ABOUT MYOKO FESTIVAL:
Every year during the festival Myoko are placed high poles wooden T-shaped with thatch flags on the top near of the houses. A few decades ago at this occasion men used to perform daring aerial acrobatics using the long cane rope tied to the tops of the masts.
the myoko festival is celebrated every year in Ziro amongst the three communities Diibo-Hija, Hari-Bulla and Hong of Apatani plateau on rotational basis with traditional gaiety and festivity
The shaman is the most important figure of the community, is wearing a traditional haircut and clothes , the eggs symbolize fertility. There are numerous pigs and chickens awaiting slaughter. The Apatani are animist and worship the sun (Donyi) and moon (Polo).the highlight of the ceremony is the dawn of the second day when each clan in the village collects pigs to be sacrificed, The shamans recite prayers and sacred formulas while women sprinkle animals, with flour and rice beer. To the end of blessing the animals are shown in the huts of the owners to be sacrificed.
ABOUT AOLING FESTIVAL:
Located at the very remote eastern most corner of Nagaland, Mon is home to the fascinating Konyak Tribe. Deadly headhunters once upon a time, the tribe today lives a peaceful existence and spend most of their time practicing agriculture, drinking local alcohol, smoking opium and occasional hunting.
During the first week of April after having completed the sowing of seeds in their new jhum fields, the Konyaks celebrate their most important festival; the Aoling Festival, which marks the beginning of spring season and a new year. It is a time when the Konyaks are at their most jovial mood, displaying a huge appetite of fun and laughter.
The first day of the festival is called the Hoi Lah Nyih. It is spend in preparing for the festival where the villagers collect firewood and vegetable items, prepare rice beer and weave new traditional cloths and ornaments. On this day, every family also partakes in the ritual of soothsaying, where chickens are sacrificed and the future is predicted by the shape of the intestine. The nest two days, Yin Mok Pho Nyih and Mok Shek Nyih, are spent searching and gathering domesticated animals which will be killed in the festival. Young tribal boys are also trained during this period in traditional male practices.
The fourth day, Lingnyu Nyih, is the most important and lively. Men and women of the Konyak Tribe wear their charming colorful traditional dresses and ornaments. The entire day is spent celebrating through beautiful dances, singing, heavy drinking, community feasts and endless merrymaking. The ancient headhunting ritual of the Konyak Tribe is also reenacted during this day, where Konyak men start dancing from the village gate, shoot their guns in the air and appear to hold their enemy’s head in their hands as a display of victory.
The remaining days of the festival, Lingha Nyih and Lingshan Nyih, are spent honoring and meeting each others families and relatives, and remembering the loved ones who have passed away.
DESTINATION: ARUNACHAL PRADESH AND NAGALAND
ROUTE: GUWAHATI – NAMERI – ZIRO – DAPORIJO – AALO –PASIGHAT – ROING – DIBRUGARH – MON – DIBRUGARH
DURATION: 16 NIGHTS / 17 DAYS
DAY WISE ITINERARY:
DAY 01: GUWAHATI – NAMERI
Today arrive at Guwahati airport, received and transferred to Nameri ( 240 kms / 05 hrs drive), reach Nameri and check into Eco Camp, evening at leisure and overnight stay.
Nameri National Park & Tiger Reserve is situated in the northern part of Sonitpur District of Assam and lies along the foothills of Eastern Himalayas. Spread over an area of 344 sq. km.. Nameri National Park boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Well known for its scenic beauty and conservation values, Nameri National Park is one of the important protected areas on the north bank of river Brahmaputra. The core area of the Park which constitutes the Nameri National Park is bound by river Jia Bhorelli on the west and river Bor-Dikrai in the east. To the north of the Nameri lies the Pakke Tiger Reserve of Arunachal Pradesh. Nmaeri was declared as a National Park in 1998 and Tiger Reserve in 2000.
The park is crisscrossed by Digi, Dinai, Nameri, Doigrung, Upper Dikrai, Bor dikrai, Khari and the Jia Bhorelli rivers. These rivers harbor a variety of lifeforms, Amongest the fish species, the famous Golden Masheer is known to thrive here.
DAY 02: NAMERI – ZIRO
Today after breakfast we will proceed to Ziro (290 kms / 08 hrs drive), enroute you will pass through many tiny pockets of Assamese, Bodo and Nishi Tribal villages, on reaching Ziro check into hotel and overnight stay.
Ziro is located in the lower Subansiri District, at an elevation of 1688m above sea level and 164km drive from Itanagar (capital of Arunachal Pradesh). Ziro is home to the Apatani people, a non-nomadic, agrarian tribe. The Apatani people are environmentally conscious community who practice wetland cultivation, instead of the dry land one, which involves the burning of the forest. The paddy farms here double as fish cultivations, with farmers using traditional irrigation techniques to rear fish in knee deep water. The UNESCO has even proposed for the Apatani culture landscape’s inclusion to the list of World Heritage site for the tribe’s high agricultural productivity and unique conservation practices.
DAY 03: ZIRO
Today we will attend the Myoko Festival of the Apatani Tribes, the day starts very early morning with rituals and chanting of the prists, later we will explore the villages and also attend some other rituals. Overnight at Ziro.
DAY 04: ZIRO
Today attend the rituals of the festival and later explore the village. Overnight at Ziro.
DAY 05: ZIRO – DAPORIZO
After breakfast, we will drive to Daporijo (160 kms / 07 hrs drive) – the headquarter of the Upper Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, located at an altitude of six hundred meters is an inhabitant of Tagin tribes, the drive passes through the lush green forest and tiny villages, the road goes along the Subansari River. Enroute you can visit Nishi tribal villages at Raga. Evening at leisure and overnight at Daporijo.
DAY 06: DAPORIZO – AALO
After breakfast, we will drive to Along – the headquarter of West Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh located at an altitude of 300 meters an inhabitants of Adi (Gallong ) tribes. The tribe Adi has different sub tribes which differ from each others like Adi (Gallong, Minyong, Pasi, Padam, Bori and Boker). Afternoon visit Kabo village. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Along.
DAY 07: AALO
Today we will explore more of the Galo villages, also enjoy a traditional dnace by Galo ladies and if you fancy a traditional lunch it could be arranged in a Galo house, evening free at leisure and overnight stays.
DAY 08: AALO – PASIGHAT
After early breakfast, continue to Pasighat (120 /6 hrs drive), enroute we will visit the confluence point of the Siang and Siom river and also experience a walk on the hanging bridge over the Siang river, the drive will pass through some breathtaking scenery of the valleys of the ever-mighty Siang River. Reach Pasighat and check into hotel, later explore the local markets, evening at leisure and overnight stay.
DAY 09: PASIGHAT
Today we will explore the Adi Minyiong villages in Pasighat, also enjoy a traditional dance of the Adi tribes ( TAPU) which is a war dance performed during the war times in old days, evening at leisure and overnight stay in Pasighat.
DAY 10: PASIGHAT – ROING
Today after breakfast we will drive to Roing ( 180 kms / 06 hrs drive), we have to cross three small streams with country made boat and cross several tiny villages and scenic road journey, reach Roing and check into accommodation , evening at leisure and explore the local markets. Overnight stay in Roing.
DAY 11: ROING
Today explore the Idu Mishmi tribal villages in Roing, also drive to Mayodia Pass, through the twisting roads and semi evergreen forest of the Mishmi hills, back to Roing and overnight stay.
DAY 12: ROING – DIBRUGHAR
Today after breakfast we will drive to Dibrugarh ( 04 hrs drive and 1 hr river crossing), reach Dibrugarh and check into hotel, day at leisure. Overnight stay in Dibrugarh.
DAY 13: DIBRUGARH – MON
Today after breakfast we will drive to Mon( 180 kms / 07 hrs drive), Konyak Nagas are known for their tattoo culture, wood carving skills, gun-making, etc. The land of the Konyak Nagas (Mon) is also regarded as the “Land of Anhg”. Enroute visit Mon village, where we can have a basic idea of the Konyak Naga world!.
Check into your basic accommodation for 03 nights, Guest House.
DAY 14: MON
Today attend the Aoling festival and also explore one village, Overnght in Mon.
DAY 15: MON
Today visit Longwa village, later attend the Aoling festival. Overnight at Mon.
DAY 16: MON – DIBRUGHAR
Today after breakfast drive to Dibrugarh for overnight stay.
DAY 17: DIBRUGHAR
Today after breakfast we drive to Dibrugarh airport for onward destination.
TOUR ENDS
BEST TIME: MARCH – APRIL
MINIMUM PERSON REQUIRED: 2
MAXIMUM PERSON: 20
IMPORTANT NOTES: