Two different worlds in one trip. One, the largest riverine island in the world, the other a valley famous for it’s picture postcard paddy fields and pine groves, dense forests and pine groves.
Majuli of Assam, surrounded by the mighty Bramhaputra, Subansiri and Kherkutia is the home of Mising, Deori, Sonowal Kachari tribal people, some of whom migrated to this island, from the banks of Hwang Ho and Yang-ze-kiang, via Arunachal Pradesh, many generations back. Apart from these tribes Majuli is also the home of hindu Assamese, majority of who are Vaishnavites. Majuli became a major hub of Vaishnavism with the establishment of satras which started around 15th Century. In the tour you will visit many of those satras which has carefully preserved ancient artifacts such as weapons, utensils, jewelry, and other culturally significant items.
Apart from the religious and spiritual ethos, this wetland is a habitat for various rare and endangered avian species, particularly migratory birds that visit during the winter. Notable species include the greater adjutant stork, pelican, siberian crane, whistling teals. You will also see yellow bitterns fishing eagles, lineated barbets, oriental magpie robins, shrikes, redstarts, lesser adjutant storks, kingfishers and many many more. In case you want to skip the satra trail and take your camera to click photos of birds, just let us know. And if you are a super-active person, there are beautiful village cycling trails that you might want to pedal on. Cycles and a local guide can be arranged on request and an additional cost.
Ziro valley, the land of the Donyi Polo worshippers, falls under the sub Himalayan climatic zone. Also called the Apatani valley, the valley is crisscrossed by major rivers like Khree, Panior, Kime, Ranga and Pange which make the soil extremely fertile for paddy cultivation. Ziro valley with its rolling hills, pine forests, bamboo groves , kiwi orchards and beautiful people looks like a dreamland. We love to visit Ziro valley in the months of March and September. In March they have their very own, week-long, harvest festival Myoko. Dressed in traditional garbs the Apatanis add colour to an already colourful surrounding. In September the bright cosmos flowers everywhere render the valley replendent.
It is said that the Apatani tribe may be traced back to Mudo Suppung, now in Tibet, migrated to this valley in the Eastern Himalayas, at least 20 generations back. Their rich history is preserved through oral traditions, folklores and tales. You will find the people here converse fluently in English and Hindi. The language Apatani is spoken in 7 villages in Ziro valley, namely Hong, Hari, Biilla, Dutta, Hija, Mudang-Tage, and Bamin Michi. Rice, fish,millet vegetables and sometimes pork are the hallmark of Apatani cuisine. Their food is simple and nutritious and almost always cooked in bamboo segments without oil.
