Simple Life in Rural Assam
A slow week in the Assam countryside — the Tai-Phake Buddhist village of Namphake, then Majuli, the largest inhabited river island in the world.
A week in the Assam countryside, taken slowly, to enjoy village life at its own pace and to meet some of the state’s tribes. It begins at Namphake, a village of the small Tai-Phake community, who migrated from Myanmar two centuries ago looking for the other Tai clans who had settled in Assam in medieval times. Their culture has been kept well — you can see it in the art, the architecture, and the customs — and their religious life still turns on old Buddhist monasteries and a beautiful pagoda. After that, Majuli: the largest inhabited river island in the world, and the birthplace of the Neo-Vaishnavite culture of Srimanta Sankardev that most of Assam follows. Many historic satras — Assamese monasteries — stand on the island, where monks young and old learn traditional art, dance, music, and drama alongside philosophy. The satras preach simplicity, and it is easy for a visitor to be quietly moved by how much force that simplicity carries. Majuli is also home to three tribes — the Mishing, the Deori, and the Sonowal Kachari — who live simply and sustainably. You spend time in their villages, and you can join in: learn to weave, cook an ethnic dish, or throw traditional pottery. There is good birdwatching in the island’s wetlands, which act as a natural sanctuary. Or rent a bicycle and find the island’s corners at your own speed, and watch the sun go down over the river. It is an easy-going trip and a proper introduction to the people and the land of Assam.
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At a Glance
Namphake, a Tai-Phake village
Around 150 families on the Burhi Dihing, still speaking Phakial, still living in stilt houses, around an 1850 monastery built in Thai style.
Four nights on Majuli
The largest inhabited river island in the world — 17th-century satras, mask makers, potters who work without a wheel, and Mishing villages along the water.
Nothing is rushed
Cycle the island, sit with a weaver, watch the little monks pray at sunset. This trip is built for travelers who would rather stay put than tick things off.
Day by Day
Dibrugarh - Namphake
After arriving at Dibrugarh airport in eastern Assam, proceed towards Namphake village (2 hours) near Naharkatia. Enjoy the drive through the beautiful countryside and tea gardens. Namphake is an ethnic village of the Tai-Phake tribe which migrated from northern Myanmar two centuries ago in search of the other Tai clans such as Ahoms, Turungs, Siams, Khamtis, and Khamyangs who had settled in Assam centuries earlier. A large gateway engraved in a Tai script welcomes visitors to this quaint village located by the Burhi-Dihing River. Namphake is the largest settlement of the Tai-Phake community. Your stay will be with a local family or in a small guesthouse run by the village monastery.
Dibrugarh - Namphake
After arriving at Dibrugarh airport in eastern Assam, proceed towards Namphake village (2 hours) near Naharkatia. Enjoy the drive through the beautiful countryside and tea gardens. Namphake is an ethnic village of the Tai-Phake tribe which migrated from northern Myanmar two centuries ago in search of the other Tai clans such as Ahoms, Turungs, Siams, Khamtis, and Khamyangs who had settled in Assam centuries earlier. A large gateway engraved in a Tai script welcomes visitors to this quaint village located by the Burhi-Dihing River. Namphake is the largest settlement of the Tai-Phake community. Your stay will be with a local family or in a small guesthouse run by the village monastery.
Namphake
Spend the day exploring the village and learning about this interesting tribe that has well preserved its old traditions and culture. Villagers are still seen in their traditional attire and continue to speak their old Phakial language. Their houses are traditionally built on stilts and are unique in their style. The main attraction of the village is the old monastery of Theraveda Buddhism and the Golden Pagoda built in Burmese architectural style. It has been visited by the royals of Thailand and many venerable monks. The historical monastery has inscriptions and paintings which narrate about the migration of the tribe. The friendly monks 'Bhante’ also offer free guided tours of the monastery. One can also visit the nearby Taiphake village at Tipam, which also has a beautiful location and a fascinating old monastery.
Namphake
Spend the day exploring the village and learning about this interesting tribe that has well preserved its old traditions and culture. Villagers are still seen in their traditional attire and continue to speak their old Phakial language. Their houses are traditionally built on stilts and are unique in their style. The main attraction of the village is the old monastery of Theraveda Buddhism and the Golden Pagoda built in Burmese architectural style. It has been visited by the royals of Thailand and many venerable monks. The historical monastery has inscriptions and paintings which narrate about the migration of the tribe. The friendly monks 'Bhante’ also offer free guided tours of the monastery. One can also visit the nearby Taiphake village at Tipam, which also has a beautiful location and a fascinating old monastery.
Namphake - Majuli
Leave early to Nimati Ghat (7 hours) to catch the afternoon ferry across the Brahmaputra to Majuli, the largest inhabited river island in the world and a well-preserved spot for Assamese and tribal culture. Arrive by afternoon and spend the rest of the day leisurely exploring the vast island and the beautiful countryside. Enjoy a rural stay, relish the ethnic Mishing cuisine and also try the local brew, Apong. Your stay will be in a traditional bamboo cottage with basic amenities.
Namphake - Majuli
Leave early to Nimati Ghat (7 hours) to catch the afternoon ferry across the Brahmaputra to Majuli, the largest inhabited river island in the world and a well-preserved spot for Assamese and tribal culture. Arrive by afternoon and spend the rest of the day leisurely exploring the vast island and the beautiful countryside. Enjoy a rural stay, relish the ethnic Mishing cuisine and also try the local brew, Apong. Your stay will be in a traditional bamboo cottage with basic amenities.
Majuli
Visit villages of the Mishing tribe, the indigenous inhabitants of the island. The Mishing community belongs to the mongoloid group and were historically inhabitants of the hills of Arunachal Pradesh. They often faced raids from the fierce neighboring tribes and later migrated to the plains of Assam to settle peacefully where they adopted a new culture and religion. Most of their villages are located by the scenic riverside as many Mishing tribesmen also depend on fishing for their livelihood. Visit their homes, interact with the villagers and observe their traditional lifestyle. One can also learn weaving on the traditional hand-looms. A traditional Mishing dance performance can be arranged upon prior request.
Majuli
Visit villages of the Mishing tribe, the indigenous inhabitants of the island. The Mishing community belongs to the mongoloid group and were historically inhabitants of the hills of Arunachal Pradesh. They often faced raids from the fierce neighboring tribes and later migrated to the plains of Assam to settle peacefully where they adopted a new culture and religion. Most of their villages are located by the scenic riverside as many Mishing tribesmen also depend on fishing for their livelihood. Visit their homes, interact with the villagers and observe their traditional lifestyle. One can also learn weaving on the traditional hand-looms. A traditional Mishing dance performance can be arranged upon prior request.
Majuli
Visit a few of the old Assamese monasteries of the 17th century such as Auniati, Kamalabari, and Dakhinpat Satras, built by the followers of the medieval saint Srimanta Sankardev. Here, the monks learn a unique form of art, drama, music, and Neo-Vaishnavite philosophy which was started by Sankardev. A small museum is also maintained by the monks of Auniati monastery which showcases artifacts made by the monks and antiques of the Ahom rulers. Then, visit the mask-making center at Samuguri Satra where extremely elaborate traditional masks are made by the monks for the Bhaona (dance dramas) which depict scenes from Hindu mythology. Bhaona drama or Gayon-Bayon, a musical duet performed by the monks can be arranged upon prior request. Also visit the Salmara potters' village, unique on the island, where potters make earthenware without the use of a potter's wheel! Try your hand at pottery and sculpting with riverine clay. In the evening, visit the Kamalabari monastery to see little monks perform prayers with cymbals and drums at sunset.
Majuli
Visit a few of the old Assamese monasteries of the 17th century such as Auniati, Kamalabari, and Dakhinpat Satras, built by the followers of the medieval saint Srimanta Sankardev. Here, the monks learn a unique form of art, drama, music, and Neo-Vaishnavite philosophy which was started by Sankardev. A small museum is also maintained by the monks of Auniati monastery which showcases artifacts made by the monks and antiques of the Ahom rulers. Then, visit the mask-making center at Samuguri Satra where extremely elaborate traditional masks are made by the monks for the Bhaona (dance dramas) which depict scenes from Hindu mythology. Bhaona drama or Gayon-Bayon, a musical duet performed by the monks can be arranged upon prior request. Also visit the Salmara potters' village, unique on the island, where potters make earthenware without the use of a potter's wheel! Try your hand at pottery and sculpting with riverine clay. In the evening, visit the Kamalabari monastery to see little monks perform prayers with cymbals and drums at sunset.
Majuli
Travel to the remote villages of the Deori tribe and Sonowal Kachari tribe in the northern part of the island. One can also enjoy fishing or cycling leisurely around the island. The large wetlands and lakes on the island also attract many birds which interest many ornithologists and enjoy a spectacular sunset on the banks of Brahmaputra.
Majuli
Travel to the remote villages of the Deori tribe and Sonowal Kachari tribe in the northern part of the island. One can also enjoy fishing or cycling leisurely around the island. The large wetlands and lakes on the island also attract many birds which interest many ornithologists and enjoy a spectacular sunset on the banks of Brahmaputra.
Majuli - Jorhat
After breakfast, catch the return ferry to Nimati Ghat and transfer to Jorhat airport (2 hours) or Dibrugarh airport (5 hours) for departure. End of tour.
Majuli - Jorhat
After breakfast, catch the return ferry to Nimati Ghat and transfer to Jorhat airport (2 hours) or Dibrugarh airport (5 hours) for departure. End of tour.
Your Retreats
01Batoruar Batsora (BB Homestay)
A family home turned homestay in the tea country near Namphake, run the way a guest house should be — a raised timber house under betel palms, with a track running past it into the bamboo. Rooms are simple and the cooking is Assamese and home-made. It puts you a short drive from the Tai-Phake village and its monastery.
“A green timber house, a bamboo track, and nowhere in particular to be.”
02La Maison De Ananda
The first bamboo property on Majuli, at the edge of Garamur village — the idea of a Mishing man, Danny, and two French architects who fell for the island. The cottages are built the local Mishing way, on stilts and almost entirely of bamboo, with verandas facing the village. Rooms are named after flowers. Meals are served family-style in a shared dining area, usually Mishing food, often with house-brewed apong.
“The house of happiness, and it lives up to the name.”
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