The mighty Brahmaputra River in Northern India originates high in the Himalayas before flowing through the scenic Assam Valley where UNESCO protected national parks and remote rural communities provide travellers with the most wonderful and authentic expedition. Sailing 7-nights along this vast and changeable river, those coming from elsewhere in India will feel they have been transported to another world as the riverbanks extend beyond view and occasional sandstorms make it seem like we are sailing through a desert.
Visiting two national Park we sail lazily through Nameri National Park to spot a vast array of birdlife, whilst during a full day jeep safari at Kaziranga National Park, we encounter vast numbers of protected mammals including the Indian One-Horned rhino and, famously spotted on one expedition but extremely rare, the Bengal Tiger.
Assam is also home to a deep and colourful culture which we encounter both on land and onboard with dances and performances from local performers, explained by our experienced Assamese guides. This is truly an India river cruise adventure unlike any other.
Cultural performances and all scheduled excursions
Itinerary
Day 1Guwahati
Embark you Pandaw vessel in Guwahati, gateway to Assam. Meet your crew for the next 7-nights and set sail upstream onto the Mighty Brahmaputra River.
Day 2Sutar Gaon
Today we stop at a local village consisting of migrant populations that have settled and been provided with official status by the government. Their charming village is the perfect place to learn about life along such a dramatically changeable river.
Day 3Silghat
Setting sail early morning we reach Silghat, at the doorstep of Kaziranga National Park. We make our first venture into this park in the afternoon in search of the reserve’s most famous inhabitant, the Royal Bengal Tigers for which the park boasts the highest density of any place in the world. Tiger spotting is extremely rare but chances to see Kaziranga’s other famous inhabitants are abundant.
Day 4Kaziranga National Park
We leave the ship in the early morning for our second Jeep safari into Kaziranga National Park. Mornings are the perfect time to spot the Indian One-Horned Rhinos, Buffalos, Elephants plus a host of birdlife, including hornbills and kingfishers. Following your safari, we visit a typical Assamese tea garden and learn about the process from bush to cup. After lunch onboard we sail downstream toward Tezpur and if time permits, visit Bamuni Hills, a 9th century temple complex that lies in ruins overlooking the town.
Day 5Nameri National Park
After an early breakfast we head ashore and drive north toward the state of Arunachal Pradesh to explore our second national Park – Nameri National Park. Here we take a float trip down the Jia – Bhoreli River of around 2 hours and enjoy the abundant birdlife and breathtaking scenery backdropped by the Blue Hills in the Eastern Himalayan range. We return for lunch onboard and set sail downstream.
Day 6Mayang
Stepping ashore in Mayang, a sizeable village along the shores of the Brahmaputra, we learn about the history of magic and sorcery that was prevalent in the region. We visit the fascinating Mayang museum which explains how various mantras were used for anything from curing ailments to identifying a thief. We are then welcomed into the home of a local Mayang resident for a discussion and perhaps demonstration of some tricks.
Day 7Sualkuchi
Sualkuchi is a major centre for weaving in Assam. Here we learn about the entire silk making production from the cocoon, to spinning and weaving to make the typical saree worn by local women. There is a chance to buy some local silken souvenirs and experience a traditional folk dance before we return to the ship by electric rickshaw.
Day 8Guwahati
After breakfast, disembark the ship and transfer to city hotel or Guwahati airport for your onward journey.
The Brahmaputra Itinerary
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