Northeast India / Assam in january and february
Replies: 9 - Last Post: Sep 12, 2012 5:51 PM Last Post By: saviprem
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Northeast India / Assam in january and february
Every year in january and february I travel for about 9 or 10 weeks somewhere in Asia / India. Really considering going to NorthEastern India this (european) winter (stuck to that period of the year due to my job)Fly Calcutta > Fly Guwahati > and then roundtrip Tezpur > Nameri National Park > Ziro > Kaziranga Netional park > Majuri island > (if permits for single traveller possible also visit) > Arunachal Pradseh > Dibrugarh > Nagaland (Mon etc) > Kohima>Aizwal>Agartala and cross border to Bangladesh (which I already visited for 9 weeks jan./febr.) and fly back home from Dhaka (saving me troubles with re-entering India within 2 months)
Have about 7 weeks for the India leg (and 3 more for southern Bangladesh).
Few questions:
What's concerning me most is what the temperatures will be like. When I was in same period in Rajasthan a few years ago, it was so cold in the evening, it “escaped” to South India after 6 weeks. Last year in northern Bangladesh (Sylhet), mornings untill 10 AM where foggy and chilly, but soon after 10 temperatures rose to 20 – 25 C. After 5 PM / Sunset temperatures drop but never too cold (5 - 10 C).This was fine for me. Is Northeast India the same or will the evenings and night be much colder?
Can i do most on my own? or for which area’s is a guided tour adviced. And if so:
What’s the average price for short guided tours (3/4/5 days) ? Of course will be very depending on quality and itinerary, but what price range? (found a lot of tourcompanies but none giving details about the costs).
Thanks in advance for all replies.
1
Bob,You should be less concerned about the weather and more about the security situation. Just last week there were a series of attacks by the Bodo rebels that was part of a more general flare up of ethnic tension.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-28/india/32906381_1_btad-ndfb-kokrajhar
The reports I have seen place the dead at around 30 while 100,000 people have been displaced. You will find that much of the North East has been declared a no travel zone by your consular service and with that any travel insurance will be null and void.
Maybe think of somewhere else for your travels.
2
Whatever Yarra has said is absolute bullshit.The current situation has only effected areas of western Assam. The rest of northeastern India is as safe as any other place. And I am sure by Jan/Feb, everything will be fine.
Winters in northeastern India is similar to your experience in Bangladesh. The nights are cold, with temperatures ranging from 3 - 10 C. The mornings are chilly, but after 10 AM, the temperatures rise and the day becomes hot and nice. Winters is the best time to travel in northeastern India.
Travelling northeastern India on your own is a little tricky. The roads and transportation infrastructure are very bad. Assam can still be done on your own. But if you're planning to visit Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, I'd suggest to go in a tour, or at-least hire a car for your travels. A 5 day quality tour should cost you about 600 to 700 dollars.
Permits, in case you plan to apply alone, will cost you 200$. In case you find a partner for the permits, then the cost will be 100$. For a reliable tour operator, you can contact Greener Pastures at http://www.thegreenerpastures.com
Let me know if you'd like any other information.
3
Thanks for your replies.Yarra: yes, I’m aware of the current situation in that area and I keep a close watch on the things to come. If things get worse in a bigger part of North East India, that of course will influence my trip.
Paradise: thanks. I think I can handle the cold nights…and I can always head south and into Bangladesh earlier. I’m in the lucky situation I have lots of time so no need to hurry or to see as much as possible in too little time. Would prefer to find local guides for 1/2/3 day trip in the area. Gives me much more freedom because I don’t need to be in place X at date Y. I’ll try to find local travel-agencies or local guides which can arrange trips on short notice. If that fails I will check the other agencies (especially for Nagaland) which mainly offer 6-7-8 day trips (as far I have researched at the moment).
If anyone had contact for local guides…would be much appreciated.
4
Hi Bob,Nagaland has just opened it's doors to tourism a decade back but the use of permit required by international tourist was relaxed and lifted only in 2011.
Places like Mon inhabited by the tribes of Konyak, Longleng by the phom tribes and Tuensang by the Changs n many other sub tribes are interesting places to visit to experience local culture n see how the way of life is but you do need a good contact of local guide to experience the hospitality of the nagas.
You can make your entry thro Mon via Dibrugrah or Jorhat, and then make your way to Mokokchung the land of Ao tribes, if time permits visit Longleng and Tuensang districts which are nearby.
From Mokokchung you can come to Kohima via Wokha.
In Kohima, there are few homestays where you can experience local culture in the main town as well as in the nearby villages. If you happen to be in the area in mid feb, you can witness the Sekrenyi fest of the Angami tribe in the village.
Treks to nearby mountains of Japfii 3048 mtrs, mt shiirho and dzukou valley can also be arranged with local guides(hunter turned local guides)
Plz feel free to PM me for more info
Cheers n hope this bit helps you for your visit to Nagaland.
Nagagirl
5
Local guides sounds like a nice alternative in your case. I am not sure, but I think Greener Pastures can hook you up with local guides or can arrange tours in a short notice. You'll need to talk to them about it.I have contact information for a guide in Meghalaya. In-case you need his assistance, let me know.
6
There is a clash going on in Assam but i believe by next Jan it will be over. The weather there in the Winters is very cold, especially in Aizwal, Mon, Kohima. Assam is fairly warm compared to the states. besides the weather, you need not worry about much because North East has just recently opened up for travellers. Its pretty safe though you have to follow general precautions.I consider march - April as the best time to explore these places.
7
Looking at your itinerary, one thing I can say is don't try to go from Kohima straight to Aizawl. It's a couple hours to Dimapur, and then you have to go to Silchar and then Aizawl. I did this in one go and it was absolutely gruelling- I took the slow train from Dimapur to Silchar via halflong (overnight) and then had to wait for an awful overnight jeep to Aizawl- full of Mizos drunk as hell smuggling booze into the dry state of Mizoram. Also, be aware that all over the northeast towns shut down on Sunday- it will be difficult to find food and transport- but particularly in Mizoram. Jeeps don't run at all, nothing is open. I did the dual overnight to avoid waiting in Silchar until Monday morning.Unless you plan on going to other parts of Mizoram or have a special reason for wanting to go there, I'd recommend skipping Aizawl. It's a fairly large city. Sure, it's culturally different than the rest of India, but you'd probably be better off investing the time spent going there getting to know Nagaland better, for example.
8
Hi Eleanor and travellors to the NE states,its always safe to have a local guide when you are travelling to remote places as well as in rural areas - promoting tourism positively!!
You enjoy n understand the culture more having a local expert around n helps the local economy too.
Cheers
explore nagaland n NE region positively.
