welltraveledbrit

We're thinking about a trip at the end of the year and currently we're a bit all over the place as there are far too many possibilities and not enough focus, which is a general problem we have! However, focus may have arrived in the form of an itinerary sent by a guide we've used previously who's setting up his own business and suggested a trip to Nagaland which is in the far eastern corner of India, directly north of Burma and east of both Bhutan and Bangladesh.

We have been to NE India before. A few years ago we spent ten days on the Assam Bengal Navigation boat down the Brahamaputra so we have seen a bit of Assam - I didn't post a TR because what more could be added to dogster's description? Anyway, we're now considering areas that are further out . If you've been to Nagaland or Meghalaya could you give us some impressions of what you enjoyed? Did you make it to the Hornbill Festival? We'd be traveling with a guide and he would take care of the permits needed to travel in this area.

We love to travel to places with cultural or historical interest that feel distant to us so it could be a good match. Anyway there's a possibility we may combine Nagaland with Burma (not traveling overland as the border may be closed to foreigners) or Bangladesh.

Thanks very much.

kikiv

I have not been to Nagaland yet but would love to hear about your trip and I hope that you will write a report after you get back. I bet there are many in this forum that would enjoy reading about your experience.

Kathie

I've not been to Nagaland yet, but would love to visit. I corresponded for a while with a guy who had traveled there. I was interested in the far north of Burma. As you probably know, Naga lands straddle that border. The Naga lands in Burma are off limits. You will need to get a permit to go to Nagaland in India, bur I understand the permit is pro-forma.

I did a bit of research on Nagaland the year we went to Sikkim. I think your trip will be fascinating. Do come back and tell us all about it.

welltraveledbrit

Thanks for the replies, I'm still hoping we'll all hear from someone who has been there If we go we'll certainly let you know what it's like.

Yes Kathie the permit seems like something the guide can get easily. He mentioned it's something that sometimes costs $50 and sometimes nothing, clearly it's whimsical!

kikiv- I will certainly write a report if we go. I've written lots of previous reports (Europe endlessly, Syria and Jordan, Iran, indonesia, india and lots more. Though I must admit to dropping the ball on a crazy Turkmenistan/Uzbekistan/round the world trip report a few years ago (it was just too long to contemplate) and the Brahmaputra cruise where dogster's iconic prose could not be matched.

We haven't been to Asia since our trip to Assam so I haven't been on the Asia board for a while. We spent sometime in Europe earlier in the year so I've been over on the Europe board much more!

Atoho

Been to?? Actually im from there!!! so what i would advice you is that there are lotz of thingz about nagaland 'switzerland of da east' as it is called, many breathtakin places to visit and a festival no doubt the most vibrant festival in north east india with 16 major and several minor tribes showcasing its unique diverse culture as one.... Not much can i write but i wud recommend u 2 visit. Trust me u wont regret but u wud require an ILP( Inner Line Permit ) sort of Visa type 2 visit nagaland thatz ol hope u visit

Kathie

Welltraveledbrit, take a look at Thorntree, Lonely Planet's travel forum. The man I corresponded with (whose name I cannot remember now) was someone I "met" there.

welltraveledbrit

Thanks for the replies glad to know there's someone from Nagaland on the forum!

Atoho

Just a bit of info. There had been some news that now foreigners dont require any RAP,ILP,etc whatever they call 8 but im nt so sure so i wud recommend u to go n get info 4m any of the Nagaland Houses in the metropolitanz but dat wud nt b a problm if u got a wel experiencd guide