Meghalaya, Kaziranga with 4 Nights Upstream Cruise

Detailed Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrival Guwahati - Shillong by road - Approx. 120 kms / 2 ½ hrs drive

   Shillong

   Arrive Guwahati and drive to Shillong - the capital of Meghalaya. On arrival check into your hotel.

   Shillong is a hill station in northeast India and capital of the state of Meghalaya. It’s known for the manicured gardens at Lady Hydari Park. Nearby, Ward’s Lake is surrounded by walking trails. North, the Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures features displays on the region’s native people. Waterfalls include the Elephant Falls to the southwest. East of here, forested Shillong Peak offers city views.

   If time permitting one can visit the Archery Field to witness the famous Traditional Archery Game of Meghalaya (Sunday closed and starts around 4 PM) also visit – Shillong’s prime market Police Bazaar.

   Overnight at the Hotel (No Meals)

   Accomodation

   

   

   

   Hotel Polo Towers, Shillong

2. Day 2 Shillong – Day trip to Cherrapunjee - Approx. 56 kms / 2 ½ hrs drive

   Shillong

   This morning after breakfast proceed for local sightseeing of Cherrapunjee: Seven Sisters Waterfalls, Nahkhalikai Falls, Dainthlen Falls, Thangkharang Park and Mwasmai Cave . The stalactites and stalagmites caves have innumerable forms, shapes and sizes inside leaving one to imagine as many life forms as possible. This magnificent natural wonder is the handiwork of years of natural abrasion and underground water. Later, visit Kho Ramhah Rock or Motrop to see a single gigantic cone shaped rock formation.

   Later return to hotel & relax for the evening. (Please note that during dry season waterfalls may not have enough water)

   Overnight at the Hotel (B)

   

   Cherrapunjee

   

   Expedition is in progress in Meghalayan Caves by Biospeleologist / CC

   Mawsmai Caves

   

   Nohkalikai Falls

   Accomodation

   

   

   

   Hotel Polo Towers, Shillong

3. Day 3 Shillong – Day trip to Mawlynnong - Approx. 90 kms / 3 hrs drive & Dawki Approx 35 kms / 1 hr drive

   Shillong

   After breakfast, proceed for a full day excursion to Mawlynnong (known for its cleanliness). The village offers picturesque natural beauty. Take a short trek to the living root bridge at a neighbouring village Riwai. The village also offers a sight of natural balancing rock, a strange natural phenomenon of a boulder balancing on another rock. Explore the village & proceed for our nest destination Dawki.

   Dawki Border, located in the Jaintia Hills, is the crossing between India and Bangladesh. One can take a boat ride on the glass-like, emerald green waters of the Umngot – the water is so clear that one can see the river bed 12 feet below.

   Later, drive back to Shillong and relax for the evening.

   Overnight at the Hotel (B)

   

   Mawlynnong

   Accomodation

   

   

   

   Hotel Polo Towers, Shillong

4. Day 4 Shillong to Kaziranga (approx 252 kms / 6 hrs’ drive )

   Kaziranga National Park

   After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and drive to Kaziranga.

   Kaziranga National Park is a protected area in the northeast Indian state of Assam. Spread across the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River, its forests, wetlands and grasslands are home to tigers, elephants and the world’s largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceroses. Ganges River dolphins swim in the park’s waters. It’s visited by many rare migratory birds, and gray pelicans roost near Kaziranga village.

   On arrival check-in to the hotel.

   Spend the evening at leisure.

   Overnight at the Hotel (B, L, D)

   Accomodation

   

   

   Hotel Borgos

5. Day 5 Kaziranga | Silghat - Board MV Mahabaahu Approx. 45 kms/ 1.5 hour

   Kaziranga National Park

   We rise very early today and drive towards the Kaziranga National Park. The most prized inhabitant of Kaziranga is the Greater One-Horned Indian Rhinoceros, but the Park is home to as many as 180 different mammals including wild elephants, tiger, deer, Asiatic wild buffalo and a rich variety of birds.

   We reach the Kohora Mihimukh range of the National Park and get ready to start our morning adventure; once-in-a-lifetime elephant-backed safari where we search for the elusive rhinoceros, tigers, swamp deer and hog deer and more and a large number of very interesting birds. The park never ceases to surprise us.

   After relaxed breakfast, we drive on to Bagori, the Western Range of Kaziranga and get into the open jeeps for some more wildlife adventure and an extensive coverage of this magnificent park.

   Later, return to the hotel and in the afternoon check-out and drive towards Silghat where we will be welcomed on-board MV Mahabaahu. We will be allotted the cabins and soon after start sailing towards Bishwanath Ghat as we enjoy a leisurely lunch and a relaxed afternoon.

   We get into the excursion boats to reach 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 return to the ship to enjoy an evening on a deserted island and then 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)

   

   Elephant Safari

   

   Jeep Safari

   Accomodation

   

   MV Mahabaahu

6. Day 6 Boat Safari

   Kaziranga National Park

   Enjoy a relaxed breakfast over a talk on ‘The River Brahmaputra and the life that exists alongside’.

   We proceed for the boat safari viewing 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 determined by the weather conditions)

   We return to the ship for hot lunch. This evening, we enjoy the Chef’s Cooking Demonstration and sample the snacks. The evening on a deserted island with bonfire is always exclusive! We enjoy dinner on-board.

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

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

   

   Boat Safari

   Accomodation

   

   MV Mahabaahu

7. Day 7 Mishing Village

   Sivasagar

   After Yoga and breakfast, we enjoy the sail towards the 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 the ethnic colorful cotton weaves and indulge in a dhoti tying and Mekhela Chaadar wearing demonstration.

   We return to the ship to enjoy a talk on ‘Sibsagar and the Ahom civilization’ and proceed to get ready for a Traditional Assamese evening.

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

   Accomodation

   

   MV Mahabaahu

8. Day 8 MV Mahabaahu - Majuli Island and Sibsagar

   Majuli

   After breakfast, we enjoy a talk on ‘Majuli the seat of Neo - Vaishnav Culture’ and then proceed in our excursion boats to the mainland. Here on, 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. The humble dwellings of the monks are a revelation of utmost simplicity.

   We enjoy lunch on MV Mahabaahu as we sail towards Neamati Ghat.

   Post lunch, we drive through the countryside to reach Sibsagar, the ancient city, built around a huge man made water tank ordered by the Ahom queen. A town that literally means 'the ocean of Lord Shiva’. We notice the district is strewn with the tell-tale ruins of a powerful empire of the Ahoms. Sibsagar was the 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.

   The Shiva Dol, constructed in the year 1734 is believed to be one of the highest Shiva temple in India.

   We visit Talatal or Kareng Ghar which was the palace of the Ahom Kings and after a leisurely stroll in and around the monument, we go on to Rang Ghar which was a place for hosting wrestling bouts and buffalo fights and other entertainment or important meetings of the Royals and their guests.

   We return to MV Mahabaahu by sunset for the farewell dinner.

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

   

   Satra

   Accomodation

   

   MV Mahabaahu

9. Day 9 MV Mahabaahu - Neamati Ghat - Jorhat & Departure: Approx. 35 kms/ 45 mins drive

   Jorhat

   We start the day with Yoga and/or go for a nature walk along the swamps to catch a sight of owls, aureoles, yellow footed green pigeons, changeable eagles, adjutant storks, quails, sea gulls hunting with the dolphins and pied kingfishers, swallows and martins diving to fish.

   We have a relaxed breakfast. Disembark MV Mahabaahu & drive towards Jorhat. En route the airport we visit a Tea Estate for a relaxed afternoon where we enjoy a traditional Assamese lunch with the Tea-estate family to get a peep into the lifestyle of the families that have been involved in the tea business over a period of a century. Here we sip our beverages and indulge in tea tasting as we explore the lawns and proceed to enjoy a traditional Assamese cuisine.

   We arrive at the Rowriah Airport in Jorhat a couple of hours before the flight schedule and bid adieu to the land of Ahoms.

   (B, L)

   Accomodation