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Tribal Paradise of Arunachal

Tribal Paradise of Arunachal

We search for peace within the city’s hustle and bustle but forget to take time out for ourselves. For people seeking paradise on earth, Tribal Paradise Tour of Arunachal is going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Arunachal Pradesh, blessed by mother nature, escaping pollution, traffic lights, and general chaos seems nothing less than a paradise. The people of the state make it even special. The lives of tribal people in most northeastern states make these states unique and stand out from the rest of the country. You’ll actually never want to return from the Tribal Paradise Tour of Arunachal. Arunachal Pradesh is truly a culture heaven with 26 major tribes including sub-tribes. Every tribe has their own unique set of traditions and customs. The major tribes of Arunachal are Adi, Galo, Aka, Apatani, Nyishi, Tagins, Bori, and Bokar etc. These tribes are living legends that show the world that it is not the caste but culture that matters above everything else. These tribes are richly skilled in crafts. They design their own jewellery with paintings on them. The Wencho tribes are known for tattooing norm, the Nocte tribe for betel leaf cultivation, the Mishomis are fine weavers as well as calibrated farmers and so on. The Tribal Paradise Tour of Arunachal will guide you through the most picturesque locations of the state, thereby interacting with the locals. Astoundingly, in a single state as small as Arunachal Pradesh, about 90 different languages are spoken. The tribal people here are proud of their customs and traditions. Come and indulge yourself in Arunachal Pradesh through Tribal Paradise Tour of Arunachal.

11 Nights Program | Tour Code: 132

DAY 01: FLY TO GAUHATI. UPON ARRIVAL DRIVE TO DIRANG

Dirang is located about midway between Tezpur and Tawang. The view of the valley is mesmerizing in itself. There is a bridge over river Kameng and on the other side you can see beautiful paddy lands. The Dirang market can also be a good place spend an evening to buy local artefacts. Dirang Dzong is close to Bhutan and the Bhutanese influence is perceptible in the local Dzong or fort. The Dirang Dzong is about 150 years old. Some of the stone houses around the dzong are said to be about 500 years old. The entry is through stone staircase. You can get an excellent view of the surrounding area from here. Overnight at Dirang.

DAY 02: DRIVE TO TAWANG VIA SHELA PASS

Tawang is a small town situated in the north-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh. Tawang tours offer a fine blend of sightseeing and adventure. Tawang Monastery is the principal attraction of Tawang tour packages. During Tawang holidays visit the 17th century Tawang Monastery, which is home to above 500 lamas and objects of Buddhist significance. An Indian Army War Memorial, Jaswant Garh is another popular spot that deserves a visit during Tawang vacations. Tawang is an adventure seekers’ paradise and offers wonderful trekking opportunity to travelers while on a holiday in Tawang. During cheap holidays in Tawang you may undertake short to long treks along the beautiful countryside. Overnight at Tawang.

DAY 03: VISIT THE MONASTERY & NUNNERIES

Tawang the land of Monpa tribes and the major centre of the Mahayana Buddhism. After breakfast, full day excursion to the famous Tawang Monastery. The 300 year old Monastery, locally called ‘Gompa’ is considered to be the oldest in India and second largest Monastery in Asia after Lhasa in Tibet. The Monastery is standing on the spur of a hill over 12000 ft. above the sea level. Overlooking the wide valley and surrounded on all sides be towering mountains. 12 kms on the north west of Tawang is the Brandung Chung Ani Gompa, the monastery of the Nuns. Visit Tawang Monastery 400yrs old the study centre of Mahayana buddist, Museum, Emporium and local market. Overnight at Tawang.

DAY 04: DRIVE TO BOMDILLA

Drive to Bomdilla on the way visiting Sherdukpens Tribal village. The Sherdukpens are a small tribe. They are good agriculturist but their main interest is trade. Their religion is an interesting blend of Mahayana Buddhism and tribal magico-religious beliefs. Overnight at Bomdilla.

DAY 05: MORNING VISIT OF THE GOMPA & LATER ON DRIVE TO ITANAGAR

Itanagar has been the capital of Arunachal Pradesh since 20th April 1974. Itanagar is situated at the foothills. The township is situated at 350 metres above mean sea level. It comes administratively under Papumpare district. The Nishis or Nishings is the major tribe in Itanagar area. However, Itanagar can be called as mini India, as people from all over the country, live here in harmony. The biggest attraction is magical Tawang Gompa backdropped by snow-speckled peaks. Founded in 1681, this medieval citadel is reputedly the world’s second-largest Buddhist monastery complex and famed in Buddhist circles for its library. Within its fortified walls, narrow alleys lead up to the majestic and magnificently decorated prayer hall containing an 8m-high statue of Buddha Shakyamuni. Across the central square is a small but interesting museum containing images, robes, telescopic trumpets and some personal items of the sixth Dalai Lama. Spectacular chaam (ritual masked dances performed by some Buddhist monks in gompas to celebrate the victory of good over evil and of Buddhism over pre-existing religions) are held during the Torgya, Losar and Buddha Mahotsava festivals Overnight at Itanagar.

DAY 06: DRIVE TO ZERO ON THE WAY VISITING THE INTERESTING TRIBAL GROUP OF NISHYIS

Leaving in the high Altitude of Arunachal Pradesh with a Zero Degree Temperature, Apatani People are one of the Primitive groups migrated from the extreme north of Subansiri and Siang areas following the rivers of Kurung and Kumey. This Group does not have any Written History. Apatanis are loyal followers of the Danyi-Piilo faith, who pray to the Sun (Ayo Danyi) and the Moon (Atoh Piilo). Abotani is revered as the sole ancestor of all Apatani and other tribes in the surrounding regions. When a misfortune occurs, they believe that it is caused by certain evil spirits, and thus they make appeasement by sacrificing chickens, cows and other domestic animals. Myoko, the festival of friendship and prosperity, is celebrated in a grand manner lasting for all of March each year. The dress of the Apatanis is elaborate and colorful, yet simple in style. Tattooing (Tiipe) and the stuffing of large nose plugs (yaping hullo) were once popular among the women, although this practice has gradually fallen into decline in recent years.This practice is believed to have started because the women wanted to look unattractive to males from neighboring tribes. Apatani women were considered to be the most beautiful ones among all the Arunachal tribes. Traditionally, the men tie their hair in a knot just above the forehead (locally called piiding) using a brass rod (piiding khotu) measuring 12 inches, placed horizontally. Strips of fine cane belt painted in red (yari) and bent into the shape of a horse-collar with an elongated end were also worn. These strips of cane are loosely fastened together, with the loop of the horse-collar being tied round the waist. The men also tattoo (tiippe) their chin in the shape of a ‘T’ under the lower lip. The women tattoo themselves with broad blue lines from the forehead to the tip of the nose and five vertical stripes under the lower lip in the chin. The women bundle up their tresses, which are rolled into a ball (dilling) on the top of the head. A brass skewer (ading akh) may then be inserted horizontally. Overnight at Zero.

DAY 07: VISIT THE APATANI VILLAGES IN AND AROUND ZERO

The Apatanis are a very interesting tribe. Unlike the other tribes, they are non-nomadic in nature. They practice permanent wetland cultivation in hilly terrain by slicing the hills, whereas other tribes practice cultivation in dry land by cutting down forests.
Arguably, the most captivating members are the older women of the tribe, who wear facial tattoos and massive nose rings. The tradition, though non-existent now, dates back to pre-modern times, when the Apatani women were considered to be the most beautiful in all of Arunachal Pradesh. Men of other tribes would often steal the Apatani women, which led the Apatani men to tattoo the faces of their women and make them wear massive nose plugs, in order to make them less appealing.
The best time to visit Ziro is during the Murung Rituals in January or during the Dree Festival of July where the tribe practice animal sacrifices to honor the Gods.During the farming season, tourists can take part and observe the rice cum fish cultivation, where fish is reared in the rice fields. Overnight at Zero.

DAY 08: DRIVE TO DAPORIZO ON THE WAY VISITING THE HILL MIRIS

The Hill-Miris society as one of the major section of Donipolo and their common ancestry is being called ABO-TANI. ABO-TANI is considered to be the great grandson of SICHI, the earth. He is believed to born in purely human form with all supernatural qualities peculiar to those ages. Almost all aspects of Hill- Miris beliefs and activities, faith originate from various activities in the life of Abo-Tani. The Hill Miri (Nyishis) are a people of Arunachal Pradesh, India. They are mainly settled in and around Daporijo, Upper Subansiri District and Raga and Dollungmukh areas of Lower Subansiri District. The Hill Miri (Nyishi) have a tiny population, estimated at 9,000 because of which they were officially onsolidated with their more populous and closest ethnic neighbours, the Nyishi in 1998. They speak the Hill-Miri language, or Sarak-miri, a Tibeto-Burman language of India.Hill-Miris share common descendant/lineage with Nyishis, i.e., Dopum, Dodum, Dol/Dolu.Overnight at Dumporizo.

DAY 09: DRIVE TO ALONG AFTER VISITING THE TAGIN VILLAGES

Along the district HQ of West Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh. It is the headquarter of West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh located at an altitude of 300 m from the sea level. Sitting amidst abundant natural surroundings, it is a small town with beautiful villages in and around.Drive to Along on the way visiting Tagin villages. Tagin refers to a tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, which is a member of the larger designation of Tani Tribes. Most Tagins are concentrated in Daporijo, Upper Subansiri district but some are also found in adjoining parts West Siang. In 1971, about 20,000 claim to be of Tagin ethnicity. Tagins are generally adherents of Donyi Polo,[2] although two groups of Tagin–the Naga and Mara have come under the influence of Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetan Buddhist influence among these sections of the Tagin was a result of migration of Tibetans from the north in the 18th century as well as visits by Buddhist missionaries of the Nyingma sect who paid tribute to the chiefs as a result of Tibetan settlement in their land. Overnight at Along

DAY 10: ALONG

Whole day Exploring different villages by Trekking, Interacting & photographing the very beautiful valley of the Adi Group people in Arunachal Pradesh. Adi has different sub tribe, which differ from each other’s like Adi (Gallong, Minyong, Pasi, Padam, Bori, and Bokar), if you visit far inside this places you will find all these tribes, but in and around Along you will find only Adi (Gallong) tribal people. You can have visit of Jirdin, Kabu, Kaying villages.Overnight at Along

DAY 11: VISIT OF THE ADI GALO & MINYONG TRIBAL VILLAGES & DRIVE TO PASSIGHAT

Drive to Passighat Enroute visit Adi Minyong Tribal villages. The Minyong Tribes are found in East Siang, Upper Siang and West Siang district. They have originated from Riga Village. Their villages are mostly found on the right and left bank of river Siang (Brahmaputra in Assam), starting from Tuting-Gelling to plains of Assam, Jonai. They consider Donyi-Polo as their religion. Minyong people are known for their bravery as they have fought war against British Expedition to the hilly region in late 19th century. Overnight at Passighat.

DAY 12: CROSS RIVER BRAHMAPUTRA & DRIVE TO DIBRUGARH

Drive to the Ferry Ghat & cross the Mighty Brahmaputra River & get in to the Land of Rising Sun, Arunachal Pradesh. Drive to Passighat. Check in to the Hotel.Overnight at Dibrugarh.

DAY 13: DEPARTURE

Fly to Delhi/Kolkata for International Connection.