Kolkata with Brahmaputra River Cruise (Upstream)

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Introduction

As a very illustrated columnist Vir Sanghvi wrote - But if you want a city with a soul, come to Kolkata and that’s where Far Horizon takes you, to the city of sentiments, emotions and flavours of a mother’s kitchen. Kolkata is a city of intellectuals, of football, of processions; the city of arts and culture, the city of festivals and hence called the cultural capital of India. This itinerary combines the best of two worlds - the great cultural experience of Kolkata and the soft adventure of a river cruise, for you to explore the North East of India, aboard the MV Mahabaahu.

Tour Highlights

  • Cruising on the Brahmaputra River, Assam
  • Boat, Jeep and Elephant safari in Kaziranga National Park
  • Visit to Majuli island – the Largest River island in the World
  • Visit to Umananda island – the smallest inhabitant River island in the World
  • Bird watchers’ paradise - Brahmaputra River
  • Visit the tribal villages of Assam
  • Visit to Tea Gardens
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Destinations Covered

Kolkata Victoria Memorial

Kolkata

The City of Joy

Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is the capital of West Bengal and the second largest city in India (after Mumbai). This city is a daily festival of human existence, simultaneously noble and squalid, cultured decidedly futuristic.

History and Culture

The history of Kolkata is intimately related with its invention during the British rule dating back 300 years ago. Earlier known as Calcutta, it originated as a capital of British India in 1960 when East India Company dominated the country.

Guwahati Devotees at Kamakhya Temple

Guwahati

The Gateway to the North-East

Guwahati is the largest city in Assam and Northeast India. The slow, meandering Brahmaputra River is a focal point of the downtown while the lush hills of the Shillong Plateau provide a verdant backdrop for the suburbs.

History and Culture

There is a magical aura that still lingers over the ever-expanding city. The demon king Narkasura is said to have built this ancient city. Another reason for Guwahati's charm is its being the ancient 'Kamrup', the birthplace of Kamdeva, the God of Love.

Kaziranga Single Horn Rhino

Kaziranga National Park

The haven of one-horned rhinos

 A UNESCO World Heritage site, Kaziranga is famous as the abode of the one-horned rhinoceros. Made unique with a vibrant, well preserved and sustained ecology this park has a very versatile bio diversity which makes Kaziranga National Park a very important and popular tourist destination.

Majuli Assam

Majuli

World's Largest Fresh Water Island

Mājuli or Majoli is a river island in the Brahmaputra River, Assam and in 2016 it became the first island to be made a district in India. It had an area of 880 square kilometres (340 sq mi) at the beginning of the 20th century, but having lost significantly to erosion it covers 352 square kilometres (136 sq mi) as at 2014. Majuli has shrunk as the river surrounding it has grown. Majuli is currently listed as the world's largest river island in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Jorhat Ahom Palace Sivasagar Assam

Jorhat

Tea Capital of India

Jorhat is the cultural capital of Assam; home to the largest Tea research station, there are as many as 135 tea gardens in Jorhat.

Detailed Itinerary

  1. Day 1 Arrive Kolkata

    Kolkata

    After clearing immigration and customs, step into the receiving area where our representative will meet you and escort you to your hotel.

    Overnight at the hotel

  2. Day 2 Kolkata

    Kolkata

    We take a morning tour through the streets of a city from another world. In afternoon, we visit the Victoria Memorial and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Thereafter, we pay homage to Mother Teresa, visiting her House and Shishu Bhawan, a centre of abandoned and special needs children.

    Overnight stay at the hotel. (B)

  3. Day 3 Kolkata/ Guwahati/Kamakhya/ MV Mahabaahu/ Peacock Island/ Sail (MV Mahabaahu sets sail at 14:00 hours)

    Kolkata

    On arrival at Guwahati, we drive through the busy streets to the ‘Kamakhya Temple’. Depart for ‘Pandu Port’ to board MV Mahabaahu and experience a ceremonial Assamese welcome followed by introductions and safety briefing. We all gather on the open deck to witness the first sail and catch a fleeting sight of the Gangetic Dolphins.

    We de-board for the picturesque Peacock Island, the smallest in the Brahmaputra. Soon we head back to our sail till sundown followed by Welcome Dinner.

    Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

  4. Day 4 A village visit/full day Sail

    Guwahati

    Day break is greeted with a vitalizing Yoga session.

    After breakfast, we gather for a quick tip on ‘Assam, a treasure trove of natural beauty and the mighty River Brahmaputra with its enriched tribal life that exists alongside.’

    Later in the day we step out where the ship anchors to explore the village and then sail through into the evening.

    Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B,L,D)

  5. Day 5 Sail to Silghat/ Visit Tea Estate and/ or Jute Mill

    Kaziranga National Park

    Another joyous day starts with Yoga as we sail towards Silghat. After breakfast, we spark our minds with an insight on ‘Kaziranga and wildlife in India’. Post lunch, after a quick word on ‘Tea and jute in Assam’ we arrive at Silghat. A short drive to a tea estate with the pleasing view of green valleys, a nature walk to this verdant undulating tea garden that straddles on the bank of the River Brahmaputra.

    We proceed to the tea factory to see the celebrated craft of producing Assam Tea. We visit the Jute mill to witness the process of making environment friendly gunny bags from the Jute fibre. By sunset, we get back to our sail to enjoy a cultural evening followed by an early dinner.

    Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B,L,D)

  6. Day 6 Kaziranga National Park/ Weaver’s village at Bishwanath Ghat

    Kaziranga National Park

    We rise up at dawn with a quick hot cup of tea/coffee setting the pace to depart for the Kaziranga National Park.

    We reach the Kohora Mihimukh range to begin with the much exhilarated elephant-backed safari where we search for the elusive rhinoceros, tigers, swamp deer, hog deer and more. After breakfast at a resort in Kaziranga, drive on to Bagori, the Western Range of Kaziranga and get into open jeeps to encapture the rich wildlife. Return to the ship for an early lunch and take time off while we sail towards Bishwanath Ghat.

    We relish a cup of tea with a talk on ‘Silk in Assam and Bishwanath Ghat’. We get in our tenders to visit the Shiva temple in reverence of Lord Shiva and there is no way that we can escape the women with their weaves. Return to MV Mahabaahu to watch a documentary or retire for the evening.

    Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B,L,D)

  7. Day 7 Dhansiri Boat Safari/ Mishing Tribal Village Visit

    Kaziranga National Park

    Early morning Yoga Session.

    Breakfast with an insight about the ‘Boat Safari’ and the ‘Mishing Village’. We embrace a morning boat safari at the Dhansiri confluence. The presence of hovering pied kingfishers is an indication of the diverse marine life, not to miss, the fallen branches of trees into the river, support roof turtles. We enjoy lunch as we embark towards the Mishing village. The ‘Mishing’ are an ethnic group inhabiting a number of districts in Assam.

    Return to the comfort of MV Mahabaahu and sail on. We gather our experience of the evening at MV Mahabaahu where our versatile Chef is anticipating to involve us in his amusing cooking class.

    Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B,L,D)

  8. Day 8 Majuli visit- one of the largest river island systems of the world

    Majuli

    Yoga for soothing our mind and body. Breakfast with a chat on ‘Majuli and Vaishanvism’ as we sail towards Majuli.

    Late afternoon after lunch and relaxation we drop anchor and drive to ‘Kamlabari Satra’ to witness a performance by the Vaishnavite priests. Next, we visit a scenic corner of ‘Garamur Satra’ for an interesting cultural performance by Satriya singers and dancers. In the evening we sail back to another unexplored island and Assamese is the theme of the evening. We indulge in light snacks at the island followed by dinner on-board.

    Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B,L,D)

  9. Day 9 Sail to Neamati Ghat/ Home hosted lunch and Sibsagar

    Jorhat

    Enriching our minds with Yoga and post a delightful breakfast we sail towards Neamati Ghat with some shared wisdom on ‘Sibsagar and the Ahom Civilization’ and ‘Tea-estate visit.’ We disembark and visit the Tea Estate for a tea-talk and a thrilling tea-tasting experience.

    After lunch, we drive to Sibsagar, the ancient city of the Ahom Kings, a town that literally means ‘the ocean of Lord Shiva.’ We return to MV Mahabaahu for the Farewell dinner.

    Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B,L,D)

  10. Day 10 Neamati Ghat/ Jorhat/ Kolkata & departure

    Kolkata

    We have a choice of a soothing Yoga session/bird-watching/perhaps an early morning indulgence in the spa. We drive with packed lunch to the Jorhat airport to board the flight for Kolkata.

    Stay at the hotel until departure.

    (B, packed L)

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