This 10-night cruise starts at a river ghat between Jorhat and Dibrugarh, and terminates at Guwahati. Highlights are the old capital of the Ahom kings at Sibsagar, Majuli Island with its Hindu monasteries, Kaziranga National Park, temples at Tezpur and Madan Kamdev, and the silk weaving village of Sualkuchi.
Highlights
• Visit Sibsagar, the one-time capital of the Ahom kings of Assam.
• Enjoy a safari through Kaziranga National Park.
• Visit the remains of the the 6th century Da Parbatia temple with its exquisitely carved portal.
• Walk through Sualkuchi, a bustling little town that is the centre of Assamese silk production.
Arrive at Dibrugarh, a typical colonial town and major American base in WWII, then drive for 4 ½ hrs to embark on our ship at Neamati Ghat. Alternatively, arrive at Jorhat airport and drive for 1 ½ hrs to the embarkation point of Neamati Ghat.
Go on an excursion by road to 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, and their culture and architecture is a strange and delightful amalgam of India and Southeast Asia. We shall see temples with stupa-like profiles and palaces of distinctive form. For the record book, the temple tank here is claimed to be the world’s largest hand-excavated reservoir. Lunch is taken at Horu Charai, a tea estate. Return to the ship and cruise downstream for three hours to Majuli island, one of the world’s largest river islands.
A microcosm of Assamese culture, Majuli represents rural idyll in Assam. A stronghold of the peaceful religion of neo-Vaishnavism, 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.
Visit Auniati monastery and its eclectic museum and, in the afternoon, attend a dance performance at Kamalabari monastery. Later, return to the ship and cruise downstream for one or two hours.
A day spent mostly on the river, though we shall stop and make a short visit to a tribal village by the river. By afternoon, Kaziranga National Park will be on our left – wild elephants are sometimes visible from the boat and once, memorably, a tiger.
This morning, you will arrive at the little temple town of Vishnath, known for its fine Ahom-period temple. Take a walk ashore before continuing the voyage down to a delightful mooring at Silghat, with butterflies abounding in the surrounding jungle.
Those taking Assam Despatch 4A will disembark from the ship and transferred to the Kaziranga lodge of their choice. Cruise 4A terminates.
Those remaining on board will go on their first safari through Kaziranga National Park, a jeep ride through its Western Range, with good woodland as well as grassland and wetlands.
Today, drive 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.
Besides wildlife, Kaziranga National Park is also a birding paradise. A few of the bird species found here are the Oriental Honey Buzzard, Black-shouldered Kite, White-tailed Eagle, Himalayan Griffon and so on.
Kaziranga National Park also frequently draws comparisons to the Serengeti in Africa due to the park's abundance of wildlife and birds.
In the afternoon, go inside the Kaziranga National Park for another jeep safari.
Cruise downstream under the seemingly endless new bridge to dock at Tezpur. Those taking Assam Despatch 4B are transferred this morning from a Kaziranga lodge to board the ship at Tezpur in time for lunch.
After lunch on board, we visit the remains of the the 6th century Da Parbatia temple with its exquisitely carved portal. Board cycle rickshaws to take us through the bazaars to Cole Park with its collection of medieval stone carvings. Later, reboard our ship and cruise downstream to moor for the night near the isolated Singri Hill.
The day is spent on the river, traversing a lunar landscape of sand islands then closing in on the range of hills beyond which lies Guwahati. Moor for the night not far from Ganesh Pahar.
This morning’s voyage is particularly pretty, with jungle-covered hills in the south bank. Reaching Guwahati by midday, we 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 being an indicator of the strong tantric traditions of the area. Return to the ship and cruise downstream to Sualkuchi either this very evening or the following morning.
Walk through Sualkuchi, a bustling little town that is the centre of Assamese silk production, to visit weaving workshops. 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). We 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 among us may prefer to content themselves with its exteriors. Visit the poignant Commonwealth War Graves, the museum and the bazaars.
Disembark this morning and transfer to Guwahati airport for final departure.
This itinerary, including the cruise and approximate driving durations, is subject to river and weather conditions. Kaziranga National Park comprises low-lying grassland, which may not be visitable when the river is at or near flood level.
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30 March, 2024 to 09 April, 2024
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Featuring a queen bed, this cabin (170 sq. ft.) is ideal for solo travellers, for which we charge no supplement.
This cabin (240 sq. ft.) is located on the upper deck, and can be converted into twin or double beds.
This cabin (350 sq. ft.) is located on the upper deck. The spacious cabin opens out to a comfortable sit-out, offering guests a better vantage point from which to watch rural India glide by.
Additional charges:
5% Tax Applicable to all Cabin Categories: USD pp
ABN Charaidew II
Vessel Type: River Boat
Length: 44.5 metres
Passenger Capacity: 18 cabins
ABN Charaidew II, entered service on the Brahmaputra in January 2019. Built in Kolkata, her length is 44.50 m and breadth is 11.00 m and is powered by 2 engines. Her extra-shallow draught and a lower profile than conventional designs allow her to cruise faster. ABN Charaidew II has 18 cabins in total: 2 spacious deluxe cabins (350 sq. feet) and 12 spacious twin/double cabins (240 sq. feet.) are on the upper deck while 4 cabins with queen size bed (170 sq. feet) are on the main deck for which we charge no supplement. The decor reflects a sense of homecoming to Assam, with touches of colonial elegance, brought to life by traditional Assamese designs on hand-woven cotton fabrics.
All standard cabins on ABN Charaidew II have French balconies, while the two deluxe cabins have a private balcony.
There is a comfortable saloon and bar, dining room, a big open sundeck, gym, and a small spa onboard which offers a wide range of treatments.
ONBOARD FEATURES
Spacious cabins with individual climate control
En suite shower/WC with Biotique toiletries
Generous cupboard space and under-bed storage
Hair drier in each cabin
Minibar in each cabin
In-room electronic safe
Tea/coffee making facilities in cabins
Intercommunication telephone in cabins
High quality bathrobes and slippers in cabins
Large sliding glass windows offering panoramic views of the river
Vast sundeck both open and shaded, with sofas and sun loungers
Spacious air-conditioned saloon
Mini library
Spa with choice of treatments
In-house gym
SERVICES
Shore excursion program including all admissions
Services of in-house guide and naturalist during excursions and onboard
Cold towel service after excursions
Welcome drink after excursions
Shoe-cleaning after excursions
Turndown service in all cabins
Expertly trained culinary staff
Single seating for buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner
Acclaimed combination of Indian and Western cuisines
Wide choice of wines, spirits and beer
Complimentary tea, coffee and packaged water throughout
Welcome reception
Farewell reception
Local on-board dance & song performances
24/7 power backup
Wi-Fi internet in the saloon, sundeck; dining hall (subject to network availability) during the day time.
Inclusions
Voyage on board in selected cabin category
All excursions and entry fees
Group transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
All meals on board
English-speaking guide onboard and during excursions
Exclusions
International and domestic flights
Passport and visa costs where applicable
Beverages purchased from the bar
Items of a personal nature including laundry
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Port charges/taxes
River Boat
