Textile Tour of Manipur and Assam

25 Nov - 7 Dec '21

12 Nights / 13 Days

The northeast of India! There’s no better way to get acquainted with this little-known geographical and historical region than it’s textile and people. Drive through ‘Instagramable’ scenic countryside to visit weavers of ethnic tribes and communities.

To gather deeper insight into the lives and traditions of each community, we have arranged for locals to take you around their villages, organised demonstrations in the courtyards of the artisan’s homes and a chance to explore their specific traditional dresses and jewellery. 

After all, it is the human connect behind every craft that makes it special.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01 - Delhi international airport

Arrive at Delhi Airport.

Our representative will meet you outside arrival, transfer you to your hotel and assist with check in. 

Rest for couple of hours and after a late breakfast visit a few of the interesting places in the capital which have a rich history and is a thriving metropolitan. Evening at leisure in the hotel. 

Day 02 - Delhi - Imphal

Morning check out and our representative will assist in transferring you to the domestic airport for your ongoing flight to Imphal. Arrive via a midday flight at Imphal Airport where your tour guide will meet you and transfer you to the hotel. 

Late afternoon visit the RKCS ART Gallery. A family run private museum which through beautifully composed oil canvas painted by the late Rajkumar Chandrajitsana Singh portrays the history of Manipur.

A wonderful introduction to their traditional customs, costumes apart and history. We have requested the Artist’s son or grandson to walk you through the museum.

After that drive to Langei village situated half an hour from Imphal to meet the weavers of  a co-operative center. This center employs a 100 back strap loom weavers and will encourage you to try your hand at using their looms and explain the significance of the different colour patterns to the local community. The center also supports an open air restaurant which uses organic produce grown there. Dinner will be arranged here. 

Day 03 - Imphal

Morning drive to Makhaan village, a 40 mins drive from Imphal to the foothills surrounding the city to meet weavers from the Liangmai tribe.

They will take you around the village and introduce you to their weaves. A weaving demonstration has been organized for you and you can buy directly from the artisans. Return to Imphal and visit the historic Kangla fort. This fort is considered sacred to the local people and once was home to the kings of Manipur and the birthplace of modern polo, now a popular sport the world over.

Afternoon have lunch at a local restaurant and visit the famed Ima keithel, a 300 year old market that sells everything from textiles to local produce. You can visit a few shops too. Dinner will be at the hotel where a few locals have been invited to join you for a meal.  A great way to gain an insight into local culture through light hearted impromptu conversations. 

Day 04 - Imphal to Loktak Lake, Moirang

Morning check out and leave for  Moirang, an hour drive, with two stops en route.

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1. The beautifully curated peace museum set up by the Japanese Government as a homage to the soldiers who lost their lives during The Second World War.

2. Explore a weaving cluster in Bishnupur, known for their skillful weaving. The weavers in their serene, rustic homesteads mainly work with unbleached silk yarns and cotton.  One of the products is a thin, large, gauzelike stole called Rani phi.  Similar to the Jamdani, this delicate fabric is painstakingly woven and is an essential part of a Meitei woman’s traditional attire. You can watch them work and buy directly from them. 

There will be a demonstration on how the traditional sarong known as phanek is worn. 

Lunch will be on the way to the next destination. Check into the hotel which overlooks the scenic Loktak lake by late afternoon. It is the largest fresh water lake in the northeast. Great spot to take in the sunset views 

and to catch up on sketching, photography, meditation or selfies. 

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Evening at leisure. 

Day 05 - Loktak Lake, Moirang

Morning explore the lake via a local boat ride to a floating phumdis where a small homestay is located to experience life on one. Phumdis are unique to this lake and are made up of plant matter and resemble huge floats.

Day 06 - Moirang - Imphal Airport - Guwahati

Check out after breakfast and transfer to the Imphal airport for your ongoing flight to Guwahati, Assam. Arrive at Guwahati Airport via an afternoon flight. Be greeted by your driver and transfer to your hotel. 

Evening visit a retail store cum studio of a textile designer who will introduce you to Muga yarn. A special type of indigenous silk yarn that is cultivated only in Assam. Explore Fabrics and designs created using this yarn known for its natural dull gold finish and currently is the most expensive silk yarn in the world. Dinner will be in a private residence where you will get to interact with your charming hostess. 

Day 07 - Around Guwahati

Morning take an hour’s drive to the village of Bijoynagar for a workshop with a master natural dyer and create your own tie dyed eri silk stole which you can take back with you. This activity will take 3 hours. In between the workshop enjoy a walk through this lovely Assamese village, visit the home of one or two eri yarn hand spinners for a demonstration. Eri again is a wild silk indigenous to the region and known for its thermal qualities. It is also known as the ahimsa silk as the yarn is spun only after the butterfly leaves the cocoon.

At one time it was a common sight to see women hand spin the indigenous yarns for weaving but now the practice is dying out. 

On the way back to the hotel go for a short sunset cruise on the river Brahmaputra. Evening at leisure in the hotel.

Day 08 - Guwahati - Kaziranga

After an early breakfast check out and drive for 4 hours to Kaziranga.

En route there will be one or two stops for tea and to take in the view. Check into your hotel in time for a late lunch.

Evening a cultural performance will be arranged either in the hotel premises or at the forest department enclosure. 

Day 09 - Kaziranga

Morning 7 AM jeep safari to the eastern part of the sanctuary. The dress code is outdoor clothing, sun cap and walking shoes in neutral colours. 

Return to the hotel for breakfast. Midday relax in the hotel. 

The afternoon jeep safari will be inside the central range for which the dress code is outdoor clothing, sun cap and walking shoes in neutral colours.

Report to the hotel lobby by 2 pm.

Evening catch up on your souvenir shopping and  dinner will be either in a traditional Assamese restaurant or in a private village residence.

Day 10 - Kaziranga - Balipara

Check out after breakfast and visit the orchid park situated nearby which houses about 200 different types of orchids that grow in the region. It has a small textile and craft museum attached to it.

Proceed to Tezpur which situated near the north bank of the Brahmaputra river and is 2 hours away.

Enjoy lunch at an old colonial club built during the hey days of the British rule in India en route. A visit has been planned to a village situated near the river banks to interact with the weavers over chai and to explore life in a typical Assamese village. Check into the heritage tea stay bungalow located in a tea estate.

Evening there will demonstration on how to wear the mekhela chador, the traditional Assamese outfit.

Day 11 - Around Balipara

Morning set out for Nameri and enjoy a rafting session  in the gentle rapids of the Nameri river with the views of the eastern Himalayan range as a backdrop.

Have lunch at a nearby campsite. 

Visit Potashali, a Mishing tribe village located nearby. Here a local guide will walk you through the village and introduce you to weavers who weave at home. The Mishing women are skilled weavers and use both the back strap and frame looms. There will be a demonstration on how the traditional outfit is worn and a few products for sale. Evening  there will a tea tasting session and  high tea at the  bungalow. 

Day 12 - Balipara - Tezpur - Balipara

Morning visit the Tezpur Mahila Samiti, one of the oldest women's co-operative in the country. One of the committee member will take you around and provide you anecdotes from its 100 year old history including how clothes for the Dalai Lama were made.

Watch a weavers training session in progress. 

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Lunch will be at a private residence or a popular restaurant.

Afternoon visit a cane/ bamboo furniture unit. Then visit the local market to see the variety of indigenous produce and a few traditional textile store.

Return to the bungalow by tea time. Evening enjoy a drink by a bonfire recapping your trip as it will your last night in Assam.

Day 13 - Balipara - Guwahati Airport - Delhi Airport

Morning enjoy a walk through the tea estate with a tea expert before check out.

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Drive to Guwahati airport , 3 hours driving time. Enjoy a light lunch before transferring to the airport. Your tour guide will bid you farewell after arranging porters to assist you. 

Our representative in Delhi will meet and help you transfer from the domestic to the international airport for your ongoing flights. 

End of Tour

Accommodation

Imphal - Classic Grande

Room category - Executive deluxe

https://classicgrande.com/booking.php

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Moirang - Sendra Park and Resort

Room category - Deluxe lake facing

https://www.classicgroupofhotels.com/sendra/

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Guwahati - The Guwahati Address

Room category - Executive Classic

https://www.theguwahatiaddress.com/rooms-tariff/

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Kaziranga - Iora Resort or Infinity Resorts 

Room category - Luxury or Executive cottage

https://iorahotels.com/iora-the-retreat     

           https://www.infinityresorts.com/infinity-resorts-kaziranga/

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Calipara - The Wild Mahseer 

Room category - Heritage Bungalow Room

https://wildmahseer.com

Cost of Tour

Min 2 persons sharing:

USD2,631

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Supplements:

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Single: USD1,187

Note:

Rate valid to 30 June 2021

Payment Terms:

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• 50% of cost upon booking

• 50% 45 days prior to arrival in India

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Cancellation Terms:

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• 45 days prior to arrival in India: Nil, after deducting charges

• 30 days prior to arrival in India: 50% of total billing

• 20 days or less prior to arrival in India: No refund

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Flight Ticket Cancellation:

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• 30 days prior to arrival in India: internal flights (if issued non-refundable ticket), will refund as per airline policy after deducting our handling charges.

Inclusions and Exclusions

Inclusions:

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• All accommodation and daily 3 major meals

• All transportation by SUV Ertiga Suzuki or Innova

• Local guides where mentioned in the itinerary and tour guide

• All jungle safaris with Naturalist in Kaziranga 

• Safe drinking water & dry snacks & juice during transfer 

• Entry fees and activity charges as mentioned in the itinerary 

• Textile demonstrations, raw materials and workshops

• All applicable government taxes & levies, as on date 

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Exclusions:

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• Travel and Medical Insurance

• Domestic airfares will be charged based on airline rates at the time of travel - estimated at $206

• Personal expenses for beverages, snacks, telephone calls, laundry, internet, alcohol

• All expenses arising out of voluntary or involuntary rerouting of the itinerary 

• Tips and gratuities 

• Video camera fees at monuments 

• International Airfares