Rivers, Valleys & Rhinos

Day Highlights

• Arrive at Guwahati Airport where a representative welcomes you and assists with hotel transfer• Check in and refresh at your centrally located stay• If time allows, visit the sacred Kamakhya Temple, one of India’s most powerful Shaktipeeths• Enjoy a seasonal sunset cruise on the mighty Brahmaputra River (October–March)• Evening free to explore a local market or unwind over traditional Assamese cuisine

Day Highlights

• Drive out of Assam and into the eastern Himalayan foothills of Arunachal Pradesh via Bhalukpong Gate• Scenic journey through tea gardens, pine forests, and riverbanks• Arrive in Shergaon, a hidden gem inhabited by the Sherdukpen tribe• Visit Shergaon Monastery tucked within serene pine groves• Check in to your eco-lodge surrounded by orchard-lined valleys and birdsong

Day Highlights

• Walk through fruit-laden orchards of apples, walnuts, and kiwis cared for by the Sherdukpen community• Hike to a waterfall nestled deep within cedar groves for a forest-side picnic• Interact with village elders and hear folklore, myths, and seasonal customs• Visit a community weaving center and observe traditional textile craftsmanship• Enjoy a local-style dinner followed by a bonfire and tribal storytelling under the stars

Day Highlights

• Start early for one of Northeast India’s most scenic mountain drives• Pause at Mandala Top, a hilltop meditation site with 108 whitewashed chortens and panoramic views• Drive across Sella Pass, one of India’s highest motorable roads at 13,700 ft• Stop at the turquoise-hued Sella Lake, often rimmed with snow• Visit Jaswantgarh War Memorial en route before arriving in Tawang by evening

Day Highlights

• Visit the majestic Tawang Monastery, second-largest in the world and a major seat of Mahayana Buddhism• Explore the monastery museum and interact with resident monks• Walk to Urgeling Monastery, the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama• Spend quiet moments at the Tawang War Memorial during the evening retreat ceremony• Explore local artisan markets for thangka paintings, yak wool items, and Monpa wood carvings

Day Highlights

• Drive through dramatic alpine terrain to reach Zemithang, close to the Bhutan and Tibet borders• Visit the massive Gorsam Chorten, an 8th-century-inspired stupa surrounded by fluttering prayer flags• Walk through traditional Monpa villages with yaks, stone houses, and slow-paced life• Meet a local family and share tea or buttered churpi while learning about borderland culture• Spend your evening beside the Nyamjang Chu river under a starlit sky

Day Highlights

• Begin early for a high-altitude drive to Bumla Pass (15,200 ft), with necessary permits• Visit PT Tso Lake and admire its crystal-clear waters nestled in rugged peaks• Spend time at the hauntingly beautiful Madhuri Lake (Sangetsar Tso), known for submerged tree trunks• Learn about the Indo-China border zone from stationed army personnel• Return to Tawang and rest after a dramatic alpine adventure

Day Highlights

• Descend through forests and winding valleys towards Dirang• Optional stop at Dirang Dzong, hot springs, or a Buddhist nunnery• Reach Sangti Valley, a tranquil Himalayan basin dotted with grazing sheep and wildflowers• Walk along riverside meadows, swing bridges, and terraced farms• Settle into your eco-stay and enjoy slow living amidst dramatic landscapes

Day Highlights

• Depart early for the long journey back into the Assamese plains• Enjoy a final Himalayan sunrise before leaving the highlands behind• Scenic drive via Bomdila, Tenga Valley, and the lush Bhalukpong forests• Optional lunch or tea stop at Tezpur town• Reach Guwahati by night and relax at your hotel

Day Highlights

• Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and reflect on your journey• Optional visit to a local temple or craft store if time allows• Drive to Guwahati Airport for your flight• Depart with the whispers of the valley still echoing in your heart