The lockdown has however compelled me to try my hands in something else. As travelling seemed to be a plan so distant, I felt like penning down my experience of visiting some of the wonderful places in Assam, places which are full of nature’s blessings yet talked about less… places that need to be appreciated more ….

‘Dima Hasao’ the place to be, I did not know much about the beautiful district until the late 90’s. I decided to do a little bit of research before visiting the place and this is what was in store for me. It was earlier known as North Cachar hills.

Dominated by the Dimasa people, the mighty river Brahmaputra is known as Dilao (long river) in the region.  Not only the river Brahmaputra but many other rivers in Assam even now use the names given by Dimasas. Many of the important towns and cities in Assam and Nagaland are named after the words that the Dimasas gave, such as Diphu, Dimapur (a capital of the Dimasa Kingdom), Hojai, Khaspur, etc.

One of the feel good factors that Dima Hasao possesses, is it’s pleasant weather all through the year. While winter is colder than many parts of Assam, summers are pleasant to visit Dima Hasao and get away with the scorching heat in other parts of the state.

What to visit in Dima Hasao:

The district has a huge Tourism potential in the areas of Adventure, Nature / Wildlife, Culture and Archaeology.

Adventure is something you will never miss while travelling to DimaHasao. Being the only Hill station of Assam it has huge potential in Adventure Tourism

A village called Gunjung in Dima Hasao is an ideal place for Adventure Tourism. It was once the headquarters of the British in the district. Some structures of colonial buildings are still visible in this village. The village acts as a perfect host for adventure sports’ activities like Paragliding, MTB and Rock Climbing. Apart from this, it is also a beautiful place for bird watching and trekking. If you want to experience this place in full, I would highly recommend you to get a guide from the village and hire a MTB bicycle to move around the place.

Dima Hasao boasts of some of the highest peaks and innumerable waterfalls in Assam.

This place is also called the ‘Green Lungs of Assam’ because of it’s lush green forests and hills. The highest peak stands at 1932 mts in the Sub Himalayas or the Borail range. If you can scale these peaks, it will give you a spectacular view of the sunrise.

Let me tell you an interesting fact about a small village called Jatinga. During the months of September to November, it is known for a mysterious phenomenon of migratory birds being drawn to lights during night time. Scientists and ornithologists have been trying to explore and understand why birds behave in such a peculiar manner. This phenomenon has made Jatinga, of Dima Hasaoa, a sensation across the globe.

The Amur Falcon, a small raptor of the falcon family which breeds in south-eastern Siberia and Northern China migrates in large flocks to Southern and East Africa across the Arabian Sea and stops over at DimaHasao.They can be sighted during the months of November and December. Primates like Hollock Gibbon, Slow lorris, etc are some of the other rare species which are found in this district.

Dima Hasao is a land of diverseness. The district is populated by various peoples and races who maintain their own dialect, culture, customs and a way of living. The Dimasa community, which once ruled over the larger part of the state, began to shrink with the rising power of the Ahom state that ruled for about six hundred years. Two hundred years of colonial rule completely decimated the medieval Dimasa state and today they are mostly concentrated in the district of Dima Hasao. Maibang, one of the capitals of the medieval Dimasa state is located in this district, where dilapidated brick structures of huge palace complexes are visible. Other capital cities like Dimapur in Nagaland, Khaspur in Cachar districts, Kasomari in Doyang, Dhansiri Valley in Golaghat are some of the remains out of many that speaks of the way the Dimasa state had in this part of the world.

Primarily an oral society, Dimasa culture is rich in traditions, social structures, belief system, textile and cuisine etc. They follow a descent system where both male and female clans are used parallely, which is known as double descent anthropologically. Their traditional rice brew stands out in taste, flavor and colour which is due to use of unique variety of herb and rice cultivar.

The Archaeological Richness:

The archaeological potential of the district was first illuminated by J.H. Hutton and J.P Mills in 1932. They reported about the existence of several Monolithic stone jar sites in the district which are very unique burial jars and not found anywhere in India. Only Laos and Indonesia have parallel examples of such stone jar sites. There are ten reported sites in the district so far of which one is the largest site in the world with more than four hundred jars.

Haflong is the headquarters of DimaHasao, where you can find good hotels such as :Hotel Landmark, Nathao Lodge, etc. You can also find a good number of homestays. In Gunjung they have a renovated old British bungalow for accommodation. For someone on a budget trip, tents and Homestays are also easily available.

Nearest Airport is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport (Guwahati). Night and Day buses ply regularly from Guwahati to Haflong from ISBT (330Kms). Nearest railway station is ‘New Haflong Station’.There are direct trains plying regularly to Haflong from Guwahati (6 hours journey).

How to  visit Dima Hasao:

If you are someone who is interested in traveling to Haflong, I am leaving behind an itinerary for you that will come in handy. The knowledge and information that I gathered about this unique destination DimaHasao has surely left me spellbound.

Day 1: Guwahati to Haflong

The journey from Guwahati to Haflong is a total of 334 Kms. You drive to Haflong via NH27, crossing Lumding, Lagting, Kalachand, Maibang, Mahur and Jatinga. The journey approximately takes 6 to 7 hours. You can stay overnight at Haflong.

Day 2: Gunjung

After a good breakfast, drive to Samparadisa Village. From here you can trek to BendaoBeglai waterfall. You can enquire about a unique lunch prepared by the locals. This lunch is cooked in bamboo and also serves dishes made from bamboo. After lunch, travel to Gunjung. You can camp at Gunjung or stay in a British bungalow or find a place in someone’s home. Enjoy a wonderful night under the sky at Gunjung with Judima (a local rice brew known for its taste and flavour) accompanied by folk tales from the guides.

Day 3: Gunjung

Early morning you can go for a 4 km trek in the wilderness of Gunjung through jhum cultivation. If lucky, you may hear the welcome note from Hollock Gibbon. Take rest and after that explore a neolithic archaeological site at a village nearby and the paragliding site. In the evening you can enjoy the beautiful sunset from Gunjung view point. Post this, you can enjoy a short cultural performance by the local youths with light refreshments. Night stay at Gunjung.

Day 4: Gunjung – Panimur Waterfall to Guwahati

Early morning you can drive to Panimur waterfall which is 92 kms from Gunjung and from there you can drive back to Guwahati.

Notably, Dima Hasao is one of the few places in India that is connected with Vistadome train coaches. The coaches are operational two days a week. A journey from Guwahati to New Haflong station will cost you around Rs.1200. With this new service and improved pandemic situation, the hill station is expecting increased footfall than the past few years.

North-East is connected with the rest of India by a narrow “Siliguri corridor” and shares about 90% of the international boundary with China, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Bhutan. The official languages of the region are Assamese, Manipuri, Bengali, Bodo, English, Garo, Khasi and Kokborok. Given below are the 10 reasons for visiting North-East India.

To get close to the native of the land:

A land or a region is known by the people living in it. North-East being extensively covered by sheet of lush green hills is habited by nature loving tribal people. Among the numerous tribes, the prominent tribes having a substantial population are the Nagas and their many sub-tribes, Apatanis, Bodos, Karbis, Mizos, Khasis, Garos, Hmars, Dimasas, Bhutias. Besides the tribal of the hills, there are also people dwelling in the plains, like the Manipuri, Assamese, Nepali and Bengali.

To know the roots of the enriching tradition:

The rich culture of numerous indigenous ethnic groups is sustained by its diverse tradition. One can witness the traditional art of tattoo making among the Apatani tribesmen. There is also the tradition of martial arts, practiced by many ethnic groups, most famous being the world renowned “Thang-ta”. Matriarchal lineage is common among the Khasi people of Meghalaya.

To live in the traditional values of North-East:

A true confluence of culture, North-East has a very rich heterogeneous socio-cultural history. Harmony with the environment; and tranquillity between the tribes are the two founding pillar of North-Eastern culture. As diverse as it can get, one has to make an objective study to get to the roots of its socio-cultural background. The people of North-East practice religion in the form of Hinduism (Bodo, Dimasa, Tripuri, Assamese, Manipuri), Animism (Apatani, Karbi), Buddhism (Chakma, Lepcha), Christianity (Khasi, Garo, Hmar, Mizo, Naga) and Islam (Assamese, Bengali and Manipuri Muslim).

To taste the delicacies of the region:

Food enthusiast, get your tummy empty because North-east is going to stuff your tummy until it explodes. Just Kidding! Well, honestly speaking, North-eastern cuisine is among the lesser known cuisines of India. So, it will definitely open a new window to your taste buds which is also a healthy option. Momos of Sikkim, Iromba of Manipur, Thukpa of Arunachal Pradesh, Smoked Pork of Nagaland, Tenga Fish of Assam, Awan Bangwi of Tripura, Bai of Mizoram, Jadoh of Meghalaya are one of the best delicacies of its respective states.

To witness the diverse fauna of North-East:

About 60% of each of the states of Northeast India is covered by forest resource, and the region boast over having a number of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Kaziranga National Park is renowned all over the world for its Rhino, Manas National Park have well established itself as one of the best Tiger Reserve. National Parks (Of Manipur) has the most precious Sangai. Sepahijala have a considerable population of clouded leopard. Red Panda, Western Hoolock Gibbon, Phayre’s Leaf Monkey are the endangered species of the region.

To unleash the beast of adventure:

Designated as the hub or paradise for adventure sports. Northeast have over the years proved beyond excellence that is one of the best destinations for adventure junkies. North-East can offer all that you demand, be it paragliding, river rafting, etc.

To listen to the music that’ll touch your soul:

The music of North-East is quite refined and can be divided into Folk music and Urban music. Both are in sharp contrast with each other while maintaining the equilibrium of melody. The presence of folk music with traditional bamboo instrument is felt in the countryside where as the urban music of genres like Rock, Pop, Jazz and Hip-Hop have always remain in the urban scene. North-East in the recent years have become a rising platform for indigenous and international bands.

To get a panoramic view of the raw natural beauty:

God’s own creation North-East is blessed with raw natural beauty. From the calmness of the Gurudongmar Lake, one of the highest lakes in the world, in Sikkim to the ferocity of Krang Suri Waterfall in Shillong, from the emerald island of Loktak of Manipur to the living root bridge in Meghalaya, North-East is renowned for its raw natural beauty.

To spend some days in the high altitude:

Planning for a romantic holiday with your loved one, then you have reached the right destination as North-East being surrounded by verdant hills, is bestowed with romance evoking hill-stations. Shillong, Haflong, Tawang, Gangtok and many other hill-stations with breathtaking views are scattered across the region.

To get indulged in the festivities of North-East:

Festivals are an integral part of our life. It reflects the culture, tradition and folk music of the Native people of North-East. In short, all the seven colours of the North-East is reflected by its festivals. So get along with your family and indulge yourself in the most colourful festivals of the region like the Hornbill festival of Nagaland, Bihu festival of Assam, Wangala Festival of Meghalaya, Torgya Monastery Festival of Arunachal Pradesh, Laiharaoba Festival of Manipur, Kharchi Puja of Tripura and Anthurium festival of Mizoram.

North- East is a land of diversity and in this diversity one can find simplicity of livelihood. But North-East has more to offer than just that. So I advice you to keep your eyes open and get prepared to be mesmerised by the dazzling natural beauty and warmth of the people.

Here is a list of top ten sites for camping and trekking in the Northeast:

Namdapha Rain Forest Trek:

Located in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh Namdapha National Park is recognized as one of the richest areas in biodiversity and is also the third largest national park in India in terms of area. This trek takes you through the dense evergreen rainforests where you can lose yourself to the wilderness.

Eagle Nest Trek:

The Eagle Nest Wildlife Sanctuary in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh hosts one of the finest birdlife assemblages that India has to offer. The sanctuary adopted its name from the Red Eagle division of the Indian Army. Trekking starts from Bhalukpong( 260kms from Guwahati) around Kameng/JiaBhorelli river to Eagle’s Nest,a 120kms journey through the forests rising from 500m to 3200m altitude .

Trek to the Beyul of Pemako:

After trekking for about 8 days and covering a distance of 300kms from Tuting you’ll reach Pemako. At Pemako you’ll be left astounded by the indescribable beauty of the Beyuls .Beyuls are hidden valleys encompassing hundreds of square kilometres. Pemako is located in Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. This place one of the best places in Northeast for trekking as it will test the limit of any adventurer. But the end result is more than worthwhile as you become one of the few people on earth to witness the unbelievable beauty of the Beyuls.

Bornodi Wildlife Sanctuary Trek:

This sanctuary is situated on the foothills of Himalayas bordering Bhutan in the north and in Udalguri district and Baksa district of Assam. With the picturesque Bornodiriver flowing on its western part the sanctuary is a great place for birding. Trekking , Camping and Rafting are allowed inside the sanctuary once you get permission from the Forest Office.

Trekking at Pobitora:

Pobitora National Park is one hour drive from Guwahati city. The park is famous for one horned rhinos but trekking on the banks of the river Brahmaputa is an experience one should never miss . It is a one day trek that starts from Mayong to Hiloikhunda spotting hornbill and river dolphins.

David Scott Trail:

Blessed with mesmerizing natural elements like cascading waterfalls,crystal clear streams gushing down from mountains, scenic valleys covered with green pastures and forests groves this route is one of the most popular trekking routes in Meghayala. This trail route is separated into smaller trekking routes. The one day route in David Scott Trail expands up to 16kms and can be covered in four hours. The whole route is spread in over 100kms and takes five days to get covered on foot.

Dzukou Valley Trek:

Situated at the border of Nagaland and Manipur at an altitude of 2438m above sea level the Dzukou valley is popularly known as the “Valley of Flowers of the Northeast”. Famous for its wide range of flowers in every season it can be reached in five hours of trek from Mt. Isii of Senapati district of Manipur.

The Bailey Trail Trek:

This trek in the high eastern Himalayas of Western Arunachal Pradesh offers an experience through some breath taking landscapes of virgin pine , oak and rhododendron forests. You’ll be crossing high mountain passes ,high altitude lakes, glacial streams and tribal villages of the fascinating Monpa tribe.

Dibru-Saikhowa Trek:

Trekking in Dibru Saikhowa is an experience you should never miss as you get to pierce through the dense and scattered forests on foot witnessing nature in its most purest and untouched form. It is a 15-16kms of trekking and on your way you can rest under the magnificient age old trees. You can also spend your day in the interspersed island playing beach volleyball.

Trek to the Shiroi Kashong Peak:

The Shiroi Hill in Manipur is blessed with rare and endangered species of Shirui Lily(Siroy Lily). 100 kms from Imphal the height of Shiroi Kashong is about 2986 meters. From the peak one can see the panoramic view of Myanmar, Ukhrul Town and Saramati Mountains of Nagaland. The sweet perfume of the flowers cover the entire Kashong hill range and its surroundings.

P.S: The challanges to Manipur Siroy the habitat of the Siroy lily is threatened with the intensive tourists activities. The State Forest Department as well as different NGOs are working hard to save and conserve the habitat. Even plucking a blade of grass from the valley is prohibited and fined. So lets do our part as tourist and help them conserve this paradise of a place to conserve its beauty.