Help Tourism

SHAN, the Sikkim Heritage Adventure Nature International Camp 2008 is being held in May 2008. The first camp will take place from 06th to 11th May, 2008, the second camp from 12th to 17th May.

It is being organized in coincidence with the only ‘Heritage Festival’ of East Himalaya. The venue being dominated by the adjoining Barshey Rhododendron Sanctuary and the Limboo community, this is a phantastic opportunity for authentic local natural and cultural experience. The stunning views of the Mt.Khangchendzonga range are more than an add-on. The season kisses the arrival of the monsoon, making the local people happy during their sowing of their favourite crop, rice.

The participants will be introduced to the following phenomenon:

1. Himalayan Nature & Environment,
2. Adventure activities,
3. Cultural diversity of the Sikkim Himalaya,
4. Special interest &
5. Local livelihood orientation

Accommodation and food will be in high altitude type tents in proper camping areas, local lodges and home-stays. The food will be normal Indian food and a combination with local Himalayan recipes.

There will be organized pick-up and drop facilities from the nearest air or rail head. Week long pre or post tour/trek packages shall be available during this period.

The festival is jointly organized by Help Tourism
and Hee-Bermiok Tourism Development and Heritage Conservation Society, supported by: ACT-Association for Conservation and Tourism, Padmaya Naidu Himalayan Zoological Garden, and Chautare.

The festival poster (pdf, 1 MB) with pictures and more details.

The formal information and the registration form (pdf, 150 kb) 

Every year in early December, Nagaland celebrates itself at the “Hornbill Festival” in Kohima. All the major ethnic groups of the state are participating in the party, dressed in their colourful customs, and proudly offering their food and explaining their culture and lifestyle.

Our friend Renate from Germany has send some pictures, which she took during our visit to this remarkable event.

Highlight of our visit in Nagaland is the week-long Hornbill Festival, which since 7 years is is held in Kohima in the first week of December.

In the big Naga Cultural Village outside the city each Naga-Tribe has erected a house in traditional style, made of bamboo and palmtree leaves.

In some, wonderful blankets and bamboo works are sold, in others, traditional food delicies. Each house has its own spirit, but everywhere we have a friendly welcome – as tourists even here rarely show up.

Instead thousands of Nagas have assembled on the festival ground, watching the dancers in their traditional customs.

They obviously enjoy assembling with the members of their own clan, feasting themselves with the national dish, fat pork meat with sour bamboo on hill rice, and flushing it with reasonable amount of rice beer.

Thank you for the nice illustration, Renate.

All pictures: ©Renate Loose