Deal

Embark your Pandaw vessel in Guwahati, gateway to Assam. Meet your crew for the next seven nights and set sail upstream onto the Mighty Brahmaputra River.

Today you’ll stop at a local village consisting of migrant populations that have settled and been provided with official status by the government. Their charming village is the perfect place to learn about life along such a dramatically changeable river.

Setting sail early morning you’ll reach Silghat, at the doorstep of Kaziranga National Park. Make your first venture into this park in the afternoon in search of the reserve’s most famous inhabitant, the Royal Bengal Tigers for which the park boasts the highest density of any place in the world. Tiger spotting is extremely rare but chances to see Kaziranga’s other famous inhabitants are abundant.

Leave the ship in the early morning for your second Jeep safari into Kaziranga National Park. Mornings are the perfect time to spot the Indian One-Horned Rhinos, Buffalos, Elephants plus a host of birdlife, including Hornbills and Kingfishers. Following your safari, you’ll visit a typical Assamese tea garden and learn about the process from bush to cup. After lunch you’ll sail downstream toward Tezpur and if time permits, visit Bamuni Hills, a 9th century temple complex that lies in ruins overlooking the town.

After an early breakfast you’ll head ashore and drive north toward the state of Arunachal Pradesh to explore the second national Park on this trip– Nameri National Park. Here you’ll take a float trip down the Jia – Bhoreli River (around 2 hours) and enjoy the abundant birdlife and breathtaking scenery backdropped by the Blue Hills in the Eastern Himalayan range. Return for lunch aboard and set sail downstream.

Stepping ashore in Mayang, a sizeable village along the shores of the Brahmaputra, you’ll learn about the history of magic and sorcery that was prevalent in the region. Visit the fascinating Mayang museum which explains how various mantras were used for anything from curing ailments to identifying a thief. You will then be welcomed into the home of a local Mayang resident for a discussion and perhaps demonstration of some tricks.

Sualkuchi is a major centre for weaving in Assam. Here you’ll learn about the entire silk making production, from the cocoon, to spinning and weaving, to make the typical saree worn by local women. There is a chance to buy some local silken souvenirs and experience a traditional folk dance before you return to the ship by electric rickshaw.