Highlights

Imphal – Imphal, the capital of Manipur, is known for its historical significance during World War II. The city is also famous for its traditional Manipuri dance forms, handloom and handicrafts

IMA Market –The 300 year old IMA Keithel, popularly known as the ‘Mother’s Market’ is one of the largest markets run entirely by women in the world.

Loktak Lake – The largest  freshwater lake in India is covered with organic biomass known as Phumdis. Unique to this lake, these phumdis are large floating biomass matter, and help provide livelihood for as many as 4,000 fishermen and their families, who live along the lake in small huts.

Kohima – Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland is renowned for its historical significance as the site of the World War II Battle of Kohima. The city offers a mix of natural beauty, tribal culture, and a bustling market.

Kohonoma – Khonoma has traditionally been a warrior village with a proud history of battle prowess and a few incidents with the British forces.  The village has beautiful, terraced farms on one side and an Alder wood forest on the other.  Khonoma has adopted a unique way of wildlife conservation that is now a model for the region.

Dimapur – is a vibrant commercial hub known for its cultural diversity. The city is dotted with ancient ruins, such as the Kachari Ruins and the Triple Falls, offering glimpses into its historical past.

Majuli – Majuli is the largest river island in the world (over 350 square kms). It is home to the Mishing tribe who are always ready to share a glass of their home brewed rice beer and demonstrate their intricate weaving skills. Visit the Satras (Vaishnavite monasteries) and Mishing villages.

Kaziranga  – This is the home to the One Horned Rhino along with many other animals, including tigers, elephants, panthers and bears, and more than 450 species of birds. 

Guwahati –  well-known for its vibrant textile industry. The city is a hub for traditional handloom and textile production, offering a wide range of fabrics in Assamese silk, especially Muga silk and Eri silk.

This itinerary is suitable for travel any time between October to May. It is possible to combine a visit to the Sangai Festival in Imphal and the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland if you travel to Manipur in late November and move onto Kohima within the first week of December. Please call us to discuss this in more detail. 

This exploration of textile and traditional dress tour of 3 states in the north east of India has been curated to appeal to all lovers of textile, fashion and culture. Assam, Manipur and Nagaland  create some of the best hand woven textiles in the country. Drive through scenic countryside to visit weavers of various tribal communities. 

You will also get to attend demonstrations and workshops with master artisans of various communities, interact with young designers and craft entrepreneurs.

To gather deeper insight into the lives and traditions of each community, we have arranged locals to take you around their village, organized demonstrations in the home of the artisans and showcase their specific traditional dress and jewelry. After all, it is the human connection behind every craft that makes it special.

Day 1 – Imphal Airport – Imphal 

Arrive at Imphal Airport and transfer to your hotel.   Late afternoon visit the RKCS Museum and Kangla Fort. 

Day 2 – Imphal

After an early breakfast your local guide will meet you at the hotel and head out to Moirang for the day.  A quick stop to  visit the Peace Museum which is dedicated to those who were killed in WW2, and the battles against the Japanese. Lunch at a local artisan home. Continue to Loktak Lake and visit a home weaving textiles from water hyacinth fibre. Late afternoon do a traditional boat ride on Loktak Lake for sunset. Return to Imphal in the evening.  

Day 3 – Imphal

Morning visit a local weaving village where they produce rani-phi, a traditional Meitei textile. Continue to Andro, where you can see local hand made pottery, salt making and rice beer making.

Day 4 – Imphal – Kohima  

This morning transfer by road to Kohima.  En route stop at Jakhama Village for lunch overlooking the paddy fields. Late afternoon visit local markets and textile shops.

Day 5 – Kohima 

This morning visit the War Cemetery, local museum and cathedral. Afternoon 

Day 6 – Kohima – Dimapur

 Check out after breakfast and travel to the village of Khonoma. Our local guide here will walk you through the village and explain the history of the village.

Afternoon drive further to Dimapur and check in. 

Day  7 – Dimapur

This morning enjoy a textile demonstration followed by lunch – afternoon visit a cane furniture and basket maker. Evening dinner at a farmhouse.

Day  8 – Dimapur – Majuli Island

Today you will leave Nagaland and drive to the plains of Assam.  After breakfast check out latest by 8.30am and drive to Nimati Ghat to catch one of the public ferry services to the Majuli island. Meet your local guide who will take you to a Mising Village. Enjoy tasting some traditional beer and dinner at a Mising house.

Day  9 – Majuli Island

This morning explore a Mishing village and meet the weavers, try a mekhala and a chance to buy textiles direct from the weavers. Aftrernoon  visit a local satra, where the mask makers will walk you through their workshop and put on a performance.

Day  10 – Majuli –  Kaziranga 

After breakfast drive to the ferry point. Catch the 10.30 -11am ferry to reach Nimati Ghat on the mainland. There will be another vehicle to pick you up and drive you to Kaziranga. Drive duration is about 2 hours. Stop for lunch at a local weaver’s house before checking into your hotel on the fringes of Kaziranga. Late afternoon visit the Orchid Park.

Day  11 – Kaziranga – Guwahati

Morning Jungle safari, before returning to hotel for breakfast and check out. Drive to Guwahati.

Day  12 – Guwahati

Today visit a muga silk weaving artisan and alternate fiber weaving workshop

Day  13 – Guwahati

Today visit a nearby village and meet eri silk weavers, a master dyer who uses natural dye techniques and enjoy a traditional homemade Assamese lunch. 

This evening final opportunity for some shopping.  

Day 14 – Guwahati – Guwahati Airport 

After breakfast check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport.