Touchdown at Dibrugarh to start the trip; collect luggage and clear arrival formalities before meeting your driver. This is the gateway to Upper Assam and the starting point for the transfer north-west to Nagaland.
Long drive into Nagaland (approx 240 km / 5–6 hrs). Roads climb and narrow; plan rest stops in Wokha for tea and to stretch. This leg places you at Kisama in the evening for the Hornbill area.
Enjoy a home-cooked dinner at the cottage or try local Naga dishes (smoked pork, bamboo shoot preparations) at nearby stalls; most homestays offer dinner until ~9:30–10:00pm.
If not already done, confirm Nagaland tourist entry requirements and double-check Hornbill Festival program/timings (events usually start early morning and continue into the evening); having permits and festival passes printed helps at checkpoints.
Experience the Hornbill Festival: traditional Naga tribal performances, cultural displays, indigenous crafts and food stalls; festival days are immersive and busy—plan to arrive early. Typical festival hours run roughly 9:00am–10:00pm, but check the program for stage timings.
Try varied regional specialties at the festival food stalls (Naga pork, rice cakes, bamboo shoot preparations) — quick, authentic and convenient inside the festival grounds.
Short drive into Kohima town to visit the poignant Kohima War Cemetery and the cathedral area; both are open to visitors in the daytime and offer historical context and pleasant walking spots.
Relax at a local café in Kohima town for tea/coffee and cake before returning to Kisama; cafés typically stay open till early evening (check local listings).
Spend the morning watching the final festival performances, buying handicrafts and tasting any foods you missed; arrive early for final cultural shows and competitions.
Short scenic drive (~20 km / ~45 min each way) to Khonoma, a renowned model ‘green’ village with community-run conservation projects and preserved Naga culture; great for an afternoon walk and craft purchases.
Enjoy a dinner of local Naga fare at the cottage or try a recommended restaurant in Kohima town; confirm kitchen closing times with your host (commonly 9:00–10:00pm).
Set out pre-dawn for a long drive via Dimapur and Golaghat to Kaziranga (approx 230 km / ~7 hrs). Expect highway and rural stretches; start early to reach Kaziranga with time for an afternoon safari.
Bagori Range jeep safari typically runs in the late afternoon (approx 3:00–5:30pm in winter); it's a prime zone for one-horned rhinos, deer, and birds. Book the slot in advance with park authorities or your resort.
Resort restaurant typically serves Assamese and Indian dishes and stays open for dinner (check kitchen hours; often until ~9:30pm). Great to try local Assamese fish curry or thali.
Confirm park entry and safari timings with the resort or park office: winter safari windows are narrower and demand is high, so booking ahead is essential (park closes for maintenance on specific days—verify dates).
If time/energy allow, visit Dirang's hot water springs for a soothing soak; they are generally accessible through the day into early evening (confirm local opening).
Ascend toward Sela Pass (approx 13,700 ft). The drive (roughly 140 km / ~6 hrs) is scenic with hairpin bends—stop frequently for acclimatization, photos, and Indian Army checkposts.
Tawang Monastery (one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in India) is open during daylight hours—explore the gompas, museum and prayer halls for cultural context and spectacular valley views.
Full morning loop to Bumla Pass (Army border area), Madhuri Lake (Sangetsar) and PTSO Lake — this is a sensitive border zone with Army checkpoints and restricted hours, so start early; permits and ID will be checked at checkposts.
Scenic high-altitude lake known from several film shoots; beautiful photo opportunities and short walks; lake accessibility may vary with weather and Army instructions.
Long descent through Dirang and Bomdila toward the plains. The Tawang → Tezpur drive is roughly 320 km and 9–10 hours; if you prefer Kaziranga, continue farther (adds driving time).
Final leg: Tezpur → Jorhat (~200 km / ~5 hrs) to catch flights, or continue to Dibrugarh (~8 hrs total). Leave early to account for road conditions and check-in times.
Complete final baggage and departure procedures at Jorhat or continue to Dibrugarh for onward flights; keep copies of permits and ID handy for any last checkpoint verifications.