At a Glance
Get a glimpse into a connection where experiences are defined and memories created through a discovery cruise steeped in both authenticity and luxury as you unearth the wonders of India’s Brahmaputra region. An authentic 5-day cruise itinerary discovering Assam's silk legacy, peeking into village sericulture. Savour river life onboard as you cruise Brahmaputra's gentle currents, leading to UNESCO's Kaziranga National Park in search for one-horned rhinos and Bengal Tigers, weaving tales of wilderness.
Your adventure begins Guwahati where you’ll embark on your luxury vessel onboard the boutique ABN Sukapha. Your first taste of the serene Brahmaputra River leads you to Sualkuchi town to witness the art of silk production. Journey to Nilachal Hill to gaze in wonder at the holy Kamakhya Temple, dedicated to the goddess of the same name, the ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- 4 nights' accommodation on the ABN Sukapha on a twin-share basis
- All meals onboard
- Service of an English-speaking guide onboard and during excursions
- All transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
- All excursions and entry fees
Itinerary
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On the first day of the cruise expedition, arrive at Guwahati airport and transfer to Pundu Port to join the waiting cruise. The experiences begin in earnest with a delectable hearty lunch aboard the vessel as it cruises towards the mouth of the river to Sualkuchi. This afternoon, we will gallivant this town, remarkable as a critical epicentre of Assamese silk production, and we'll have the chance to witness the art of silk making when we visit one of the silk workshops. The experience promises to be exciting and inspiring as we behold the skillful production of silk from the cocoon stage to spinning, dyeing, hand-weaving, and the final product - a beautiful and impeccable mekhela chadar (a two-piece traditional Assamese women's clothing). |
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After this insightful experience, we head back to the ship and sail further to anchor for the night in a region close to the great Saraighat bridge. Seize the free moments to explore all ship amenities, especially the sun deck, where views of nature on the river banks are splendid and much different from your cabin. Visit the spa to indulge in its diverse treatments and renew your body's synergy with soul and mind. Relish the tastes of Indian and Western delicacies and spend the night sleeping in a cosy bed that engulfs your body's outlines and prepare for the next day's experiences. |
ABN Sukapha 
Lunch, Dinner |
Enjoy a heartwarming breakfast and first-morning gastronomic delight on the Brahmaputra, and we'll disembark and drive to Nilachal Hill. On this hill, we visit the holy temple of Kamakhya, a renowned and significant place of worship anchored around Tantric practices in India. The temple is dedicated to the goddess of desire and the granger of desire, Kamakhya. It also symbolises the fusion for Aryan and non-Aryan elements in Assam. As we stroll around its exteriors, capturing stunning sights and sounds, we'll meet many pilgrims who have come to pay homage to the temple and its significance. Afterward, we will return to our ship to relax and recuperate and then cruise further to Mayong. |
ABN Sukapha Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Today will be unique as we'll spend the better part of it cruising. After breakfast, the cruise goes upstream for a brief stop at a riverside village, lavish with prospering vegetables still in their glorious green elements. We embark on the ship after this short visit and continue cruising upstream. |
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Leverage your spare time to bask in the views of the verdant vegetation on the banks while sipping a cocktail on a lounger at the sun deck. Behold forested hills framing some parts of the river banks and keep an eye for endemic fauna that lurk around. You could start a journal about your experiences so far, read a book at the deck and library, indulge in spa treatments, and look good at the saloon. There will be an Indian cooking demonstration onboard, ensuring the cruise keeps its flames of activities burning. Enjoy a pleasant night's rest in your cabin after dinner as the ship sails to the highlight destination of our expedition. |
ABN Sukapha Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Today marks the high point of our cruise as we sail to Silghat while enjoying an enriching breakfast onboard. At noon, we feast on a hearty lunch and drive to Kaziranga National Park to embark on a jeep safari, slicing through paths and regions of this massive park and beholding all the endowments of nature here. The park occupies approximately 430 sq km of space, spreading across the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River and leaving more than enough habitat for its fauna and flora to coexist, and for visitors to explore. This UNESCO World Heritage is home to the world's largest population of Indian One-Horned Rhinos, as well as the Indian Wild Water Buffalo. The wildlife here gets more impressive as you can find one Bengal tiger in every 5 sq km of the park, making it a Tiger Reserve. One of the highlight activities here is bird watching as the park is a bird's haven and an ‘Important Bird Area’. Some bird species here include Himalayan Griffon, greater and lesser adjutant, Black-shouldered Kite, and white-fronted goose. The park is also a biodiversity epicentre, featuring marshlands, wetlands, and grasslands (including elephant grass) and it houses a number of Indian elephants, Indian bison, swamp deer, and Capped Lagrus. In comparison, the Kaziranga is only paralleled by the famous Serengeti National Park in Africa. After exploring this park, we head back to our ship to enjoy the last moments of its luxurious interiors, amenities, and dinner. The sleep tonight will be different, as the day's experiences will keep appearing in flashes and as it's the last night of the trip. |
ABN Sukapha Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
This morning, we savour our final breakfast and meal of the trip, bid farewell to the crew and new acquaintances, and embark on the 4-hour drive to Guwahati Airport for departing flights. Alternatively, a 40-minute transfer to Kaziranga or a 2-hour transfer to Jorhat airport can be arranged at your request. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
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Dates & Prices
The price is based on the lowest cateogry cabin on the avaialble departure date (e.g. Main Deck Cabin). Please contact us for available cabin types and prices. Single supplement is available. Please contact us for group and private departures.
More Info
- The departure point is Guwahati
- The finish point is Silghat
- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Guwhati. The closest major airport to Guwahati is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU) and is 19 km from the center of Guwahati.
- Disembarkation is after breakfast at around 8:30 AM. From the disembarkation point, Silghat (near Kaziranga), choose from 3 included airport transfers. it is a 45 minutes' drive to Tezpur airport, 3 hours’ drive to Jorhat airport or Guwahati airport 4 hours' drive.
The climate and weather along the Brahmaputra River can vary significantly based on the region and the time of year. The Brahmaputra River flows through different states and regions of India, including Assam and parts of Arunachal Pradesh.
In general Assam Region:
- Summer (March to June): The weather is warm and humid with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F). This is the pre-monsoon season, and occasional thunderstorms are common.
- Monsoon (June to September): This is the rainy season, with heavy rainfall and high humidity. Flooding can occur in low-lying areas along the riverbanks.
- Post-Monsoon (October to November): The weather starts to become more pleasant as the monsoon retreats. Temperatures begin to drop, and the humidity decreases.
- Winter (December to February): The weather is cool and dry, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F). This is a popular time for tourists to visit the region.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 90 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 90 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 90 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 90 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. The tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
