trip
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11 Days$5300USD

Activities
  • 10 days cruising, wildlife viewing, day walks
Accommodation
  • 10 nights aboard Charaidew II
Meals
  • 10 Dinners
  • 10 Lunches
  • 10 Breakfasts
1
Discovery and Cruising
 
 

Trip highlights


  • Experience one of the least explored regions of India
  • Cruise the might Brahmaputra from Neamati Ghat to Guwahati
  • Visit Sibsagar, the one-time capital of the Ahom kings of Assam
  • Sibsagar, the one-time capital of the Ahom kings of Assam
  • Wildlife safari in Kaziranga National Park

Embark on an extraordinary 11-day journey along the Brahmaputra River in Assam, offering a rich blend of culture, wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes. Starting at Neamati Ghat, we begin by exploring Sibsagar, the historic capital of the Ahom dynasty, before heading to Majuli Island, one of the largest river islands in the world. Known for its vibrant Assamese culture and heritage, Majuli is home to ancient Vaishnavite monasteries and deeply rooted traditions. As we continue downstream, we arrive at Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its thriving population of the endangered Indian one-horned rhinoceros. The park spans 430 square kilometers of floodplains, grasslands, wetlands, and forests, providing sanctuary to a diverse array of wildlife, including Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, wild water buffalo, and a wide variety of bird species. Kaziranga is a global symbol of successful wildlife conservation. The final leg of our journey takes us to the region around Guwahati, where we visit the revered Kamakhya Temple and the village of Sualkuchi, renowned for its exquisite silk weaving tradition. This trip offers a captivating glimpse into the unique life and culture along the Brahmaputra River.

Trip Code: ABK

Arrive at Jorhat airport for a 1 ½ hrs drive to the embarkation point of Neamati Ghat. Alternatively, arrive at Dibrugarh, a typical colonial town and major American base in WWII, then be driven for 4 ½ hrs to embark your ship at Neamati Ghat

Meals:  L,D

Your first excursion and experience of the rich variety of life along the Brahmaputra is Sibsagar, the one-time capital of the Ahom kings of Assam. Shan by origin but converts to Hinduism, the Ahoms ruled Assam for some 700 years until the 1820s. Their culture and architecture is a unique and intriguing amalgam of India and Southeast Asia. You’ll see temples with stupa-like profiles and palaces of distinctive form. The temple tank here is believed to be the world’s largest hand-excavated reservoir and quite the feat of engineering, as you’ll see. Lunch is taken at Horu Charai, a quintessential Assamese tea estate. Return to the ship and cruise downstream for three hours to Majuli island, one of the world’s largest river islands.

Meals:  B,L,D

ou should reach Majuli Island around breakfast time. One of the world’s largest river islands and a microcosm of Assamese culture, Majuli is much-photographed but little-visited. It is a stronghold of the peaceful religion of neo-Vaishnavism and the elegant island satras — some for celibate monks, some for families — showcase a unique way of life where the faithful live simply, offering worship through gayan-bayan (songs and musical instruments) and readings. You’ll visit a monastery at Auniati with its eclectic museum, then attend a dance performance at Kamalabari monastery. Later, return to the ship and cruise downstream for one or two hours.

Meals:  B,L,D

A day spent mostly sailing languidly along the Brahmaputra, though you’ll stop for a short visit to a tribal river village. By afternoon, Kaziranga National Park will be on your left – wild elephants are sometimes visible from the boat and once, memorably, a tiger, so keep an eye out for movement on the banks.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning, you’ll arrive at the delightful temple town of Vishnath, known for its fine Ahom-period temple. Take a walk ashore to explore the architecture and village life before continuing the voyage down to a quaint mooring at Silghat, where butterflies abound in the surrounding jungle. Go on your first safari in Kaziranga National Park, a jeep ride through the woodlands, grasslands and wetlands of the Western Range.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today, you’ll be driven to Kaziranga’s Central Range for a morning jeep safari. 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, this 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. In the afternoon, you’ll explore more of the Kaziranga National Park on another jeep safari.

Meals:  B,L,D

Cruise downstream under the seemingly endless new bridge to dock at Tezpur. After lunch on board, you’ll visit the remains of the 6th century Da Parbatia temple with its exquisitely carved portal. Cycle rickshaws transport you through the bustling bazaars to Cole Park with its collection of mediaeval stone carvings. Later, you’ll reboard the ship and cruise downstream to moor for the night near the isolated Singri Hill.

Meals:  B,L,D

The day is spent on the river, traversing a magical lunar landscape of sand islands before closing in on the range of hills beyond which lies Guwahati. Moor for the night not far from Ganesh Pahar.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning’s voyage is particularly picturesque, sailing by jungle-covered hills on the south bank. Reaching Guwahati by midday, you’ll moor opposite the city and climb up to the pretty Aswaklanta temple before driving out to the temple ruins of Madan Kamdev, their erotic carvings an indicator of the strong tantric traditions of the area. Return to the ship and cruise downstream to Sualkuchi either this evening or the following morning.

Meals:  B,L,D

Take a walk through Sualkuchi, a bustling little town and the centre of Assamese silk production. Your visit to the weaving workshops is a rare opportunity to witness the whole process of silk manufacture, from cocoon and spinning to dyeing and hand-weaving into exquisite mekhela chadars (a two-piece sari, the traditional attire of an Assamese woman). You then sail up to dock close to the great Saraighat bridge and take a tour of Guwahati, driving up Nilachal Hill to the Kamakhya temple. With its tantric rites and animal sacrifices, the more squeamish may prefer to content themselves with its exteriors. Visit the poignant Commonwealth War Graves, the museum and the colourful bazaars.

Meals:  B,L,D

Disembark this morning and transfer to Guwahati airport for your departure.

Meals:  B


Inclusions

  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
  • Complimentary tea, coffee and packaged water
  • Transfers as mentioned in the itinerary to and from the boat
  • Services of in-house guide and naturalist during excursions and onboard
  • Shore excursion program including all admissions
  • Expertly trained culinary staff

  • Flights to and from the embarkation/disembarkation point
  • Items of a personal nature ie laundry, alcoholic drinks, telephone charges
  • Meals not mentioned in itinerary
  • Tips
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa

Cabins


Departure dates


Notes

NB:
Indian GST of 5% is payable in addition to the selected cabin cost

Dates don't fit?
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If you have your own group, talk to us about turning this itinerary into your own private adventure.

Priceper person from

$5300USD

Options & Supplements*
  • 5% Indian GST on Main Deck Cabin (Mandatory)USD$265
  • 5% Indian GST on Upper Deck Cabin (Mandatory)USD$308
  • 5% Indian GST on Deluxe Upper Deck Cabin (Mandatory)USD$335
  • Upper Deck Cabin supplementUSD$850
  • Deluxe Upper Deck Cabin supplementUSD$1400
  • Upper Deck Cabin SINGLE cabin supplementUSD$3200
  • Deluxe Upper Deck Cabin SINGLE cabin supplementUSD$3500
*Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Ultimate Brahmaputra River Cruise aboard Charaidew II trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.


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Why travel with us

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Enhancing your journey with authentic experiences, genuine cultural exchange and real exploration are the focal points on all of our adventures. In 2019, we were crowned by our peers as the best in adventure travel at The Travel Awards in Sydney.

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Our vision is to leave the world a better place by following our sustainable active outdoor travel charter. All our adventures are 100% carbon offset and our Regenerative 2030 Project aims to integrate ‘regenerative’ projects into every one of our global operations by 2030.

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 When you book one of our adventures, you will receive quality services at the best prices with plenty of inclusions. There are no hidden costs, single travellers don’t pay more and you’ll enjoy many ‘extra touches’ that ensure your holiday is excellent value for money.

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