Fishing in the Lost Word – North East India

Itinerary

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Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya.

Golden and Chocolate Mahseer, Goonch (Catfish), Eels and Salmon

Best time: October, November, February, March and April

Home to almost every climatic zone on earth. Only deserts are not found here. It is one of the wettest regions of the world where two monsoons spill their content each year. 500 orchid species are recorded in Arunachal Pradesh. Culturally unique, majority of its population is tribal. The mighty Bhramputra dissects it in the middle with the Himalayas on one side and the flood plains of India on the other. We’ll be fishing for Golden and Chocolate Mahseer, Goonch (Catfish), Eels and Salmon in the rivers of the most guarded secret of India “India’s North East”. While we fish we’ll be interacting with some of the most elusive tribes in Ziro and Itanagar, climb atop an elephant to witness the habitat of the One horned Rhinoceros in the World Heritage Kaziranga National Park. Stay in the wettest spot on earth Cherapunjee.

DAY 1 – Arrive Kolkata, meet & transfer to hotel The Oberoi Grand.

DAY 2 – Kolkata
The name Calcutta is said to have been derived from the word Kalighat. Kolkata was then subsequently anglicized into Calcutta. Today the city has reverted to its original name.
Morning visit Flower Market and onward to Dakhineshwar Temple, Kumartuli (potters village) south of the temple & Sishu Bhavan, one of Mother Theresa’s many homes for the underprivileged.

Dakhineshwar Temple was built in 1855 by Rani Rashmoni (1793-1861). This temple is associated with one of India’s greatest religious philosophers, Shri Ramakrishna Paramahansa (Gadadhar Chattopadhyay – 1836-1886). The main temple is located 25 km outside the town and is dedicated to the Goddess Kali. It has 12 smaller temples in the courtyard dedicated to Shiva, Radha and Krishna.

The village Kumartuli is the home of the kumhars or potters who make the life size deities that are worshipped throughout the year at festivals and pujas. Kali, the patron goddess of Calcutta, is usually seen in her bloodthirsty form, garlanded with skulls.

Afternoon visit Victoria Memorial another landmark in the city that marks the British reign in India. A combination of Italian renaissance and Mughal architecture, the white marble architecture was the British attempt to replicate the Taj Mahal and is a monument to Queen Victoria and a museum dedicated to the Raj.
Afterwards we go to Kalighat temple, the main Kali temple (Durga) in Calcutta, for evening ceremony. Kali temple is located on the banks of the river Hooghly (Bhagirathi). The temple in its present form is only about 200 years old, built in 1809 on the site of a much older temple, although it has been referred in Mansar Bhasan in the 15th century, and in Kavi Kankan Chandi of the 17th century.

Kali is regarded as one of the principal deities of Bengal. There are other temples to Kali -Sahasrabhuja Kali, Sarvamangala, Tarasundari and Simhavaahini. Kali is alternately regarded as the destroyer or liberator and is depicted in a fearful form. Despite the terrifying visage, she is considered to deliver bliss to worshippers. The Kalighat temple is considered one of the 52 Shakti Peethams of India, where the various parts of Sati’s body are said to have fallen, in the course of Shiva’s Rudra Tandava. Kalighat represents the site where the toes of the right foot of Shakti or Sati fell. The temple attracts thousands of devotees throughout the year.

Legend has it that a devotee discovered a luminescent ray of light coming from the Bhagirathi riverbed, and upon investigating its source came upon a piece of stone carved in the form of a human toe. He also found a Syayambhu Lingam of Nakuleshwar Bhairav nearby, and started worshipping Kaali in the midst of a thick jungle. This shrine grew to its present form over a period of time, thanks in particular to the Sabarna Roy Chowdhury family of Bengal. This family is also said to have built the Chitreswari Kaali temple at Chitpur. It is believed that there was a pathway through the jungle between Chitpur and Kalighat, and this pathway is said to have become the Chitpur road of Calcutta.
Kalighat is also associated with the worship offered to Kali by a Dasanami Monk named Chowranga Giri, and the Chowringee area of Calcutta is said to have been named after him.

DAY 3 – Kolkata – Shillong / Tripura Castle
Transfer to airport for flight IC 7719 dep. 1130 / 1315 to Shilong. Transfer to hotel. Late PM visit Ward’s Lake and Police Bazaar – Shillong’s prime location where the wares on sale range from electronics to traditional handicraft, modern clothing to handloom items, vegetables and traditional spices etc. Dinner and overnight

DAY 4 – Shillong – Ranikor (140 kms/ 5 hrs) Govet Gust House / Inspection Bungalow
After breakfast drive to Ranikor which is on the Indo-Bangladesh border and visit Mawsynram – the wettest place on earth on the way. Check into Government IB on arrival to Ranikor. Evening at leisure and prepare for the next days’ exciting programme for fishing. Dinner and overnight.
Ranikor river offers fish species like- Golden Mahseer, Chocolate Mahseer, Goonch (Catfish), Eels, Salmon, etc.

DAY 5 – Ranikore / Fishing
Drive to the fishing area on the river Kynshi at Ranikor which is approximately 15 to 16 kilometers. The river originates from a small town called Rilang. Whole day enjoy fishing on a local country boat which can quite a great experience ad fun balancing yourself and catching a fish at the same time!

DAY 6 – Ranikore – Shillong.
Morning fishing. Afternoon drive back to Shillong. Dinner and overnight

DAY 7 – Shillong – Eco Camp (270 kms/ 6 ½ hrs)
After breakfast visit Shillong Peak which offers a panoramic view of Shillong and then drive on to Eco Camp near Nameri National Park in the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. The evening will consist of an orientation talk and the Do’s and Don’ts on safeguarding the environment during our visit. Dinner and overnight at Eco Camp.

DAY 8 – Jia Bhorelli / Fishing
After morning tea/breakfast transfer by road to Bhalukpong, the embarkation point which is 16 km from the campsite. Embark on inflated rubber boats and flat downstream fishing along the way, accompanied by experienced anglers and expert boatmen. Day reserved for the fierce Golden Mahseer.
Packed lunch will be served on the way. Anglers will disembark near the campsite in the evening. The rest of the evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight.
Ext – 1

DAY 9 – Eco Camp – Ziro (300 kms/ 8 hrs) Hotel Blue Pine
After breakfast drive to Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh. Visit Nishi and Apatani tribal villages on the way. The Apatanis are settled agriculturists inhabiting the valley around Ziro-the headquarters of Lower Subansiri district. They grow rice on terraces on the Apatani Plateau. The older men tie their hair in topknots and tattoo their faces. Wearing of circular nose plugs and tattooing of faces is the most characteristic aspect of ornamentation of older Apatani women. However, the new generation of Apatani men and women have stopped this practice of hair knots, nose plugs and face tattooing since the early 1970s. The Apatani are good cultivators and practice both wet and terrace cultivation. Paddy cum fish culture is very popular among them. Unlike other tribes of Arunachal their economy is stable. Check in at Hotel Blue Pine. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 10 – Ziro
Visit Hong Village the largest tribal village in Asia along with other Apatani and Nishi tribal villages.

DAY 11 – Ziro – Itanagar (1575 ft/155 km/4 hrs) Hotel Donyi Polo Ashok (B,L,D)
Drive to the capital of Arunachal Pradesh. There are numerous villages enroute and we will make frequent short stops. The first 2 hours of the journey the scenery is extremely beautiful: thick lush green tropical forest, clouds floating over the ridges, singing waterfalls and a variety of tropical flowers, especially the orchids and birds.

DAY 12 – Itanagar – Kaziranga (260 km) Diplu River Lodge
Full day drive to Kaziranga, upon arrival overnight stay in the Resort in the park

DAY 13 – Kaziranga
Early morning go for elephant safari in the national park to have a closer look of the great Indian One-horned Rhinoceros. Located on the banks of the Brahmaputra River, Kaziranga National Park, with its swamps and tall thickets of elephant grass, makes it the ideal habitat for the Indian one-horned rhinoceros. Declared a National Park in 1974, the swamplands and flood plains also harbour a wide variety of birds and reptiles. In 1999, the World Wildlife Fund-Tiger Conservation Programme (WWF-TCP) chose the Park for the millennium award for the second time in succession, for being one of the best-managed parks in the country. Come back for breakfast and later go for Jeep Safari.

DAY 14 – Drive to Guwahati (220 km) & fly Clacutta.
Early morning safari. After breakfast drive to Guwahati. Transfer to airport for flight to Calcutta IT432 dep. 1600, arr. 1710). On arrival transfer to hotel near airport for wash and change; late night transfer to International airport.
Cost PP in CA$ – Main Tour + 1st Ext:
Min 6 – 15 Pax: $4290
Min 2 Pax/ 1 Jeep: $4585
Min 3 Pax/ 1 Jeep: $4286
Min 4 Pax/ 1 Jeep: $4061
Single Room Supp $1620
It Includes:
Accommodation on Twin Sharing basis with all meals.
2 nights Calcutta at Hotel The Oberoi Grand
2 nights Shillong at Tripura Castle
2 nights Ranikore at Govt. Guest House / Inspection Bungalow
2 nights Nameri at Eco Camp
2 nights Ziro at Hotel Blue Pine
1 night Itanagar at Donyi Polo Ashok
2 nights Kaziranga at Diphlu River Lodge with Jungle Safaris
Shared Rooms for wash and change at airport hotel in Calcutta untill departure
All airport transfers and sightseeing in Calcutta in A/C Coach Traveler
Land transport from Shilong – Guwahati in non A/C Scorpio (3 pax in one jeep)
English Speaking Guide during sightseeing in Calcutta
Accompanying Escort from Shilong till Guwahati
Monument entrance fees, National Park Entry/Activity Fees, RAP Fees (special permit required) and Fishing Permits.
India Gov. Service Tax 2.58%
Airfare extra PP: (exact price TBD when booked)
Calcutta – Shillong min $100 max $215
Guwahati – Calcutta min $90 max $190
Does not include: International Air Fare, Insurance, Fishing Equipments, Camera Fees, Tips, Any expenditure of personal nature such as drinks, telephone calls, laundry etc.
Ext – 2

DAY 9 – Eco Camp – Dirang (altitude of 6,500 ft) – 160 kms / 6 hours) Hotel Pemaling
Morning drive up to Dirang (inhabited by the Monpa tribe) at an altitude of 6,500 ft. Afternoon visit Dirang town and its local market.

DAY 10 – Dirang – Tawang (146 km / 5hrs) / Twang Inn or Gakyi Khangjang
Morning visit the centuries old Dirang Dzong and the village with its traditional houses. Afterwards we will drive to Tawang at 10,200 ft. High up in the mountain ranges of the Himalayas, at 3,500 meters above sea level is Tawang – the beautiful land of Monpas. With sobriquets like The Hidden Paradise or Land of Dawn-lit Mountains; this land evokes images of awesome mountain views, remote hamlets, quaint and sleepy villages, magical Gompas, tranquil lakes and more. At Tawang, you have a heavenly tryst with nature at its best and the heady mixture of history, religion and legend.
The district covers approximately 2,085 square km, bordered by Tibet in the North, Bhutan in the Southwest and Sela ranges separate West Kameng district in the East. The name Tawang derives from some bearings on surroundings. But people’s interpretation is that the name Tawang was given by Merak Lama in the 17th century. The inhabitants of the districts are all of Monpa tribes. The Monpas belong to Mongoloid stock and are well built and fair in complexion. Their houses are built with stones and timbers. Agriculture and Animal Husbandry are the fundamental means of the Monpas livelihood.

On the way we will be crossing the Sela Pass at 14000 ft, the highest pass navigable by automobile in the Northeast. Check into hotel. Evening take a walk around Tawang town.

DAY 11 – Tawang
Today we will visit the famous 400 year-old Tawang Monastery. Interact with the lamas (monks). Come back to the lodge for lunch. Afternoon visit a Monpa tribal village. Evening visit the market.

DAY 12 – Twang – Bomdila (180 km / 7hrs) Siphiyang Phong or Tsepal Yangjom
Drive to Bomdila. Evening visit local market and the lower gompa.

DAY 13 – Bomdila – Guwahati (350 km / 8-9 km) / Bramputra Ashok or Kiran shree Portico.
Full day drive to Guwahati. Dinner & overnight

DAY 14 – Fly to Kolkata.
Morning visit government emporia to pick up souvenirs. Afternoon transfer to airport for flight IT432 dep. 1600, arr. 1710 to Calcutta. On arrival transfer to hotel near airport for wash and change; late night transfer to International airport.
Cost PP in CA$ – Main Tour + 2nd Ext:
Min 2 Pax/ 1 Jeep: $4367
Min 3 Pax/ 1 Jeep: $4021
Min 4 Pax/ 1 Jeep: $4061
Single Room Supp $1305
It Includes:
Accommodation on Twin Sharing basis with all meals.
2 nights Calcutta at Hotel The Oberoi Grand
2 night Shillong at Tripura Castle
2 nights Ranikore at Govt. Guest House / Inspection Bungalow
2 nights Nameri at Eco Camp
1 night Dirang at Hotel Pemaling
2 nights Tawang at Hotel Twang Inn or Gakyi Khangjang
1 night Bomdilla at Hotel Siphiyang Phong or Tsepal Yangjom
1 night Guwahati at Bramputra Ashok or Kirnashree Portico
Rooms for wash and change at airport hotel in Calcutta untill departure
All airport transfers and sightseeing in Calcutta in A/C Coach
Land transport from Shilong – Guwahati in non A/C Scorpio (3 pax in one Jeep).
English Speaking Guide during sightseeing in Calcutta
Accompanying Escort from Shilong till Guwahati
Monument entrance fees, RAP Fees (special permit required) and Fishing Permits.
India Gov. Service Tax 2.58%
Airfare extra PP: (exect price TBD when booked)
Calcutta – Shillong min $100 max $215
Guwahati – Calcutta min $90 max $190
Does not include: International Air Fare, Insurance, Fishing Equipments, Camera Fees, Tips, Any expenditure of personal nature such as drinks, telephone calls, laundry etc.