The banks of the mighty Brahmaputra boast riches galore, from wildlife to tea gardens, walks through tiny villages to cycle rickshaw rides through country towns. With many places almost inaccessible on foot, a cruise is a leisurely, pleasurable way to experience the ‘real India’ in this often overlooked corner of the country.
Day 1 - Kolkata
Arrive Kolkata. Kolkata - the Gateway to Eastern India was founded by the English merchant trader Job Charnock in 1690. It is a city with a rich heritage, bustling streets and a bewildering variety of facets.
Overnight in Kolkata.
Day 2 - Kolkata
Morning guided tour of the city visiting the Victoria Memorial, a huge white-marble structure and an enduring monument of the British Raj in India housing some interesting memorabilia. The structure is floodlit at night. See the temple of Kali - the demonic attribute of Parvathi at Kalighat. Drive past by Fort William, the Eden Gardens, the Dalhousie Square and the Writers Building, all interesting relics of Colonial India.
Stop by at the Howrah Bridge, a huge cantilever bridge supported by two piers 270 ft. high from the road level. Time permitting; also visit the Missionaries of Charity, the home of late Mother Teresa. Afternoon it is recommended that you visit the Indian Museum, built in 1874. An interesting and rather dilapidated structure, it is the oldest museum in India and has some of the rarest collections of archaeological importance.
Overnight at Kolkata.
Day 3 - On board the Charaidew II
Early morning transfer to the domestic airport to board flight for Guwahati.
Meet at Guwahati airport and transfer to our cruise at Pandu port. Enjoy lunch while cruising downstream to Sualkuchi. An afternoon walk through Sualkuchi, a bustling little town that is the centre of Assamese silk production, offers a chance to visit weaving workshops. Witness the whole process of silk manufacture, from cocoon and spinning, then dyeing to hand-weaving into exquisite mekhela chadars (a two-piece sari, the traditional attire of an Assamese woman). We then sail up to dock close to the great Saraighat bridge.
Day 4 - On board the Charaidew II
This morning you’ll drive up Nilachal Hill to see the holy Kamakhya temple. With its tantric rites and animal sacrifice, the more squeamish may prefer to content themselves with the exteriors. Visit the poignant Commonwealth War Graves cemetery before embarking on your cruise vessel at Uzan Bazaar. We set sail and cruise past Kurua on the north bank.
Day 5 - On board the Charaidew II
Morning cruise and visit to a riverside village with its lush green fields of vegetables. The day is spent mostly cruising upstream and presents an opportunity to catch up on reading, writing about your experiences so far, or simply watching life unfold on the riverbanks and jungle-covered hills that rise on either side. Enjoy an Indian cooking demonstration onboard.
Day 6 - On board the Charaidew II
This morning you cruise on to reach Tezpur where, after lunch, you’ll visit the 6th century Da Parbatia temple ruins with its beautifully carved portal. Later, explore the town by cycle rickshaw, stopping at Cole Park with its mediaeval stone carvings saved from sites all over the region. Enjoy free time in the local market. The ship will be waiting at the town’s waterfront for you to reboard.
Day 7 - On board the Charaidew II
After an early breakfast, drive for around two hours to the Nameri National Park at the foot of the blue hills of Arunachal Pradesh, the old North East Frontier Agency. Here, you take a float trip of around two hours down the Jia-Bhoreli River through the park. There are excellent bird-watching opportunities here (look out for the great Hornbills) and, perhaps, the chance of sighting wild elephants. After lunch, take a village walk before returning to the ship. Continue upstream, passing below a seemingly endless new bridge across the vast width of the riverbed, to moor at Silghat.
Day 8 - On board the Charaidew II
Today, you drive to Kaziranga’s Central Range for a morning jeep safari. Enjoy lunch at Diphlu River Lodge before taking another jeep safari in the little visited Burapahar Range before returning to the boat.
Covering an area of approximately 430 sq kms, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kaziranga National Park is home to the world’s largest population of the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros as well as the Indian Wild Water Buffalo. It has also earned the distinction of having the highest density of Royal Bengal Tigers (one every five sq. km.), making this park an incredibly rich biodiversity hotspot. With its marshy swamps and thickets of elephant grass, the park supports large populations of Indian elephants, Indian bison, swamp deer, and Capped Langurs.
Kaziranga National Park frequently draws comparisons to the Serengeti in Africa due to the park's abundance of wildlife and birds and is considered a birding paradise. Bird species found here include the Oriental Honey Buzzard, Black-shouldered Kite, White-tailed Eagle, Himalayan Griffon and many more.
Day 9 - On board the Charaidew II
This morning, go on a visit to a local tea garden and the weekly market of Uloni. In the afternoon, drive to Kaziranga’s Western range (Bagori Range) for a jeep safari through the lush, biodiverse landscapes of the park.
Day 10 - Depart
This morning you bid farewell to the crew and new friends as you set off for the 4-hour drive to Guwahati airport. Alternatively, we can arrange a 40-minute transfer to Tezpur airport or a 2 ½ hr transfer to Jorhat airport.
Please note - Kaziranga National Park has low-lying grassland, which may not be accessible when the river is at or near flood level.
This itinerary, including the cruise and approximate driving durations, is subject to river and weather conditions.
Why we love it
Wildlife Encounters
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Activities
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Culture
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Local colour
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