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Essence of Eastern India
Private Travel
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General interest
14 Days & 12 Nights
Lead-in price: £4465
Explore beautiful hill stations, tea estates, mesmerising temples and numerous national parks in search of tigers and one-horned rhinos on an exploration of the best of East India. Beginning in Kolkata (Calcutta), this tour takes in the highlights of the Indian states of West Bengal, Assam and Meghalaya, providing a perfect blend of cultural and scenic highlights.
The Cox & Kings signature experiences
- Stay in a heritage bungalow on a working tea plantation
- Spot one-horned rhinos in Kaziranga National Park
- Visit Majuli, one of the largest inhabited river islands in the world
- Explore the Ahom monuments & temples at Sivasagar
- Visit Sualkuchi, the silk hub of Assam
- See Shillong’s spectacular living root bridges
- Stay in 3- & 4-star accommodation
Tour variations
Discovery Private Tour in brief
Days 1-2: Fly to KolkataFly to Kolkata (Calcutta). Arrive the following day and transfer to the Oberoi Grand for an overnight stay. Afternoon at leisure or take an optional half-day city tour. (N)
Day 3: Fly to DibrugarhMidday flight to Dibrugarh and drive to Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow for a 2-night stay. Take a guided tour of the tea estate. This evening enjoy a traditional Assam folk dance. (B, L, D)
Day 4: DibrugarhOptional morning tea tasting before driving to Naharkatiya to visit the village of Namphake. Visit the monastery and interact with the local Tai Phakial people. See the traditional houses built on bamboo stilts. Later drive to Digboi to visit the WWII Cemetery. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Sivasagar • MajuliVisit the Ahom monuments and the temples of Sivasagar; both belong to the Ahom dynasty, which dates back 600 years. Drive to Nimatighat where you will board a private ferry to Majuli, the world’s largest inhabited river island. Stay overnight on the ABN Charaidew 1, a de luxe 12-cabin houseboat. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Majuli • Kaziranga National ParkExplore the Vaishnava monasteries and visit the local tribes. Take a private ferry back to the mainland and drive to Kaziranga National Park. Stay 2 nights at the Diphlu River Lodge. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Kaziranga National ParkMorning and afternoon 4×4 safaris. You are likely to see herds of Indian elephants and one-horned rhinos in close proximity. Optional evening visit to the Kaziranga Biodiversity Centre. (B, L, D)
Day 8: Tezpur • Nameri National ParkHead to Tezpur and visit the Mahabhairab temple. One of the biggest and oldest Hindu shrines in the world, it attracts hundreds of devotees every day. Continue to Nameri National Park. Take a short jungle walk before checking into the Wild Mahseer planter’s bungalow for an overnight stay. (B, L, D)
Day 9: ShillongFull-day drive to Shillong, a hill station set in a cradle of tall pine conifers, pineapple shrubs and heather-clad hills. Check in at the Ri Kynjai hotel for 3 nights. (B, L, D)
Day 10: ShillongFull-day tour of Shillong and the surrounding area. Visit Mawlynnong, a picturesque village known for its living root bridge. Continue by boat along the Umngot river at Dawki on the border of Bangladesh. (B, L, D)
Day 11: JowaiFull-day visit to Jowai, a village known for its monoliths and remnants of the Jaintia Kingdom. Visit the palace, the Durga temple and the biggest collection of monolith stones in the world. (B, L, D)
Day 12: Sualkuchi • GuwahatiDrive to Guwahati for an overnight stay at the Radisson Blu. En route, visit Kamakhya temple, the silk weaving village of Sualkuchi and the ancient pilgrimage centre of Hajo. (B, L, D)
Day 13: Fly to KolkataTransfer to Guwahati airport and fly to Kolkata. Overnight at the Oberoi Grand. (B)
Day 14: Fly homeTransfer to the airport and fly home. (B)
Meal basis:As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.
Important information Discovery Tour:This tour is best suited to the hardier traveller as it includes some basic accommodation and some rougher road journeys.
Single supplementAvailable on request.
Tailor-made travelFor a price quote based on alternative accommodation standards, to discuss flight options or to tailor this itinerary, please call to speak with a Cox & Kings consultant or enquire online.
Discovery private tour accommodation
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Oberoi Grand
The Oberoi Grand is a classic and stylish hotel located in the heart of the city, near the principal monuments and New Market. The hotel has two restaurants and offers some of the best dining experiences in the city, including an authentic Thai restaurant. The swimming pool and central courtyard offer a great place to relax, away from the bustling city while the stylish bar has a pool table and often features live music, including jazz and blues. Features: 209 rooms, Wi-Fi, swimming pool, spa, gym, beauty salon, 2 restaurants, bar. Room amenities: Television, writing desk, safe, minibar, tea & coffee facilities, en suite bathroom.
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Diphlu River Lodge
The Diphlu River Lodge is an eco-resort built on stilts in the middle of green paddy fields. The lodge is set on the edge of River Diphlu, which forms the boundary to Kaziranga National Park. Managed by Assam Bengal Navigation, the lodge operates to the high standards of their well-established cruises on the Brahmaputra and Hooghly. The 12 rooms are large, have a rustic feel and were designed making use of local materials and artefacts. All rooms feature a seating area with comfortable cane furniture, a writing desk, mini-bar, safe, small fridge and tea & coffee-making machine. The en-suite bathrooms (shower only) have glass sides that open out into the sky.
Dates & prices
ESS2022
Guideline Prices
Low season from £4465 per person
High season from £4665 per person
Vaccination Travel Policy
All clients must be fully vaccinated before travelling with us on a Cox & Kings (C&K)
group tour. This means that a customer must have received their full two doses of the
COVID‑19 vaccination at least 14 days before travelling with us. This does not apply
to our private tours or tailor-made travel. If you have any questions please call us
or visit our FAQs page on our website here
Flexible Prices & Itineraries
For a quote based on alternative accommodation standards or flight options, or to tailor this
itinerary, please call 020 7873 5000
or
send an email enquiry
Guaranteed Departures Where a tour date has ‘yes’ listed, this tour is guaranteed to run.
For all other departure dates, once the minimum number of people booked has been reached, this tour is also guaranteed to run. Our sales consultants will be able to advise how many people are booked for your chosen date at the time of enquiry, giving you the confidence to book safe in the knowledge your tour will go ahead.
Terms & Conditions Guaranteed departures will run except in the circumstances where travel to the destination is advised against by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or entry restrictions relating to COVID-19 preclude travel.
Additional InformationPlease call 020 7873 5000 for more information or to make a booking.
Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices which were valid at the time of publication, may be subject to change, particularly as a result of variable flight costs. You will be informed of any such changes prior to booking.
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- • 3- & 4-star accommodation
• Flexible - extensions, room & flightupgrades available
• Direct international flights
• Internal flights as specified
• Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
• 12 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 10 dinners
• Guided sightseeing & entrance fees
Destinations on this tour
© Cox & Kings 2021