Assam Arunachal Nagaland Meghalaya Motorbike Tour

Take an early morning flight from Delhi to Dibrugarh, the tea capital of Assam. Dibrugarh is known for its tea gardens and the beautiful Brahmaputra River. After check-in, meet the team for an orientation session on your motorbike, safety and the route. Take a warm up ride around Dibrugarh’s tea estates to get accustomed before the journey ahead.

Start your journey with a one hour ferry ride across the Brahmaputra. The views are breathtaking and crossing this mighty river is an experience to remember. Once on the other side, take a smooth ride on the wide highway to Pasighat. One of the oldest towns of Arunachal Pradesh, Pasighat is situated by the Siang River and is a peaceful and welcoming introduction to the Adi tribe’s culture. The day is a good time to get used to the local riding conditions on Northeast India’s beautiful roads.

Today you enter the Dibang Valley, an ecologically and culturally sensitive area. Ride through the Adi and Idu Mishmi villages, see the traditional houses, bamboo work and terraced farms. The road is a mix of paved and rough. As you approach Roing, enjoy the valley views and ride over riverbeds and shallow water crossings that will test and reward you equally. The Dibang River’s meanders will be the backdrop as you end your day in Roing.

Ride through the Lohit River Valley and enter the land of the Tai Khampti tribe, a community with roots from Myanmar. The Khampti villages here are famous for their beautiful Buddhist monasteries, colorful textiles and bamboo houses on stilts. The road is mostly paved so you can enjoy the views without the stress of rough terrain. You will see a variety of landscapes today, from plains to forests. As you enter Assam, you will notice the change in vegetation and scenery as Assam is a land shaped by its tea history.

Today you ride into Nagaland. The day is long and rural, crossing green fields and tea gardens that give way to forests. Mon is the home of the Konyak Nagas, a tribe once famous for headhunting. The Konyak culture is marked by intricate tattoos and wood carvings that symbolize bravery and skill. The villages of Mon with their traditional houses will give you a glimpse into the history of these proud people. Watch as the landscape changes from Assam plains to Nagaland hills.

Today you will explore the villages around Mon, starting with Longwa. This unique village is on the Indo-Myanmar border and the chief’s house is famously divided between two countries. Learn about the Konyak way of life and the cross border customs of the village. The Konyaks have many interesting traditions, weapon making and wood carving and their facial tattoos that tell stories of their past. After immersing in this culture, visit the local market for some shopping.

As you ride deeper into Nagaland, head to Mokokchung, the cultural hub of the Ao Naga tribe. Known for their craftsmanship and rich folklore the Ao people are the custodians of Naga heritage. The route is a mix of paved roads and rough tracks through isolated forests where the ride can get muddy. Mokokchung is a bustling town with markets, tribal dances and friendly people, a great place to learn about local traditions and customs.

Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, is a mix of tribal culture and war history. Famous for the WWII Battle of Kohima it is a significant place in world history. Visit the Kohima War Cemetery to pay homage to the soldiers who lost their lives fighting the Japanese forces. En route pass by Doyang Lake where thousands of Amur Falcons rest before flying to Africa. Kohima has a lively atmosphere and historical landmarks, a unique destination in Northeast India.

Today you will explore Kohima. Start with the Naga Heritage Village where each tribe showcases their traditional houses and crafts. Then hike through the beautiful Dzukou Valley, famous for its rolling hills, exotic flowers and views of greenery. Dzukou is called the “Valley of Flowers” in Northeast India, especially beautiful when the wildflowers bloom. Visit Khonoma, Asia’s first green village where the community practices sustainable farming.

Today you ride back into Assam, through the Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts to Haflong - Assam’s only hill station. Pass through Karbi, Dimasa and Rengma villages and experience the diversity that makes Northeast India so unique. Winding roads, green valleys and insight into many ethnic groups.

Enter Meghalaya's Jaintia Hills, ride through pine forests and cross the Umrangso Reservoir. The peaceful landscapes will take you to Jowai, famous for its Jaintia community and local culture. The ride will show you the unique beauty of Meghalaya - hill sides, reservoirs and more and leave you fresh for the next day's ride.

Go to Cherrapunji, one of the wettest places on Earth. This route near the Bangladesh border has winding roads and traditional Khasi villages. See the natural beauty of Meghalaya and in Cherrapunji, see living root bridges and massive limestone caves formed by centuries of rain and erosion.

A day to indulge in Cherrapunji’s wonders. Trek to the living root bridges, handcrafted by the Khasi people over centuries by entwining the roots of Ficus trees. These bridges are a symbol of resilience and harmony with nature. You can also visit Mawsmai Caves or Shella town for views of Bangladesh’s plains.

The last leg of the ride takes you down from Meghalaya’s hills to Guwahati, the largest city in Northeast India, along the Brahmaputra River. Enroute stop at Mawphlang Sacred Forest, an ancient forest preserved by the Khasi tribes. Rich in biodiversity and folklore, this is a final tribute to the spiritual connection between the land and its people. Arrive Guwahati and celebrate the end of the ride and experience the city’s vibrant culture.

Goodbye Northeast India as you fly back to Delhi for your onward journey. The villages, valleys and tribes will remain etched in your memory, a souvenir of a lifetime trip to India’s wilderness.