Kolkata to Guwahati By Air

Guwahati to Manas National Park – 150kms

We fly to Guwahati and on arrival, we maneuver to Manas National Park. Covered by tall grass and dense semi-evergreen forest Manas is located at the Himalayan foothills on the Bhutanese border.

Look! The tigers are on the parole!!! This beautiful Project Tiger reserve is home to most of the larger animals found in Kaziranga and over twenty-two species in the park are classified as endangered. The tiger count here is now estimated at over thirty and wild elephant number over five hundred. We stay at the ABN Bansbari Lodge for three nights.

Manas

Take an opportunity to ride an elephant, and see several different species of deer and monkeys and over 380 different species of birds. There is a wide range of wildlife to observe including wild buffalo, elephant, and, if exceptionally lucky, tiger. We visit the local villages, a nearby tea garden, and Bodo tribal for some authentic hand weaving.

Manas

Take an opportunity to ride an elephant, and see several different species of deer and monkeys and over 380 different species of birds. There is a wide range of wildlife to observe including wild buffalo, elephant, and, if exceptionally lucky, tiger. We visit the local villages, a nearby tea garden, and Bodo tribal for some authentic hand weaving.

Manas to Guwahati 150kms

Begin Brahmaputra Cruise

This morning after you are full of local experiences, you will be met and transferred to Guwahati to join either the ABN Charaidew or ABN Sukapha cruise boat which will be your base for the next three nights. Later leave Guwahati and cruise downstream to an overnight stop close to the village of Viajynagar.

Please note that this cruise is operated on a ‘join in’ basis and you should expect to be joined by other travelers

Brahmaputra Cruise

Cruise upstream to the little town of Sualkuchi, loud with the clatter of looms, to visit its silk weaving workshops and witness the whole process of silk manufacture. From here drive to Hajo, a place sacred to Hindus, Muslims, and Buddhists and visit a hilltop Muslim shrine with far-reaching views and a simple Hindu temple with a sacred tank full of great carp, catfish and turtles. Later re-board and cruise to an overnight mooring near the Saraighat War Memorial.

Brahmaputra Cruise

Continuing upstream disembark at Pandu docks for a short sightseeing tour of Guwahati including a visit to the Kamakhya Temple which is located atop Nilachal Hill and the poignant Commonwealth War Graves cemetery. Later cross by country boat to the mid-stream Peacock Island with its population of golden langur monkeys before re-embarking and cruising on to Kurua on the north bank.

End Cruise

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary to Kaziranga National Park – 200kms

This morning cruise past jungle-covered hills and turn into the Mayong River. Using the country boat, cruise to the road-head and from there enter the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary by road. This small park has a dense population of the India one-horned rhinoceros and it would be unlucky not to spot some of these amazing armored beasts on a jeep safari around the park. Later leave Pobitora and drive to Kaziranga National Park and the comfortable ABN Diphlu River Lodge for a three-night stay.

A World Heritage Site, Kaziranga National Park is located in a beautiful setting on the banks of the Brahmaputra River and covers a vast area. Predominately swamp with tall thickets of elephant grass, Kaziranga provides the ideal habitat for the Indian one-horned rhinoceros. There are also good populations of tiger, wild elephant, sambar, swamp deer, hog deer, wild pig, and many other species.

Kaziranga National Park

If your quest is to see the wildlife – over the next two days explore Kaziranga and the surrounding area enjoying early morning and an evening game safari by jeep and on elephant back. Aside from the one-horned rhinos, Kaziranga is also home to over 1,000 wild buffalo, sambar, swamp deer, elephant, python, and tiger. There are also a wide variety of birdlife as well as river otters and dolphins, which are regularly seen. If possible, also visit a tea garden and a Mising tribal village.

Kaziranga National Park

If your quest is to see the wildlife – over the next two days explore Kaziranga and the surrounding area enjoying early morning and an evening game safari by jeep and on elephant back. Aside from the one-horned rhinos, Kaziranga is also home to over 1,000 wild buffalo, sambar, swamp deer, elephant, python, and tiger. There are also a wide variety of birdlife as well as river otters and dolphins, which are regularly seen. If possible, also visit a tea garden and a Mising tribal village.

Kaziranga to Jorhat 100kms

If fortunate, you leave Kaziranga after spotting a tiger and follow the Brahmaputra River northeast to Jorhat where you will stay for two nights at the delightful 1920s Thengal Manor. Jorhat is one of Assam’s major tea centers and, due to its location, is also an excellent base for exploring nearby Majuli Island.

Jorhat visit Majuli Island

After a healthy breakfast, we leave Jorhat and drive to Neematighat for the one-hour ferry ride to Majuli. A World Heritage Site, Majuli is located in the Brahmaputra River and is the largest inhabited river island in the world. The island has long served as a monastic retreat to the local Vaishnavite community, is noted for its traditional Assamese and Mishing tribal architecture as well as for its beautiful rural setting. Majuli is also a bird-watchers’ paradise. In the afternoon return to Jorhat.

Jorhat to Dibrugarh 150kms Via Sivasagar

This morning we drive to Sivasagar where a series of Ahom monuments, tanks, and temples encompass the 600-year-old history of the Ahom dynasty. From here continue on to Dibrugarh and the Heritage Chang Bungalow where you will stay for two nights. Dibrugarh is the gateway to the ‘hidden land’ of Arunachal Pradesh.

Dibrugarh

Today explore Dibrugarh and visit the Mancotta Tea Estate to learn all about tea – from its origin to how it is grown to its processing and tasting. This area of India is one of the oldest tea producing regions in the country and plenty of time will be spent enjoying the estate’s 157-year-old tea gardens.

Dibrugarh to Kolkata By Air

After breakfast and tons of rustic memories, we transfer to Dibrugarh Airport in for the flight to Kolkata. On your arrival, you will be met and transferred to the Oberoi Grand Hotel where you will stay for the next two nights.