Nagaland & the Northeast Frontier

Drive to Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya — the 'Abode of Clouds'. Known as the 'Scotland of India' for its rolling hills and colonial architecture, Shillong is a charming hill station with a vibrant local culture and musical tradition.

Drive to Cherrapunji, the wettest place on Earth, through landscapes of extraordinary dramatic gorges, waterfalls and sacred forests. Visit the remarkable Mawsmai cave and various viewpoints over the limestone valley below.

A full day trekking to the extraordinary double-decker living root bridge at Nongriat — one of the most remarkable natural structures in the world. The Khasi and War Jaintia communities have been training rubber fig tree roots across rivers for generations to create these living bridges that strengthen with age.

Long drive north through remarkable landscapes to Kaziranga National Park, home to two-thirds of the world's remaining one-horned rhinos. Evening briefing with our naturalist guide.

Two game drives through Kaziranga — once at dawn on elephant-back through the tall elephant grass where rhinos shelter, and again by jeep in the afternoon. The park is also home to wild water buffalo, swamp deer, tigers and over 450 species of birds.

Drive or fly to Dimapur, gateway to Nagaland, then continue to Kohima — the state capital, site of the famous WWII Battle of Kohima that helped turn the tide against the Japanese advance. Visit the remarkable War Cemetery.

Explore Kohima and the remarkable Battle of Kohima War Cemetery, where some of the most intense fighting of the Burma campaign took place in 1944. The famous inscription reads: 'When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today.'

Drive to Kisama Heritage Village for the extraordinary Hornbill Festival (1-10 December) — the most spectacular cultural festival in Northeast India, bringing together all 16 Naga tribes to showcase their traditional songs, dances, costumes, food and crafts.

A full second day at the Hornbill Festival enjoying the remarkable cultural programme — traditional warrior dances, log drum ceremonies, fire-making demonstrations, traditional wrestling and archery competitions.

Drive northeast to Mon, the heartland of the Konyak tribe — the most famous of Nagaland's warrior tribes, known for their extraordinary tattoos and ornate headdresses. The last generation of tattooed headhunters are still alive here.

Spend the day visiting Konyak villages, meeting tribal elders and community members. Learn about the extraordinary Konyak history, culture and traditions — their longhouses, their beliefs about the spirit world, and the remarkable transition from headhunting to Christianity over the past century.

Long drive back through the Nagaland hills to Guwahati — a full day of driving through extraordinary Northeast Indian landscapes.

A final day in Guwahati — perhaps visiting the Assam State Museum with its remarkable collection of tribal artefacts and natural history, or exploring the city's vibrant markets. A final group dinner.

After breakfast the tour concludes. Transfers to Guwahati airport can be arranged.

Yes — this route is well-established with excellent hotels and infrastructure, and our experienced guides and drivers handle every practical detail. First-time visitors consistently find it a superb introduction to India.

Private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced, dedicated drivers throughout. For longer distances we use India's excellent express trains or domestic flights where they improve the journey.

Absolutely. Duration, hotels, route and experiences can all be tailored to your preferences and budget — this itinerary is a starting point, not a fixed product. Contact us to plan your ideal trip.