The Remote Naga Hills of India
16 Days of Tribal Villages, Wildlife & the Remote Naga Hills
Trip Highlights
Trip Details
Trip Breakdown
[remote-naga-hills-dates]
Length
16 days / 15 nights
Dates
Starts: 1 November 2027, Kolkata, India
Finishes: 16 November 2027, Kolkata, India
Details
$ 5,536 AUD (private room)
- $1,384 AUD deposit
- A 30-day cooling-off period applies
- Lifetime Deposit. If you need to cancel, your deposit is transferable to other trips.
- Private room – no sharing required
Please refer to our payment terms in the FAQs.
Arrival
Elgin Fairlawn, Kolkata
Departure
Elgin Fairlawn, Kolkata
Group Size
12
Included
- Meals: 15 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 15 dinners
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Private vehicle transportation: Air-conditioned vehicle transfers in Kolkata; non-air-conditioned vehicles in the hills
- 2 domestic flights (Kolkata – Guwahati & Dimapur – Kolkata)
- 15 nights hotel accommodation
- A top-rated, English-speaking Trip Leader
- All listed activities and more!
Not Included
- International Flights
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- India visa fee
- Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland Protected Area permits fees
- Additional hotel nights & late checkouts
- Drinks and other personal expenses
- Tip kitty (See FAQs for more information)
Accommodation
Your Fencox accommodation means having a private room, all to yourself – every single time.
Accommodation Preview
De Oriental Grand, Kohima
Elgin Fairlawn, Kolkata
Dhanshree Resort, Kaziranga
Day 1 – Kolkata
Welcome to India! Kolkata, the “City of Joy” — and your driver — are ready to sweep you off your feet and into the comfort of a vehicle with A/C. Peering down from your seat on the plane, you might have noticed the dense jungle and hilly landscapes, shrouded in tendrils of mist, north of the city. After a brief taste of the capital of West Bengal, that’s where you’re headed.
Get settled into your hotel and head downstairs for cheerful hellos with the Fencox family. You’ll be a tight-knit crew before you know it, but there’s nothing like a hearty welcome dinner of aromatic Bengali specialities to get the party started. Welcome to India!
Accommodation: Elgin Fairlawn (or similar), Kolkata
Included: Dinner
Day 2 – Guwahati
It’s day two and already time to hop on another flight, but that can only mean one thing — you’re headed somewhere a bit more far-flung! Guwahati is just over an hour by plane from Kolkata, a journey that would take up to 18 hours by train. While we know the Fencox crew certainly aren’t above a rail journey, we’ll save those precious minutes for different pursuits. Human-sized birds and silk villages instead, anyone?
Classic airport shenanigans are the pinnacle of your adrenaline-seeking today. This afternoon, if the sometimes fickle river conditions allow, shrug off the long journey with a sunset cruise, slipping along the Brahmaputra River.
Accommodation: The Lily Hotel (or similar), Guwahati
Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 – Sualkuchi
Rise and shine! The Silk Village of Assam is calling, and it’s an early wake-up call to beat the traffic. Listen for the click-clacking of the taat-xaal while roaming the village. Known formally as Sualkuchi, these traditional looms have been passed down for generations. You’ll spend the morning learning more about silk production and the unique Ahimsa silk worm breeding tradition, often thought to be a more ethical practice. The exquisite Muga or “golden silk” is unique to Sualkuchi.
As if today wasn’t already chock full of fascinating wonders, this afternoon, turn your gaze to the canopies in search of the greater adjutant stork. While they might look like the avian version of old men, with bald heads and knobby knees, these bizarre yet gentle beings were brought to the brink of extinction. Today, there’s a battalion of women who protect them. Known as the Hargila Army, named for the storks or “hargila” in Assamese, you’ll have the chance to meet Purnima Devi Barman, the leader of these stork guardians.
Accommodation: The Lily Hotel (or similar), Guwahati
Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 – Kaziranga National Park
Follow the Brahmaputra River today, tracking deeper into the floodplains to Kaziranga National Park, where the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceros hides. It’s a four-hour drive to reach your destination, but there’s always something fascinating out your window in India. Before you know it, you’ll be pulling up to the resort. Take a beat to settle in — we won’t blame you if a dip in the pool is in order!
The afternoon is reserved for lunch with a local woman who turns trash into treasure. Perched on the edge of the preserve, Rupjyoti Saikia Gogoi thought up a genius idea to combine plastic waste and cotton into thread that could be woven in traditional styles, helping to preserve Kazirunga, save countless animals, and support locals in one fell swoop.
Accommodation: Dhanshree Resort (or similar), Kazirunga
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5 – Kaziranga National Park
Strap on your boots this morning, you’re going on safari! Kaziranga isn’t just a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s home to one-horned rhinos; over 15 endangered mammals roam its savannahs, forests, and wetlands. Keep your eyes peeled for Asian elephants, tigers, bears, and panthers. There are four distinct ranges in the national park, but you’ll head for the Central Range, ideal for spotting elephants and rhinos.
After a morning searching for the park’s fauna, popping into the Orchid Biodiversity Park is in order. Over 600 varieties of orchids are found here, some of which have yet to be scientifically identified. Stop by a local village to see what life is like for locals who actually live within the park’s boundaries before it’s time for an afternoon cuppa. Tea heritage is integral to this region of India, cultivated for centuries. Several tea bungalows are scattered throughout the village, a reminder of a bygone era and the perfect spot for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Accommodation: Dhanshree Resort (or similar), Kazirunga
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 6 – Onto the Foothills of the Himalayas
Wave goodbye to the rhinos this morning, it’s time to leave Assam behind and cross borders into another state. Arunachal Pradesh is a remote corner of Northern India, crouched in the foothills of the Himalayas. Watch as the landscapes shift from grasslands to rolling, tree-shrouded knolls that stretch to the horizon. In four hours’ time, you’ll arrive in Itanagar, the regional capital.
Here, the Buddhist influence begins to heighten, something you’ll discover on an afternoon visit to a local temple. The State Museum is another must, a treasure trove that tells the story of Itanagar and the province as a whole through artefacts like musical instruments and intricately woven clothing from nearby tribes.
Accommodation: Voyage Eastin Suites (or similar), Itanagar
Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 – Matriarchal Tattoos
Kick off the morning by leaving the muggy lowlands behind. You’ll climb high to Ziro, a town situated at around 1,700 metres in elevation that looks as though it’s floating atop neon green rice paddies for most of the year. Hotels in this region of Arunachal Pradesh are bare bones and basic, but that doesn’t mean they’re not comfy! Get settled in and freshen up a bit because it’s time to head back into the streets with your guide.
The friendly faces of the Apatani people are waiting to greet you, although these faces may look a bit different than what you’re used to! The elderly matriarchs of the village still bear traditional facial tattoos, one line down the forehead and four down the chin, and yaping hullo, or wooden plugs, in either nostril. Once a cultural practice that was said to protect women from invaders, younger girls have shied away from this tradition that will no doubt soon disappear.
Accommodation: Ziro Palace Inn (or similar), Ziro
Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 – Hong Village
You’ll be up early this morning for a stroll into town for a steaming cup of chai. As you sip, watch the village come to life in quiet ritual, a far cry from the bumper-to-bumper traffic you experienced just days ago. Once you’ve fueled up, it’s time to journey into the rice paddies for a little lesson on local agriculture, or should we say “pisciculture”? This unique method combines the art of growing rice and raising fish, creating a mutually beneficial relationship between the two farming practices.
But don’t linger too long, you have two more villages to see! Head for the market in Hapoli, where you’ll also pay a visit to the Tarin Fish Farm. Tucked high in the mountains, these juveniles will eventually be transported to the rice paddies. Your grand finale is in Hong, one of the largest tribal villages left in Asia. Walking among the bamboo stick homes, immersing yourself in Apatani culture and witnessing daily traditions firsthand, you realise: this is a true pinch-me moment!
Accommodation: Ziro Palace Inn (or similar), Ziro
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 9 – The River Island – Majuli
Hop back in the bus this morning for a five-hour drive through topsy-turvy landscapes, teeming with a tangle of plant life. Nishi villages, with their unmistakable stilt homes that often sleep up to 70 people, will pass out your window. Soon, Majuli, the largest river island in the world, will appear on the horizon. You’ll nestle down here for the next two nights. Rest at the hotel, or head out for a little adventure with no strings attached.
Accommodation: Luit Hotel (or similar), Majuli
Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 – Samaguri Sattra & Mask Making
Surrounded by the mighty Brahmaputra River, Majuli is unique in more ways than one. A religious sect of Hinduism was founded here in the 15th century, eventually becoming the Neo-Vaishnavite movement that helped the region shed the caste system. You’ll pay a visit to some of the city’s Vaishnavite Satras with your guide, monastic centres that reveal the region’s spiritual history. Later in the morning, see behind the veil of the ancient Assamese art of mask-making. These unique face coverings were created for bhaonas, or Assamese dramas, and painted in vibrant colours that often depict local deities.
Remember those stilt homes that passed out your window yesterday? This afternoon, you’ll get to experience one in person, known locally as Chang Ghars. Their lofty architecture was designed to keep families dry during the heavy monsoon season — and to protect them from dangerous wildlife. Walking around the village, you’ll hear the now-familiar clacking of the taat-xaal looms, which can only mean one thing — the women are hard at work.
Accommodation: Luit Hotel (or similar), Majuli
Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11 – Nagaland
Strap in, Fencox family, because it’s a long journey to get to your final destination today. You’ll start the adventure with a lazy float down the Brahmaputra to Nimati Ghat, a humble port town, watching as the morning mist evaporates. From here, it’s about a five-hour drive through Assam’s dense forests to Mokokchung, a welcome reprieve from the heat.
Roads can be difficult to navigate in this region, and driving times are really more of a suggestion than a hard and fast rule, but get excited because you’re about to cross the border into Nagaland! Spend the afternoon in Longkhum Village, an Ao stronghold with panoramic views.
Accommodation: Whispering Winds (or similar), Nagaland
Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12 – British Hilltown of Kohima
Another day, another road trip! Come prepared with tunes and snacks, although we’re willing to bet you won’t be able to take your eyes off the window as you weave your way through the hillside along remote roads. Those more bare-bones hotels in Arunachal Pradesh are a thing of the past. Unpack and get cosy, you’ll be here for the next three nights!
A British-founded hill town in the misty foothills, Kohima is brimming with colonial history. Take the opportunity to venture out to the local market this evening for a true taste of Nagaland. Vibrant crafts, local flavours, and lively street life swirl together here in an intoxicating blend, and you’re invited to experience it all!
Accommodation: De Oriental Grand (or similar), Kohima
Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13 – Jakhama Village
Shake hands with Kohima this morning through the city’s most important sites. While few think of India as a WWII battleground, one of the region’s bloodiest conflicts took place here. Kick off the day by learning more about this lesser-known combat by visiting the Kohima War Memorial. The Kohima Cathedral is another can’t-miss, highlighting a unique blend of traditional and orthodox architecture. A behemoth chapel perched atop a hill, its towering crosses and tiered A-frame eaves make it one of the most recognisable churches in India.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a visit to the Naga Hills without popping in on a local village! This afternoon, you’ll head for Jakhama Village, just 18 kilometres from Kohima, for a glimpse into the daily lives of the Angami people, fierce resisters of British colonisation.
Accommodation: De Oriental Grand (or similar), Kohima
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 14 – Khonoma
Soak it all up today — tomorrow you’re headed back to bustling Kolkata. Khonoma is a “green village,” known for its sustainability practices, and you’ll have the chance to walk through its streets, peering inside the traditional morungs, intricately carved wooden learning centers, and a gathering place for village elders. Khonoma farmers practice alder-based techniques, harnessing the fertility of alder trees’ nitrogen-rich leaves to create a nutrient-dense soil. You’ll also pass beneath the town’s ceremonial gates, helping to fortify the village from invaders — including the British.
Drive a bit deeper into the countryside to discover the Dzuleke Village next, surrounded by rolling green hills. About 35 Angami families call this idyllic glen home, serving as a peaceful amuse bouche before heading back to Kohima. Spend the evening however you wish, but with 15 different tribes on its doorstep, seeking out local cuisine is a sure bet. Sip zutho, a delicious rice beer that’s perfectly accompanied by smoked pork stew, a Naga speciality.
Accommodation: De Oriental Grand (or similar), Kohima
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 15 – Kolkata
After two weeks of discovering India’s remote northern villages, it’s time to head back where it all began. Board the two-hour flight to Kolkata, where you’ll have plenty of time to relax at the hotel — or head to the markets in search of last-minute souvenirs.
Gather together a final time this evening with the Fencox crew for a farewell dinner you’ll never forget. Munch on Kolkatan favourites like kosha mangsho, a mutton curry served with luchi (puffed bread), or the Bengali speciality of aloo posto, a spiced potato dish, while recounting both unforgettable memories and inside jokes that could only come from an incredible adventure together.
Accommodation: Elgin Fairlawn (or similar), Kolkata
Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 16 – Farewell, Friends!
The time has come to say goodbye to your Fencox crew and India. Swap contact info and wipe away a few tears as you bid these new besties “Adieu!” From remote villages to endangered wildlife and epic road trips, this trip is sure to have been the stuff of everlasting memories. It’s high time to scurry home — or if you can’t pull yourself away, maybe your next adventure
Included: Breakfast
Trip Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Prior to the payment of your full balance, the final price may change if there is a significant variation in the AUD:INR exchange rate. Our trip pricing is determined by what the exchange rates are at the time of publishing the trip.
The pricing on this trip is based on an exchange rate of 1 AUD : 68.098 INR.
A deposit of 25% of the total trip price is required to secure your spot. Payment can be made by credit card (fees apply) or bank deposit.
There is a cooling-off period of 30 days. (Applicable to all bookings made at least 120 days before trip departure.)
We have implemented a ‘lifetime deposit’ guarantee. Deposits are not refundable, but they are transferable at any time, right up until the first day of the trip.
The final balance of the trip is required 95 days in advance of the departure date. Our suppliers require upfront payment well in advance to guarantee availability.
Please refer to the full terms and conditions for further information.
Australian and New Zealand passport holders are required to obtain an Indian e-Visa prior to travel. We recommend applying for your e-Visa within 120 days of your arrival in India. To assist with the application process, we will provide you with an instructions guide close to the time.
In addition, all foreign nationals travelling to India are required to complete an online e-Arrival Card. This must be submitted no earlier than 72 hours (3 days) before your arrival in India.
Please ensure both your e-Visa and e-Arrival Card are completed before departure, as they are required for entry into India.
Level 2 or Moderate
You’ll need a moderate level of fitness for this trip. If you can walk 3 – 4 hours at an easy pace on undulating and uneven ground, you’ll be fine. There will be days where you’ll be spending a lot of time on your feet and times when you’ll need to get on and off different types of transport. You may need to occasionally sit on the floor, and from time to time, you must be ok with using a squat toilet – we do our best to accommodate what you’re used to (all hotel rooms have sit-down toilets), but when you’re on the road, sometimes it’s the only choice available.
Activities are optional, meaning that if you don’t feel like it, you can skip them, but it will be impossible to enjoy your trip if you’re not able to do a walking tour for a full afternoon. Unfortunately, this tour cannot accommodate people requiring walking aids.
Most of our trips have a tip kitty because many cultures have interesting and diverse rules when it comes to tips. We’ve found it to be the easiest way to combat over-tipping, under-tipping or having the tip fall into the wrong hands. Our goal is for guests to relax and know that the complexities of tipping are taken care of, on their behalf.
We’ll be updating this section with the tipping amount and how it’s distributed, soon.
Luggage space in the vehicles used on this trip is limited, particularly in the more remote regions. We recommend travelling light and bringing no more than one suitcase and one small carry-on bag per person.
The weather in Northeast India can be unpredictable, and conditions can change quickly. We recommend bringing layers and rain gear, as rain is possible at any time during your journey.
This trip explores some of the most remote and least-visited regions of Northeast India. Road conditions in parts of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh can be poor, and ongoing maintenance works, traffic congestion, road blockages, strikes, or weather-related disruptions may occasionally affect travel times and sightseeing plans.
Please note that in Arunachal Pradesh, journey times are often determined more by road conditions and traffic than by distance. As a result, some travel days may be longer than expected.
To make the most of each day, departures are generally scheduled after an early breakfast. Starting early helps avoid traffic and ensures arrival at destinations before darkness falls and entry points close.
Air conditioning will not operate during hill drives due to the terrain and vehicle requirements.
Accommodation throughout Northeast India varies by destination and is generally chosen based on the best available options in each location.
In destinations such as Arunachal Pradesh, accommodation is often basic to very basic by international standards, and facilities may be more limited. Power outages, voltage fluctuations, limited hot water, and occasional service interruptions can occur. Some hotels may not have lift access, and room layouts and bedding configurations can vary.
In Ziro, accommodation options are particularly limited, and room categories may differ across the group due to the small number of available rooms.
Your accommodation will be private; in other words, no room-sharing with anyone, throughout the entire trip.
Most Fencox travellers tend to be in their mid-50s to mid-70s.
Generally, we have no upper age limit for our trips. But, it’s important for you to know that our trips can be physically demanding and we will chat to you about your suitability. We’ll provide you with details of the health and fitness must-haves for our trips; however, we clearly are not medical experts. We will need you to obtain proper and detailed medical advice at least two months before you travel for the latest health requirements, vaccination advice and recommendations for your destination.
Age 75+
Guests over 75 years old at the time of travel, or those with pre-existing health conditions may need to have medical clearance to ensure safe travel, and must have a doctor complete a ‘Certificate of Medical Fitness to Travel’ within 30 days of booking confirmation.
Minimum age
While it doesn’t happen often, we do get younger guests joining our trips! As a general rule, the minimum age is 15 at the time of travel. All travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or be accompanied by someone over the age of 18 appointed by their legal guardian.
International airfares are not included.
Being tour operators (not travel agents), we are not licensed to sell flights. We recommend contacting your trusted local travel agent to book flights if you’re in need of assistance.
This trip begins and ends in Kolkata, India. We recommend flying into and out of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU), Kolkata, where your included airport transfer will be waiting for you. Both arrival and departure transfers are included in the trip price.
For travellers from Australia and New Zealand, there are several convenient one-stop and two-stop flight options to Kolkata. Common transit hubs include Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Delhi, depending on the airline and departure city. Major carriers serving these routes include Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Air New Zealand (via partner airlines), Emirates, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, and Air India.
Return flights from Kolkata typically operate through the same international hubs before continuing on to Australia or New Zealand.
Yes! A friendly Fencox representative will meet you upon arrival and take you to either the Start Hotel (for Pre-Trip or Day 1 check-in) or to another hotel within a reasonable distance that you’ve independently booked as Alternative Pre-Trip Accommodation. At the end of your trip, we’ll see you off with a departure transfer from the Trip-End Hotel.
The official currency of India is the Indian Rupee (INR). Its symbol is ₹. There is no need to exchange AUD for INR before you leave Australia.
The opportunity to do laundry during your trip is possible and best left for stays that are for more than one night. Your guide will be able to assist with recommendations during your trip.
When visiting monasteries and other religious sites, both men and women are required to dress modestly. Full or half-sleeve shirts or t-shirts should be worn, along with full-length trousers or pants.
Yes. An Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Arunachal Pradesh and a Protected Area Permit (PAP) for Nagaland are required for this trip.
These permits must be applied for directly by guests prior to travel. Further information and application guidance will be provided before departure.
This trip travels through some of Northeast India’s most remote and least-visited destinations, where tourism infrastructure is still developing. While every effort is made to ensure a comfortable experience, occasional service interruptions or accommodation inconsistencies may occur.
We encourage guests to travel with an open mind, a sense of adventure, and a degree of flexibility. The region’s unique cultures, spectacular landscapes, and authentic experiences are often the highlight of the journey and more than reward those willing to embrace the unexpected.
In the unlikely event of a health or security related incident during a trip, we’ve engaged a local partner to assist. From our experience, there is not one framework that fits all, and every incident is unique and requires a different approach. With all trips, your guides are your day-to-day support. While behind the scenes, there is an active line of communication – between your guide, the on-ground support team, and Australian Ops.
Fencox was created because we had so many enquiries from men and women who had heard about our amazing Patch Adventures trips for women-only and wanted the opportunity to travel solo in the same way, only in a mixed group.
Fencox caters to both men and women who are solo travellers, have a genuine sense of adventure, are aged 55+, and are physically active and young at heart. Your fellow travel mates on a Fencox trip are inquisitive about the world and love exploring new travel destinations. Fencox travel mates love meeting new people, enjoy a good chat, and are happy to share a table with fellow travel mates for dinner.
If you’re travelling solo but don’t want to feel alone, this is your opportunity to share your travel experiences with other like-minded people. And best of all …. you’ll never pay a single supplement because everyone is guaranteed their own room!
