travelandleisureindia.in
REASONS TO TRAVEL NOW
InIndia’sfinalfrontier,closetotheborder
withMyanmar,livesoneofthemostfabled
and once feared tribes—the Konyaks. Located
in the village of Mon in the state of Nagaland,
the Konyaks were once fierce headhunters
who would raid rival tribes and bring back the
heads of their opponents as a symbol of victory
and prosperity. Their elaborate body and facial
tattoos are another feature that make them
stand out. In the Mon of today, you can meet
the chief of the erstwhile headhunters (the
angh) and some of his tribe members, who
recount stories of their nerve-wracking wars.
The tattoos inked on their skin are a sight to
behold—a rare art that is at the cusp of fading
into history books. While at Mon, set aside
some time to scourge the local markets for rare
Konyak handicrafts. ChaloHoppo, a local tour
company focussed on responsible travel, runs
an exclusive trip to visit the Konyaks. From
`25,000 per person; chalohoppo.com.Spreadacross1,40,000hectares,theSundarbansistheplanet’slargestcontiguous
mangrove system, the majority of which lies in Bangladesh. Home to a wide range
of endangered species, including the Royal Bengal tiger, the reserve is a network
of waterways, small islands, and mudflats. On a three-day expedition to the forest,
sail through the many canals and rivers on a tiny wooden rowboat, learning
about the area’s biodiversity and looking out for
sightings of a lifetime. The journey is marked
by birdsongs of 260-odd avian species. While
you’re here, sleep in a cabin of a boat anchored
in the middle of the river for a fully immersive
experience. Nijhoom Tours run a six-day safari
that also includes visits to a crocodile breeding
centre, Kotka Wildlife Sanctuary, and Jamtola
Beach. The company also runs an overnight
transfer from Dhaka on a steamer with a stop at
the heritage city of Bagerhat. Prices from `50,
per person; nijhoom.com.
no.
Row through the Largest Mangrove Forest on Earth
no.
Meet the Last Headhunters
of Northeast India
no. Raft down Kosi Rapids in Nepal
Imagine plummeting down the rapids of the legendary River Kosi over 270
kilometres from Nepal’s border with Tibet all the way to its confluence with
the mighty River Ganga on a nine-day rafting expedition. En route, visit some
ancient Hindu temples, camp on sandy riverbanks, test your adventure
meter on intense rapids, soak in the surrounds on calm waters, and maybe
jump in for a swim—all this while, the stunning scenery of Nepal’s
mountains paint the backdrop of your journey. Book an autumn (Sep-Nov) or
spring (Apr-June) expedition with GRG Adventure, which takes care of all
your needs and safety measures. The experienced and locally well-versed
guides ensure an immersive and educational experience as you cross
remote villages and communities on the banks of Kosi. Nine-day expedition
begins at `48,064 per person; grgadventurekayaking.com.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: NEIL MCALLISTER/ALAMY; ROBERTHARDING/ALAMY; MD. AKHLAS UDDIN; SHUTTERSTOCK