Hornbill Festival Tour

Arrive New Delhi International Airport by flight. Meet our representative at exit gate & get transferred to pre- booked Hotel.
After wash & Change you will take for sightseeing of Delhi visiting guided tour of Old Delhi, the 17th century walled city of Shah Jahanabad, Visiting the great Jama Masjid, the principal mosque of Old Delhi. Built in the year 1656 AD by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it is the largest & best known mosque in India. Then drive pass through Red Fort, built in the year 1648 by Shah Jehan.
In New Delhi, we visit Raj Ghat, memorial to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. It is a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation on 31 January 1948. Further we drive past India Gate, memorial built in the year 1931 to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I & the Afghan Wars. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls. President's House, the official residence of the President of India, built in the year 1931. Until 1950 it was known as Viceroy's House & served as the residence of the Governor-General of British India. We will also visit Humayun's Tomb, memorial of Mughal Emperor Humayun, built in the year 1562. The complex is a World Heritage Site & the first example of this type of Mughal architecture in India. Qutub Minar, built in the year 1206 by Qutub-ud-din Aibek. It is the tallest (72m) brick minaret in the world, an important example of Indo-Islamic Architecture. Qutub Minar & its monuments are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight stay in Delhi.

Arrive Guwahati by air. On your arrival meet your guide at the airport and drive towards hotel. On arrival check into hotel. En- route visit the most important Hindu pilgrim site – Kamakhya Temple – a majestic temple of the state. This temple is located in the Nilachal hills and one of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Pithas.
Kamakhya Temple: Temple gate opens for visitors by 8: 00 AM, closed again at 1:00 PM reopens at 2: 30 PM, closes for visitors by 5: 00 PM for the day. In order to the sanctum sanatorium there is general queue where one has to wait for 5 to 6 hours or more depending on the visitors. However, one can purchase the VIP tickets available for 6: AM to 8: AM (timing may change during the time of festivals) but on the same visitor may have to wait for 2 – 3 hrs or more. Visitors are also not allowed to carry big bags, ladies handbags etc except for wallet and purse inside the temple premises.

After breakfast check out from hotel and set off towards Shillong – the capital of Meghalaya. On arrival visit Don Bosco Museum. Later check into hotel. Evening visit to the Archery Field to witness the famous Traditional Archery Game of Meghalaya (Sunday closed and starts around 4 PM) followed by visit to the Police Bazaar area – Shillong prime location. Overnight.

After breakfast drive from Shillong to Mawlynnong Village. Mawlynnong Village located in the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, also referred as ‘God’s own garden’ has won the acclaim of being the cleanest village in Asia in 2003. The village offers picturesque natural beauty, a trek to the living root bridge at a neighboring village Riwai. The village also offers a sight of natural balancing rock, a strange natural phenomenon of a boulder balancing on another rock.

After breakfast we shall visit Smit village, the traditional seat of Khasi culture and then Nartiang – the biggest collection of monoliths or Megalithic stones in one single area, locally known as Moo Kynthai. Return to Shillong for overnight stay.(Local Guide advisable)
During the month of November at SMIT village - the Khasis inhabitants celebrates a 5 day long festival Ka Pomblang Nongkrem or Shad Nongkrem which is one of the most important and elaborate festival of the Khasis in Meghalaya.

After an early breakfast check out from hotel and drive towards Kaziranga National park – an UNESCO World Heritage site and the home of the world famous One Horned Rhinos. On arrival check into hotel for overnight stay.
Kaziranga National Park a world heritage site is famous for the Great Indian one horned rhinoceros, the landscape of Kaziranga is of sheer forest, tall elephant grass, rugged reeds, marshes & shallow pools. It has been declared as National Park in 1974. Kaziranga National Park is one of the last areas in eastern India undisturbed by a human presence. It is inhabited by the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as many mammals, including tigers, elephants, panthers and bears, and thousands of birds.

Early morning we shall go for an elephant ride - Elephant ride is the best way to behold the vigour and charm of the enchanting wildlife of the park. Return to resort for your breakfast. Mid morning explore a village inhabited by Mishing tribe and Kaziranga Orchid center. Afternoon go for a jeep safari in the Western range of the park.
* All nationals park in Assam are open for tourist from 1st Nov till 30th April every year as per forest department rules.

After breakfast check out from hotel and drive towards Kohima – the capital of Nagaland and the home of Angami Naga. On arrival check into hotel for overnight stay.
This picturesque town – Kohima is the home of the brave and daring, yet simple and innocent, Naga tribes. Lapped in the eastern frontiers of the Himalayan mountain range, Kohima is marked by an unhurried pace of life, calm and serene environs and fresh, unpolluted air, which make a welcome change for a jaded city dweller. A typical Naga town, it depicts the exotic tribal culture of the northeast and offers a panoramic view of the neighboring hills.

After breakfast visit and photograph one of the most fascinating festivals of Nagaland – the Hornbill festival, where the various tribes of Nagaland get together to showcase their customs and traditions. Spend entire day spent at Kisama village – the location of Hornbill Festival. . If time permits visit Hornbill festival carnival (approx timing 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM). Colorful stall adored with sparkling lights, each one has something unique to offer. (Festival program as per schedule)
It was in the year 2000, the State Government of Nagaland desirous of promoting tourism embarked upon an ambitious project to exploit the cultural assets of Nagaland, through a weeklong festival to coincide with the celebrations of Nagaland Statehood Day on 1st December. Thus the inception of the Nagaland Hornbill Festival is so named is collective reverence to the bird enshrined in the cultural to espouse the spirit of unity in diversity. Today this festival has become one of the largest celebrations of the indigenous warrior of Nagaland, where thousands of tourists from different counties are being attracted. Even if tremendous modernity have entered into their lives, but the well preserved rich tradition, their unique heritage and customs, legacy, are being displayed in this 10 days converge of cultural, dance and sporting bash.

Morning visit Hornbill festival ground. Later visit to Khonoma – the green village. Khonoma is an Angami-tribe warrior village that is known for its battles with the English and for its leading role in the Naga freedom struggle. In recent years Khonoma has become famous for its community-based conservation projects and eco-friendly tourism initiatives. Return to hotel and overnight.

This morning we shall visit the Jakhama Village to witness the multifaceted Naga way of life.
Walk through in the village takes you through paddy fields and the riverbanks where you can watch the Angamis fish and farm in their traditional ways, as they have done for hundreds of generations. As we weave through the village, we stop at local pigsties, fisheries and even a snail farm. Also see walls of houses riddled with bullet marks from World War II.
Later visit the World War Cemetery – constructed in memory of the officers and men who made supreme sacrifices during World War II. On each grave there are beautiful epitaphs engraved in bronze. The famous inscription written on the War Memorial stone reads "WHEN YOU GO HOME TELL THEM OF US AND SAY, FOR YOUR TOMORROW WE GAVE OUR TODAY".
Also visit the Kohima State Museum - a platform that exhibits the vibrant culture of Nagaland through a collection of fascinating arts and artifacts. It is not only the major attraction of Kohima but also the entire state, because very few landmarks like the State Museum bring to limelight the culture of Nagas and their evolution through stages. (Closed on Monday and government holidays or may remain close without any prior information).

After an early breakfast check-out from hotel and transfer to Dimapur airport to board flight to Kolkata. On arrival you will meet and evening you will visiting Jain Temple, Mother House and Kalighat Kali Temple. Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast, you will be taken for half day city tour visiting Dalhousie Square, Flower market, Howarh Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral Church and Vitoria Memorial. After the visit transfer to Kolkata airport to board the flight to Delhi to connect your International flight for onward Destination.