The MV Rudra Singha is a traditional houseboat which is perfect for couples, individuals or smaller family groups to explore the beauty of Assam, with a crew of four to look after all of your needs.
Starting in Kolkata, travel on into Assam to spend three nights in Diphlu River Lodge, exploring the wildlife of Kaziranga National Park before boarding your private houseboat. A unique feature of this smaller boat is that it allows a shallow draft meaning travellers can reach unique places that a regular river cruise is not able to. Cruise on the mighty Brahmaputra for the next four days, exploring isolated villages and islands before leaving the river to travel overland into the hills of Nagaland. Stay for three nights in Nagaland’s capital Kohima to experience the region’s unique tribal culture and visiting the battlefields where the Japanese invasion of India was halted in the Second World War. From Kohima return by air back to Kolkata for your flight home.
Kolkata – Kaziranga National Park – Silghat – Majuli Island – Kohima – Kolkata
Trip Highlights
- Access rural communities on your private houseboat usually unreachable by larger boat
- Take jeep safaris from Diphlu River Lodge into Kaziranga, a magnificent reserve
- Explore the unique culture of Nagaland which is home to seventeen major tribes
- There is no better way to experience NE India than cruising the Brahmaputra River
- Visit Majuli Island, home to a Vaishnavite community and important Hindu monastery
- Learn about Kohima’s role in the Second World War, site of some of the fiercest fighting
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart the UK
Leave from the UK and fly to Kolkata changing planes in the Middle East en-route.
Day 2
Arrive Kolkata
Arrive in Kolkata this morning where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of your day will be free to relax and recuperate after your journey. Known as Calcutta until recently, Kolkata was the headquarters of the East India Company, the first capital of the British Raj and, today, one of the most densely populated cities in the world.
Calcutta Bungalow
The Elgin Fairlawn
Oberoi Grand Hotel
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Day 3
Kolkata
Spend the day exploring Kolkata with your guide. Discover grand colonial era monuments such as the Victoria Memorial, stroll through the Maidan, the green lungs of the city, immerse yourself in the vibrant and fragrant flower market, join the worshipers at the Kali Temple in Kalighat or browse the exhibits of the enormous Indian Museum. There are no shortage of sights and your guide will plan your day with you to make best use of your time.
- Breakfast
Calcutta Bungalow
The Elgin Fairlawn
Oberoi Grand Hotel
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Day 4
Kolkata to Guwahati – by air / Guwahati to Kaziranga – 220kms
The morning you will be taken to the airport for the flight to Guwahati or Jorhat depending on schedules. Here you will be met and transferred to the isolated and authentic Diphlu River Lodge located just outside of the spectacular Kaziranga National Park which will be your base for the next three nights. As you settle into your riverside cottage, relax in nature and keep your eyes peeled for elephant and wild buffalo bathing in the Diphlu River.
- Breakfast,
- Dinner
Diphlu River Lodge
Day 5
Kaziranga National Park
Today take two jeep safaris in Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This magnificent park is home to the largest population of one-horned rhinos in the world with more than a thousand of these endangered animals currently living here. Other species found at Kaziranga include the Bengal tiger, elephant, water buffalo and bison as well as an abundance of birdlife. On arrival back at the lodge, enjoy a traditional dinner overlooking the river.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Diphlu River Lodge
Day 6
Kaziranga National Park
Continue your exploration of the wildlife of Kaziranga National Park with morning and afternoon jeep safaris. There are several different ranges within Kaziranga, each with their own unique character and biodiversity, and you will be visiting a variety of these to maximise your wildlife experience. Back at the lodge enjoy sunset drinks and dinner.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Diphlu River Lodge
Day 7
Kaziranga to Silghat – 40kms / Begin cruise
Check out of Diphlu River Lodge after breakfast and transfer by road to Silghat where you will embark on your exclusive and private river cruise experience on the Brahmaputra. As you settle into your beautiful and authentic houseboat sail upstream towards Dhansiri Mukh passing rural riverside villages and rolling countryside. Enjoy a traditional dinner cooked onboard by your crew and take drinks on the deck with the setting sun as a backdrop as you glide past this peaceful paradise.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
MV Rudra Singha
Day 8
Brahmaputra River
Today will mostly be spend cruising upstream along the Brahmaputra, so relax onboard and take in the spectacular scenery of this rural part of India. If time permits, stop off at a remote village and obtain an authentic insight into Assamese life as you meet the local community. Back onboard continue your river cruise journey upstream and enjoy another excellent dinner cooked by the crew.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
MV Rudra Singha
Day 9
Majuli Island
This morning arrive at the UNESCO listed Majuli Island which is the largest inhabited river-island in the world. Majuli has acted as a monastic retreat for the peaceful Vaishnavite community and is home to the important Hindu monastery of Auniati Satra. A stronghold of Assamese culture and architecture, Majuli is also home to the Mishing weaver tribes. After exploring the villages and temples of Majuli Island, cruise to the opposite bank and Neamati Ghat.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
MV Rudra Singha
Day 10
Neamati Ghat to Kohima – 215kms
After breakfast disembark from your houseboat and meet with your driver and guide who will transfer you overland through Assam and into the state of Nagaland. The journey will take about six hours, heading away from the valley of the Brahmaputra through increasingly remote tribal communities on the way to Kohima, capital of Nagaland.
- Breakfast
De Oriental Grand, Kohima
Niraamaya Retreats Aradura
Day 11
Kohima
The mountainous state of Nagaland is famous for its mixture of tribes, each with their own customs, language and dress, and its capital Kohima was originally a village of the Angami Naga ethnic group. In December each year the Hornbill Festival takes place outside the city, celebrating the diversity of Nagaland. Today you will explore the busy market, visit the nearby village of Khonoma which is said to be 700 years old, and tour the State Museum which houses artifacts from all of Nagaland’s tribes.
- Breakfast
De Oriental Grand, Kohima
Niraamaya Retreats Aradura
Day 12
Kohima
Kohima was the site of some of the fiercest fighting of the Second World War, when British and Indian forces blocked the Japanese advance into India in 1944. The Kohima War Museum tells the story of the battle known as the ‘Stalingrad of the East’, and the War Cemetery lies at the base of Garison Hill where some of the fiercest fighting took place. The Cathedral of Kohima was mostly funded by Japan as a memorial to the soldiers that fought here and, with its distinctive Naga architecture, is a symbol of reconciliation.
- Breakfast
De Oriental Grand, Kohima
Niraamaya Retreats Aradura
Day 13
Kohima to Dimapur – 65kms / Dimapur to Kolkata – by air
From Kohima it is about a two-hour drive to Dimapur, the closest airport to the state capital. Here take the afternoon flight back to Kolkata and stay overnight at a hotel close to the airport.
- Breakfast
Holiday Inn Kolkata Airport
Day 14
Kolkata to the UK
Return to the airport in the morning and board your flight back to the UK via the Middle East.
- Breakfast
Extending your stay...
Explore more of Nagaland, venturing further north into the region after your stay in Kohima. Nagaland is a true frontier land of spectacular natural beauty and a strong indigenous heritage. Visit key Naga settlements including Mokokchung and Mon to learn about traditional Naga life.
Dibrugarh in northern Assam is both the gateway to Arunachal Pradesh and a famous tea producing region. Stay on an historic estate and learn all about tea from production to harvest. Reach Dibrugarh by travelling through Nagaland or drive directly there after disembarking from your cruise.
Incorporate a visit to Meghalaya’s extraordinary living root bridges located outside of Shillong and Cherrapunjee. Made of intertwined roots, some of the bridges are close to 100 metres in length. Fly to Shillong from Kolkata and then drive to Guwahati to continue the journey.
Darjeeling occupies scenic position in the forested foothills of the Himalayas. A summer retreat popularised by the British, discover Hindu temples, Gothic churches and colonial bungalows and ride the famous Darjeeling Mountain Railway to the Buddhist monastery at Ghoom.
Guide to Price
14 days from £4200 - £5800 per person
What's Included
- International and domestic flights
- Private car with English speaking driver
- Sightseeing with local English speaking guides
- Hotel accommodation and taxes
- Private cruise
What's Not Included
- Cost of visas
- Travel Insurance
- Expenses of a personal nature
from £4200 - £5800
Travel Information
Getting There
British Airways fly direct from London Heathrow to Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad. Virgin Atlantic have daily flights to Delhi and Vistara fly direct to Delhi. Emirates, Oman Air, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways also have excellent connections via their respected hubs to Kolkata, Kochi, Trivandrum, Kozhikode, Goa, Jaipur and Lucknow and fly from airports all over the UK.
Flying Times From UK
Direct flights from the UK take between 8 and 10 hours depending on the destination. Flights with stops en-route take between 12 and 14 hours.
Time Zone
India is +5½ hours ahead of GMT.
Visa Requirements
Holders of British Citizen passports are able to apply for an e-Tourist Visa (eTV). There are three different eTVs - a one month eTV (valid for 30 days), a one year eTV (valid for 365 days) and a five year eTV (valid for 5 years). Applications for the one month eTV can only be made within 30 days of travel to India. Applications for the one year eTV and five year eTV can only be made within 120 days of travel to India.
Please note that the very latest an Indian eTV application can be made is 4 days prior to travel to India. The eTV becomes active from the date of entry into India. It is not valid for Protected or Restricted areas.
All international passengers arriving in India are required to complete an e-Arrival Card up to 72 hours prior to arrival India. This applies to all nationalities and must be submitted online via the official portal https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival
Do’s & Don’ts
Smoking and drinking in public places is prohibited in India – with smoking this includes public areas in hotels, restaurants and bars.
E-cigarettes and related products are banned in India. You will be unable to buy e-cigarettes or bring them into the country.
Always ask permission before entering a temple and remember to remove your shoes and any leather objects such as bags, belts or wallets. It is fine to wear socks.
When in a Buddhist temple you should always walk in a clockwise direction with the main building to your right.
Modest, loose-fitting clothing is preferable and is essential when visiting religious places. When visiting a Sikh Gurudwara the head needs to be covered.
Permission should always be asked before taking a person’s picture.
When eating, only the right hand should be used. Indian culture considers the left hand to be unclean.
Money
The currency of India is the Indian Rupee (INR) and comes in notes and coins. Exchanging money is easy and can be done at international airports, most hotels or banks and it is always a good idea to ask for some small denomination Rupee notes. ATMs are now common and reliable in all main cities and credit cards are widely accepted by most hotels, shops and restaurants. In rural areas or wildlife reserves ATMs and money exchange facilities are limited so having cash is essential.
Please note that there are restrictions on bringing Indian rupees into India. Visitors, including tourists, are not permitted to bring any amount of Indian currency into the country. Pounds sterling and other foreign currencies are allowed to be brought into India. For more information please visit the FCO’s Foreign Travel Advice for India.
Tipping
This is left to your discretion, however, tipping for good service in India is part of everyday life. In restaurants and for room service a 10% tip is appreciated and at smaller hotels and homestays a communal ‘tip box’ is common.
For drivers and guides, hotel staff and at national parks, the following amounts should act as a guideline. Please note that these figures are based on two people travelling together:
Tour driver: INR1000 to INR1200 per day (not per person)
Tour guide: INR1000 to INR1200 per day (not per person)
Naturalist (national parks): INR1000 to INR1200 per day (not per person)
Jeep Driver (national parks): INR 500 per day & per safari (not per person)
Hotels (communal tip for all staff): INR 1000 to INR 1500 per day (not per person)
Food & Drink
India is known the world over for its food and especially its vegetarian cuisine. Spice plays an important role in dishes throughout the country as do breads, rice, pickles and chutneys. Although nearly every region has its own speciality, there is a divide between the cuisine of northern India and southern India – the north with its meat dishes influenced by the Mughals and the lighter, fruitier, coconut based dishes of the south. Desserts are common in India with kulfi ice cream and gulab jamun two of the best known and most popular. Nearly all tend to be very sweet, milk based or fried.
The most common drink in India is chai tea which can be bought on nearly every street corner. The yoghurt drink lassi – whether sweet, salty or fruity – is also easy to find. The popularity of coffee has spread from the south whilst Indian beer is well-respected. There is also a fledgling wine industry centred on Nashik in Maharashtra.
Accommodation
There is a huge breadth of accommodation in India with styles varying across the country. India is famed for its heritage properties, the majority of which tend to be found in the north of India. These come in all shapes and sizes from beautifully restored buildings and luxury palaces operated by distinguished hotel groups to small privately owned forts and ancestral homes.
Homestays are also very popular and found throughout the country. Whether a grand and luxurious family residence, heritage property or simple abode, they offer a high level of service and a unique glimpse into everyday Indian life. Please let us know if you would like to include a homestay into your itinerary. In more remote regions, hotels are likely to be clean and simple whilst wildlife accommodation is generally either in jungle lodges or comfortable tented camps. For those looking to relax there are many excellent beachside hotels and an increasing number of retreats specialising in both Ayurveda and yoga.
Shopping
With wholesale markets and bazaars, innumerable shops and stores, India is a shopper’s paradise. The country is best known for carpets and dhurries with Rajasthan, Kashmir and Leh best for these. There is also a bewildering range of clothing, fabric and leatherwear found not only in the smallest of villages but also the largest cities. Gems, silver and jewellery (valuable or costume) are popular throughout the country but especially in Jaipur and Hyderabad whilst Kochi is noted for its antiques. Spices can be bought all over India but purchased straight from plantations in the south. Darjeeling, Assam and the Western Ghats in south India are all known for tea.
Suggested Reading
For India travel advice, Footprint, Rough Guides, Lonely Planet and Bradt have excellent guide books whilst Nelles Maps have comprehensive and up to date maps of the Indian subcontinent. There is also a wide range of literature including from famed authors such as RK Narayan, Vikram Seth, Paul Scott, VS Naipaul, Arundhati Roy and Salman Rushdie. Vivek Shanbhag's more recently translated book 'Ghachar Ghochar' also comes highly recommended. Other good books on India include:
‘India: A History’ by John Keay
‘The Great Arc’ by John Keay
‘No Full Stops in India’ by Mark Tully
‘India in Slow Motion’ by Mark Tully and Gillian Wright
‘City of Djinns’ by William Dalrymple
‘White Mughals’ by William Dalrymple
‘Chasing the Monsoon’ by Alexander Frater
‘The Tears of the Rajas’ by Ferdinand Mount
‘Plain Tales from the Raj’ by Charles Allen
‘Mughal Architecture and Gardens’ by George Michell
'Tea, Love and War: Searching for English Roots in Assam' by David Mitchell
Health
Your doctor is the best person to advise you on staying healthy whilst abroad but current recommended vaccinations are Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Diphtheria. Yellow Fever is compulsory, but only if you have visited an affected Yellow Fever area within 5 days prior to your arrival. In some instances anti-malarial tablets may also be needed. For current information on health advice you may wish to visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website Travel Health Pro on https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/. The Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) website (www.masta.org) is also a useful resource.
Travel Advice
For current information on India the best resource is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) which is a comprehensive resource and updated regularly. We would also recommend visiting the Safer Tourism Foundation website (safertourism.org.uk) before you travel and will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.
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Our Reviews
What our clients say
We truly had the holiday of a lifetime
CM - India - March 2024
We truly had the holiday of a lifetime thanks to the exceptional guides and drivers we met along our trip in Northern India. The itinerary had the perfect balance of tours, travel days and rest days for us and was meticulously planned and executed. We'd love to use Pettitts Travel again in the future and will absolutely be returning to India.
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Helping you to design your trip
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