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The Wild East
Explore untamed India on two wheels!
Tucked away in the far north-east of India, wedged between the borders of Bhutan, Burma and Tibet, Arunachal Pradesh is India’s newest and least-known state. Before the region was elevated to statehood in 1986, Arunachal Pradesh, along with Assam, Nagaland and 4 other states was known as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA). Except for occasional forays by administrators and anthropologists during the time of the British, nothing much was known about this area for most of the 20th century. The isolation of the North East Frontier Agency was legally safeguarded by India’s government. Before laws permitting limited tourism were passed in 1995, even Indian citizens were not allowed to visit. The North East Frontier Agency lands never belonged to ancient India. They were, and still are, populated by Mongoloid and Mon-Khmer people, far removed from the Aryan-Dravidian blood of the mainstream. The people here are animists, except in the Tawang area where they accepted Buddhism. In the Highlands, wild Burmese tribes enthusiastically practised indiscriminate headhunting until as late as the fifties. To the north, Mongoloid tribes live, bare-bodied in breech clouts. Nagaland is almost entirely inhabited by 16 Tibeto-Burmese tribes. Among them are Angamis, Aos, Konyaks, Kukis, Lothas, Semas and Wanchus. The Nagas, who were once headhunters, have been known for their fierceness and the regular raids they made on Assam and Burma. The warring tribes believed that since the enemy’s animated soul or “waha”, resided at the nape of the neck, it could only be set free once beheaded. It was also believed that human heads exuded a mystical force or “mio”, that brought prosperity to the people and benefitted the crops. It is for this reason that enemy heads (and those of dead comrades) were prized and collected.
Tour at a Glance
| Region of Country | North East India |
| Period | Oct – mid Dec, mid Jan – mid March |
| Duration | 12 Days 11 Nights |
| Riding Days | 12 Days |
| Accommodation | Basic Hotels / Guest Houses |
| Motorbike | Royal Enfield Himalayan |
| Level of Difficulty | Moderate |
| Max. Altitude Reached | 4170m |
| Max. Sleeping Altitude | 3048m |
| Average Daily Distance | 171km |
| Total Distance | 2050km |
| Fitness Level | Moderate |
Highlights
- Ride the legendary Royal Enfield “Bullet”
- Stunning scenery of lush green mountains
- Explore lesser travelled roads in wild India
- Interact with the infamous headhunter tribes
- Visit the wildlife of Kaziranga National Park
Day 1 – Arrival Guwahati, India (50m)
Welcome to the northeast of India, where your Motorcycle Expeditions representative will pick you up at Guwahati International Airport and transfer you to your hotel. We’ll spend the afternoon getting acquainted with our bikes and sightseeing around the city. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2 – Guwahati to Tezpur (80m, 180km, 5-6hrs)
We’ll ease our way into the ride on smooth highways, cross the Brahmaputra River on the Saraighat Bridge and on towards Tezpur. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 3 – Tezpur to Dirang Valley (1620m, 195km, 5-6hrs)
The Bhalukpong check gate is our entry point into Arunachal Pradesh and serves as a shopping venue, while we wait for our documentation to be processed. A few small towns, including Tenga and Bomdila, line the way towards the captivating Dirang Valley, where we disappear into the forested mountains surrounding the Dirang River. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 4 – Dirang Valley to Tawang (3048m, 195km, 6-7hrs) Sela (pass at 4170m)
Tawang town in the western part of Arunachal Pradesh, is a famous hill station close to the Indian borders with China and Bhutan and also our destination for the day. We’ll traverse the Sela Pass at 4170m, which connects Tawang to the rest of the country. From the Sela Pass, numerous hairpin bends take us down into a valley before ascending to Tawang. Dinner and overnight stay at a guest house.
Day 5 – Tawang to Bomdila (2415m, 240 km, 6-7hrs )
Retracing some of our tracks from yesterday, we head towards Bomdila, located beyond the Dirang Valley. It is a small town, offering views of spellbinding landscapes and snow-capped mountain peaks of the Great Himalayan Range. Dinner and overnight stay at a guest house.
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Day 6 – Bomdila to Itanagar (320m, 260km, 7-8hrs)
We will descend down back to the plain from the higher region of Arunachal, zigzagging roads and jaw dropping landscapes will be the highlight of the day. We will be riding into a busy town later in the evening for our overnight accommodation. A typical Indian town full of chaos but very amusing, a short stroll after settling down in the hotel. Overnight and dinner at the guest house.
Day 7 – Itanagar to Ziro (1500m, 100km, 3hrs)
Today, we leave the city to explore the wild side of North East India, the Arunachal border where the beautiful Ranganadi Dam will greet us. The area is famous for pine hills, mountain rice cultivation and the fascinating Apatani people whose women are renowned for their large nose plugs(piercings) and facial tattoos. Dinner and overnight stay at a guest house.
Day 8 – Ziro to Mājuli (85m, 162km, 5-6hrs)
Leaving the greenery behind, we ride along the Brahmaputra River to a point where we confront the mighty river and load our bikes onto a ferry to float to the other side. As we reach the Ghats on the largest river island in the world, Mājuli, we will unload our bikes to enjoy the evening away from the urban chaos, in the lap of splendid nature, wildlife and untouched villages. Dinner and overnight stay at a guest house.
Day 9 – Mājuli to Mon (655m, 170km, 5-6hrs)
A short, but tough ride takes us to Nagaland. Brace yourself for some exhilarating off-road to Mon. Mon is the land of the captivating Konyak Naga. Konyaks are known for their tattooed faces, blackened teeth and head-hunting prowess, the last thankfully being in the past. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 10 – Mon to Longwa and back (655m, 80km, 2-3hrs)
The whole day will be spent sightseeing on the bikes around Mon. There are many places to explore with innumerable stories to tell, like Lungwa King House, Singi Sui, Head Hunting tribe and the Local Market. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 11 – Mon to Kaziranga (40m, 260km, 6-7hrs)
Brace yourselves for a long and wild ride. The comfort of the road will fade away after Jorahat. Enjoy a jungle safari when you reach Kaziranga. Witness the beauty of the versatile biodiversity of wildlife – forests, wetlands and grasslands. Kaziranga is home to tigers, elephants and one-horned rhinoceroses.
Day 12 – Kaziranga to Guwahati and home (50m, 190km, 4-5hrs)
Continuing the North East motorcycle expedition on National Highway 37 along the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River, we ride to Guwahati, the origin and culmination of this exciting expedition. It’s an easy ride, allowing us to wind down to our destination. You’ll have time to freshen up before being taken to the airport for your flight home.
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IncludedGround transfers in India, from Guwahati International airport to Guwahati International airportRoyal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle and fuel for the entire tripAccommodation (twin sharing in comfortable hotels, camps and guest houses / similar) neat and cleanBreakfast and dinner in the hotel and lunch on the way in local restaurantsMineral water will be provided during the expeditionsEnglish speaking guide, motorcyclist by profession and passionMedical kit (basic)Mechanics with all necessary spare parts itemsSupport vehicle (if riders suffer from a sore @$$, they may jump into our backup jeep to relax!!)
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Not IncludedVisaInternational flightsAny medical / travel insurance coverage and personal expensesAny telephone calls / internet chargesAny tips for the guide, driver and mechanic (suggested at $100)Any items not mentioned in included sectionAlcoholic beveragesAny damage to the motorcycle must be covered by the rider in fullCosts incurred or expenses arising due to natural calamities, strikes, breakdowns and any other unforeseen calamities beyond the control of Motorcycle Expeditions Adventure Tour Pvt Ltd and its associates (force majeure)Any itinerary extensions will be subject to additional cost
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