Jorhat, Nov. 29: Consider this collage: towering snow-capped mountains and placid lakes mirroring their rugged grandeur, roaring rivers chipping away at boulders strewn in their path, cascading waterfalls that plunge to great depths, dense forests and picture postcard villages and hamlets.
For a dozen bikers, including two women from Down Under, the word for such a collage is "paradise".
"It is a paradise for bikers...the hills, the lakes, the waterfalls, small villages and the warmth of the people...it's a dream come true biking around in these places," Peter Sheringham from Melbourne told The Telegraph here today.
The Australian team has tied up with Chain Reaction, an agency which conducts adventure motorcycle tours through the interiors of the Northeast. The agency also offers jeep safaris to those who are not too keen on bikes but are interested in photography and local culture.
The group hit the road at Nongpoh in Meghalaya on November 20 and will end their journey at Kohima on December 6. After travelling through Mawlynnong, Dawki and Cherrapunji in Meghalaya, Nemari and Kaziranga in Assam, Bhalukpong and Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, the team camped at Tocklai Tea Research Institute guesthouse here last night. "We will be travelling to Mon in Nagaland and end our tour at Kohima via Mokokchung," Sheringham said.
Shahwar Hussain, founder of Chain Reaction, who is part of the team, said the Northeast is the happening place for bikers with many places still virgin and bikers enjoy every bit of the trip.
"Although the roads are a bit rough at places, it becomes a challenge for bikers and there is excitement all through," Hussain, who has been travelling around the region for several years now, said.
He said Chain Reaction has tied up with many homestays and eco-camps and offer decent facilities to the travellers. Yesterday, the team had lunch at Haroocharai tea estate, a garden located on the outskirts here.
Hussain said his agency sells experience gathered over the years while travelling through the region and he tries to take visitors along roads less travelled, through the interiors that provide a glimpse into village life.
For instance, he said there is a road that runs from Mon to Tuli in Nagaland. "It passes through coalmines, slush, forests of bamboo and small villages with lovely houses and churches. Then all of a sudden you hit a beautiful road that leads to Mokokchung," he said.
The places which are off the tourist maps are the most interesting.
"The relationships we have built with the villagers over the years help a lot too," he added.
The seasoned traveller said transporting bikes here is an expensive proposition. "When enthusiasts sign up with Chain Reaction, the hassles of transporting the bikes, permits and accommodation worries are laid to rest. They just have to land at Guwahati and start the trip," he said.
