Guwahati
Tezpur
Silghat
Kaziranga
Guwahati
Assam, which literally means ‘a peerless land’, is the gateway to Northeast India. With its blue rivers that often resemble the sea; green mountains that are home to leopards and elephants; and swathes of aromatic tea gardens forming the world’s largest tea-growing region, it’s easy to understand why this state is a very special place on earth.
This river cruise aboard the luxury vessel ABN Charaidew II is the ideal way to discover the Brahmaputra river valley, while experiencing vignettes of Assam’s rich culture and history. Not only is the Brahmaputra one of the greatest rivers in the Indian Subcontinent, but it’s also immensely vast, often resembling the sea in certain parts of its course. Unique to this river are its shifting sand islands that pop up and down every year, changing with the currents. A highlight of this cruise is a BBQ on one of these sand islands (or sand bank) under a starry night, with no one else around for miles.
Combining visits to temples and important historic sites, as well as a chance to discover a traditional Assamese village, this cruise is for those who want to discover a different part of India while spending time relaxing in the luxury of the Brahmaputra river!
To enhance your stay in Assam, we offer a combined experience with the best of wildlife at Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s known for being the home of the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinos. This journey includes a three night stay at the safari lodge, Diphlu River Lodge.
Spectacularly situated on the periphery of UNESCO World Heritage Site Kaziranga National Park, Diphlu River Lodge offers guests a never-before intimacy with the natural world. It is separated from the park by a narrow river, where it’s common to spot sights like wild buffalos and elephants bathing, and fishermen on rudimentary rafts. Diphlu River Lodge is the only accommodation with such close proximity to the national park in all of Kaziranga.
Committed to responsible tourism, Diphlu River Lodge is purposefully built to blend into the surrounding foliage and terrain. Its thatch-and-bamboo cottages on stilts are inspired by the simple architecture of Mishing tribal homes, and the unique weaves and artefacts that adorn the Lodge are all handmade by artisans from the region. Great care is taken to ensure that nature, the wild, and local communities always come first. This means recycling greywater; employing a team of well-trained naturalists handpicked from nearby villages; using only the freshest produce that's either locally sourced or available from the kitchen garden, and more
Highlights
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Cruise the Brahmaputra river - one of the greatest rivers in the Indian Subcontinent - on your boutique luxury ship, the ABN Charaidew II
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Wake up in the mornings to panoramic views of Assam’s natural beauty from your cabin
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Immerse yourself in Assamese culture on walks to the villages of riverside communities and temple visits
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Discover slices of this region’s history at Tezpur, Assam’s oldest city and cultural heart
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Treat your taste buds to an array of exciting cuisines from Assam with an introduction to indigenous tribal cuisine, seldom before tasted outside of this region
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Unwind with a book or a cocktail on the ship’s comfortable sundeck, pamper yourself with a massage as you watch the world drift by from the spa
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Enjoy a BBQ on a private sandbank or sand island under a starry night, far away from urban life
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Three night stay at Diphlu River Lodge
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Jungle Safaris inside Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO Heritage Site, with our knowledgeable guides
Daily Itinerary
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Day 1
Meet at Guwahati airport and embark on a short sightseeing tour of the city. Drive up to Nilachal Hill to walk through the holy Kamakhya temple, one of the most important sites for Hinduism in India, which - interestingly - is known for its tantric rites. After the temple, embark on your cruise vessel. We set sail and cruise for about an hour and a half upstream to Kurua on the north bank.
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Day 2
The day is spent mostly cruising upstream with jungle-covered hills rising on either side, often battling against strong currents. There is time to pause and visit a riverside village, with its lush green fields of vegetables and corn.
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Day 3
This morning, sail up to Tezpur where, after lunch, we will visit the 6th century Da Parbatia temple ruins with its beautifully carved portal. Later, explore the town by rickshaw, stopping at Cole Park with its medieval stone carvings saved from sites all over the region. The ship will be waiting at the town’s waterfront for us to reboard and continue upstream, passing below a seemingly endless new bridge across the vast width of the riverbed, to moor at Silghat for the night.
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Day 4
This morning, check out and drive for 1 hour to Kaziranga National Park to stay at Diphlu River Lodge. On arrival check into Diphlu River Lodge a luxury boutique accommodation at Kaziranga National Park.Post lunch at the lodge, go for an afternoon Jeep Safari inside the National Park. Return to the lodge. Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight at Lodge.
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Day 5
Next morning, go for a jeep safari inside the Kaziranga National Park. Return to the lodge. After lunch at the lodge, go for an afternoon jeep safari in another Range of the National Park. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
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Day 6
The following day, in the morning, go on another jeep safari inside the Kaziranga National Park. Return to the lodge for lunch before setting off for an afternoon jeep safari to another range of the park. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
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Day 7
After breakfast at the lodge, go for a Jeep Safari inside the National Park. Return to the lodge and check-out.
