We’ll ride into north east of India’s most remote places, our goal, the Nagaland Hornbill Festival in the hilly capital Kohima. Departing late November, depending on conditions, the Expedition covers approximately 1,200kms over two and half weeks. Riding 500cc Royal Enfields (or Hero 220s) with expedition luggage, we experience tribal life in villages sometimes staying with locals. We ride through Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland (possibly Manipur), night stops are largely comfortable.
This is an Expedition ride through Northeast India…
From the tea gardens of West Bengal we ride east to the Assamese town of Dhubri. The viability of its stilted riverside market stalls, subject to the vagueries of the flow of the mighty Brahmaputra. We cross the river upstream on one of only three bridges across Asia’s. Across the plains of Assam to the steamy jungles of Meghalaya. Tea gardens, rice paddies, huge rivers and (probably) the wettest place on earth. Riding unsupported for flexibility, often on minor, border roads.
Road conditions vary, from the sweetest to the dustiest. Sections blocked by ageing bridges or militant activity, can be re-routed. Riding sections of the famous Asian Highway One, we reach Imphal the capital city of an old kingdom, swept away with the birth of modern India. Uncovering the path of war in 1944, we visit the old royal palace and the Commonwealth war graves; in Kohima too.
The Festival itself is a celebration of everything tribal, of Nagaland’s heritage, modern choirs and classic vehicle clubs, horticultural exhibitions and displays of dance.
We explore more of Nagaland’s town and villages, Wokha and Mokochung and downstream at the river to relax in the peace in the woods in the Kaziranga National Park before riding on to Assam’s capital Guwahati. It’s our last night stop before waving you off from Guwahati’s well connected airport, onwards home.
