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Bhutan and Brahmaputra Itinerary
Day 1 - UK - Kolkata (India)
Fly overnight from the UK to Kolkata.
Day 2 - Kolkata
Check in to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 3 - Kolkata - Paro (Bhutan) - Thimpu
Fly to Paro over the Himalayas for stunning views of the world's highest peaks. Drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, for an evening visit to the beautiful medieval Tashichhodzong fortress/monastery. Overnight at hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Thimphu
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Thimphu with highlights including the huge collection of ancient Buddhist texts at the National Library, the traditional thangkha paintings at the Painting School, the Traditional Medicine Institute and the Textile and Folk Heritage Museum. After lunch there is a trip to the Handicrafts Emporium and the Memorial Chorten stupa. Overnight at hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Punakha
After a short stop at the stunning Dochula Pass, drive to Punakha to visit the 17th-century Punakha Dzong fortress, the newly-built Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten stupa and a local market. Drive to the nearby town of Wangduephodrang to visit the local market. Overnight at hotel (B,L,D)
Day 6 - Paro
Drive back to Paro with a stop at Simtokha Dzong, a school for religious studies. In Paro visit the National Museum of the Bhutan to see its collection of art, artifacts and exquisite postage stamps, and walk to the Rinpung Dzong fortress. Overnight at hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Paro
After an early breakfast join the excursion to the Taktsang Monastery, where a 5-hour round-trip hike is rewarded by breathtaking views of this Himalayan Buddhist site, clinging precariously to the cliffside. This afternoon drive to the ruined Drukgyel Dzong monastery, visit a Bhutanese farmhouse for an insight into the lives of local people, and stop at the sacred Kichu Lhakhang shrine. Overnight at hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Paro - Kolkata (India)
Fly from Paro to Kolkata where a guided tour will feature the Victoria Memorial, Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity and St Paul's Cathedral. Overnight at hotel. (B).
Day 9 - Kolkata - Jorhat
Fly via Guwahati to Jorhat. Enjoy a packed lunch before driving to Neamati Ghat to embark Mahabaahu. Relax on board and look out for the famous Gangeatic Dolphins, then enjoy a Welcome Dinner and a talk about Sibsagar and the Ahom people of Assam. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - Sibsagar
Enjoy an early breakfast then join the full-day excursion to the ancient city of Sibsagar to see the Shiva Dol temple, the Palace of the Ahom Kings and the Rang Ghar amphitheatre. Drive to a tea estate for a traditional Assamese lunch with a tea-making family. (B,L,D)
Day 11 - Majuli Island
This morning there is the option to join a yoga class or walk through the swamps to see birds including owls, eagles, storks and kingfishers. Arrive at Majuli Island for a talk about this largest river island in the world, and a cultural performance by Satriya singers and dancers. Next, drive to Kamlabari Satra to see the Vaishnavite priests dancing to cymbals, drums and chanting in the temple. Sail towards the nearest Mishing village, where the Mishing People live on the banks of the river in raised houses, then head towards Dhansiri Mukh whilst listening to a talk on Assam, its geographical location and importance. The evening will be spent under the stars on a deserted island. (B,L,D)
Day 12 - Dhansiri
Enjoy a talk on the Brahmaputra and the life that surrounds it before embarking on a river safari in tender boats for the chance to spot the wildlife that lives along the river banks. In the afternoon there is an on-board cooking demonstration by the chef and a talk on tea, silk and jute in Assam. After dinner gather around a bonfire ashore. (Bonfire is dependent on weather conditions and sand bank availabililty.) (B,L,D)
Day 13 - Bishwanath Ghat - Silghat
After yoga or a walk on a deserted island, listen to a talk on Kaziranga and India's wildlife then head to the village of Bishwanath Ghat to meet the local weavers. Sail to Silghat for a short drive to the Kaliabore tea estate to watch the women pick leaves and learn about the process of producing Assam tea, them visit a Jute mill to learn how the fibre is turned into eco-friendly bags. (Tea factory is closed between mid-Dec and mid-Feb). Tonight there is a cultural evening on board. (B,L,D)
Day 14 - Kaziranga National Park
Today there is an early start for the drive to Kaziranga National Park, home to the one-horned rhino, wild elephants, tiger, deer and buffalo. Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime jeep safari. This evening there is a talk on Kamakhya, the occult and Peacock Island, followed by a traditional Assamese dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 15 - Peacock Island
Perhaps join a yoga lesson this morning before visiting a local island village, then head to Peacock Island, home to some golden langur monkeys. Farewell Dinner on board tonight. (B,L,D)
Day 16 - Guwahati - UK
Visit the Kamakhya Hindu temple, devoted to the goddess of desire, before transferring to the airport for your return flight to the UK. (B, packed L)
Day 17 - UK
Arrive back in the UK.
For navigational reasons the Captain of the ship reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary.