Eastern Legends, Wildlife and Mystic River Cruise

Explore Dalhousie Square with landmarks like St.John’s Church, the imposing High Court, the Governor’s House surrounded by vast gardens, General Post Office and Writer’s Building which is the seat of the state government. Visit the iconic Victoria Memorial, on top of which a charming one-winged fairy is perched forever, and St. Paul’s Cathedral that offers an oasis of calm amidst the bustle. Visit Mother Teresa’s House, where many devotees pay respects at this most-revered nun’s tomb. Examine the Indian Museum with its many objet-d’-arts. Embrace Bengali high art at the famous Tagore House where the late Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore composed some of his many great works. (Full Day, Private Activity & Transfer; Fitness Level: Easy; Mother Teresa House closed On Thursdays & National holidays, Victoria Memorial & Indian Museum closed On Mondays & National holidays.)

Take a delightful 5-day river boat cruise on the Brahmaputra River, visiting pretty little villages along the way and taking a safari trip to the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary. Board the ABN Charaidew at Guwahati and sail downstream, making an overnight stop by the Vijaynagar Village, nestled on the banks of the Brahmaputra. Explore the village next morning after breakfast, before sailing further upstream to the little silk weaving town of Sualkuchi. Discover Assam’s venerable silk tradition by visiting local workshops and learning about the weaving and manufacturing process. Drive up to the sacred pilgrimage site of Hajo and stop by a temple and a hilltop shrine with a heart-warming, panoramic view of rural Assam. Return to the cruise boat for the night and sail back upstream to Guwahati the next morning. Take a short trip around Guwahati before boarding your river boat. Drive up Nilachal Hill to visit one of the most ancient and revered Hindu temples in India—the Kamakhya temple—dedicated to the Mother Goddess. Stop by the Commonwealth War Graves cemetery to pay your respects. Shop for local arts and crafts before taking a country boat across the river to the charming little Peacock Island with its resident Golden Langur monkeys. Return to the cruise and sail upstream to discover the region’s rich wildlife at the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, known for its healthy population of the highly endangered Asian One-Horned Rhinoceros. Experience an exhilarating jeep safari into the parklands, spotting exotic birds and wildlife in their natural habitat. You may either drive up to the World Heritage, Kaziranga National Park, or returning to Guwahati the next day.

Savor the hearty flavors of a refreshing cup of Assam ‘chai’ at this tea tasting session for in-house guests. The Assam brew is noted for its strong body, bright color, and malty flavor. Famous for the robust variety of black tea grown in the valley since the colonial era, get an insight into the factors that go towards determining the quality of tea from an in-house expert. Your introduction to the subtle art of tea tasting will begin at the dining pavilion where nearly 60 different varieties and grades of tea are showcased from around the globe. Begin by evaluating the visual appeal of the dried tea leaf, followed by studying the appearance of the tea infusion, and then tasting a perfectly brewed cup for determining the final quality. Take a sip of your fragrant cup of tea, while soaking in tranquil views of the rolling tea gardens all around you. (Time of Day: Afternoon; Duration: 1 hr, 1530 –1630 hrs; Shared activity; Fitness level: Easy).

Experience the natural beauty of Nameri National Park, situated at the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas in India. Amid dawn chorus and jungle thrum, follow your guide on sun-speckled trails through tropical evergreen and moist deciduous forests. Home to over 300 species of birds and butterflies, the region is a birders’ paradise! Expect to spot hornbills, bazas, flowerpeckers, babblers, ibises, mountain imperial-pigeons, and white-cheeked partridges among others. You might also encounter endangered creatures such as white-winged wood ducks, dholes, Himalayan black bears, and Indian giant squirrels, apart from clouded leopards, bison, and sambars. Break for lunch and refreshments at an eco-camp nearby, and share wildlife anecdotes. Shortly after, experience a leisurely rafting cruise navigating the gentle rapids of Jia Bhoroli that passes through the forest, and hopefully sight herds of elephants hanging out along the banks. Finally, visit the Pygmy Hog Foundation to witness the brilliant conservation breeding efforts of the critically endangered pygmy hogs, before calling it a day. (Full Day; Time: 0800 – 1700 hrs; Private Activity & Transfer; Lunch included; Fitness level: Moderate; Notes: The park is open for safaris only between November and April)

Set off on an early afternoon jeep safari into one of the zones of Kaziranga National Park. This is the perfect opportunity to get up close with the wild inhabitants of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Stay alert as your local expert guides you to spots known for sightings of the reclusive one-horned Indian rhinoceros, which is an endangered species. Encounter elephants, monkeys, deer, jackals, raptors, wild water buffaloes, and even tigers as you make your way through the sprawling expanse of grassland dotted with swampy lagoons. Try to spot as many as possible of the numerous migratory and domestic bird species that inhabit the region. Capture stunning pictures of the wildlife and the scenic landscape for memories to last a lifetime. (Time of Day:1300 hrs; Duration: 2 hrs each; Private Activity; Fitness Level: Moderate; Please note that safaris are not conducted during May-October.)

Set off on this thrilling jungle adventure as you make your way to the floodplains of Kaziranga National Park, home to the Indian one-horned rhinoceros. Stay in comfortable cottages with uniquely themed décor and all modern conveniences. Take your pick of exciting experiences to come up close with the wildlife in their natural habitat. Every day, accompanied by a knowledgeable naturalist, head out on jungle safaris in the morning and in the afternoon in your quest for the elusive rhino. Settle into comfortable, open, windowless vehicles as you watch out for various inhabitants of the national park, such as tigers and elephants as well as exotic bird species. Set off on nature and river walks to acquaint yourself with the endemic species of flora and fauna. Or, saunter around the lush tea gardens as you breathe in the aroma of the fragrant leaves and learn all about the techniques of cultivating and processing the famed Assamese brew. Stroll out to the nearby village for a glimpse into the lifestyle of the different ethnic groups that live there. Back at the lodge, laze around in the sitting area with a book from the library or curl up by the fireplace on chilly evenings. (Overnight activity; Fitness Level: Easy. Please note that accommodation in an air-conditioned cottage, two jungle safaris per day (morning and afternoon) with the services of the resident naturalist, village visits, birdwatching, nature and river walks and a tea garden walk are included in this activity).

Buckle up for an hour and a half long drive to Sibsagar, that used to be the power center of the Assamese kings of the Ahom dynasty. Originally belonging to the Shan ethnic group, they converted to Hinduism at one point. Learn about their unique culture and architecture which is a curious and fascinating blend of Indian and Southeast Asian features. Explore the remains of the civilization, with its impressive palaces and peaceful temples reminiscent of stupas. Don’t forget to check out the temple tank here, whose claim to fame is that of being the world’s largest hand-excavated reservoir. (Half Day, Time of Day: Morning, Duration: 6 hrs with 1.5 hrs drive to and fro each; Private Activity; Fitness Level: Moderate)