EXPERIENCE THE APATANIS

This delicately designed tour will give you the chance to meet and interact with the Apatani people, opening a doorway into the lives of one of India’s most fascinating tribes.

Experience the charming valley of Ziro, a scenic landscape hidden in the eastern Himalayas of Arunachal Pradesh.

Day 01: Arrive Guwahati / Tezpur (185 kms, 4 hrs drive)

Arrive Guwahati by flight.
Meeting upon arrival and depart for Tezpur.

Tezpur: Modern day Tezpur, the headquarter of Sonitpur district of Assam is said to be erstwhile Sonitpur, the Kingdom of legendary King Banasura. According to the legend when Lord Krishna’s army and Banasura’s army fought for the rescue of Aniruddha (grandson of Lord Krishna) who married Banasura’s daughter ‘Usha’ against the will of her father there was so much bloodshed that the whole place was stained in red. This prompted to the name of the place becoming Tezpur (means the City of Blood). Modern Tezpur was founded by the British colonial administration in 1835 as the headquarters of Darrang

Arrive Tezpur and check in at hotel.

Afternoon visit:

Agnigarh: According to the legend the site of the fortress was built by Banasura to keep his daughter Usha in isolation. The name ‘Agnigarh’ has been derived from two Sanskrit words ‘Agni’ (meaning fire) and ‘garh’ (meaning fortress or wall). It is a hill on the banks of the Brahmaputra river and one of the big tourist attractions in Tezpur. The view of river Brahmaputra the Kolia Bhomora Setu bridge(named after the Ahom general Kolia Bhomora) is really eye catching.

Rest of the time free at leisure
Overnight at hotel.

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Day 02: Tezpur / Ziro (270 kms, 9 hrs drive)

Morning after breakfast drive to Ziro by the same vehicle.
En route visit the Nyshi village near Sagalee.

Ziro a small picturesque town situated at an altitude of 5000 feet with Pine and Bamboo groves, villages, a craft centre and high altitude Tarin Fish Farm is an ideal place for relaxation.
Arrive Ziro and check in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

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Day 03: Ziro

Morning after breakfast visit Tarin, the high altitude fish farm, a famous whispering pine grove and the craft center. From a hill top, catch the first rays of dawn lighting up the stunning emerald patchwork quilt of nature.

Later explore the Apatanis:

The Apatani is one of the main tribes in Arunachal Pradesh. The Apatanis mainly residing in the Ziro region of Central Arunachal Pradesh grow rice by terrace farming and their indigenous irrigation system is unique amongst the Arunachal tribals. As a real nature lover, for every tree they fell, five fresh saplings are planted.

Apatani Villages: Hong village is the largest village in the Apatani plateo. There are more than 10000 people living in 700 houses at Hong village. Hong, Hari, Hija, Duta, Bula, Tajang, Bamin Michi and Mudang Tage are eight distinctive Apatani villages situated at Ziro Valley. In every village, there are some male community halls called ‘Lapang’. The Apatani village comprises of long rows of houses with a fertility totem in front of each house. They use an indigenous herbal salt that’s rice in iodine which is quite unique.

Apatani people are famous for tattoo on their forehead and nose plug. Basically, Apatani people are animists who worship all natural gods. Dony-Polo, i.e, the Sun and the Moonis their supreme god. Apatani people are known for paddy cum pisciculture. The Apatani women are very skilled in handicraft and handloom as one can be see from the wonderfull JIKHE pattern, woven jackets and intricately patterned JILANG shawls. The men are expert in metallurgy and bamboo craft.

They celebrate Myoko Festival in the month of March for the welfare of their community and dree festival in July for bountiful harvest, community wellbeing and to keep away the pest.

Later visit:

Shiva Limgam: The calm hills of Kardo hold one of the largest shiva linga with a height measuring 25 feet and 22 feet in circumference. The Shiva linga excavated in the recent past is located near the Hapoli Town.

District Museum: The district museum at Ziro exhibits a variety of handicrafts and textiles, musical instruments, weapons of the past ages used by different tribesand sub-tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. It displays an exclusive collection of art and craft, jewellery, variety of tribal headgears etc reflecting the traditions of ancient tribal culture.

Overnight at hotel.

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Day 04: Ziro / Tezpur (270 kms, 9 hrs drive)

Morning after an early breakfast depart back for Tezpur.

Arrive Tezpur and check in at hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

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Day 05: Tezpur / Guwahati Departure (185 kms, 4 hrs drive)

Morning after breakfast in time transfer to Guwahati Airport / Railway station for the onward destination.

Tour ends.

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THE PACKAGE COST INCLUDES:

1. All transport by a dedicated vehicle
2. Accommodation for four nights.
3. Daily breakfast at hotel.
4. Permits required for entering into Arunachal Pradesh (Indian & Foreign Nationals)
5. All parking, toll charges, driver’s allowances etc.
6. 5 % GST as applicable

THE PACKAGE COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:

1. Any meals other than mentioned above.
2. Entrances to the monuments, parks other than mentioned above.
3. Charges of the accompanying guide or local guide (if required)
4. Any expenses occur due to natural calamities or which are not mentioned in the cost inclusions
5. Any other expenses of personal nature i.e camera, laundry, telephone, any type of insurances, tips, portages etc.