At a Glance
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Embark on an 11-day odyssey along the Brahmaputra River, a voyage that immerses you in the heart of India's soul. From Dibrugarh to Guwahati, this comprehensive journey unveils the wonders of India's depth. Experience the languid rhythm of cruising as you explore temples, ruins, villages and vibrant cuisine. Delve into the tapestry of its culture, with a highlight being the UNESCO treasure, Kaziranga National Park. This expedition offers a slow dance with time, a captivating blend of sights, safaris, and stories, painting an unforgettable portrait of India's essence.
Embark on a captivating voyage from Dibrugarh or Jorhat where you begin in Sibsagar, a former Ahom capital, where a monumental temple tank awaits. Majuli Island’s monasteries beckon before a tribal village glimpse and a thrilling jeep safari at Kaziranga National Park. Two ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- 10 nights' accommodation on the ABN Charaidew II or ABN Sukapha on a twin-share basis
- All meals onboard
- All excursions and entry fees
- All transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
- Service of an English-speaking guide onboard and during excursions
Itinerary
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On the first day of the trip, arrive at the colonial town of Dibrugarh, which served as an American base during WWII. Arrive at Dibrugarh Airport where you’ll be transferred on a 4 and half hours' drive to the ship's embarkation point at Neamati ghat. Alternatively, take the shorter route by arriving at Jorhat airport for one hour and half drive to Neamati, Ghat, where the ship awaits. The rest of the day is free, and the ship is yours to explore. Settle into your spacious deluxe cabin, furnished with a minibar, queen size bed, ensuite shower and individual climate control among other essential amenities. Beyond cabin amenities, there's a spa to relax better like a king on a voyage with various treatments. Visit the gym to boost blood circulation across your body, unwind at the sundeck for gorgeous views of the scenery, or enjoy a breezy rest in one of the sun loungers on the deck. There's a mini library if you’d prefer to immerse in books, and an air-conditioned saloon with Wi-Fi to look chic is aboard the vessel. Sated with all the ship has to offer, enjoy a dinner of Indian and Western cuisines. Afterwards, embrace the quilted comfort of your bed and prepare for the cruise and expedition of a lifetime. |
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This morning, wake up to the brilliant sunshine gracing the ship and ascend to the deck to behold the morning serenity and beauty of Brahmaputra. Hit the gym if you want an early dose of energy for the day before consuming breakfast to supplement it. Today, we sail to Sibsagar, and to its capital of Assam, to have a foretaste of the variety of experiences abundant in the Brahmaputra River. Sibsagar flaunts a unique and exciting history of being the former capital of the Ahom kings of Assam. The Ahoms were Shan by descent but converted to Hinduism and ruled Assam for six centuries before falling to the Burmese Konbaung dynasty in 1819. The culture and architecture found in this city are spectacular, partly due to the blend of Indian and South Asian elements and because Asia is, in itself, a fascinating destination. Several Assam monuments, palaces with classic shapes, and iconic stupa-like temples litter the city. The temple tank in this city has critical global acclaim as it is believed to be the world's largest hand-excavated reservoir, an engineering feat worthy of accolades. After filling our eyes with impressive architectural masterpieces and remnants of history, we feast at lunch in Horu Charai, a top-tier Assamese tea estate. We return to the ship and proceed on our glorious voyage for three hours down to Majuli Island, one of the world's largest river islands. |
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Today, after breakfast, we disembark on Majuli, nestled like a hidden gem, it reveals itself in photographs, yet remains a mystery to most travelers. This miniature universe of Assamese culture stands firm as a bastion of neo-Vaishnavism, a tranquil faith. Its graceful island satras, some embracing solitary monks, others accommodating families, unfold a tapestry of life unlike any other. Here, devotion thrives in simplicity, woven through the threads of gayan-bayan's harmonious songs, the melodies of instruments, and the pages of sacred readings. Embark on a voyage through this enchanting landscape. Your voyage leads to the Auniati monastery, where history and diversity converge in an eccentric museum. Feel the rhythm of Majuli as you witness a dance spectacle at the Kamalabari monastery, a mesmerizing fusion of tradition and grace. Then, as the day drifts lazily, return to your ship, cradled by the river's gentle embrace. Let the currents guide you downstream, revealing the secrets of Majuli with every passing ripple, an odyssey of one or two hours that dances with anticipation. |
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Today, breakfast is the official opening act, a ritual that will continue for the rest of the trip. Afterward, we continue sailing away from Majuli island and further along the grand Brahmaputra River, with the Kaziranga National Park as our destination. There will be a short stopover at a tribal village. Going forward, our vessel makes remarkable progress at noon by bringing us close to the park, visible as you turn left. However, the river banks might have some wildlife lurking around, especially the wild elephant and, sometimes, a tiger. Remember to watch for these visible sightings without disembarking from the ship. |
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Today, our first stop is at the temple town of Vishnath, particularly prominent for its Ahom-period temple. Disembark and grace the shores of this remarkable town to immerse in the wonder and beauty of its architecture, including a peculiar rural lifestyle that may come with a bit of a culture shock. Afterwards, we continue our voyage downstream to anchor in a beautiful spot known as Silghat, where beautiful butterflies populate the surrounding forest. The magical and extraordinary moments begin from this point upward as you embark on your first safari in Kaziranga National Park on a jeep ride through its grass plains, woodlands, and wetlands of the Western Range. |
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This morning, we'll delve deeper into the heart of the Kaziranga National Park with a drive to its central range for a morning jeep safari. The park is massive, gulping approximately 430 sq km , and renowned for many extraordinary natural achievements. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and boasts one of the world's largest populations of Indian single-horned Rhinoceroses and the Indian Wild Water Buffalo. It was also declared a tiger reserve in 2006 owing to the many Royal Bengal Tigers (one every 5 sq km) it boasts. It is also home to an impressive diversity of natural terrains, ranging from wetlands and woodlands to grasslands, marshy swamps, broadleaf forests, and elephant grass. The elephant grass in the park promotes the survival of Indian elephants that abound in their numbers here. With four rivers forming a network within the park, it's a melting pot of biodiversity. Other notable wildlife you may spot in the park include eastern swamp deer, Indian hog deer, Indian Bison, and Capped Langurs. Birds are included in the potpourri of animal diversity in this park. Often brought in comparison with the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, Africa, the park is the haven to a staggering number of bird species, including White-tailed Eagle, Himalayan Griffon, greater and lesser adjutant, Black-shouldered Kite, and Ferruginous duck among a dozen of others. At noon, another jeep safari ensures you have a fill of the park's abundant natural endowments before we call it a day and retreat to the ship for rest. |
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Today, our breakfast ritual sets the ball rolling for the day's itinerary as we cruise downstream under a remarkably new lengthy bridge to anchor at Tezpur, the largest of Brahmaputra's North Bank cities. Tezpur is a touristy city with temples, ancient ruins, hills, and sites to explore. We'll help ourselves to a tasty lunch aboard the vessel before disembarking to visit the ancient ruins of the 6th-century Da Parbatia Temple, with a terrace so immaculately carved, it could only have been done by a genius architect. We'll deploy an unusual transportation means today with a cycle rickshaw that takes on a ride through the city, bypassing the bazaars into Cole Park, home to an array of mediaeval stone carvings. We embark on the ship again while you spend time unwinding on the sunkissed deck and sail downstream to dock near a secluded Singri Hill. |
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Today is a full sailing day without stepping ashore. We'll cruise across the enchanting moon-like landscape of the sand islands before approaching the hill ranges that host the city of Guwahati. While aboard and cruising, leverage the ship's amenities to enjoy and make the sail more fun. Visit the library to read a book and stimulate your brain. Hit the gym to stay fit or indulge in the spa to relax your muscles. You can also sip cocktails at the sun loungers on the deck while drinking in views of the captivating banks and vegetation. We'll anchor at Ganesh Pahar for the night and continue at dawn. |
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Today, we embark on the most scenic cruise of the expedition as we sail by jungle-coated hills framing the south banks of the river. We'll arrive in Guwahati at midday and dock at an anchor point facing the city. Next, we climb to the elegant Aswaklanta Temple, built by King Siva Singha, one of Ahom's rulers. The temple is a Hindu pilgrimage destination in Assam and is near its capital Guwahati. Afterward, we drive out to see the Madan Kamdev temple ruins with their erotic artworks, reflecting the powerful roots of the Tantric cultures in the area. We return to our floating luxury and cruise further downstream to arrive in Sualkuchi this evening or the next morning. |
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Today is the last day of the active itinerary. Savour a rich, satiating breakfast, and we'll touch down at Sualkuchi town to explore and witness incredible scenes. We'll promenade the streets of this vibrant town, and not only discover that it's the hub of Assamese silk creation, we shall immerse in the experience. We'll visit one of the silk production workshops to witness the beauty of creating something beautiful and fashionable from start to finish. We see how silk clothing is made from harvesting the silk in the form of cocoons and spinning to the main activity of dyeing and hand-weaving into a fine clothing material - the mekhela chadars, a two-piece sari, the traditional clothing of Assamese women. |
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We sail further to moor at an anchor spot situated near the great Saraighat bridge and venture into the town of Guwahati to explore. Driving uphill, we emerge at the iconic Kamakhya temple. The temple features a blend of intricate and mysterious rituals of tantric traditions including sacrificing animals. You can choose to only see its exteriors if this makes you uncomfortable. We'll put a cap on the experiences by visiting the emotional Commonwealth War Graves, the museum and the city's bazaar. We retreat to our ship's accommodation to spend the last night of the trip reminiscing about how it started and is ending. |
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Savour one final breakfast, a perfect time to reflect on your incredible journey before disembarkation and a transfer to Guwahati Airport for your onward travels. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
Accommodation
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 point is Dibrugarh or Jorhat
- The finish point is Guwahati
- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Dibrugarh or Jorhat. The closest major airport to Dibrugarh Airport (DIB) and is 16 km from the centre of Dibrugarh. The nearest major airport to Jorhat is Dimapur Airport (DMU) and has domestic flights from Dimapur, India and is 143 km from the centre of Jorhat.
- Arrive at Dibrugarh Airport or Jorhat Airport with included transfer to the cruise embarkation port. Alternatively, pick up from Jorhat or Dibrugarh hotel with included transfer to cruise embarkation port.
- Disembarkation is after breakfast at around 830am. From the disembarkation point, Pandu IWAI Port it is 1 hour 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.