While Myanmar's been back on the traveller map for a few years now, most itineraries follow a fairly common route: Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and a bit of time spent by Inle Lake. By comparison, this trip veers right off the trail and up into the northernmost reaches of Kachin state. This is the land of the Naga hilltribes, a collection of 62 clans, largely semi-nomadic, who follow their own customs, practise their traditional beliefs and speak the Jingpho language. Each year, the clans of the Naga tribe converge to celebrate the year that's been and welcome in the year to come, through a two-day celebration of singing, dancing, socialising, thanks-giving and praying. Meet the Naga people in their traditional dress, dance around a bonfire, visit local villages and traverse a tract of land rarely visited on this one-off trip into the remote tribal lands of northern Myanmar.
