fbpx

Brahmaputra Taster

Brahmaputra Taster

From USD $780

Description

This cruise provides a fascinating taster of Assam, with visits to villages and to the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, where you will drive out on safari in search of one-horned rhinoceroses.

Please Note: this itinerary is also available as a 4-day one-way cruise up to Pobitora with road transfer onwards to Kaziranga National Park. Please contact us for more details.

Trip Name
Brahmaputra Taster
Days
5
Overview
Vessel Type: River Boat Lenght: 38 meters Passenger Capacity: 24 Rebuilt: 2003 ABN Charaidew is a 38m-long, twin-engined, steel hulled passenger boat. She was completely stripped down and rebuilt in 2003 to provide 10 twin-bedded and 2 double-bedded cabins with en-suite shower and W.C. The grand old lady of our fleet, she makes up in character what she lacks in twenty-first century glitz. The polished brass engine room telegraph and enormous ship’s wheel bear witness to her heritage. All cabin accommodation is on the upper deck, as is a bar and saloon opening onto a front deck. A dining room with full-length opening glass doors on each side is on the lower deck, while a large top sundeck offers additional comfortable open-air seating in shade or sun. Local handloom fabrics specially woven for us and comfortable cane sofas and chairs contribute to the attractive decor. ​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 * ​High quality linens * Large sliding glass windows offering panoramic views of the river * Vast sundeck both open and shaded, with sunloungers or steamer chairs. Services * Shore excursion programme including all admissions * Naturalist onboard the vessel * 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 & Western cuisines * Wide choice of wines, spirits & beer * Complimentary tea, coffee & mineral water throughout * Welcome reception * Farewell reception * Local on-board dance & song performances.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1 Guwahati
​Meet at Guwahati airport and embark on your ship by mid-afternoon close to the great Saraighat Bridge. Cruise downstream to an overnight stop close to the south bank village of Vijaynagar.
Day 2 - DAY 2 Sualkuchi - Hajo
​After breakfast, disembark and explore a riverside village on foot. Cruise upstream to the little town of Sualkuchi, loud with the clatter of looms, and visit its silk-weaving workshops on foot. We shall see 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 Assamese women). Later, drive to Hajo – a place sacred to Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists – and visit a hilltop Muslim shrine with far-reaching views over the surrounding rural landscape; a simple Hindu temple with its frieze of elephants; and a sacred tank full of great carp, catfish and turtles. Reboard the ship and cruise to an overnight mooring near the Saraighat War Memorial.
Day 3 - DAY 3 Guwahati - Kurua
​This morning, cruise upstream and disembark at Pandu docks to go on a short sightseeing tour of the city of Guwahati. Drive up Nilachal Hill to see the holy Kamakhya temple. With its tantric rites and animal sacrifice, the more squeamish among us may prefer to content themselves with its exteriors. Visit the poignant Commonwealth War Graves cemetery as well as a shop selling local crafts. Cross by country boat to the mid-stream Peacock Island with its population of Golden Langurs before reboarding and cruising for about 1.5 hours to Kurua in the north bank.
Day 4 - DAY 4 Mayong River - Kaziranga National Park
​Cruise upstream past jungle-covered hills and turn into the Mayong River. Then, take a country boat for a kilometre or two to the roadhead from where we drive to Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary. This small park has a dense population of the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros, and we shall be unlucky if we do not spot some of these armoured beasts on a jeep safari around the park. Those departing today are picked up from the park and driven for 4 ½ hrs to Kaziranga National Park. Alternatively, return to the ship in the afternoon and cruise to a riverside village, which you can explore on foot. Later, sail down to spend the last night close to the picturesque Aswaklanta Temple on the north bank opposite Guwahati.
Day 5 - DAY 5 Guwahati
​Cruise down to Saraighat Bridge. Disembark after breakfast and transfer to Guwahati airport for final departure.
Day 6 - Please Note:
Cruising is subject to river conditions.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
23-10-201827-10-2018USD $0Cabin
23-10-201827-10-2018USD $0Cabin Solo
20-11-201824-11-2018USD $0Cabin
20-11-201824-11-2018USD $0Cabin Solo
18-12-201822-12-2018USD $0Cabin
18-12-201822-12-2018USD $0Cabin Solo
15-01-201919-01-2019USD $0Cabin
15-01-201919-01-2019USD $0Cabin Solo
12-02-201916-02-2019USD $0Cabin
12-02-201916-02-2019USD $0Cabin Solo
12-03-201916-03-2019USD $0Cabin
12-03-201916-03-2019USD $0Cabin Solo
09-04-201913-04-2019USD $0Cabin
09-04-201913-04-2019USD $0Cabin Solo

Inclusions

    • GUWAHATI
    • The state capital. Offshore lies Peacock Island with its temple, while on a hill above the town, Tantric rites are practised at the Kamakhya Temple. There's a good museum and a poignant War cementery. Guwahati is the starting point for etensions to Shillong, the "Scotland of the East", which can be arrange before or after cruises, or to bridge the changeover day gap when two successive cruises are booked. ​
    • SUALKUCHI
    • A delightful riverside village, where silk is produced and handwoven.
    • HAJO
    • A pilgrimage centre sacred to Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists, with a sacred tank full of turtle and carp.

Map