ziro is one of the most beautiful hill stations in Arunachal Pradesh. Overnight at Hotel Blue Pine.

Day 7.
Drive to one of the Apa Tani villages to witness Meyako festival.

Day 8.
Ziro/Itanagar. Depart on the 6-hour drive to Itanagar for afternoon visit the Buddhist monastery, Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial museum, the Zoo and the Craft Centre at Naharlagun. Overnight at Hotel Donyi Polo.

Day 9.
Itanagar/Tezpur. Depart by road for 5-hour drive to Tezpur. Overnight at Hotel Luit.

Day 10.
Tezpur/Kaziranga. Drive to Kaziranga. Overnight Wild Grass Resort.

Day 11.
Kaziranga. Game viewing by jeeps or elephants in Kaziranga National Park where we will see the rare one horned Rhinoceros. Wildlife includes wild elephants, tiger, wild buffalo, gaur, swamp deer, sambar, hog deer, wild boar and a large number of interesting birds. Overnight at Wild Grass Resort.

Day 12.
Kazinragara. Morning and evening visit the Park. Overnight Wild Grass Resort.

Day 13.
Kaziranga/Guwahati. Drive to Guwahati, the gateway to the North East situated on the banks of the Brahmaputra river. Guwahati was once called Pragjyotishpur "the light of the East" because of its astrological importance. Overnight at Brahamputra Ashok.

Day 14.
Guwahati/Calcutta. Transfer to airport for flight to Calcutta. Transfer to hotel Oberoi Grand for overnight stay.

Day 15.
Calcutta/USA. Morning transfer to the airport for your flight home.

• Departures: Contact us for dates.
• Price: Contact us for prices.