WINDMILL TOURS AND TRAVELS PVT. LTD. Wild Orchids & Jungles

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1 Wild Orchids & Jungles Home Of The Horned Rhinoceros Guwhati is where you will find a rich history and culture of the state of Assam, and this is the most developed city in the entire north-east India. Shillong is the home to numerous waterfalls. The exciting mountain peaks, crystal clear are the key reasons why people visit Shillong.Kaziranga Home to two-thirds of the world's one horned rhinoceros population & Jorhat is Famous for its culture, mosques, tombs, gardens and most importantly - its tea plantations Day 01: Guwahati- Shillong Received at Guwahati airport later drive to Shillong (130 kms/3 ½ hrs), 1496mt Meghalaya the Land of Clouds driving through the Nilachal Hills of Assam. Check in at hotel for 3 nights. Evening at leisure. Overnight at the hotel. Meghalaya, swaddled amidst wraith-like mists is aptly called the abode of clouds. It is one of India s prettiest states inhabited by the Khasis, Jaintias and Garos. It is known for its matrilineal society, which governs lineage and ancestral inheritance through the female line. It stands out for its traditional and natural beauty among the other states. Its historical strengths have been irreversibly linked with its superlative natural setting. Day 02: Shillong Today we visit DBCIC museum, Butterfly Museum, Mawphlang Sacred Forest, Ward s Lake, local market and archery competition. Overnight at the hotel. DBCIC (Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Culture) is the largest of its kind in Asia. It is a centre where you can see, learn and experience the diverse culture of all the states of North East India under one roof. Entomological Museum (Butterfly Museum) a privately owned museum in Shillong is the only known museum in India devoted to moths and butterflies. The Butterfly Museum is worth visiting as it has an excellent collection of the winged beauties, many of which are

2 facing extinction. The tiny museum is based in the home of Mr. Wankhar who has being running a breeding farm in the Khasi Hills and shipping eggs and cocoons all over the world. The Ward Lake is an important tourist site of Shillong. It is a horseshoe-shaped artificial lake lying beneath the Raj Bhavan (Governor s Residence) and the Accountant General s (AG) Office, with little isles and a bridge over it. The lake abounds in fish (grass carps) and feeding the fish from the bridge is a favorite pastime of the tourists. It is said that a Khasi prisoner, who requested for any kind of work to get him out of his cell, initiated its construction. The lake has a charming winding walk-a-way in the midst of rolling flowerbeds and fairyland lighting with gradually undulating grounds, hemmed in by lush greens. Boats are also available, while the cafeteria provides refreshments. Mawphlang Sacred Forest - Just 28 kms away from Shillong is Mawphlang Sacred Forest, one of Meghalaya s most celebrated sacred forests, as the world over, are steeped in spiritual belief and held in great veneration. They also represent some of the earliest representations of preserving the ancient ecosystems. This is a dense forest where the Lyngdoh (chief) used to offer sacrifices and prayers. Not a branch should be broken or else a curse may befall on that person. This grove is surrounded by a lush green valley and a great variety of plants like orchids, include the carnivorous varieties and ferns grow here. Iew Duh (Bara Bazar) is situated in the heart of Shillong town, Iew Duh is a wonderful bazar for tourists in search of local colour. Pure honey, bows and arrows, handicrafts, handwoven shawls and a variety of local artifacts are sold in this market. Iew Duh is one of the few places where one can taste a variety of Khasi and Jaintia delicacies. Archery Competitions: Archery in Shillong is an age-old tribal skill in a new guise the archery contest takes place everyday (except Sunday) in Polo Grounds, about 3 km from the city center. It is quite a commercialized activity, with betting booths lining one side of the field. The atmosphere at the contest is very charged, much like a horseracing meet, with bookies and gamblers exchanging money, groups discussing the odds, and contestants gingerly fingering the tips of their arrows. The bows (straight not cross) and arrows are all handmade and local. Day 03: Shillong Cherrapunjee-Shillong Embark on a day trip to Cherrapunjee (56kms/ 1 ½ hrs), 1300mt once the heaviest rainfall area in the world. The drive will give us a spectacular view of deep gorges and the rolling hills luxurious with tropical vegetation that boast an innumerable variety of ferns, moss and orchids. At Cherrapunjee, we explore the Mawsmai cave, Nohkalikai Falls,

3 Nohsngithiang Falls, Eco Park at Mawsmai, etc. Enroute visit Elephant falls and Shillong Peak overlooking the beautiful town. Overnight at the resort. Sohra is 56 kms from Shillong and is literally the high point of any visit to Meghalaya-one of those ultimate eco-friendly destinations-a place renowned all over the world for having the privilege of receiving the highest rainfall in the world. Set against the backdrop of breath-taking landscape, it is a place to discover the Indian summer monsoons, a unique annual meteorological phenomena directly influenced by the south west monsoon and the north east winds. The heavy monsoon rains over these mountains undoubtedly creates in Sohra one of the rarest bio-diverse vegetations in the world. Truly a beautiful corner in north-east India, waiting to be discovered and explored. The old Cherra or Sohrarim was the original Cherra village but with the coming of the British who set up their headquarters further south, the village came to be known as 'Sohra' or present day Cherrapunjee. It was here that the British realized the enormity and intensity of the rainfall and set up a meterological office for measuring the rain. Sohra was declared by the British to be the capital of Assam in 1832, which was later shifted to Shillong in 1866 due to the inclement weather. Mawsmai Cave: 6 kms from the Sohra market to the south lies the village of Mawsmai in the direction of Bangladesh border. At the village crossing, one passes grasslands surrounded by forests, ending in a clearing. From this clearing, a concrete pathway through the jungle leads up to the main cave entrance. This cave is the only cave that is fully lighted. The cave can be divided into two parts (old and new). Of the two, the new cave is yet to be lighted. It has impressive formations of large passages and chambers. Nohkalikai falls: A hauntingly beautiful waterfall, cascading down from the top of the gorge to the mystic deep green pool below, reminding one of the tragic legend associated with it, of a grief stricken mother who plunged to her death, unable to overcome her sorrow over the murder of her daughter by her husband. Nohsngithiang Falls also known as Mawsmai falls, is 1 km south of Mawsmai village and derives its name due to the fact that the waterfalls are situated in a south westerly position and get illuminated by the sun from dawn to sunset. The vibrant colours of the setting sun on the waterfalls make it beautiful to behold. Eco Park : A large "Eco Park" established by the Meghalaya government in the plateau, which hosts several hybrid and indigenous orchids in the Green House donated by Shillong Agri-Horticultural Society. Also the Eco Park offers a breathtaking view of the distant Sylhet Plains of neighbouring Bangladesh.

4 Shillong Peak: The 1960 metres high, Shillong Peak, 10 Km from the city is another fantastic tourist spot. The peak has a very important legend as it is generally believed to be the abode of a powerful deity known as U LEI SHYLLONG meaning Shyllong God. It is said that U LEI SHYLLONG was responsible for the creation and the origin of the Khyrim and Mylliem Syiemship. The Peak gives a magnificent view of the spreading township below. Elephant Falls: 12 km away on the Shillong Cherrapunjee road lie the Elephant Falls. A mountain stream descends through successive falls set in dells of fern-covered surroundings Day 03: Shillong Kaziranga Post breakfast drive to Kaziranga National Park (270 kms / 07 hrs). Check in at hotel for 2 nights. Dinner and overnight KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK (100 mtr approx.) - is a World Heritage Site, where more than 75% of the world s total population of the great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros can be found. It lies on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River and is one of the oldest parks of Assam. Besides rhinos, the Asiatic Water Buffalo numbering over 1200, elephants over 1000, tigers more than 81, Swamp deer, Barking deer and Hog deer can be seen. About 400 species of birds are found in Kaziranga National Park. Swamp Francolin, Kalij Pheasant, Greylag Goose, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Shoveller, Northern Pintail, Streak Throated Woodpecker, Bay Woodpecker, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Osprey, Palas s Fish Eagle, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Pied Falconets, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Greater Adjutant Stork, Black necked Stork, Grey-headed Lapwing, Indian White Backed Vulture, Long Billed Vulture, along with a large number of Spotted Billed Pelican. Sighting is excellent and is always a great experience. Day 05: At Kaziranga Early morning we take an elephant safari in the central range of the park followed by a jeep safari to western range post breakfast. In the afternoon, we visit the central range of the park by jeep. Overnight at the hotel. Elephant Safari starts from very early morning and continues for approx 45 minustes. Elephant safari is the best way to explore the wide varieties of wildlife in the Kaziranga

5 National Park, area covered by the Elephant Grass can be best viewed trip through elephant's back, Elephant safari is best enjoyed in the early Morning, during safari one can get opportunity to see herds of Indian Elephants, One-horned Rhinoceros very short distance, a close encounter with the animals in Kaziranga National Park makes the trip memorable. The Central Range passes through the entire habitat spectrum from ox-bow lakes, savannah woodland to Dillenia Swamp Forest. It is very good for mammal sightings as well as birds (Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Great Hornbill, Rufous Woodpecker). Driving along one can see rows of Indian Roofed and Tent Turtles (Kachuga tecta and Kachuga tentoria). Water Monitors Varanus salvator is sometimes seen in the beels. The elephant ride also takes place in this part of the park and one gets good views of the Rhino while traversing through its terrain of swamps and tall grass. It is also good for early morning photography of rhinos in the mist. There are chances of seeing Bengal Florican from the elephant. The Western Range has the highest density of Rhinos, as this part is swampier with extensive Haemarthia compressa stands. It is also good for grassland birds and raptors (Swamp Francolin, Pallas's Fish-Eagle). Smooth Indian Otters Lutrogale perspicillata is sometimes seen fishing in the ox-bow lakes. Day 06: Kaziranga-Majuli-Jorhat After early breakfast we drive to Neematighat (90kms/02 hrs) for ferry crossing (01 1/2 hrs upstream boat cruise- the time depends upon the water level of the river) to Majuli - the largest inhabited river island in the world and famous for the Vaishnavite Satras or monasteries (Kamalabari Satra, Auniati Satra, Benganti satra, and many more) and culture. It is nestled between the confluence of the Subansiri and the Brahmaputra River. Visit the monasteries and interface with the tribes on the island. Return to the mainland and transfer to hotel for overnight stay. Majuli Island-A World Heritage Site, is located in the Brahmaputra River and is the largest inhabited riverine island in the world. The island has long served as a monastic retreat to the Vaishnavite community and is noted for its beautiful rural setting and the traditional Assamese and Mishing tribal architecture. On arrival, you will be transferred by road to a monastery, enroute pass through both Assamese and Mishing Villages - the Mishing houses are typified by being built on stilts and their long house style of design. At the monastery you will be given an orientation tour by one of the monks of the monastic cell and temple. Please note that you will be expected to remove your shoes when entering the Vaishnavite monasteries. These Satras were set up

6 by Srimanta Shankerdev, the leader of Vaishnavite revival in the 16 th Century. These are active and nurture the traditional dance form Satriya (which is the 5 th nationally recognized dance form other than Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kathakali and Manipuri), music and crafts (mask- making), besides religious teachings. Day 07: Jorhat Morning at leisure. Later in time drive to Jorhat airport to board flight for onward destination. (No room envisaged for this day) ***End of Tour***