India: Cruising the Brahmaputra

Arrive and transfer to the Oberoi Grand for 2 nights. Afternoon at leisure. (N)

Half-day tour of Kolkata's colonial heritage which explores British-Indian history, particularly the buildings that date back to the days of the East India Company. In the afternoon take an optional visit to the Victoria Memorial and South Park Cemetery. (B)

Fly to Dibrugarh. Board the RV Sukhapa / RV Charaidew for 10 nights cruising the Brahmaputra river. (B, L, D)

Morning visit to Sibsagar, the one-time capital of the Kings of Assam, who ruled Assam for nearly 700 years between the 12th century and early 19th century. Following lunch in a tea estate, return to the boat and cruise for 3 hours to Majuli, the largest riverine island. (B, L, D)

Visit Auniati Monastery with its eclectic museum, enjoy a typical Mising tribal lunch in a stilted bamboo hut and, in the afternoon, attend a dance performance at Kamalabari Monastery. (B, L, D)

Spend much of the day on the river, watching for water birds and river dolphins. Short visit to a tribal village. By the afternoon, Kaziranga National Park will be on the left, and wild Asian elephants and other mammals such as hog deer and wild water buffalo may sometimes be seen from the boat. (B, L, D)

This morning, arrive at the little temple town of Vishnath with its fine Ahom-period temple. After taking a walk ashore continue the voyage downstream to moor at Silghat with its plethora of butterflies. In the afternoon, take a jeep ride through the park's western range, where good woodland, as well as grassland and wetlands, and the wildlife they support, can be viewed from look-out towers. (B, L, D)

Explore Kaziranga's central range on an early morning elephant ride, the best way to get really close to the rhinos and Kaziranga's other mammals. Drive to Kaziranga's little-visited eastern range, or the newly-opened Burapahar range, for a further 4x4 safari before returning to the boat. (B, L, D)

Visit Tezpur’s sixth-century Da Parbatia temple. Cycle rickshaws will take you through the bazaars to Cole Park with its collection of medieval stone carvings. (B, L, D)

Today is spent on the river, traversing a lunar landscape of sand islands beyond which lies Guwahati. Tonight, moor near Ganesh Pahar. (B, L, D)

Climb up to the pretty Aswaklanta temple before driving to the beautifully sited temple ruins of Madan Kamdev, their exotic carvings are an indicator of the strong tantric traditions in the area. Later cruise to Sualkuchi. (B, L, D)

Visit Sualkuchi and its weaving workshops, Nilachal hill with its variety of birds and the poignant Commonwealth War Graves. Museums and bazaars are also visited. (B, L, D)

Disembark and transfer to Guwahati airport. Fly to Kolkata. Overnight at the Oberoi Grand. (B)

Transfer to the airport and fly home. (B)