travelandleisureindia.in
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NSPerfectly aligned with the Hornbill
Festival (December 1-10, 2019), a
pop-up camp by TUTC—merely
20 minutes from the festival
venue in Kohima—offers an
enriching experience of the Naga
way of life. Being amid the annual
smorgasbord of festivities is a
real treat for the senses: there
are ample cultural performances,
indigenous sports, local food
traditions, contests ranging
from archery to chilli-eating,
and dancing, besides a vibrant
bazaar in the night. At the end
of the day, you return to the luxe
comforts of an abode by the
brook, furnished with four-poster
beds and camp furniture. Beyond
the pomp and show of the Hornbill
Festival, the TUTC camp also
encourages visitors to understand
Naga culture better with guided
village walks. Operational from
November 29 to December 12;
the Luxury Suite Tent sleeps
three from `1,44,000 for two
nights; tutc.comSTAY IN STYLE AT THE
HORNBILL FESTIVAL
——MEETIRRAWADDYDOLPHINSANDCROCODILES
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Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, Chilika Lake in Odisha, is home to
a unique creature: the Irrawaddy dolphin. Chilika Lake has emerged as the
single largest habitat of the endangered species. Hire a boat at the lake
forasightofthe peculiar dolphin with a bulging forehead and a
shortbeak. While watching these gentle creatures arch in
andout of water is a soothing experience, Bhitarkanika
National Park (258 kms away) in the same
state offers a more thrilling wildlife encounter:
crocodiles. Home to the world’s second-largest
mangrove ecosystem, the park is famed for its
population of giant estuarine crocodiles that
can grow as long as 23 feet! Swosti Chilika
Resort offers a luxury stay by the bank of
Chilika Lake, from where you can take a day’s
trip to Bhitarkanika National Park. Or book a
12-day wildlife tour to Odisha with 365 Hops to
experience both. swostihotel.com; 365hops.com
FROM TOP: MICHEL & GABRIELLE THERIN-WEISE/ALAMY; SUMEET KESWANITHE INDIA LIST