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Day 1
UK - Delhi (India)
Take an overnight flight from the UK to Delhi.
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Days 2-3
Delhi
Arrive in Delhi, where a representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for a two-night stay. Delhi is a lively city where modern amenities blend with traditional practices. Sir Edwin Lutyens drew up plans for the city in 1803. He wanted tree-lined avenues overlooked by spectacular architecture, now some of the most striking in the world. See the sights of Old Delhi on a guided tour. Admire the impressive Red Fort en route to Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, before exploring the bazaars of Chandni Chowk and enjoying a drive past the India Gate, the president's estate and Parliament House. (B)
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Day 4
Delhi - Agra
After breakfast, leave Delhi and travel to Agra and check-in to your hotel. This afternoon, enjoy a visit to the red sandstone Agra Fort on the banks of the Jamuna River and encircled by impressive walls. Later, admire the iconic Taj Mahal, one of the greatest architectural wonders of the modern world. (B)
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Day 5
Agra - Jaipur
Early this morning you'll experience one of the highlights of your holiday - the breathtaking spectacle of the Taj Mahal at sunrise. Spend time admiring this most famous wonder of the modern world before returning to your hotel. After breakfast check out of your hotel and depart for Jaipur, in air-conditioned, chauffeur driven comfort. During the drive you will visit the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri - made of red sandstone it was one the seat of Mughal legacy - but now stands deserted. Continue to Jaipur, arrive and check in at your hotel - the charming Trident Hotel (or similar). Spend the rest of the evening at leisure. (B)
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Day 6-7
Jaipur
Jaipur is the capital of Royal Rajasthan and after breakfast enjoy a sightseeing tour of the Forts and Palaces. Firstly we take a visit the hilltop fortress at Amber, once on top, stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls. We will also visit the Palace of the Winds and later Jantar Mantar and the City Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. In the evening you're free to relax and unwind in the comfort of your hotel. After a leisurely morning we depart and fly to Guwahati where we overnight at the 5 Star Vivanta Hotel (or similar). (B)
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Day 8
Embark ship
After breakfast today we take the short flight to Jorhat where we board our luxurious home for the next 7 night - the MV Mahabaahu.You'll receive a warm welcome onboard and enjoy lunch shortly thereafter.Use the afternoon to settle in and this evening we indulge in a short local sail to enjoy the hues of the sun as it dips into the horizon. Raise a toast to the River Brahmaputra and enjoy this sundowner and look out for the Gangetic Dolphins that hunt in the vicinity of Neamati Ghat. Enjoy a sumptuous dinner on board this evening in the company of your fellow travellers. (B,L,D)
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Day 9
Assam tea tasting
This morning we visit a planter's family at their Tea Estate. We drive alongside the river and through the Assamese countryside, laden with huts, fish ponds and beetle trees. You witness road side vegetable vendors selling home-grown vegetables and fruits and some fresh catch of fish from the river. Reach Shivasaagar, the Ahom stronghold where monuments speak of an era of 13th Century, when the north-east was ruled by a Tibeto-Burman race. Visit the tallest Shiva Temple of India, Shiva Dol. Later, arrive at the Planter’s family home on the Tea-Estate and get a feel of the luxury, expanse and history of the years invested in growing one of the best aromatic teas in the world. Assamese tea is famous round the globe and is one of the only two places in the world which has native tea plants, the other being Southern China. We are welcomed by the guests and we help ourselves to the buffet of ethnic Assamese cuisine. After a relaxed meal and authentic Assam Tea we indulge in some tea-tasting and a talk by the professionals. This evening you return to the Ship at Sunset, freshen-up and step into the Lounge and enjoy a relaxed dinner in the Dining area. (D)
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Day 10
Moonlit barbecue on a deserted island
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast or perhaps wake up early to enjoy a couple of hours of walk on the Neamati Bund which is a raised platform that juts out above the river. On one side is the river that constantly cuts and adds sand and on the other side a swamp fed by rain water which is a natural breeding space for birds. At this early hour one can see the village waking up, milking cows, gardening, farming, children in uniform cycling to school and the fishermen fishing for a fresh catch from the net. This walk is an informal way of peeping into the simple unpretentious Assamese village life. Later in the morning, MV Mahabaahu sails towards Majuli. You take our tenders to go ashore Majuli to experience the culture of the world’s largest inhabited riverine island. You have lunch on board and enjoy the sail towards the Deserted Island. Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee on the sun deck and watch as the sun sinks into the horizon as the navigation team locates an untouched deserted island to moor for the night. The beverages are set and the seating arranged. The aroma of the barbecued snacks fills the air and soon the guests step out on the island. Drinks in hand we indulge in talks, charades, camp fire songs and story-telling and enjoy the star laden skies with the ambience of water all around. You pay homage to the Brahmaputra River by floating oil lamps. Move in to the ship’s restaurant to enjoy a sit-down dinner. After dinner the spirit of the evening moves into the lounge, watch a documentary/movie for an hour and retire to the comfort of your cabins. (B,L,D)
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Day 11-12
Mishing Village and wildlife spotting
This morning enjoy Yoga or a walk on the untouched silver sands of the island. After breakfast you take our tenders to the Mishing Village to witness life on Chang Ghars of Bamboo scaffolding, bamboo roofs and matted bamboo walls. The Mishing women arrange their looms beneath their raised homes and weave bright and colourful ethnic designs in their waft and warp. This village provides an opportunity to add Mishing woven fabric to your wardrobe or home décor. Return to the ship as we sail away towards the Eastern Range of Kaziranga. After a sumptuous lunch and some rest, you get into our tenders to study the shoreline of the Eastern Range of Kaziranga and understand how the mighty Brahmaputra shapes and re-shapes the Banks. This area is a playground for Gangetic dolphins, tiny Assamese roof turtles and fish eating avians. Any wildlife we see is a bonus. Enjoy a relaxed dinner on board this evening. The following day we sail towards Bishwanath Ghat a tiny suburban village on the banks of the Brahmaputra which is sprinkled with temples and is a cosmos of weavers, fishermen, farmers, boat makers. Later we sail along Kaziranga and reach Silghat where the ship docks. After a relaxed lunch and some leisure, you walk to the Jute Mill to witness the complete process in a co-operative mill for turning the golden fibre into a gunny bag. All the families in Silghat and the Jute Mill have formed a special eco-system for themselves. From here drive to the Tea-Estate to see the women plucking tea-leaves and also to the tea-factory to see the leaves turn into various grains for packing (The tea-factory is operational till mid Nov and after mid-Feb).Over tea-coffee and snacks enjoy A talk on 'Kaziranga and wildlife in India' and an orientation on the Elephant and Jeep Safaris. The evening leads us to the lounge and an early dinner. (B,L,D)
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Day 13
Kaziranga National Park
Today wake up much before the dawn and sip away at a strong cup of Assam tea, some coffee and cookies. An hour of drive takes you to a resort in Kaziranga for use of facilities before we get ready for an elephant ride. You ride into the early morning mist and as the sun rays force the mist to thin, we witness wild life up close and personal; swamp and hog deer, Asiatic water buffaloes and Rhinos; all happily grazing within yards of each other. Enjoy breakfast and drive towards the range for a jeep safari to explore more of the wild life. You look for the Asiatic Wild Elephants, the striped cats, the Wild Water Buffalo, hog deer and the swamp deer and of course the one horned-rhinoceros that this UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for. After the safari head back to the cruise witnessing the paddy fields fed by the Brahmaputra as our wheels cautiously manoeuvre around the Karbi Anglong bends. This evening Enjoy an Assamese themed evening; Assamese freshly caught fried fish for snacks, Assami Mekhla Chaadar and Dhoti Kurta with Ahomia music and Ahomia dance moves and to top it all an Assamese Dinner Menu. (B,D)
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Day 14
Peacock Island
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and a talk on Kamakhya temple Later we leave for the Bangla village visit. Interact with the village folk and try to understand their simple and satisfied subsistence lifestyles. These folks who live off the Brahmaputra river, both for farming and fishing make a choice of living on fertile unclaimed sand bars. They understand that they can enjoy the privilege of owning large expanse of land only till the river decides to remain benevolent. Sail on towards the Peacock island and enjoy the hills that surround Guwahati. This evening we enjoy the Chef’s ‘Alvida Bhoj’ – A Farewell Dinner. (B,D)
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Day 15
Disembark ship and fly to UK
After disembarkation we take the short flight from Guwahati to Delhi where we overnight close to the airport. Suitably rested we then fly home from Delhi to London.
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Day 16
UK
Arrive in the UK.
