A birdwatcher’s guide to the Northeast
Local guides from two wildlife sanctuaries in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh on birds to look out for and handy tips for birders The Northeast is home to an enviable number of avian species both migratory and permanent residents across its many national parks. For the best birding experience, it makes sense to hire a local […]
Bwisagu – a new year celebration of the Bodo tribe.
Celebrating a new year in a Bodo homeA photo essay by Alongbar Basumatary taken on the 14th of April 2021 at his village near the town of Bongaigaon in west Assam. Assam as most states in India is primarily an agrarian society. Celebrations are based on harvests, planting of paddy and the lunar calendar. Most […]
A memorable account of a ten day leisure trip
In the past year, I have curated many different types of holidays for various budgets, interests and different age groups. One question I am frequently asked .. Do your trips include children? What will the young ones do? Are there activities that might interest teenagers? No, all our trips are not recommended for children below […]
Remnants of a Kingdom – Sivasagar
In the history of Assam, Sivasagar undoubtedly, holds pride of place. It was the seat of the Ahom kingdom for 6 hundred years of their tumultuous reign. The entire district is filled with ancient monuments, artefacts, parks, tanks, spurs and dykes and roads built by the Ahom kings. The name itself is derived from the […]
In the playground of the Snow Leopard
There is a small patch of land with a house on it, I visit so often in my mind. A crystal clear river flows below in front and behind lies a mountain covered with tropical trees . Tucked away in the land of ethereal beauty, the Deban forest guest house situated within the Namdapha National […]
Cook and serve – in Grandma’s kitchen
I miss my grandma’s kitchen for its warmth, there was always a snack available – hot out off the fire or something marinated in salt kept to make pickle. Many sultry afternoons my sister, Reema and I with the aid of a maid, while the rest of the family napped , have eaten raw mangoes […]
Watercrafts on the Brahmaputra
Ships, boats, ferries, planks are an integral part of the Brahmaputra. There are only three bridges on the river, whose entire length spans 2900 kms! The one at Sariaghat, near Guwahati, Assam has a rail bridge. Currently this is the only railway link to the all north eastern states of India. A fourth bridge is […]
Picnics on the river Brahmaputra
Winter in Assam is a time for outdoor activities – camping, wildlife watching, fishing, trekking and picnics. Most of these activities for my family revolved around the river Brahmaputra, where the water recedes post the monsoon and islands form. These sandbanks that are teaming with wildlife, especially migratory birds. I remember once my father […]