Fly into Kolkata where you will be met by a Travel Counsellor representative and transfer to your hotel of stay.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 2: Kolkata – Imphal
At an appropriate time, you will be transferred to a scheduled flight to Imphal.
Upon arrival at Imphal airport, you will be transferred to your hotel.
Later in the afternoon do a city tour of Imphal – a three-hour guided tour covering sites in and around the city related to the Battle of Imphal of 1944 and Manipur’s overall War experience. This includes (among others): a Second World War-era airfield, a battlefield and two Second World War Cemeteries maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in Imphal.
Rest of the day will be at leisure.
Day 03: Imphal
Do a Tiddim Road Tour – White Tigers, Black Cats and a Springing Tiger (6-7 hours).
The road that wound its way north from the village of Tiddim in Burma (now Myanmar) to Imphal—the Tiddim Road—and the mountains along it were one of the main sectors of fighting in 1944. It was the route used by the Imperial Japanese Army’s 33rd Division to approach Imphal from the south and southwest. This elite Japanese Infantry Division referred to itself as the ‘White Tigers’ and a white tiger figured on one of its flags. The main British force facing it was the 17th Indian Division, also known as ‘The Black Cat Division’ because of a black cat on its formation sign. The fighting between them on, and near, the Tiddim Road has been described as among the fiercest in the Burma Campaign.
Moirang, which is just off the Tiddim Road, is also significant from an Indian perspective. It was here in April 1944 that members of the INA, who entered Manipur with the Japanese, first planted the Indian tricolour on the mainland. The INA’s flag featured the figure of a springing tiger.
The Tiddim Road Tour gives you a chance to discover this intriguing bit of history. Heading out of Imphal on the Tiddim Road, this guided tour takes in the only Japanese Memorial to the War in India, battlefields, the only INA Memorial Complex in the world at Moirang, Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in northeast India and time permitting , Keibul Lamjao National Park, the only floating national park in the world.
Day 04: Imphal
The Battle of Sangshak Tour: The Battle of Sangshak Tour takes you up the Ukhrul Road from Imphal and right into the heart of the village of Sangshak (known locally as Shangshak) which was witness to a key battle in March 1944. You explore the area that made up the British defensive position during the battle and learn of the ferociousness with which both sides fought. Trenches dating back to 1944 can still be spotted around the village, which also affords glorious views of the hills of Ukhrul district. The tour of the village is rounded off by a visit to the Sangshak War Memorial.
Day 05: Imphal – Kohima
After breakfast you will be driven to Kohima [approx. 05 hrs. drive) to explore the overlap between the two battles.
En-route, stop at Milestone 109 — where the British 2nd Division and Indian 5th Division met in June, 1944 — Kanglatongbi War Memorial, and the Battle of Kohima Museum.
Arrive Kohima and you will be transferred to the hotel.
Day 06: Kohima
Do a tour of Kohima – walk through Kohima Ridge, including its war cemetery, and key strategic positions. Here one will get an idea about the involement of the Naga, local tribespeople who were instrumental in helping the British to defeat the Japanese, as we visit the beautiful village of Khonoma.
Day 07: Kohima – Kaziranga
Post breakfast you will be driven to Kaziranga [approx. 215 Kms. / 06 Hrs.]. En-route visit Hot Water Spring and Shiva Temple.
Arrive Kaziranga and check in at the hotel.
Kaziranga National Park – a World Heritage Site, where more than 75% of the world’s total population of the great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros can be found. It lies on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River and is one of the oldest parks of Assam. Besides rhinos, the Asiatic Water Buffalo, Elephants, Royal Bengal Tigers, Swamp deer, Barking deer and Hog deer can be seen. About 400 species of birds are found in Kaziranga National Park. To name a few- Swamp Francolin, Great Hornbill, Pallas Fish Eagle, Pied Falconets, Greater Adjutant Stork, Long Billed Vulture. There is no telling what one might find in Kaziranga but it is always a great experience. The specialty here is the Blue naped pitta among a host of Raptors and Waterfowl. The adjoining buffer areas are worth a try too, as numerous rare sightings are reported regularly.
Day 08: Kaziranga
Full day game drive inside the park
Jeep Safaris are permitted on pre-defined tourist circuits within Kaziranga National Park. Each of these circuits takes about one and half to two and half hours (or even more depending upon interest of the tourists), subject to local range conditions and weather. Jeep Safari may be cancelled / curtailed due to any reason by the Park Authorities without prior notice.
Day 09: Kaziranga – Guwahati
Leave after breakfast to Guwahati (approx. 220 Kms. / 04-05 hrs.). Before check-in at the hotel visit Sualkuchi and Hajo.
Sualkuchi: Located on the banks of the Brahmaputra, Sualkuchi is a weaving village that produces some of the best silk in the state. This sleepy little village exudes a charm like no other. Almost every house has an adjacent shed (karkhana) that houses the traditional bamboo looms, the gentle click-clacking of which can be heard from the streets. You can walk into any of the numerous karkhanas and observe the talented weavers giving birth to intricate patterns on the golden Muga silk.
Hajo – the meeting point of Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu faiths on the northern bank of river Brahmaputra, has a number of temples The chief among them being the Hayagrib Madhab Temple – a place of pilgrimage both for the Hindus and the Buddhists. Hajo’s bell-metal work is renowned for the interesting artifacts made by the local craftsmen.
Day 10: Guwahati – Shillong
After breakfast, visit Kamakhya Temple and later drive to Shillong (130 Kms. / 03-04 hrs.).
Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 11: In Shillong
After breakfast day excursion to Mawlynnong Village (located approx. 90 kms south of Shillong) – here you will visit the village as well the Living Root Bridge.
Mawlynnong Village
The picturesque village offers many interesting sights such as the Living Root Bridge and a strange natural phenomenon of a boulder balanced on a rather small rock.
Located very close to the Indo-Bangla border, this cute and colourful little village is known for its cleanliness. The main occupation of the villagers is agriculture. They mostly grow betel nut. About 82 households live in Mawlynnong. Keeping the surrounding environment clean is an age old tradition. Discover India magazine declared the village as the cleanest in Asia in 2003. Dustbins made out of bamboo are found all along the village. Everyone makes it a point that dirt and waste are not thrown everywhere. All the waste from the dustbins is collected and kept in a pit, which the villagers use as manure. The villagers are now on a mission to ban plastic. The village with cent per cent literacy is conscious and they are spreading the message of conservation and protection of the forest. Locals plant trees to ensure that the virgin forest is kept intact and also replenished.
Living Root Bridge
A natural bridge formed with the roots of the trees. A little hiking is required to see the magnificent bridge (hiking approx. 1 hour). Then visit the balancing rock, a small stone holding a big rock by balancing it on above it and the Tree House (watch tower) made by the local people of the village.
Day 12: In Shillong
Day excursion to Cherrapunjee (approx. 55 kms / 1 ½ hours drive) with a stop enroute for a walk through the Mawphlang Sacred Forest.
Once the heaviest rainfall area in the world, the drive to Cherrapunjee, will give us a spectacular view of deep gorges and the rolling hills luxurious with tropical vegetation that boast an innumerable variety of ferns, moss and orchids.
Mawphlang Sacred Forest
Its one of Meghalaya’s most celebrated sacred forests, as the world over, are steeped in spiritual belief and held in great veneration. They also represent some of the earliest representations of preserving the ancient ecosystems. This is a dense forest where the Lyngdoh (chief) used to offer sacrifices and prayers. Not a branch should be broken or else a curse may befall on that person. This grove is sorrounded by a lush green valley and a great variety of plants like orchids, include the carnivorous varieties and ferns grow here.
Arwah Lumshynna Cave
Lies in the slope of U Lum Lawshynna Hill, the cave is approximately one kilometre in length and adorned with different types of carving and formation designed by nature itself which adds lot of beauty to the place. A stream runs through the cave from beginning till the end., making one feel as if we are walking in a river. The cave is covered by a thick forest, called the ‘Law Shynna’. Different types of local species of trees, orchids, wild flowers, shrubs, bamboos and coloured leaves are found in this forest. On the way to the cave, there is a viewpoint, from where one can see the beautiful Wahkaba falls, the natural landscape and the river which flows to Bangladesh through Nongpriang Village and Sohkhmi Village.
The hill where the cave if located is called ‘U Lum Shynna’. The hill is very high and it overlooked the Sohra town and even the plains of Bangladesh could be seen from this hillock. That is why it is called Lum Shynna which literally means clearview. All through this hill, from North to South runs the David Scott Bridle path build by the British which once upon a time connects the Brahmaputra valley and the Surma valley in Bangladesh. This path was used by people to go to Shillong or Laban, to the market and to Bangladesh for trade. This path is still visible now, while some parts are destroyed due to soil erosion and landslide caused by coal mining. Resting places for those who are tired are also found along the route. At the foot of this hillock, there are the remmants of the ‘Kyntursniang Village’ a historical site where foundation of the present Sohra Syiemship was laid by Buh Syiem and his myntris.
Nohakalikai Falls
A hauntingly beautiful waterfall, cascading down from the top of the gorge to the mystic deep green pool below, reminds one of the tragic legend associated with it – of a grief stricken mother who plunged to her death, unable to overcome her sorrow of the murder of her daughter by her husband.
Day 13: In Shillong
Full day tour of Shillong visiting Umium Lake, The Ward’s Lake and the Don Boscco museum – (closed on all Sundays apart from the Govt. and other local holidays)
Umium lake popularly known as Barapani, and the biggest artificial lake in the state, surrounded by sylvan hills and wrapped in the beauty of an assortment of green Khasi-pines and the azure blue skies. Developed upon the reservoir of the Umium Hydro Electric Project, the Water Sports Complex provides a choice of row-boats, paddle- boats, cruise boats, sailing boats, water scooters and speed boats. This is a very popular place for picnic, fishing and watersports.
The Ward’s Lake
A horseshoe – shaped artificial lake abounds in fish (grass carps) and feeding the fish from the bridge, which is the favorite pastime of the tourists. It is believed that a Khasi prisoner, who requested for some kind of work to get him out of his cell, initiated its construction. The lake has a charming winding walk-a-way in the midst of rolling flowerbeds and fairyland lighting with gradually undulating grounds, hemmed in by lush greens.
Don Bosco Museum
This is a three-in-one institution combining a museum with a research and publication centre, for promoting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of North East India – a unique fusion of all the sister states under one roof. DBCIC contains seventeen galleries displaying cultural artefacts and paintings. It offers study and research facilities throughout its specialized library of 10,000 volumes, a media hall and a conference hall. It is frequented by school students and older research students and anthropologists.
Day 14: Shillong – Guwahati – Departure
Morning after breakfast, leave for Guwahati airport to board the flight for onward journey.
