Arunachal Cultural Tour with Spiritual Sites of Buddha - 18 Days / 17 Nights

Delhi - Bodhgaya - Varanasi - Kolkata - Guwahati - Nameri - Dirang - Tawang - Bomdila - Itanagar - Ziro - Daporijo - Along - Dibrugarh - Delhi or Kolkata

Day 1: Arrive Delhi - Gaya (by flight)

Meeting & assistance on arrival and in time connect flight for Gaya. On arrival transfer to hotel in Bodhgaya. Evening attend prayer at Mahabodhi Temple. Overnight in Bodhgaya.

Day 2: In Bodhgaya

Morning after breakfast full day explore Bodhgaya. This tour includes a visit to The Mahabodhi Temple Complex. Seven spots within the complex precincts are especially sacred because it was at these spots that Buddha spent a week each, meditating, after his Enlightenment. The Bodhi Tree - Buddha attained enlightenment under this tree and spent the first week after his enlightenment under this tree. Overnight in Bodhgaya.

Day 3: Bodhgaya - Varanasi (250 Kms / 5 hrs approx)

Morning after breakfast proceed for Varanasi. Varanasi is most important place of pilgrimage for Hindus and the sight of devout praying standing water deep in Ganges. On arrival check in at hotel. Later proceed for city tour visiting various temples and the noted Banaras Hindu University. This evening witness a Hindu prayer ceremony ‘aarti’ on the Ganges River. Embark on a boat to witness the Aarti for approximately 20- 30 minutes. The river banks ‘ghats’ and temples are lit with oil-lamp and candles which create a magical effect. Devotees float the oil lamps in the water as an offering to the holy river. Overnight in Varanasi.

Day 4: Varanasi - Kolkata (by flight)

Early morning enjoy a boat ride on the holy river The Ganges. Followed by visit to Sarnath, where Lord Buddha had preached his first sermon and which is now a spiritual place of mainly stupas, shrines and temples. Also visit the museum which houses a collection of valuable ancient scriptures & artifacts related to Buddhism. (Sarnath museum is closed on Fridays). In time transfer to the airport to board flight for Kolkata. On arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight in Kolkata.

Day 5: Kolkata - Guwahati (by flight)

Morning transfer to the airport to board flight for Guwahati. On arrival transfer to hotel. Later visit Kamakhya Temple, Noa Garah Temple. Overnight in Guwahati.

Day 6: Guwahati – Nameri (by surface)

After morning breakfast drive to Nameri National Park. Overnight stay in the Nameri Eco-Camp.

(Best time to visit Nameri National Park is from November to April).

Day 7: Nameri

In the early morning enjoy Bird watching and trekking inside the Nameri National Park or choice of angling or rafting on river Jai Bhorelli. Over night at eco-camp.

Day 8: Nameri – Dirang (by surface)

Drive to Dirang, Enroute visit Tipi Orchidarium, a glass house with over 7500 orchids which is highest in Asia and Sherdukphen tribal village at Rupa. Overnight in Dirang.

Day 9: Dirang – Tawang (by surface)

After breakfast visit typical mompa village at Dirang with its traditional hi-tech water mills and Buddhist Kalachakra Monastery. Enroute we will have to cross the 13,714 ft high Sela Pass, which is the second highest pass in India. Moreover, it was battlefield where Indian and Chinese armies fought against each other. Overnight in Tawang.

Day 10: Tawang

Full day explore Tawang Monastery which is more than 350 years old and dramatic background is eye catching. It is inhabitated by monks who belongs to the Gelupa sect of the Mahayana school of Buddhism. In the afternoon visit the Urgelling Monastery here is also associated with the birth of the 6th Dalai Lama. One of the oldest Ani Gonpa located 12 km from Tawang, commissioned by Karchen Yeshi Gelek in 1595 AD. The Gyanganga Ani Gonpa is about 5 km from the town and has more than 100 nuns living here. Overnight in Tawang. g.

Day 11: Tawang – Bomdila (by surface)

After breakfast drive to Bomdila, Afternoon visit upper Gompa, locally known as Gonpatse Gompa, built by previous Rev. Gonpatse Rimpoche and the new gompa is build by the present Rev. Gonpatse Rimpoche, the 15 recantation of Tsona Gonpatse of Tibet, Tsona is a place in Tibet. Later visit the Bazaar Gompa. Overnight in Bomdila.

Day 12: Bomdila – Itanagar (by surface)

In the morning drive to Itanagar, Itanagar the capital of Arunachal Pradesh is a modern settlement built in the vicinity of the ruin of the 14th century fort old capital. The archaeological remains of this med review capital compromises of two brick wall ramparts. On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight in Itanagar.

Day 13: Itanagar – Ziro (by surface)

After breakfast visit State Museum known as Jawarlal Nehru Museum. Enroute visit Nishi villages. Ziro at an altitude of 5754 feet is almost a level valley endosed on all sides by fine clad low stooping hills. This is called Apatani plateau and is famous for paddy-cum-fish culture. On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight in Ziro.

Day 14: Ziro – Daporijo (by surface)

Morning drive to Daporijo. Enroute visit Nishi and hill miri tribal villages like Raga, Tamin, Mori, Godak, Palluk, Don Etc. Overnight in Daporijo.

Day 15: Daporijo – Along (by surface)

After breakfast drive to Along. Enroute visit Adi (Galo) tribal villages. Houses in their areas are artistically built on the hill slop without using nails but only of bamboo and cane. Evening free at one of the largest galo tribal village called Darka village which has more than 1500 houses made of bamboo and palm. Overnight in Along.

Day 16: Along

Full day exploration of Kabu and keying encounter with Adi (Galo) tribes and on river Yomgo there is hanging bridge made of cane and bamboo. Overnight in Along.

Day 17: Along – Dibrugarh (by surface)

In the morning drive to cross river Brahmaputra by ferry and arrive to reach Dibrugarh. Evening free to visit the market area. Overnight in Dibrugarh.

Day 18: Dibrugarh - Delhi or Kolkata

After breakfast proceed to Airport for flight to Delhi or Kolkata.

Important Note: Foreign Tourists in a group of 2 or more persons require to obtain Protected Area Permit in order to visit Arunachal Pradesh.