The upper Brahmaputra is the lifeblood of Assam, and this 10-night river cruise is the perfect way to see everything that the river and wider region has to offer.
The journey commences in Kolkata with time set aside to fully explore this vibrant city before flying north to Jorhat where you will board your river cruise vessel. From here, follow the Brahmaputra River downstream as far as Guwahati, the capital of Assam. Along the way, visits will be made to the ancient monuments of Sivasagar, the communities of Majuli Island, the wildlife of Kaziranga National Park, the temples of Tezpur and the silk workshops of Sualkuchi. Your river boat provides a comfortable base from which to enjoy the magnificent countryside as you cruise past isolated islands, remote villages, bustling towns, and wildlife reserves. After time spent exploring the sites of Assamese capital Guwahati, you will fly back home via Kolkata.
Kolkata – Dibrugarh – Neamati Ghat – Sivasagar – Majuli Island – Biswanath – Kaziranga National Park – Singri – Ganesh Pahar – Sualkuchi – Guwahati – Kolkata
Trip Highlights
- In Sivasagar the Ahom temples feature both SE Asian and Indian architectural styles
- Kaziranga National Park is the best place to see the Indian one-horned rhinos in the wild
- Only accessible by boat, Majuli Island is home to indigenous tribes with a unique culture
- Enjoy days on the beautiful Brahmaputra River, passing islands, jungle and rural villages
- Visit Sualkuchi, a riverside town that serves as the centre for silk production in Assam
- See the Aswaklanta temple and ruins of Madan Kamdev, known for its detailed carvings
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart the UK
Today depart the UK on the flight to Kolkata with a change of planes in the Middle East.
Day 2
Arrive Kolkata
Arrive in Kolkata where you will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel in the city. Known as Calcutta until the start of the 21st century, Kolkata was the first capital of the British Raj. Today, monuments of the colonial era stand alongside busy streets and overlook vibrant markets in 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
Today you will be exploring Kolkata with your guide. The green park of the Maidan is the lungs of the city, surrounded by colonial buildings such as the Victoria Memorial and Fort William, with the Hooghly River on one side and the markets of Chowringhee on the other. The colourful flower market sprawls along the riverside under Howrah Bridge whilst craftsmen create clay idols in the city’s potter’s quarter, much as their forebears have done for generations.
- Breakfast
Calcutta Bungalow
The Elgin Fairlawn
Oberoi Grand Hotel
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Day 4
Kolkata to Jorhat – by air / Jorhat to Neamati Ghat – 25kms
This morning you will be taken to the airport for the flight to Jorhat in Assam. Here you will be met on arrival and transferred the short distance by road to Neamati Ghat where you will board your river cruise before setting sail. With en-suite cabins, all of which offer panoramic views of the river, your Assam Bengal Navigation vessel is ideal for cruising the Brahmaputra.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
ABN Charaidew II
ABN Sukapha
Day 5
Neamati Ghat to Majuli Island
Begin your exploration of the Brahmaputra with a visit to Sivasagar, the former capital of the Ahom dynasty. Originating from southwest China, the Ahom kings developed an architecture which was a unique synthesis of South East Asian and Indian features. After lunch at a quintessential Assamese tea estate, return to your ship and continue the cruise downstream towards Majuli Island.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
ABN Charaidew II
ABN Sukapha
Day 6
Majuli Island
One of the largest river islands in the world, Majuli is a land of monks and traditional villages, only accessible by boat and little touched by the outside world. Visit the monasteries of Majuli and attend a traditional dance performance before returning to your ship and continuing your cruise.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
ABN Charaidew II
ABN Sukapha
Day 7
Majuli to Biswanath
Today is a day spent mostly cruising along the Brahmaputra River, with a break to head ashore and visit a tribal village along the way. By the afternoon you will be sailing past Kaziranga National Park, so keep a close look out for wildlife on the river banks.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
ABN Charaidew II
ABN Sukapha
Day 8
Biswanath to Silghat
This morning disembark at the temple town of Biswanath to visit the fine Ahom-era temple of Gupta Kashi before continuing the cruise to the other side of the river and the harbour at Silghat. Silghat is the gateway to Kaziranga National Park, and this afternoon you will leave the river to take a jeep safari through the ‘Western Range’. A vast expanse of wetland, elephant grass and forest bordered by the Brahmaputra River, Kaziranga is famous for the rhinos that it was set up to preserve, with two-thirds of the world’s Indian one-horned rhinoceros found within its boundaries.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
ABN Charaidew II
ABN Sukapha
Day 9
Kaziranga National Park
This morning disembark at the temple town of Biswanath to visit the fine Ahom-era temple of Gupta Kashi before continuing the cruise to the other side of the river and the harbour at Silghat. Silghat is the gateway to Kaziranga National Park, and this afternoon you will leave the river to take a jeep safari through the ‘Western Range’. A vast expanse of wetland, elephant grass and forest bordered by the Brahmaputra River, Kaziranga is famous for the rhinos that it was set up to preserve, with two-thirds of the world’s Indian one-horned rhinoceros found within its boundaries.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
ABN Charaidew II
ABN Sukapha
Day 10
Silghat to Singri
Leaving Silghat you will continue downstream, passing under the impressive Koli Bhomora Setu bridge on the way to Tezpur. Here, cycle rickshaws will take you through the bazars of the city to the 6th century Da Parbatai temple and Cole Park with its collection of medieval stone carvings. After your visit, continue cruising to Singri where you will moor for the night.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
ABN Charaidew II
ABN Sukapha
Day 11
Singri to Ganesh Pahar
Spend the day on the river, sailing downstream through an unearthly landscape of sand banks and islands. Take time to enjoy the landscape and relax before mooring for the night not far from Ganesh Pahar close to the outskirts of Guwahati.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
ABN Charaidew II
ABN Sukapha
Day 12
Ganesh Pahar to Sualkuchi
It is a scenic cruise through forested hills to Guwahati, the capital of Assam. Moor opposite the city to visit the Aswaklanta temple and the ruins of Madan Kamdev, known for its erotic carvings. After returning to your ship continue sailing past Guwahati to Sualkuchi.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
ABN Charaidew II
ABN Sukapha
Day 13
Sualkuchi to Guwahati
Sualkuchi is the furthest point you will reach on the Brahmaputra, a bustling riverside town that is the centre for silk production in Assam. Visit a weaving workshop to learn about the spinning and dyeing of silk before sailing the short distance back upstream to your dock close to the Saraighat Bridge in central Guwahati. From here you will take a tour of the city, visiting the famous Kamakhya temple on Nilachal Hill. There is also the chance to explore the colourful bazaar and pay your respects at the Commonwealth war cemetery before returning to your boat for your final night aboard.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
ABN Charaidew II
ABN Sukapha
Day 14
Guwahati to Kolkata – by air
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport in Guwahati for the flight to Kolkata. On arrival you will be met and taken to your hotel close to the airport where you will stay overnight.
- Breakfast
Holiday Inn Kolkata Airport
Day 15
Kolkata to the UK
Today you will be taken back to the airport for the flight to the UK with a change of planes in the Middle East.
- Breakfast
Extending your stay...
Fly from Kolkata to the Andaman Islands, to experience the ultimate tropical escape. The Andamans are a remote archipelago closer to Thailand than India and offer barefoot luxury. The turquoise seas harbour diverse marine life with the snorkelling and diving superb.
Include the extraordinary living root bridges of Meghalaya. Formed organically from the roots of living trees, the bridges stretch up to 100 metres and some are 500 years old. Drive from Guwahati south to Cherrapunjee and then return to Kolkata by air from Shillong.
Travel south from Kolkata to Belgadia Palace, a Victorian stately home located just over the West Bengal border in Odisha. Attend the boisterous weekly village markets, learn about the region’s arts and crafts heritage and dance forms or birdwatch on the estate.
Konark and Puri are the setting for two of India’s most important temple sites. Konark’s spectacular Sun Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and in Puri view the Jaganath Temple. Reach overland from Belgadia Palace and return to Kolkata from Bhubaneshwar.
Guide to Price
15 days from £5100 - £6900 per person
What's Included
- International and domestic flights
- Private car and driver in Kolkata
- Sightseeing with local guide in Kolkata
- Cruise accommodation and sightseeing on a join-in basis with other passengers
- Hotel accommodation and taxes
What's Not Included
- Cost of visas
- Travel Insurance
- Expenses of a personal nature
from £5100 - £6900
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
All in all a super special holiday
MR & RR - India - March 2024
All in all a super special holiday. Thanks so much for helping to put it together. The guides and drivers are always so important and they were excellent and kind throughout. Assam and Nagaland are so different from mainland India...a very relaxed vibe in beautiful surroundings. We would happily return.
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