Parasuram Kund Mela

Day 1

Received at Dibrugarh airport and transferred to Mancotta/Chowkidinghee Heritage Chang Bungalow. Afternoon take a tea Walk around Mancotta Tea Estate. Evening enjoy a  dance performance by an ethnic dance group on the bungalow lawns. Overnight at Mancotta/Chowkidinghee Heritage Chang Bungalow.

DIBRUGARH is the gateway to the “Hidden Land” of Eastern Arunachal Pradesh and Northern Myanmar. The Ahoms from Thailand  came  through  Northern Myanmar to this area in the 13th  century to establish their Empire which thrived in the ancient land of Assam. It is the “Camellia” town of Upper Assam, an undisturbed haven, with its rich tea gardens resembling a lush green carpet. Experience and enjoy the richness of these tea gardens while staying at the Heritage Chang Bungalows. These are constructed on stilts and are situated in a serene atmosphere free from pollution.

When the British established their tea plantations in the mid-19th  century they quickly built comfortable bungalows designed to make life as pleasant as possible in what, was to them, a hostile and strange land. One of the main features of these buildings has given rise to their name – CHANG BUNGALOWS. Chang in the local language means “raised on stilts” and the design served multi purposes- to keep the house cool by allowing the breeze to blow underneath and to keep both water and animals out!

BIHU is the most popular folk dance of Assam. The people of Assam are very proud of its unique position among all other such dances of India. Except Bhangra (the popular folk dance of Punjab), no other folk dance in India can compete with the rhythmic exuberance of the Bihu dance. ‘Bihu’ performed by young men and women reflects youthful passion and joy rejuvenating life during the spring season, accompanied by songs woven around the theme of love and physical yearning. The dance is performed by all- irrespective of caste, creed and religion.

Day 2

After leisure breakfast we drive on to the river front and take a BOAT CRUISE on the mighty.

Brahmaputra  river  in  a  country  boat  (Subject to weather conditions). Cruise upto a beach island in the midst of the river. Enroute there is a possibility of your sighting flocks of migratory water birds and the elusive Gangetic River Dolphin. Enjoy the view of the Eastern Himalayas and take a nature walk in the vast expanse of grasslands surrounding the island. Enjoy your picnic lunch and the view of the Eastern Himalayas. Option to take a nature walk in the vast expanse of grasslands surrounding the island. Return to the mainland. Afternoon option to visit local market. Overnight at the Chang Bungalow.

Day 3

After breakfast drive to Wakro (190 kms / 4 hrs). Enroute visit Empong Village to see the Khampti tribes and also visit the Buddhist Gompa. Check in at Mishmi Retreat, Wakro. (Traditional Mishmi huts) for 03 nights. 

Khamptis  are  one  of  the  major tribal inhabitants of the Lohit District. They are deeply influenced by buddhist ethics and morality. The Khamptis are Buddhists of the Theraveda School. They are the only tribe in Arunachal Pradesh who have their own script for the language. Traditionally, they live on the cultivation of paddy and other crops. The social structure of the Khamptis is well organized on the basis of clan or village determined by kinship or locality.

Wakro  (maximum  valley  altitude 2000m) is the homeland of the “Mishmis” one of the Mongoliod tribes of Tibeto-Burman origin. They speak their own dialect which varies from different groups. The three major Mishmi groups are “Idus” “Tarons” and the ‘Kamans’. Mishmis are very rich in culture and may be termed as a festival loving people. They believe  any day of the year is auspicious for a ceremony if provisions exist. On these days animals are sacrificed. Mishmis are nature worshipers.

Mishmi  are  the  inhabitants  of  Lohit  Districts  and  the  border  area  of  adjoining  district. Mishmis are animist and believe in a number of higher spiritual beings. Kabeya, or Pharai in their traditional village council who exercise the judgment of any disputes comes to their society. The Mishmi  society  is  divided  into numbers  of sub-tribes  such as Idu  -Mismis, Digaru Mishmi, Miju Mishmi with more or less distinctive characters on its dresses among themselves. This tribe can be easily distinguished from other by their typical hairstyle.

Their dresses reflect the artistic taste and the cultural thinking of the society. The male dress of Miju and Digaru consist of a sleeveless black or maroon coloured cloth with ornamental boarders and waist cloth with a embroidered flag in the front. They wear a head dress of woven cane. The women wear black skirts with coloured stripes reaching above the ankle and a beautiful embroidered bodice and a shawl. The also wear beautiful ornaments made of silver. The women keep themselves busy in weaving. The men are involved in making cane and bamboo products. The puffing of opium with the help of silver or wooden pipes by both men and women is the part and parcel of their tradition.  These  people  may  be  termed  as  festive  tribe.  Reh  is  the  most  important  festivals celebrated by Idu-Mishmis during 1st week of February.

Mishmi Retreat : Surrounded by enchanting nature, this campsite comprises of four Mishmi traditional huts, each with two rooms one double bedded and one twin bedded. It can cater to a maximum group size of 16 pax. Four western toilets with provision of showers are not en-suite but conveniently located behind the huts. Hot waters will be provided in buckets. There is a gazebo which provides for the common seating and dining area - an ideal getaway for the nature lover.

Day 4

Today we visit Parasuramkund- a pilgrimage site where  thousands  of  pilgrims come every year during Makar Sankranti to take a holy dip in the Lohit River. Also visit local Mishmi tribal villages like Kanjan Village, Pukhuri Village, and Thomba Village to learn about their rich culture  and traditions  and interact with the Mishmi tribe.

Day 6

After breakfast drive to Tinsukia (150 kms/03 hrs). Later  visit   Digboi, the first oil town of South  Asia.  Visit  the  Oil  Museum  and the 2nd World War Allied Forces Cemetery where 200 graves are permanently maintained by the Commonwealth   War   Graves Commission and continue drive to Dibrugarh (80 kms/ 02 hrs). Check in at Mancotta/Chowkidighee Heritage Chang Bungalow for overnight

Digboi : Digboi is a small but wonderful  town  in  Tinsukia  district  in the north-eastern part of the state of Assam, India. Petroleum oil was discovered here in late 19th century and the Digboi oilfield is one of the oldest oil fields. With a significant number of British professionals working for the Assam Oil Company as late as until the decade following the independence of India, Digboi had a well developed infrastructure and a number of bungalows unique to the town. It has a world class golf course with 18 holes as part of the Digboi Club.

Note : Digboi museum remains closed on Mondays.

Day 7

Morning at leisure. Later in time drive to Dibrugarh airport (20 kms/ 30 mins) to board flight for onward destination. End of services.