Brahmaputra Downstream Cruise 4 night

Detailed Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrive Jorhat & transfer to Neamati Ghat / Board MV Mahabaahu: Approx. 35 kms/ 45 mins drive

   Jorhat

   On arrival at Jorhat airport, you will be met by the cruise representative and will be transferred to Neamati Ghat (with packed lunch) where an Assamese welcome aboard the MV Mahabaahu awaits you. After the essential safety briefing we check into our cabin.

   On the Donyi Polo Deck, we raise a traditional toast to the mighty Brahmaputra River that carves the valley of Assam. If Lucky, we catch a fleeting glimpse of the Gangetic dolphins and notice the sky flocked with bar headed geese, egrets and cormorants returning to their abodes on deserted islands as the sun lowers itself in the western horizon.

   We enjoy a talk on 'Sibsagar, the seat of Ahom Civilisation' that ruled the north eastern region of India for six centuries. A short talk on 'Tea in Assam' continues over High Tea.

   A relaxed evening in the Soma Lounge followed by a sit down welcome dinner completes the day.

   Overnight on board MV Mahabaahu (L, D)

   Accomodation

   

   MV Mahabaahu

2. Day 2 Shivasaagar / Home-hosted lunch

   Sivasagar

   After an early breakfast, we start our day-excursion to Sibsagar, the ancient city and capital of the Tai-speaking Ahoms who came in the 13th Century AD to the area from the north-east and were essentially of Tibeto-Burman origin.

   Sibsagar town literally means 'the ocean of Lord Shiva’ as it is built around a huge man made water tank ordered by the Ahom Queen. The Shiva Dol, constructed in the year 1734 is believed to be the highest Shiva temple in India.

   We visit The Talatal or Kareng Ghar, the palace of the Ahom Kings and the Rang Ghar, an amphitheatre, a place of entertainment or important meetings for the Royals and their guests.

   Thereafter, we drive to a Tea Estate for a relaxed afternoon and a traditional Assamese lunch with the Tea-estate family who have been involved in the tea business for over a century.

   We return to MV Mahabaahu by sunset and enjoy a relaxed evening before proceeding for dinner.

   Overnight on board MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

   

   Tea tasting- in the Land of Tea Paradise

   Accomodation

   

   MV Mahabaahu

3. Day 3 Majuli island visit/ Mishing village visit

   Majuli

   We start the day with Yoga or go for a walk along the swamps to catch a sight of owls, orioles, changeable eagles, adjutant storks, sea gulls, kingfishers, swallows and many more.

   As we have our breakfast, we sail towards Majuli, a cosmos of Assamese culture where various philosophies co-exist and thrive.

   After breakfast, we enjoy a talk on 'Majuli, the seat of Vaishnav culture’ and proceed in the excursion boats to the mainland where a drive takes us to a scenic corner of a ‘Satra’ (monastery) for an interesting cultural performance by Satriya singers and dancers.

   Next, we proceed to Kamlabari Satra to witness the Vaishnavite priests dancing to the rhythm of cymbals, drums and chanting in the temple premise.

   We enjoy hot lunch on MV Mahabaahu and sail towards the closest Mishing Village.

   The Mishings live on the bank of river in 'Chang Ghars', houses with raised platforms. All Mishing women are expert weavers. We can buy ethnic colourful cotton weaves and indulges in a dhoti tying and Mekhela Chaadar wearing demonstration.

   After the Mishing Village visit, MV Mahabaahu heads towards Dhansiri Mukh where the waters of Brahmaputra and Dhansiri meet, while we enjoy a talk on ‘Assam, its geographical location & importance’.

   We later enjoy the evening under the stars on a deserted island and proceed for dinner.

   NOTE: (Bonfire may be avoided if a suitable sandbank cannot be found or if we experience inclement weather conditions)

   Overnight on board MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

   Accomodation

   

   MV Mahabaahu

4. Day 4 Boat Safari

   Kaziranga National Park

   After Yoga/early morning walk on a deserted island, MV Mahabaahu sails towards the Eastern Range of Kaziranga. We enjoy breakfast and a talk on ‘The River Brahmaputra and the life that exists alongside’. and proceed for the boat safari. The shores are high but one can see roof turtles on protruding drift wood, water lizards, otters, elephants, wild buffaloes, rhinos, darters, herons, pied kingfishers, white throated kingfishers, serpent eagles and many more. The sightings are always determined by the weather conditions.

   We return for lunch. This evening we enjoy the Chef’s Cooking Demonstration followed by a talk on ‘Tea, Silk and Jute in Assam.’

   An evening on a deserted island with bonfire is always exclusive. We enjoy dinner on MV Mahabaahu.

   NOTE: (Bonfire may be avoided if a suitable sandbank cannot be found or if we experience inclement weather conditions)

   Overnight on board MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

   Accomodation

   

   MV Mahabaahu

5. Day 5 Weaver’s village at Bishwanath Ghat/ Sail to Silghat and drive to Kaziranga: 45 Kms/ 1.5 hour drive

   Kaziranga National Park

   After Yoga/walk on the deserted island and breakfast on MV Mahabaahu, we enjoy an interesting talk on ‘Kaziranga and the wild life in India’. Then we step into our excursion boats to go to the shores of Bishwanath Ghat.

   We walk through the village and are struck by the simplicity of life while the weaver women surround us with their silk and cotton weaves. We enjoy some happy interaction with them.

   We sail on for the next couple of hours and enjoy a relaxed lunch and reach Silghat.

   Later, we deboard the cruise and drive towards our onward journey.

   Overnight at Hotel (B, L,)

   Accomodation