Location : Northeast India
Ideal Travel Time : November – Early December
Hornbill Festival Dates : 1st–10th December every year
If traveling outside this period, you’ll visit Touphema Cultural Village as an alternative to Hornbill Festival
Category : Wildlife, Cultural, Offbeat Northeast India and Tribal Heritage Festival Tour
Guide Language: English
Covering : Guwahati, Kaziranga National Park, Johrat, Majuli Island, Kohima, Kisma Village, Mon, Longwa, Dibrugarh
package Type : Private and personalised tour
Starting Point: Guwahati in Assam
End Point : Dibrugarh
A combined Assam and Nagaland tribal tour with the Hornbill Festival is one of the most immersive ways to experience the cultural heritage of Northeast India. This journey takes you deep into the traditions of the Naga tribes, with the Hornbill Festival in Kohima offering a vibrant display of indigenous music, dance, tribal attire, local cuisine, and age-old rituals. Along the way, explore Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Assam, famous for its population of one-horned rhinoceroses and diverse wildlife. Discover the spiritual serenity of Majuli Island, the world’s largest river island, known for its peaceful monasteries and traditional mask-making. The tour also takes you to the remote village of Longwa, home of the legendary Konyak headhunter tribe, where you’ll have a rare chance to witness tribal life. This thoughtfully curated Assam and Nagaland tour is a perfect blend of culture, nature, and offbeat adventure.
Join us on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through Assam and Nagaland, the most culturally rich and scenic regions in Northeast India. This private tour is carefully designed around the iconic Hornbill Festival, offering a perfect blend of tradition, wildlife, and immersive local experiences.
We begin in Assam, where you’ll explore the lush tea gardens and stay in beautiful colonial-style tea bungalows. From there, we’ll take you deep into the wild heart of Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its population of one-horned rhinoceroses. Whether by jeep or elephant safari, spotting rhinos, elephants, and if you’re lucky, a Royal Bengal tiger in their natural habitat is something you’ll never forget.
Next, we head to Majuli Island, the world’s largest river island and a spiritual center of Assamese culture. You’ll meet monks in centuries-old monasteries, watch artisans craft traditional masks, and experience the quiet rhythm of island life different from the rest of India.
Check our Northeast India tribal tour packages and 15 days Northeast India wildlife and tribal tour to find the most suitable package for you.
• Arrive at Guwahati Airport/Railway Station.
• Drive to Kaziranga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for vivid flora and fauna specially world’s largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceroses. It is also home to wild Elephant, Royal Bengal Tiger, Panthers, Hog Deer and many varieties of migratory birds.
• Check into a jungle /resort.
• Evening enjoy cultural show at Kaziranga Orchid park.
Night Stay in Kaziranga
• Early morning go for Jeep Safari in the Western/Central Range of Kaziranga National park.
• Visit Kaziranga Orchid Park.
• Afternoon enjoy Jeep Safari in another range of the park .
• Enjoy cultural show in the evening.
Night Stay in Kaziranga
Early morning after breakfast proceed to Kohima, capital of Nagaland enjoying a splendid road trip through the hilly terrain of Nagaland.
• On reaching Check in at a hotel and relax.
• In the evening visit the local Naga market or cafés near your stay.
Night Stay in Kohima
Today you can participate in hornbill festival and enjoy a full day at the festival grounds, soaking in the lively atmosphere, watching tribal performances, and tasting a variety of delicious traditional Naga dishes. Return to your accommodation in the evening, filled with memories of the day’s cultural highlights.
• If you're traveling between December 1–10:
• Full-day visit to the Hornbill Festival at Kisama Heritage Village. Witness folk music, tribal dance performances, indigenous sports, and sample authentic Naga cuisine.
• If you're visiting outside the festival dates:
• Explore Touphema Village, a model Angami tribal settlement. Enjoy a traditional lunch, browse through local crafts, and experience a cultural performance.
Night Stay in Kohima
Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel and heading out to discover the rich history and culture of Kohima.
• Kohima War Cemetery – Visit this beautifully maintained memorial to learn about the pivotal Battle of Kohima during World War II.
• Nagaland State Museum – Explore fascinating exhibits showcasing the diverse tribes of Nagaland, including their traditional attire, weapons, artifacts, and unique customs.
• Kohima Cathedral – Admire the architecture of the grand Kohima Cathedral, one of the largest in the region, set against a scenic hilltop.
• After exploring Kohima head to Kisama village again and enjoy Hornbill Festival.
• Return to your accommodation after a culturally enriching day in the evening.
Night Stay in Kohima
• Today morning we take you to Khonoma, India’s first green village. Which is known not only for conserving forest and organic cultivation but also it is a historical village with many memories of World War II.
• Walk through stone paths and terraced fields and explore the scenic village.
• Meet with locals visit mourns and learn about conservation practices.
• Night stay in a Angami homestay at Khonoma.
Night Stay in Khonoma village homestay
• Depart for Khonoma Village and drive to Jorhat.
• On reaching check-in at a heritage tea bungalow and relax.
• Take rest after a long journey.
Overnight in Jorhat
Today we visit the one and only island district in India, Majuli. It is one of the best destination in Assam to know about Neo Vaishnavite culture deeply. It is also home to many indigenous community from Assam specially the Mising tribe.
• Early morning after breakfast drive to Nimatighat in Jorhat and cross the Brahmaputra River by ferry and reach Majuli Island.
• Stay in a bamboo cottage or local homestay.
• Visit Vaishnavite Satras and interact with monks.
• Return to your stay in the evening and take rest. In the evening enjoy traditional food.
Overnight in Majuli
• Morning after breakfast explore the Majuli island.
• Visit the prominent monasteries (Satras) in Majuli Island, namely, Samaguri Satra (known as the mask-making Satra), famous for its unique masks that depict characters from Vedic literature, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata. After that, visit Auniati Satra – one of the biggest Satra in Majuli.
• Later stop by Mishing tribal village and learn about their lifestyle.
• Enjoy Majuli’s scenic landscapes and return to Jorhat by ferry in the afternoon.
Overnight in Majuli
• Today morning, after breakfast, drive to Mon district in Nagaland – the land of the legendary Konyak Nagas, known for their tattooed faces and bodies. Once fierce warriors and renowned headhunters (a practice that has long been banned), the Konyaks are admired today for their rich cultural heritage and traditional lifestyle.
• On the way, make a stop at the historic town of Sibsagar in Assam. Explore the iconic Shiva Dol – one of the tallest Shiva temples in India – and the fascinating Talatal Ghar, Kareng ghar and Rang Ghar etc.
• After sightseeing, continue your journey to Mon.
• Upon arrival, check in to a cozy guesthouse or a resort.
Overnight in a resort in Mon
Today morning after breakfast visit Longwa Village, where majority of Konyak head hunters reside. It is the best place to see the culture and traditional practise of head hunters.
• On reaching proceed to the chief’s house straddles India and Myanmar.
• Meet the Angh and his family and see traditional tattoos and weapons.
• Explore the village and visit the morung and see the intrinsic wood carvings and buffalo horn decorated in the walls.
• Buy traditional jewellery.
• Witness the view of Myanmar from the top.
After full day exploring the village return to Mon in the Afternoon.
Overnight in a resort in Mon
After breakfast, take a trip to Hongphoi Village.
• Walk through the village and meet the tattooed Konyak elders, who proudly carry the legacy of their warrior past.
• Visit chief’s house, see local crafts, and learn about the tribe’s customs and way of life.
• Spend time interacting with locals and immerse yourself in their unique culture.
• Return to Mon by evening and relax.
Overnight in a resort in Mon
Depart Mon and drive to Dibrugarh district in Assam. On reaching check in to a hotel and take rest.
Overnight in Dibrugarh
Your trip comes to an end today and we will drop you at the Dibrugarh airport for your return journey, ending your unforgettable adventure through the tribal heartlands of Northeast India in the last 13 days. With a heavy heart your Assam and Nagaland Hornbill Festival tour end today.
Tour End Here
Destination | Deluxe | Upper Deluxe | Luxury |
---|---|---|---|
Kaziranga | Dhanshree Resort | Dhanshree Resort | Borgos Resort/IORA |
Kohima | Guest house | The Guardian/ Hotel Japfü | Hotel Vivor/ The Heritage |
Khonoma | Homestay | Homestay | Dovipie Inn |
Majuli | Homestay | Bamboo Cottage | Bamboo Cottage |
Jorhat | Hotel Rishiraj | Tea Bungalow | Tea Bungalow |
Mon | Homestay | Helsa Resort | Helsa Resort |