Bengal & Assam

Arrive in Kolkata at 08.15 hrs. Transfer to board the MV Mahabaahu, where 18 nights are spent on a fullboard basis. Lunch on board. Afternoon at leisure. Welcome drinks and dinner on board.

Early morning transfer to Kolkata for a domestic flight to Guwahati.

Transfer to board the MV Mahabaahu, where 18 nights are spent on a full-board basis. Immediately after boarding, the ship peels away from the Pandu Port on its south-west journey towards the southern edge of India’s international boundary.

Gather on the sundeck as we sail under the famous Sarai Ghat Bridge where the decisive battle of ending the Mughal rule in Guwahati was fought by the Ahoms in 1671. Lunch on board. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner on board.

Optional morning yoga on deck. Enjoy a talk on Assam and the Brahmaputra.

Lunch on board. Afternoon at leisure. This evening, we visit the ‘last village’ of Indian territory in Assam’s Dhubri district. On returning to the ship, gather for a talk on Sikhism and the Sikh Temple, Shri Guru Teg Bahadur Singh Ji Gurudwara. We close the evening with a bonfire and drinks on a deserted island, followed by dinner on board.

This morning, we sail upstream to Dhubri where we walk to the Gurudwara (the Sikh temple) which is located close to the bank of Brahmaputra. Today, we will learn about the Sikh religion, the world’s fifth largest religion.

Visit Gurudwara “A place of worship”, where the community gathers to participate in devotional activity that typically includes recitation (path) of scripture, singing of scripture to musical accompaniment (kirtan), and its exegesis (katha). At the closing of the devotional session, a supplication (ardas) is made in which the Sikhs remember their history, seek divine blessings. Return to the ship and sail
towards Dongraghat. Lunch and dinner on board.

Optional morning yoga on deck. Day spent sailing to Dongraghat. Morning talk on Manas National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Tiger Reserve located in the Himalayan foothill Bhabar area in Western Assam.

Lunch on board. Afternoon at leisure. This evening, enjoy a demonstration in wearing Bodo Dress followed by dinner on board.

Early morning departure for a morning elephant safari in Manas National Park, known for its rare and endangered endemic wildlife such as the Assam Roofed Turtle, Hispid Hare, Golden Langur and the only known population of Pygmy Hogs in the world. Manas is famous for its population of the Wild Water Buffalo.

After breakfast, enjoy a jeep safari up to the border of Bhutan and to see the Manas River. Lunch at a local restaurant and enjoy a traditional Bodo tribal performance. Venture out again in the jeeps to explore a different route through the Bansbari Range. Return to the ship for dinner on board.

A day of sailing towards Sualkuchi. Enjoy a talk on Sualkuchi, the silk hub of Assam, and spend the day watching the lush countryside go by.

Lunch on board. This evening, enjoyed a tribal themed dinner on board.

Depart for Sualkuchi where we are received by the tribals with a lot of pomp and show. Explore the Sualkuchi Weavers’ Village located on the northern banks of the Brahmaputra. It is endearingly referred to as the “Manchester of Assam” due to the vast number of cottage industries there that are involved in handloom.

The quality of the Muga and Pat silks, as well as the Eri silk and Endi cloth from this area, is well known. We take an e-rickshaw to the silk processing and weaving area for an insight into all that goes into silk production.

Enjoy an authentic Assamese lunch and a hands-on cooking demonstration of an Assamese dessert. Visit a local museum for sculpture art and walk through a market with silk weaves. Return to the boat for dinner on board.

The ship sails early from Sualkuchi and under the Saraighat Bridge towards the north bank of the river. Enjoy a talk on the Auniati Satra. Take the tenders to the shore and then the tuk-tuks to the Auniati Satra. The Monks of the Auniati Satra are ‘Udaseen Vaishnavs’, that is, they are celibate and focus entirely on the worship of Krishna, the Supreme God. Children of 5 years are initiated into the Satra and formal education of these young priests becomes the responsibility of the Satra. They can leave the Satra at 18 or continue in the fold. Explore the Vaishnav Monastery, the living quarters of the monks, and witness Satriya performances. Return to the ship and sail upstream towards the South Bank of the Brahmaputra. Enjoy a home-hosted traditional lunch and cooking demonstration at the home of a local Assamese family.

Late afternoon, return to the ship. Dinner on board

Early morning departure for a local tea estate for a walk through the tea estate before a relaxed breakfast.

Explore the factory and indulge in tea-tasting. This factory produces Orthodox tea, whereas most factories in Assam produce CTC Tea. The term ‘Orthodox Tea’ refers to tea that is brewed traditionally. This tea is made using a traditional procedure that includes plucking, withering, rolling, oxidation and drying. Each batch of tea processing is time-consuming and requires skill and expertise. Visit the State Emporiums in Guwahati which deal in hand crafted items of Assam.

Return to the ship for lunch on board. Afternoon at leisure as we sail out of Guwahati. Dinner on board.

Morning talk on Ayurveda, the ancient and traditional medicine system of India.

Lunch on board. Afternoon at leisure. This evening, visit a local village and meet the village folk and peep into their homes to understand the impermanence of their lives on the flooding Brahmaputra. Return to the ship for dinner on board.

This morning, we have a talk on the wildlife in India and Kaziranga National Park. Late morning, enjoy a demonstration on how to tie a Kshatriya Dhoti or Warrior Dhoti which are often worn to do yoga or used as formal wear during the day with a long Kurta.

Lunch on board. Stroll out to Jahaj Ghat and take a tuk-tuk to the temple. Walk around the premises of the temple and then go in to pray to the living Shivling. The Mahabhairav Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and was built by King Banasur. The Shivling of the temple is said to be made of ‘living stone’ which grows slowly over the years. Walk through a local vegetable market then return to the ship with fresh produce for dinner on board.

This morning, drive to a tea estate for a tea-talk with the professionals and visit to the tea factory. Here, we see the CTC Tea production and understand the difference between Orthodox and CTC. We visit a hidden gem tucked in the Brahmaputra valley nurtured by local communities of Eastern Himalayas— A bio-diverse Ark with an elusive natural and cultural paradise tended to with care over the years and allowed to flourish through the passion and knowledge of the local botanists.

Lunch at the estate before walking through the local village. Return to the village for dinner on board.

Early morning departure to Kaziranga National Park and then board the Jungle Jeeps for our safari at the Western Range. Post-safari, we drive towards Silghat past the paddy fields fed by the Brahmaputra. We reach the jute mill to visit this co-operative where you see the complete process from fibre to a gunny bag.

Return to the ship for lunch on board. Enjoy the sail upstream from the sundeck as we sail through Kaziranga along the hills that are extensions of the Shillong Plateau on the southern bank of the river. The Diphlu River that flows along the Diphlu range joins the Brahmaputra close to the Bishwanath Ghat area. This evening,
get together on a deserted island for a bonfire and BBQ before dinner on board.

This morning, leave for Bishwanath Ghat, a sub-urban village on the banks of the Brahmaputra. This is sprinkled with temples and is a cosmos of weavers, fishermen, farmers, boat makers. A Shiva Dol (temple) from the times of Ahoms looms over and a promenade along the outcrop of rocks and swinging country boats add beauty to the area.

Return to the ship for lunch on board. Sail towards the Eastern Range of Kaziranga. Explore the shores of Agoratoli, the Eastern Range and observe how the river carves Kaziranga each year. Look out for a water buffalo suddenly pulling itself out of the water or an elephant family coming down to quench their thirst. Dinner on board.

Enjoy a talk on Majuli and Shivsagar. Visit the Mishing dwellings on non-permanent islands that are at the mercy of the river Brahmaputra. We visit some Mishing Chang Ghars (homes), built on bamboo scaffolding with bamboo mats for floor, walls and roof. Mishing villagers have a unique culture of weaving ethnic colourful designs with home spun and home dyed cotton threads. They use the space under the bamboo scaffolding of their homes for weaving. Time at leisure as we sail towards Majuli. This evening, learn about ethnic Assamese wear and enjoy an authentic Assamese dinner on board.

Depart for Shivsagar and the serene royal burial grounds (A UNESCO World Heritage Site). Visit one of the tallest Shiva Temple in the country, The Shiva Doul, which was built by Queen Ambika in 1734. Continue to Moidams, the ancient burial mounds of the Ahom royalty and aristocracy.

Return to Shivsagar for lunch at a local restaurant. Visit the monuments of Talatal Ghar, which are the remains of a royal palace, and then Rang Ghar, a place where the royals held meetings and watched performances. Return to the ship for dinner.

Early morning departure for the Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary; home to the only Ape in India – the Hoollock Gibbon. The upper canopy of the forest is dominated by the Hoollong Tree, while the Nahar dominates the middle canopy. The lower canopy consists of evergreen shrubs and herbs. Walk through the thick evergreen
forest with a naturalist. Continue to a planter’s home in a tea-estate for a home-hosted traditional breakfast.
Return to the ship for some time at leisure.

Early lunch on board. Disembark to visit the island of Majuli; the largest inhabited river-island of the world. Enjoy some Satriya and folk performances as well as the mask-making and pottery which are famous art forms of Majuli culture. Look out for Open-billed Storks nesting all over Majuli and Adjutant Storks, Whistling Ducks, Bar-headed Geese and Weaver Birds are spotted easily. Explore the local bazaar before returning to the ship for dinner on board.

Morning at leisure. Optional nature walk
Early lunch on board. Transfer to Jorhat Airport for a domestic flight to Kolkata. On arrival in Kolkata, transfer to the Taj City Centre Hotel, a 5-star hotel a short drive from the airport, where one night is spent. Dinner under own arrangements.

Transfer to Kolkata Airport for suggested flight (not included) Emirates flight via Dubai departing Kolkata at 09.45 hrs arriving London Heathrow at 20.15 hrs.