Buddhist Route Jeep Safari

Arunachal Pradesh - The Buddhist Route: Around 13 percent of the population (which is 1,091,117) of Arunachal Pradesh follows Buddhism. The Buddhist population of the state resides in the region Tawang, West Kameng, remote regions in close vicinity of Tibet and near the Burma border. Tibetan Buddhism is practised in the first three region while Therevada Buddhism guides the life of people living near the Burmese border. Tawang Monastery – one of the largest in North-East India (second only to Potala Palace) is set against dramatic backdrop of snow clad mountains. Over 500 monks are resident of this monastery which has strong Tibetan influence. A 8 mt high gilded Buddha dominates the sanctum of monastery. Kaziranga National Park – the oldest national park of Assam , Kaziranga is home to great Indian one-horned Rhinoceros. Spread over 430 sq. km , its is a dazzling mosaic of dense rain forest , tall elephant grass and swath of reeds. Kaziranga is also home to wild elephants and other wild animals. Kalia Bhumura Bridge over River Brahmaputra.

Day 1: Arrive Kolkata
Welcome to India- a country where hospitality is a way of life ; to a culture steeped in tradition, a land where history lives in music and dance. You will be received at the airport in a traditional manner with garlands and proceed to your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 2: Kolkata - Guwahati - Tezpur
Morning after a relaxed breakfast transfer to airport to board flght to Guwahati (Flight leaves at 1010 Hrs./Arrives at 1120 Hrs.). Shikhar Travel’s representative will receive you at the airport and you will proceed to Tezpur (195 Kms). On the way, photo stop of Kalia Bhumura Bridge over River Brahmaputra. Upon arrival, check-in at your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 3: Tezpur -Bomdila - Dirang
Morning after breakfast proceed to Dirang via Tezpur and Bomdila. Upon arrival, check-in at your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 4: Dirang - Tawang
Morning after breakfast take a tour of Dirang. Visit one of the typical Monpa Villages and The Buddhist Kalachakra Monastery. Post lunch drive down to Tawang. Enroute photostop while crossing the 13,714 ft high Sela Pass. Moreover, it was said to be the battlefield where Indian and Chinese armies fought against each other. Arrive Tawang and check-in at your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5: Tawang
Full day to explore Tawang. Visit the world famous Tawang Monastery (The Tawang Monastery also known as "Galden Namgyal Lhatse" was founded by Merak Lama Lodre Gyamtso in the year 1860-61 AD. The Tawang Monastery stands on the start of a hill, about 10,000 ft above sea level and has ravines in the south and west, narrow ridge on the north and a gradual slope on the east. It offers an imposing and picturesque view of the -Chu valley. The monastery appears like a fort from a distance, as if guarding the admirers in the wide valley below. Tawang monastery in Arunachal Pradesh is the largest of its kind in the country and 2nd largest in Asia. The Tawang Moanstery has the capacity for housing about 700 monks, but, the actual number of resident Lamas (Monks) at present is a little more than 300. This monastery of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh is the source of the spiritual life of the people of this region). Afternoon visit the Urgelling Monastary which is also associated with the birth of the 6th Dalai Lama. One of the oldest Ani Gonpa located 12km from Tawang, commissioned by Karchen Yeshi Gelek in 1595 AD.The Gyanganga Ani Gonpa is about 5km from the town and has more than 100 nuns living here. Later drive back to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6: Tawang - Bomdila
Morning after breakfast drive to Bomdila (Breathtakingly beautiful Bomdila, 3,500 metres high in the Himalayas, is the headquarters of the west Kameng district in Arunachal Pradesh. This lofty paradise is snow clad for a major part of the year and makes a delightful destination to get away to in summer). Upon arrival, check-in at your hotel. Afternoon visit the Bomdila Monastery and and the Craft Centre.Later back to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7: Bomdila - Tezpur
Morning after breakfast drive down to Tezpur (Also known as Sonitpur “City of Blood” of Puranic fame, is ssociated with the legend of princess Usha, the daughter of King Bana and prince Anirudha, the grandson of Lord Krishna for their eternal love and romance. The great mythological war believed to have been fought between Hari(Lord Krishna) and Hara (Lord Shiva) and as a result the whole city was said to have been drenched in blood). Upon arrival, check-in at your hotel. Post lunch, we will take you for a sightseeing of Tezpur covering Da-Parbatia (The ruins of the door frame of Da-Parbatia Temple a few kms. from Tezpur town, is perhaps the finest and oldest specimen of sculptural or iconoclastic art in Assam. It's carving has the characteristics of the style of early Gupta School of sculpture. The door-jambs having two goddesses, Ganga and Yamuna, standing below with garlands in their hands in artistic pose and elegance are decorated with beautiful ornamental foliage), and Agnigarh ("Preserving the sweet memory of young lovers", Agnigarh or the rampart, surrounded by fire, is perhaps the most beautiful tourist spots in Tezpur. According to legend, Princess Usha, the only daughter of King Bana, was kept inside the palace which was surrounded by rampart of fire. The present Agnigarh, now only a hillock facing the mighty Brahmaputra, provides the tourist a soul touching panoramic view of both the river and Tezpur town). Evening back to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay. En route photo stop of Kalia Bhumura Bridge over River Brahmaputra. Arrive Guwahati and check-in at your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 8: Tezpur - Kaziranga
Morning after a relaxed breakfast you will proceed to Kaziranga. Arrive and check-in at your Jungle Lodge. Post lunch (Around 2 P.M) proceed for a safari to Kaziranga Range (This drive covers central region of the park. Is an ideal introduction to the park and its ecology as the route passes through the entire spectrum of habitat types prevalent in the area. There is a possibility of sighting elephants as well as the other Mega herbivores.It is a yarding place of Swamp Deer.You can also enjoy a beautiful sunset during this visit). Evening return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 9: Kaziranga
Early morning at 0630 Hrs. proceed for an hour of Elephant Ride inside Kaziranga National Park. Post ride return to lodge for breakfast. Afterwards proceed for the a Jeep Safari to the Western Range of the Park (It takes near about 25 minutes to reach the entrance of this Range(The route traverses the southwest portion of the park. This range has maximum short grass areas and is the optimum habitat for Rhino and Water Buffalo. Representative perennialox-bow lakes surrounded by marshy Haemarthia compressa stands can be seen. Part of the drive is also through Low Alluvial Savannah Woodland.A round of the entire circuit is around 20 km. High herbivore densities around these wetlands are characteristic of the habitat). Return to your lodge for lunch. Post lunch, we will take you to another Jeep Safari to the Eastern (Agaratuli) Range (Situated towards the eastern part of the park. The area is excellent for birding. Includes nesting of the globally threatened Pallas's Fish Eagle and a colony of Spot-billed Pelicans. Migrant waterfowl may be observed at Sohola Beel. Various woodland birds can be seen along the drive through very scenic Dillenia Swamp Forest.Elephants may be encountered, as well Water Buffalo and Swamp Deer). Evening return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 10: Kaziranga - Guwahati - Kolkata
Morning after breakfast drive down to Guwahati. Upon arrival transfer to domestic airport to board flight to Kolkata. Received upon arrival and transfer to your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 11: Depart Kolkata
Day at leisure. Optional sightseeing of Kolkata city. Later transfer to International airport on time to board flight for onward destination.