RHINOS & BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER CRUISE
The Brahmaputra River is the only navigable river in the world from which you can see 7400 mtrs high, snow covered Himalayan mountains. It is also the only river, apart from the Zambezi River in Africa, from which elephant, jeep and boat safaris are conducted. The visit to temples, tribal villages, monasteries, ancient palaces and tea estates gives a great "Living Cultures" experience.The mighty Brahmaputra River that has its origin near Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash, prayed to by four religions of Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Bonpas, charts its course through Tibet, Assam and Bangladesh. Assam, the mystic land of blue hills and beautiful rivers, is renowned for its tea, rich flora and fauna.Its "Big Four" include the great single horned rhinos, elephants, wild buffaloes and the tigers. Fresh water dolphins in the river and great bird like the Great Hornbills, Great Adjutant Storks and the Black Necked Cranes. These all along with, over six hundred varieties of migratory and domestic birds, other mammals like deers, apes like the Hollock Gibbons, turtles & tortoises, makes this as one of the greatest natural habitats and varieties of wildlife outside of Africa
Day 01
Day 02
Day 03
Day 04
Day 05
Day 06
Day-01 GUWAHATI/ SILGHAT/ MV MAHABAAHU/ VISIT TEA ESTATE AND/OR JUTE MILL
On arrival at the airport, we are met at the receiving area with packed lunch. The drive to Silghat takes us about 5 hours.
On arrival at Silghat, we are welcomed on board the MV Mahabaahu.We take a short drive to Kaliabore Tea Estate which is a vast expanse of undulating estate with tea bushes. We take a short walk through this striking tea-garden, watching the tribal women pick tea leaves. We proceed to the tea factory to see the process of finally producing Assam Tea and coming to terms with ‘all that goes into preparing a cup-of-tea. (The tea factory is not operational from mid-December to mid-February as the tea is at its dormant stage during this time of the year)
Day-02 KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK/ WEAVERS VILLAGE AT BISHWANATH GHAT
we rise very early today and after a warm cup of tea and some snacks, drive out towards the Kaziranga National Park. The most prized inhabitant of Kaziranga, is the Greater One-Horned Indian Rhinoceros, but the Park is home to as many as 180 different mammals including wild elephants, tiger, deer, Asiatic wild buffalo and a rich variety of birds.We reach the Kohora Mihimukh range of the National Park and are ready to start our morning adventure; once-in-a-lifetime elephant-backed safari where we search for the elusive rhinoceros, tigers, swamp deer and hog deer and more and a large number of very interesting birds. The park never ceases to surprise us.
After breakfast, at a resort in Kaziranga, we drive on to Bagori, the Western Range of Kaziranga and get into the open jeeps for some more wild life adventure and an extensive coverage of this magnificent park.We return to MV Mahabaahu for a leisurely lunch and a relaxed afternoon. After the leisurely pace of the day and having recovered the lost sleep, we once again get together for A talk on ‘Silk in Assam’. We get into the tenders to reach the shores of Bishwanath Ghat. We visit the Shiva Dol in reverence of Lord Shiva and there is no way that we can avoid the women with their weaves. We enjoy a walk through the village and see how this suburban village thrives.
We return to the ship to enjoy an evening on a deserted island and then proceed to a scrumptious dinner.
Day-03 DHANSIRI BOAT SAFARI
This morning, MV Mahabaahu sails early towards the Eastern Range of Kaziranga for boat Safari. We enjoy breakfast and a talk on ‘The River Brahmaputra and the life that exists alongside’.We proceed for the safari in our tenders for about two hours. The shores are high but one can see roof turtles on protruding drift wood, water lizards, otters, elephants, wild buffaloes, rhinos, darters, herons, pied kingfishers, white throated kingfishers, serpent eagles and many more. The sightings are always determined by the weather conditions.We return for lunch. This evening we enjoy the Chef’s Cooking Demonstration followed by a talk on 'Majuli', the seat of Vaishnav culture. The evening on a deserted island with bonfire is always unusual. We enjoy dinner on MV Mahabaahu.
Day-04 MISHING VILLAGE VISIT/ MAJULI VISIT
After Yoga, as we have our breakfast, we sail towards the Mishing Village and further on to Majuli, a cosmos of Assamese culture where various philosophies co-exist and thrive.After breakfast, we enjoy a talk on 'Majuli' the seat of Vaishnav culture’. Thereafter we set off in our tenders to a Mishing Village.The Mishings live on the bank of river in 'Chang ghars', houses with raised platform. All Mishing women are expert weavers. The indoor life of a Mishing person revolves around the kitchen area where the family can get together.
MV Mahabaahu leaves behind the Mishing village and after lunch, we enjoy a talk on ‘Sibsagar and the Ahom civilization’ followed by a visit to Majuli Island.We get on the tenders and arrive on the mainland where a drive takes us to a scenic corner of a Satra for an interesting cultural performance by Satriya singers and dancers. Next, we drive to Kamlabari Satra to witness the Vaishnavite priests dancing to the rhythm of cymbals, drums and chanting in the temple premise.We return to the ship and we prepare for a Traditional Assamese evening.
Day-05 SAIL TO NEAMATI GHAT/ SIBSAGAR/ HOME HOSTED LUNCH
After an early breakfast, we start our day-excursion to Sibsagar, the ancient city and capital of the Tai-speaking Ahoms who came in the 13th Century AD to the area from the north-east and were essentially of Tibeto-Burman origin. Sibsagar town literally means 'the ocean of Lord Shiva’ as it is built around a huge man made water tank ordered by the Ahom Queen. The Shiva Dol, constructed in the year 1734 is believed to be the highest Shiva temple in India. We visit The Talatal or Kareng Ghar, the palace of the Ahom Kings and the Rang Ghar, an amphitheater, a place of entertainment or important meetings for the Royals and their guests. Thereafter we drive to a Tea Estate for a relaxed afternoon where we enjoy a traditional Assamese lunch with the Tea-estate family who have been involved in the tea business over a period of a century. Here, we sip our beverages as we explore the lawns and proceed to indulge in traditional Assamese cuisine.
We return to MV Mahabaahu by sunset and enjoy a relaxed evening in the Soma lounge before proceeding for our farewell
dinner or Alvida Bhoj.
Day-06 NEAMATI GHAT/ JORHAT/ DEPARTURE
we start the day with Yoga and/or go for a walk along the swamps to catch a sight of owls, orioles, yellow footed green pigeons, changeable hawk eagles, adjutant storks, quails, sea gulls hunting with the dolphins and pied kingfishers, swallows and martins diving to fish.We have a relaxed breakfast. The luggage is brought out of the cabins according to the flight schedule.
The crew on board organises our transport.We arrive at the Rowriah Airport in Jorhat, a couple of hours before the flight schedule and bid adieu to the land of Ahoms.
Go for Booking
Inclusions:
- 5 Nights / 6 Days MV Mahabaahu Upstream Cruise Program
- Accommodation on twin sharing basis on full board plan.
- All Entrance fees at the Monuments and National Parks as per the itinerary.
- 1 Glass of Domestic wine/beer with Farewell and Welcome dinners.
- All excursions/lectures/performances and activities as per the itinerary.
- Services of English speaking Naturalist/ Destination Manager during sightseeing at all the places as per the itinerary.
- Assistance on all Arrival & Departure transfers with Representative at the airport and Land transport by Air-Conditioned vehicles (Air-conditioned vehicles at Majuli Island are subject to availability).
Exclusions:
- Expense of personal nature like laundry, telephone/fax calls, internet, imported wines & spirits, camera/video camera fee at monuments/National Park, medical expenses, Salon/massages, airport departure tax etc.
- Any Insurance.
- Any further tax levied by the government of India.
- Evacuation charges in case of medical emergencies, insurance is available on request.
- Expenses caused by factors beyond our control like rail and airplanes delays, roadblocks, vehicle malfunctions, political disturbances, taxes, lost luggage, etc.
- Govt. service tax 4.5%
- Any tipping.
- International & Domestic Air fares.
- Any other services not mentioned in the inclusions.
- Supplement of peak period from 20th Dec'16 till 10th Jan'17 will be advised on booking request for that period.
Point to be Noted:
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