Motorcycle tour India - Nagaland Ancient Tribes 16 days

Day 1 Departure

Today your adventure begins and in 16 days you will return with a head full of stories, a heart full of memories and maybe even a little nostalgia for the rugged beauty of Northeast India.

Day 2 Arrival Guwahati

Upon arrival in Guwahati, you'll be met by our local guide and immediately dive into the real India. Guwahati is raw, vibrant and chaotic in the best way - full of colorful markets, teeming alleys and crackling tuktuks. Everywhere you see street vendors, temples, honking scooters and cricketing locals.

Still feel like getting out and about after your trip? Hop in a tuktuk and get carried away through the hectic heart of the city. Smells, sounds, people - welcome to the adventure.

Day 3 Guwahati - Kaziranga NP

After breakfast, we leave chaotic Guwahati and dive straight into India's more rugged northeast. We follow the mighty Brahmaputra River, still on asphalt at first, but soon we turn off - the road becomes more rustic, the villages more traditional, and the inhabited world seems to slowly disappear.

We bump across a mix of paved and unpaved terrain, right through small settlements where puzzled locals look at us. Cows sometimes block the road, children wave enthusiastically, and all around us see endless greenery.

By late afternoon we reach Kaziranga National Park - famous for its Indian rhinos, elephants and tigers. We sleep in a lodge close to the park boundary, ready for an early, exciting safari at first light tomorrow.

Day 4 Kaziranga NP - Jorhat

Before dawn, when the jungle is still shrouded in mists and the first rays of sunlight break through the trees, you can participate in an optional safari in the legendary Kaziranga National Park. This UNESCO-protected area is not only one of India's last true wildernesses, it is also one of the wildest: muddy trails, creeks, rustling forests - this is where nature reigns supreme.

Kaziranga is known worldwide for its impressive population of rhinos, and it even has the highest density of tigers of any park in India. The chances of seeing one are slim, but the excitement is palpable at every turn. Also living here are wild Asian elephants, water buffalo, swamp deer and boars. Bird lovers are also in for a treat with more than 450 species - including the rare bearded bustard, an icon among bird watchers.

After this intense experience, we return to the lodge for a hearty lunch. Then we get back on the motorcycle for a short but lively ride towards Jorhat. We initially follow the busy main road NH715, where trucks, tuktuks and sacred cows share the road. But as soon as we can, we turn off, away from the chaos, into the narrow back roads - through rural villages, between tea fields and bamboo forests.

Jorhat, once the last capital of the Ahom kingdom, breathes history. You'll find ancient tombs, ancient mosques and colonial influences among the dusty streets. Jorhat is not called the tea capital of India for nothing - and you can taste it. At a local tent, among the tea pickers in their colorful saris, we drink a glass of fresh Assam tea, so strong that it is almost a meal in itself.

Day 5 Jorhat - Dibrugarh

Today we go deep into the heart of Assam - through one of the most special places in the northeast: the mysterious Majuli Island. After a short drive, we catch the local ferry across the mighty Brahmaputra. This river is not a babbling stream, but a colossal, vibrant vein of the north - and the crossing is an adventure in itself. The ferry is basic, sometimes packed with mopeds, people, chickens and bags of rice, but that only makes it more authentic.

Majuli is not just any island. It is the largest river island in the world, and feels like another world - far away from everything. Here, the Missing-tribes, known for their houses on stilts, weaving and deep connection to nature. You will also find ancient monasteries (Satras) where Hindu monks in white cloths still the Vaishnavism practice. The island breathes spirituality and tranquility.

After our visit to Majuli, we drive on to Dibrugarh, a vibrant city where old and new meet. Along the way, vast tea fields and remote villages alternate. Dibrugarh itself is a typical Indian city with a raw edge - lively streets, a colorful bazaar full of smells, sounds and colors, and a mix of temples, colonial influences and modern chaos. If you feel like it, you can take a walk along the river or find a quiet spot among the tea plantations just outside of town.

Here we spend the night in a new hotel. The smell of distantly brewed Assam tea hangs in the air here - a perfect end to a day of culture, nature and adventure.

Day 6 Dibrugarh - Mon

Today we leave the lowlands of Assam behind and head into the mystical mountains of Nagaland - a rugged, remote area where the asphalt slowly disappears and the real adventure begins. The first few miles still roll smoothly across the flat land, but soon we turn off at Tizit and the climb begins. The road gets narrower, bumpier, and sometimes turns into a dusty, earthen track that winds through the greenery like a snake. Each bend reveals a breathtaking panorama of the mountain ranges of Nagaland, where the jungle prevails and the modern world seems far away.

Slowly we reach Mon, a simple, almost timeless settlement at an altitude of 900 meters. This is the land of the Konyak Nagas - once feared warriors, headhunters even, with a proud and fearless past. Today, their traditions live on in villages high in the mountains. Here, the Angh, the village chief, as a kind of king, sometimes even over several villages at once.

The faces of the elders tell stories: tattooed women with lines and patterns symbolizing their tribe, honor and lineage. The men still wear ceremonial headdresses adorned with wild boar teeth, beads and colorful feathers - like stepping into a living museum exhibit, but without display cases.

The Konyaks are masters of woodworking, blacksmithing, and still make their traditional woven fabrics. Here you see the India you won't find anywhere else - untamed, proud and deeply rooted in ancient customs.

Tonight we sleep simply, but in the middle of a world where tradition and adventure meet. This is no ordinary overnight stay - this is staying in a piece of living history.

Day 7 Mon ( traditional tribes Longwa )

After a hearty breakfast, we set out again for a tour that feels like a trip back in time. Today we drive to the legendary village of Longwa, which is literally on the border of India and Burma (Myanmar). Here, state borders run right through houses - it is not uncommon for a family to eat in India and sleep in Burma.

The drive of about 40 kilometers seems short, but the steep, unpaved mountain roads and muddy hairpin turns take us nearly two hours. The views along the way are rugged and pristine - steep cliffs, dense jungle, remote huts and the occasional water buffalo standing stoically in the middle of the road. This is where you really feel you are in a frontier area, far from civilization.

Longwa is one of the most special villages in Nagaland - and it is one of the most special villages in Nagaland. the heart of the Konyak Nagas. With a local guide, we set out in search of remote tribes that have had little contact with the outside world. You will hear stories about tribal wars, rituals and shamans, about the time when headhunting was still a daily occurrence. Some village elders still wear traditional body decorations and tattoos - visible traces of their warrior past.

The atmosphere is mysterious, the scenery breathtaking and the hospitality genuine. The people here live simply but proudly - often still with their own rules, rhythms and customs.

In the afternoon, we drive back to Mon, with your head full of impressions and a camera full of images that cannot be put into words.

Day 8 Mon - Mokokchung

Today we move deeper into the rugged heart of Nagaland, heading south. We leave Mon early in the morning and leave the familiar behind, heading into the narrow part of the province, sandwiched between Myanmar on the east side and Bangladesh further west.

Soon after leaving, the asphalt disappears under our wheels and the real work begins: narrow, unpaved mountain paths, worn by rain, surrounded by dense forests and vistas that take your breath away. Here the roads are little more than red earth and loose boulders. After every turn, a new panorama of pristine valleys, steep mountain sides and abandoned villages where it seems as if time has stood still.

When it rained, things get really adventurous: slippery mud strips, deep puddles and the occasional stretch that makes you doubt whether the trail leads anywhere at all. But it doesn't get dangerous - exciting and tough? Definitely.

Our destination is Mokokchung, a picturesque town at 1,325 meters altitude that is considered the cultural heart of the Ao tribe. The Ao Naga people are known for their lively music, colorful dances and strong sense of community. If the light still permits, we drive a little further to the impressive village Ungma, the largest Ao village in Nagaland, where tradition is still lived daily.

After this long, intensive drive through the mountain landscape, a warm welcome awaits you in a comfortable hotel with good beds. Time to catch your breath - and let all the impressions of this wild day slowly sink in.

Day 9 Mokokchung - Kohima

After a hearty breakfast, we continue westward - the mountains of Nagaland continue to accompany us. It is a long, impressive day over winding mountain roads, deep valleys and forested slopes. The route to Khonoma is still developing - there is asphalt here and there, but large sections are still rough and unpaved. Each kilometer takes us deeper into the heart of Nagaland, where the road sometimes looks more like a path than a connecting route.

Along the way, we pass small villages where life still revolves around tradition and community spirit. Women wear their traditional clothing, children wave curiously, and here and there a melody sounds from a bamboo house - this is a country where music is intertwined with everyday life.

Our final destination today is Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, inhabited by sixteen major tribes and numerous subgroups. It is a place full of history, where folk songs still tell stories of the brave warriors of old. But times change - here, too, the influence of foreign missionaries has left its mark, and Christianity is becoming more deeply intertwined with the modern life of the Ao tribe and other communities.

We spend the night within walking distance of the lively downtown area in a comfortable hotel with good beds, air conditioning and hot showers - a welcome luxury after a day full of dust, mud and impressions.

Day 10 Kohima - Lumding

We rise early again. The morning is chilly, the fog still hanging between the hills. After a simple but nutritious breakfast, we saddle up again for another day of adventure. Today we ride southwest - a route carefully chosen for a reason. Because of tribal tensions in the region around Imphal, we deliberately omit this area.

Our tour takes us through Dimapur, a lively town at the foot of the mountains, where we get a mix of asphalt and dirt roads under our wheels. The traffic is chaotic, the smells intense - welcome back to the lowlands.

From here we move on to Lumding, a dusty, forgotten place where rarely, if ever, a tourist sets foot. And we notice it. The curiosity is palpable, the looks intense but not unfriendly. The owner of our hotel welcomes us with a mix of pride and surprise - outside guests are a rarity here.

Lumding is best known for its sprawling train station, a hub for freight trains hurtling through the Northeast. Beyond that, it's a quiet, dusty town where time seems to pass slowly - but that's exactly what makes it a special stopover.

Our hotel is local, simple but surprisingly clean and cared for - a small oasis in this rough town. A hot shower and a firm bed are all we need today.

Day 11 Lumding - Silchar

No breakfast at the hotel this morning, but not to worry - the little restaurant diagonally across the street has managed to arrange something delicious especially for us. Fresh, simple and prepared with love - just what we need for the long drive ahead.

We start quietly, but soon we are swallowed up by a two-lane highway which winds us through the forested hills. The morning sun slowly breaks through the misty peaks - the world seems silent for a moment. But those who think this smooth road will last all day will be deceived.

After a few hours, the asphalt suddenly turns into dusty, unpaved mountain roads. The trail gets narrower, bumpier and the chasms that lie beside us provide a healthy dose of adrenaline. Every turn, every climb is an adventure in itself - this is where the true northeast shows itself. Rugged, pristine and spectacular.

By late afternoon we reach Silchar, a lively town in the Cachar Valley. After such a rough day's ride, we feel extra spoiled because tonight we sleep in a luxury hotel. Soft beds, hot showers and even a pool with cocktail bar - an unexpected treat in the middle of this rugged area.

Day 12 Silchar - Bakur

Today we skip the hotel breakfast - it doesn't start until 8:30 a.m. and by then we want to be on the road long and wide. Because this will undoubtedly be the most challenging and rugged ride of the entire trip.

The morning still starts calm, with a leisurely ride. But as soon as we turn into the mountains, the landscape - AND the road - turns into one big sandbox full of jammed trucks. Some are stuck, others are just trying to squeeze past. What about us? We just send in between, between clouds of dust and honking. Only one rule applies here: patience. Three hours on the road, less than twenty kilometers driven - but what a experience!

Once we leave this chaotic stretch behind, we are rewarded. The asphalt slowly returns, the air becomes cooler, and we rise again in altitude. And with each hairpin turn, a new breathtaking view on the green border region between India and Bangladesh.

At the end of the afternoon, we reach Bakur, a small and remote village near the border. We spent the night in a clean, simple guesthouse with a rooftop terrace - perfect for looking out over the borderlands with a cup of tea or a cold beer and letting this adventurous day simmer away.

Day 13 Bakur - Sohra

The morning starts well: our hostess spoils us with a hearty and tasty breakfast. Coffee, tea, fresh fruit and a warm smile - you can hardly start the day any better.

We rise again in the saddle and set course along the border - and it shows: high fences, barbed wire and watchtowers accompany us as we drive through this mysterious border area. But the view makes up for everything. The road winds its way through a pristine and spectacular scenery, where you will be short of eyes. The mountains get rougher, the curves sharper, and every mile is a treat for adventure riders.

Around noon, we stop at a special place: a local restaurant with a panoramic views of the impressive Seven Sisters Waterfalls. As we enjoy our lunch, the water splashes down with thunderous force - an insane backdrop.

After this well-deserved break, we drive on to Sohra (Cherrapunji), a place known as one of the wettest places on earth - though hopefully we'll keep it dry today.

Day 14 Sohra - Guwahati

We start the day off right: tight asphalt, endless curves and the throttle nice and open. The engine hums contentedly as we glide through the green hills - this is pure riding pleasure.

But then the scenery changes. We approach Shillong, a lively city full of crowds, chaos and honking cars. Fortunately, we have an advantage: with our motorcycles we deftly slip past the traffic jams, slaloming between cars and tuktuks. Before you know it, we leave the city behind again and return to peace and quiet.

One last bit of enjoying tight onroad curves, through a landscape that keeps surprising, and then - there it is: Guwahati. We drive into town and return to the same hotel where our adventure began. A great time to take stock, look back on a journey full of impressions, encounters and unforgettable roads.

Day 15 Guwahati - Departure

Unfortunately, this raw, adventurous adventure also comes to an end. After all those curves, jungle trails, villages where time seems to stand still, and encounters with extraordinary people, it's time to say goodbye to northeastern India.

We will take you back to the airport. The engines are quiet, the suitcases full of stories, and the head still somewhere between the mountains of Nagaland or the dirt roads of Meghalaya.

A trip never to be forgotten. Until the next ride.

Day 16 Arrival home