Assam - It is a state of India in the northeastern region located in the south of eastern Himalayas. Assam comprises the Brahmaputra valley and Barak river valleys. Rain feeds the Brahmaputra river whose tributaries and oxbow lakes provide the region with a hydrogeomorphic and aesthetic environment. Assam tea is produced here along with petroleum and Assam silk. The state has conserved the one-horned Indian rhinoceros from near extinction along with the pygmy hog, tiger, and various species of birds. It provides one of the best wild habitats for Asian elephants.
Cruising the mighty Brahmaputra river: This 10 nights cruise over the mighty Brahmaputra river will make time to stop and immerse you in the magical landscapes that surround the Brahmaputra river. You will cover most of the highlights of Assam with elephant and jeep safaris, searching for the majestic Rhinos at Kaziranga National Park, visits to the ruins of the Ahom kingdom and to the Neo - Vaisnative monasteries of Majuli Island, walks in the lush greens of huge tea estates and through tribal and rural villages of Assam.
DAY 1 :
Arrive at Dibrugarh from Delhi, a typical colonial town. Drive to Dikhou Mukh (2.5 hours ) and embark on our ship. Alternatively, arrive at Jorhat airport and drive 1.5 hours to Dikhou Mukh (Dependent on river conditions, it may be necessary to board at Neamati closer to Jorhat).
DAY 2 :
Excursion by road to Sibsagar, the one-time capital of Ahom kings of Assam. See temples with stupa-like profiles and palaces of distinctive form. The temple tank here is claimed to be the world's largest hand-excavated reservoir. Lunch at Horu Charai, a typical tea estate. Return to ship and cruise for 3 hours downriver to Majuli Island; the world's largest river island.
DAY 3 :
Majuli Island possesses unique Hindu monasteries famous for their dance drama performances. You will visit Auniati monastery with an eclectic museum and at noon will attend a dance performance at Kamalabari monastery. Returning to the ship, you cruise downstream for an hour or two.
DAY 4 :
A day spent mostly on the river, or else shall stop and make a short visit to the tribal village by the river. By noon, Kaziranga National Park will be on left - wild elephants are sometimes visible from the boat and one memorably, a tiger.
DAY 5 :
This morning you arrive at the little temple town of Vishnath, with a fine Ahom period temple. Make a safari through Kaziranga National Park taking a jeep ride through its western range.
DAY 6 :
Drive to Kaziranga's central range for an early morning elephant ride, the best way to get really close to the rhinoceros. There is also a good population of tigers, wild elephants, sambar, swamp deer, hog deer, wild pig. After breakfast, walk through terraced tea gardens and visit a village of the Missing tribe. In the noon, drive to Kaziranga's little-visited Eastern Range or the newly opened Burapahar Range for a jeep safari before returning to the boat.
DAY 7 :
Cruise downstream under the seemingly endless bridge to dock at Tezpur. After lunch on board, visit Da Parbatia Temple and board cycle rickshaws through the bazaars to Cole Park with its collection of medieval stone carvings. Reboard ship, cruise down to Moor for the night near the isolated Singri Hill.
DAY 8 :
Day spent on the river; traversing the lunar landscape of sand islands. You should stop for the night not far from Ganesh Pahar.
DAY 9 :
Reaching Guwahati at mid-day, climb up to the pretty Aswaklanta Temple on the hill above before driving out to the beautifully sited temple ruins of Madan Kamdev. Return to the ship, you cruise down to Sualkachi either in the evening or the next morning.
DAY 10 :
Walk through Sualkachi to visit weaving workshops and see the whole process of Silk manufacturer from cocoon to spinning to dyeing and finally to handweaving into exquisite saris and dress lengths. Next sail up to dock close to Great Saraighat Bridge and take a tour to Guwahati, driving up Nilachal Hill to Kamakhya temple. Visit the Commonwealth War Graves, the museum, and the bazaars.
DAY 11 :
Disembark during the morning and transfer to the airport for final departure.
(NOTE:- River cruise subject to river conditions, elephant safaris subject to availability. Both Kaziranga and Orang National Park contain low-lying grassland which may not be visited when the river is at or near flood level).
