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AS THE RIVER FLOWS …A cruise down the Brahmaputra
A voyage through Assam on the tempestuous Brahmaputra River is an indelible experience. Once it reaches Assam, it becomes the Brahmaputra or son of Brahma.
We pass by historic temples and get glimpses of life in the remotest parts.
The boats are small in size, comfortable and filled with character. The décor is fresh and stylish, featuring handlooms, bamboo paneling, and locally made cane and rattan furniture. With only 12 cabins, it is ideal for a small group of friends.
Cycles on board and tuk-tuks allow for independent exploration.
Trip Leaders
Himali Singh Soin is a writer and David Soin Tappeser is a musician.
Together, they travel the world with the belief that everything, a rock, a cloud and a river, is alive.
This sensibility frames this journey, meaning we will chat, read, listen in silence, record what we see in any way that we like, and experience a way of being that feels more fluid, like a boat.
ITINERARY
19 – 26 December 2021
07 Nights/ 08 Days
19 December Delhi – Guwahati – Kaziranga
This morning you will fly to Guwahati and drive to Diphlu River Lodge for the next 2 nights. After a leisurely lunch, we will go on a jeep safari in the western range of the park. We will walk in the nearby rubber plantation accompanied by our in-house guide and visit a Karbi village.Covering an area of approximately 430 sq. kms, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kaziranga National Park is home to the world’s largest population of the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros and the Indian Wild Water Buffalo. It has also earned the distinction of having the highest density of Royal Bengal Tigers (one every five sq. km.) making this park an incredibly rich biodiversity hotspot.
With its marshy swamps and thickets of elephant grass, this park supports large populations of Indian elephants, Indian bison, swamp deer, and capped langurs.
Besides wildlife, Kaziranga National Park is also a birding paradise. A few of the bird species found here are the Oriental Honey Buzzard, Black-shouldered Kite, White-tailed Eagle, and Himalayan Griffon.
Kaziranga National Park also frequently draws comparisons to the Serengeti in Africa due to the park’s abundance of wildlife and birds.
Lunch, Dinner at lodge.
20 December –Kaziranga
After breakfast, go for a morning Jeep Safari in the Bura Pahar Range of the park. Return to the Lodge for lunch and later go for an afternoon Jeep Safari in the Central Range.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
21 December – Kaziranga – Ship
Today, after an early breakfast check out from the lodge and drive to the Eastern range of the park for a morning jeep safari before embarking on your cruise on the mighty Brahmaputra.
After the safari, drive a short distance to Dhansiri Mukh where your country boat will be waiting for you to take you to ABN Sukapha, your home for the next 05 nights. Once onboard, enjoy your lunch while sailing downstream until we moor for the night.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
22 December – Nameri National Park – Silghat
This morning, we cruise downstream with Kaziranga National Park on the left bank to Viswanath, which is known for a revered Ahom period Shiva temple. Take a walk ashore before continuing the voyage down to Tezpur.
After lunch, we will visit the 6th century Da Parbatia temple ruins with its beautifully carved portal. Later, explore the town by cycle rickshaw, stopping at Cole Park with its medieval stone carvings saved from sites all over the region. Wander through the local market. Our ship will be waiting at the town’s waterfront for us to reboard.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
23 December – Ship – Tezpur – Ship
After an early breakfast, drive for two hours to the Nameri National Park at the foot of the blue hills of Arunachal Pradesh, the old North East Frontier Agency.The day is spent mostly cruising downstream with jungle-covered hills rising on either side. Here, we take a float trip of around 2 hours down the Jia – Bhoreli River through the park. There is excellent bird-watching here including the great Hornbill and a chance of sighting wild elephants.
After lunch, take a village walk before returning to the ship and cruse downstream.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
24 December –Ship – Jotiabari – Ship
We shall still have some time to pause and visit a riverside village, with its lush green fields of vegetables and corn. Your accompanying guide and accompanying naturalist will brief you as you observe the ways of life in Assam. Continue downstream and moor for the night near Ganesh Pahar.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
25 December – Ship – Kamakhya temple – Ship
Merry Christmas
This morning, we shall reach Guwahati after breakfast. Disembark at Uzanbazar Ghat, State Museum and later up Nilachal Hill to the Kamakhya temple with its tantric rites and animal sacrifices. The vessel will cruise down and wait for you at Pandu port.As you have your lunch on board, we will start cruising downstream under the Saraighat Bridge 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).
Christmas dinner on a sand bank with fairy lights.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
26 December – Disembark – Guwahati
We will cruise up to Pandu Port for disembarkation and transfer to Guwahati airport for your onward journey.
This itinerary, including the cruise and approximate driving durations, is subject to river and weather conditions.