Eat Your Heart Out Tours www.eyhotours.com
Northeast India & West Bengal
Textile and Tribal Traditions
With optional 6-day wonders of Bhutan
February 2018 – exact dates to come
“We live in the world when we love it.”― Rabindranath Tagore
18 Days (17 nights)

3 nights Kolkata

2 nights Maheshgani Estate

1 night Shantiniketan

1 night Guwahati

2 nights Kaziranga

1 night Dirang

2 nights Majuli Island

2 nights Thengal Manor

1 night Kohima

2 nights Khohoma Village (Nagaland)
Note: International flights not included
2
Eat Your Heart Out Tours www.eyhotours.com
Eat Your Heart Out Tours www.eyhotours.com
Experience a place where the
some of the world’s oldest art
forms teach you something
new…
Your destination awaits
Explore West Bengal, crucible of modern Indian literary and artistic
thought
Take in the cultural vibe of Kolkata (Calcutta)
and weaving of exquisite silk and cottons in rural areas
Work alongside village artisans
in elaborate batik, traditional kantha embroidery, and vibrant block
printing
Switch gears in the untouched edge of India — the North East
Under the glacial spill of mighty Himalayan rivers
Elephant safari to rhinos in Kaziranga’s swampy grasslands
Lord/lady it at a tea planter’s mansion
witness slow embrace of modernity by former head-hunters of
Nagaland
What I love about this itinerary . . .
“I thought I'd seen it all -- until I ventured into India's
"Wild East" last year. Garlanding the subcontinent's
furthest reaches, and hidden from the world by imposing
mountain ranges and timeless forests, this spectacular
region was closed to travelers until recently. Only just
coming to light are its treasure trove of indigenous
cultures, tea plantations, wildlife sanctuaries, exquisite
silks, and island monasteries caught in the time-warped
straits of the mighty Brahmaputra. I'd like to share the
fresh wonder of North East India with you, from teeming
West Bengal's textile riches, to Assam, Arunachal, and
Nagaland's cultural collision zone. Join me on a raw
adventure into India's, and possibly Asia's, last frontier!"
- Shila
3
Eat Your Heart Out Tours www.eyhotours.com
Visit tribal villages where time has stood still
Itinerary
Eat Your Heart Out Tours www.eyhotours.com
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Kolkata
Kalna
Phulia
Arrive Kolkata, transfer to your hotel.
Note: Arrivals before noon will require
an extra night
Embark on a guided tour of Kolkata.
Take an afternoon visit to Panchla and
marvel at the gold thread embroidery
with gold zari, seed pearls, sequins and
beads that traditionally adorns a
bride’s finery. In evening, visit
Gariahat Market. Overnight Kolkata.
Meals: B
Transfer three hours to the former
indigo estate of French planters. Walk
the extensive grounds and learn the
fascinating history of indigo from the
present owners.
In the afternoon, visit Kalna for a
demonstration of the finest jamdani
weaving. Jamdani, also called “woven
air”, is the gauziest of cottons with
embroidery on the loom. Overnight
Maheshgani Estate.
Meals: B
Visit Phulia to learn about Tangail
jacquard weaving and more Jamdani
work. Visit a traditional sari shop
owned by a national Jamdani award
winner and learn of different
techniques. Walk through the weavers’
village and take in everyday life.
Overnight Maheshgani Estate.
Meals: B
Itinerary
Eat Your Heart Out Tours www.eyhotours.com
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Shantiniketan
Shantiniketan – Bishnupur Kolkata
Kolkata
Nobel laureate Rabrindranath Tagore
established the university town of
Shantiniketan. After a three hour
transfer, walk through the town to
enjoy its unique cultural vibe and a
kantha embroidery workshop with
women in self-help village. Overnight
in Shantiniketan.
Meals: B
Take in a batik workshop - essentially
“writing in wax” - with multiple
dyeing and application processes. In
Bishnupur, marvel at rich Baluchar
heirloom saris’ carding, calibrating,
and weaving. Visit weavers’ homes and
marvel at beautiful 15th century
terracotta temples. Overnight in
Kolkata.
Meals: B
Take in a presentation by the head of
the West Bengal Crafts Council, who
has singlehandedly revived and
showcased handloom textile crafts.
Shop the exquisite handloom product
from all over India.
Visit Dakshinapan Market followed by
block printing and dyeing workshop.
Overnight Kolkata.
Meals: B
Itinerary
Eat Your Heart Out Tours www.eyhotours.com
Day 7
Day 8
Kolkata - Guwahati
Day 9
Guwahati - Kaziranga
Morning flight to Guwahati, Assam.
Visit Kamakhya Devi Temple to the
Goddess of Fertility, a most sacred
temple that is clad in the red of
hibiscus and sees animal sacrifices
daily.
In the evening, cruise down the mighty
Bramhaputra.
Kaziranga
Morning visit to Sualkuchi for valuable
muga and eri (or “peace silk”) weaving
in a traditional Assamese village.
Early morning safari on elephant-back
to track the one-horned rhino.
Kaziranga is the last bastion of this
beautiful mythical-looking animal.
Overnight in Guwahati.
Meals: B
Transfer four hours to Kaziranga,
home of the endangered one-horned
rhino.
In the evening, take in a presentation
about the world of these rare
creatures, and conservation efforts.
Overnight outside the park in an oasislike setting.
Meals: B
After lunch, enjoy a jeep safari OR
afternoon eri silk dyeing workshop
with natural dyes from hibiscus,
cinnamon, and turmeric.
Overnight Kaziranga.
Meals: B
Itinerary
Eat Your Heart Out Tours www.eyhotours.com
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Kaziranga - Dirang
Dirang – Majuli Island
Majuli Island
Transfer through beautiful highlands to
the home of the Monpa tribal people.
Closely related to Tibetan Buddhists,
they are celebrated for their craft
making and weaving skills. Convene
with villagers and visit a yak breeding
centre.
Overnight in Dirang.
Meals: B
Approach the largest inhabited
riverine island, Majuli, from the north
for a step back in time.
An enclave of the “Bhakti” movement
to humanise Hinduism, Majuli is
known for its monasteries that excel in
performing and fine arts.
Take in a drama in 16th century
monastery and marvel at the intricate
handmade masks and costumes.
Overnight Majuli Island.
Meals: B
Visit two different monasteries, each
specializing in a different discipline.
Partake of a mask-making workshop
alongside a veteran monk. Then, visit a
traditional Mishing village to observe
the rhythms of daily life including the
weaving of Assamese traditional dress,
the makela chaddor.
Overnight Majuli Island.
Meals: B
Itinerary
Eat Your Heart Out Tours www.eyhotours.com
Day 13
Day 14
Day 15
Majuli Island - Jorhat
Jorhat
Jorhat – Kohima,
Nagaland
In the morning, journey by ferry back
to the mainland and drive to Jorhat.
Relax in a beautiful period tea planter’s
manor belonging to the first Assamese
family to go into the tea business.
You are invited to walk the 44 acres of
rice paddies and individual tea plots.
Overnight Thengal Manor.
Meals: B, D
Relax and do as much or as little as you
wish at the beautiful Thengal Manor
where the staff is at your beck and call.
Whiling the day in extensive gardens is
just one way to experience the
peaceful life of a tea plantation. Nearby
is a fine golf course if you’re feeling
more active.
Transfer to the edge of India’s Wild
East for a true off-the-beaten path
experience. Drive through
rhododendron-clad hills with
spectacular vistas of terraced wet-rice
paddies.
Overnight Thengal Manor.
Enroute, stop in Dimapur, the last
outpost before ascending the “hillcountry” of Nagaland.
Meals: B, L, D
Overnight Kohima.
Meals: B
Itinerary
Eat Your Heart Out Tours www.eyhotours.com
Day 16
Day 17
Day 18
Kohima – Khonoma Village
Khonoma Village
Departure via Dimapur
Home of the Angami tribe, renowned
for their valour and courage. The
traditional village is built into the
hillside with a newly arrived church coexisting with animist faiths.
As guests of the village headman,
celebrate a day in the ten-day Sekrenyi
festival, which marks the sanctification
of food and water along with folk
dancing and feasting. Enjoy the
freshest air and beautiful vistas if you
like to trek.
In the afternoon, take in a back-strap
weaving demo.
That evening, enjoy a typical Naga meal
with a local family.
Overnight Khonoma Village.
Meals: B, D
Overnight Khonoma Village.
Meals: B, D
Today is departure day. Depart via
Dimapur to Delhi or Kolkata to meet
yout international flight. Safe travels
and we hope to welcome you on an
unforgettable E.Y.H.O trip soon!
Meals: B
Itinerary
Eat Your Heart Out Tours www.eyhotours.com
WHAT’S INCLUDED
•
conceptualized and led by Canadian-based tour leader who has
travelled extensively in West Bengal and North East India
•
local English-speaking destination guides
•
all workshops and demos
•
all group airport and road transfers in private air-conditioned
transportation
•
all internal flights as per option
•
all water transportation by private boat where possible, and by
public ferry when not
•
accommodation in select 4*-5* boutique and heritage hotels.
Note: accommodation in Khonoma Village and Dirang features clean,
basic guesthouse lodging (best available)
•
all monument and excursion fees
•
all breakfasts, and some lunches and dinners
•
. . . and much much more!
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
•
International flight, tipping, and travel insurance
recommended)
•
beverages at included lunches and dinners
Enquiries
[email protected]
Visit
http://www.eyhotours.com
Costs
Terms and Conditions
Accompanied by E.Y.H.O. leader Shila
Cost option per
person in USD
18 days West Bengal
and Northeast India
12 days Northeast
India only
Double occupancy
Single supplement
USD 4250
USD 1680
USD 3480
USD 1565
6 day add-on
Wonders of
Bhutan*
USD 1882
USD 682
*Please enquire. Estimated costs.
Visit us, perchance Like
Us!