At a Glance
Immerse on a captivating 3-night voyage, an entrancing gateway to Assam, the doorway to India's enchanting Northeast. Stroll through hidden hamlets, and venture into the wilderness of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary on thrilling jeep safaris, chasing the elusive Great Indian One-Horned Rhinos. This cruise is a perfect introduction and snapshot of the culture, wildlife, and landscapes in a lesser-travelled realm of India.
Your adventure begins in Guwahati where you board your luxury vessel, the ABN Charaidew II, your floating haven. Flowing downstream, Sualkuchi’s village silken artistry beckons, unveiling the tale of mekhela chadars. Against the current, relish Guwahati's sights, ascend Nilachal Hill to Kamakhya temple, and explore Peacock Island's secrets of golden langurs and sacred Shiva engravings. A gentle transition onto a country boat leads you to the hidden gem of the ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- 3 nights' accommodation on the ABN Charaidew II or ABN Sukapha on a twin-share basis
- Service of an English-speaking guide onboard and during excursions
- All excursions and entry fees
- All transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
- All meals onboard
Itinerary
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Arrive at the airport in Guwahati this afternoon, where you meet up with other anticipating travellers before boarding ABN Charaidew II, your luxury cruise ship carefully situated close to the iconic Saraighat Bridge. Be embraced by an atmosphere of tranquillity and enthrallment as you step onto the ABN Charaidew II, your home throughout the adventure presents you with inviting spaces that cater to your whims with stunning decor that reflects a sense of homecoming to Assam. Think cosy saloon and bar, dining area, an open sundeck, gym, and a small spa with all the treatments you could ever want onboard. Enjoy lunch, a culinary delight made from bold flavours and local Indian ingredients that unfolds amidst the tranquil river's embrace, as you cruise downstream. After lunch, your voyage takes you to Sualkuchi, a small town where the rhythmic clatter of looms reveals a robust silk industry. Take a stroll through the village and stop by the silk-weaving workshops to see how silk is made, from the cocoon through the spinning, dyeing, and hand-weaving that results in the beautiful mekhela chadars—the traditional two-piece sari worn by Assamese women. |
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As the sun dips below the horizon, venture back to your cruise ship to unwind and make the most of the dining room that now presents an exquisite backdrop for a sumptuous dinner. |
ABN Charaidew II or ABN Sukapha
Lunch, Dinner |
After a hearty gourmet breakfast aboard this morning, you will travel upstream and disembark at Pandu Docks for a quick tour of the sprawling city of Guwahati. Guwahati is a great city picturesquely situated within an amphitheatre of wooded hills in Assam. It's the largest city in Northeast India and it's known for holy sites like the Navagraha Temple, an astronomical centre with planetary shrines, and the hilltop Kamakhya Temple, featuring shrines to the Hindu deities Shiva and Vishnu. Drive through rugged Nilachal Hill to explore the holy Kamakhya temple in its entirety, while those who are uncomfortable with tantric rituals and animal sacrifice may choose to confine themselves to the temple's exteriors. |
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Move downstream to visit the cherished Commonwealth War Graves cemetery, and delve into local crafts, exploring a treasure trove of Assam's heritage before embarking on a country boat midstream to the vibrant Peacock Island, a home to the whimsical golden langurs and Umananda Temple, dedicated to Shiva. Explore the island treasures covered in engravings before heading back to your cruise ship. As you reboard, enjoy a nourishing dinner, savouring a medley of flavours that mirror Assam's diversity while the ship gently sails past Kurua on the north bank. |
ABN Charaidew II or ABN SukaphaBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
This morning, wake up to a soft breeze that ushers in a new day, after a restful night's sleep. Get up and enjoy a moment of solitude at the panoramic lounge that offers breathtaking river views or energise your body and soul at the gym before settling down for a hearty breakfast that prepares you for the adventure ahead. Today's voyage carries you upstream across jungle-covered hills before entering the Mayong River. From here, you will go by country boat for about 2 kilometres to the road-head that opens the path to Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary. Here, the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros reigns supreme, and it would be unlucky not to see some of these majestic creatures during a jeep safari in this little park. For those departing today, a 4 ½ hour seamless transition takes you from Pobitora to Kaziranga National Park, a magnificent wilderness offering diverse wildlife sightseeing and breathtaking views of birdlife. Return to the ship this afternoon to delight in its exquisite amenities offering a haven of relaxation, from sundeck to bask in the sun's embrace, to a saloon to unwind with fellow travellers. Enjoy a mouthwatering lunch before you take a sail to a nearby riverfront village where you can explore on foot. As evening falls, the dining room becomes an ambiance of camaraderie, where stories of the day intertwine with the flavours on your plate. The ship continues downstream and finally docks near Kurua's tranquil shores for the final night. |
ABN Charaidew II or ABN SukaphaBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
As your journey's final day arrives, enjoy a leisurely breakfast onboard with other travellers and reflect on the extraordinary expedition you just experienced, before the ship's course gracefully turns towards Pandu port, where you'll transfer to Guwahati airport for departure. As you disembark at Pandu port, the ABN Charaidew II bids adieu, leaving you with not just memories but a taste of the journey itself. 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 start and finish point is Guwahati
- 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, Pandu IWAI Port it is a 1 hour included transfer drive to Guwahati airport.
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.
