Discover Kolkata, explore Assam and go in search of one-horned Rhinos in Kaziranga National Park.

Saturday, 09 December 2023

Depart the UK to Kolkata

Fly from the UK on an overnight flight to Kolkata.

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Sunday, 10 December 2023

Arrive in Kolkata

Arrive in Kolkata where you will be met by the Veloso Tours local guide, who will transfer you to your chosen hotel for a 3 night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. Your guide will give you a short orientation tour of your local surroundings so you can settle in. The rest of the day is at leisure.

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Monday, 11 December 2023

Guided tour of Kolkata

Kolkata the city of joy as it is called is also commonly considered as the 'Paris of the East' as there's a happy amalgamation of different cultures, styles and moods, coupled along with numerous forms of industries and commerce and politics. Kolkata mainly gained importance in the times of British rule as it had been the capital of India till the year 1912. At present, although it is no more the capital of India, it is the capital of West Bengal and is one of the most important places of cultural workshop and industrial centre.

After breakfast, visit the Victoria Memorial. This marble-white monument is one of the most fascinating landmarks of Kolkata. Here, come face to face with miniature paintings and images of Queen Mary, King George V and Queen Victoria. Of special importance are the Queen's dresses, the famous Rosewood piano, the Whispering Gallery in the dome and numerous artillery weapons used in the Battle of Plassey.

We also visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, built in the Indo-Gothic style of architecture, and was built in the year 1847 by Major W.N. Forbes of the East India Company. The height of the Cathedral is 201 ft. This Cathedral has the rare distinction of being the first Episcopal Church built in this part of the world.  The peak of St. Paul's Cathedral has been designed as a replica of the famous Canterbury Cathedral's Henry Tower.

We continue to Mother Teresa’s House, called ‘Nirmal Hriday,’ and also visit Shishu Bhawan, located near her house. Mother Teresa’s great work of caring for abandoned children on the streets of Kolkata is carried out at this center.  Watch the children’s face light up with just one smile of yours.

Tuesday, 12 December 2023

Fly to Guwahati and embark the M/V Mahabaahu

Travel to the airport and fly to Guwahati. On arrival, we drive through the busy streets to the Kamakhya Temple.  This Temple is devoted to Kama Khya, the eternal Feminine- the goddess of desire. After the Temple visit, we drive towards Pandu Port and embark the M/V Mahabaahu for your 7 night cruise on a full board basis.

Enjoy a quick orientation and take a short visit to the picturesque Peacock Island, the smallest island on the Brahmaputra famous for the highly endangered Golden Langur.  It would be a good idea to have one’s binoculars and cameras at hand.

In the evening enjoy a talk on ‘Kamakhya and the occult in Assam’ and welcome dinner.

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Wednesday, 13 December 2023

Village visit & full day sailing

The MV Mahabaahu lifts anchor early. We enjoy Yoga on the deck for an hour and move on for breakfast. We enjoy a talk on 'Assam, its geographical location in the national and international context and how it is acclaiming recognition'. MV Mahabaahu heads on towards an island that is occupied predominantly by a ‘Bangla’ speaking Muslim community who are involved in extensive farming. After t visiting this village, we return to the ship for lunch and sail towards the Orang Point.

Evening sets in and over a cup of tea, we enjoy a talk on 'The River Brahmaputra and the tribal life’. We anchor at a deserted island for the evening and enjoy a bonfire and a barbeque.

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Thursday, 14 December 2023

Sighat

The MV Mahabaahu sails early and we enjoy Yoga on the deck and move on for breakfast and for a talk on 'Wild life in Kaziranga with an overview of the wild life in India'.

We sail on for the next couple of hours and enjoy a relaxed lunch as we reach Silghat.  After a talk on ‘Tea, Jute & Silk in Assam’, we take a short drive to Kaliabore Tea Estate which is a vast undulating expanse with tea bushes. We proceed to the tea factory to see the processing of the Assam Tea and   getting an insight into all that goes into preparing a cup-of-tea.

While returning to the ship, we visit a co-operative Jute Mill which is an interesting place to understand how the Jute fibre takes the form of very eco-friendly gunny bags.

We enjoy a cultural evening on the ship followed by an early dinner.

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Friday, 15 December 2023

Kaziranga National Park

Today there is an early wake-up call with tea/coffee and we set out towards the Kaziranga National Park.

The most prized inhabitant of Kaziranga is the Greater One-Horned Indian Rhinoceros, but the Park is home to as many as 180 different mammals including wild elephants, tiger, deer, Asiatic wild buffalo and a rich variety of birds. We reach the Kohora Mihimukh range of the National Park and are ready to start our morning adventure. An elephant-back safari is an experience, to search for the elusive rhinoceros, tigers, swamp deer and hog deer and more and a large number of very interesting birds.  The park never ceases to surprise its visitors!!!

After breakfast at a resort in Kaziranga, we drive on to Bagori, the Western Range of Kaziranga and get into the open jeeps for some more wildlife adventure and an extensive coverage of this magnificent park. We return to MV Mahabaahu, start sailing towards Bishwanath Ghat as we enjoy a leisurely lunch and a relaxed afternoon.

We get into the excursion boats to reach the shores of Bishwanath Ghat. We walk through the village and are struck by the simplicity of life while the weaver women surround us with their silk and cotton weaves. We enjoy some happy interaction with them. 

We return to the ship to enjoy an evening on a deserted island and then proceed for dinner.

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Saturday, 16 December 2023

Boat safari

This morning, enjoy a relaxed breakfast over a talk on ‘The River Brahmaputra and the life that exists alongside’. 

We proceed for the boat safari     viewing roof turtles on protruding drift wood, water lizards, otters, elephants, wild buffaloes, rhinos, darters, herons, pied kingfishers, white throated kingfishers, serpent eagles and many more. (The sightings are determined by the weather conditions)

We return to the ship for hot lunch. This evening, we enjoy the Chef’s Cooking Demonstration and sample the snacks.   The evening on a deserted island with bonfire is always exclusive! We enjoy dinner on-board.

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Sunday, 17 December 2023

Mishing Village

This morning, after a spot of Yoga and breakfast, we enjoy the sail towards the Mishing Village.

The Mishings live on the bank of river in 'Chang Ghars' -houses with raised platforms.  All Mishing women are expert weavers. We can buy the ethnic colorful cotton weaves and indulge in a dhoti tying and Mekhela Chaadar wearing demonstration.

We return to the ship to enjoy a talk on ‘Sibsagar and the Ahom civilization’ and proceed to get ready for a Traditional Assamese evening.

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Monday, 18 December 2023

Majuli Island and Sibsagar

Today, after breakfast, enjoy a talk on ‘Majuli the seat of Neo –Vaishnav Culture’ and then proceed in our excursion boats to the mainland. Here on, a drive takes us to a scenic corner of a Satra (Monastery) for an interesting cultural performance by Satriya singers and dancers. 

Next, we proceed to Kamlabari Satra to witness the Vaishnavite priests dancing to the rhythm of cymbals, drums and chanting in the temple premise. The humble dwellings of the monks are a revelation of utmost simplicity.

We enjoy lunch on MV Mahabaahu as we sail towards Neamati Ghat.

Post lunch, we drive through the countryside to reach Sibsagar, the ancient city, built around a huge man made water tank ordered by the Ahom queen. A town that literally means 'the ocean of Lord Shiva’.  We notice the district is strewn with the tell-tale ruins of a powerful empire of the Ahoms.  Sibsagar was the capital of the Tai-speaking Ahoms who came in the 13th Century AD to the area from the north-east and were essentially of Tibeto-Burman origin. 

The Shiva Dol, constructed in the year 1734 is believed to be one of the highest Shiva temple in India. 

We visit Talatal or Kareng Ghar which was the palace of the Ahom Kings and after a leisurely stroll in and around the monument, we go on to Rang Ghar which was a place for hosting wrestling bouts and buffalo fights and other entertainment or important meetings of the Royals and their guests.

We return to MV Mahabaahu by sunset for the farewell dinner.

Tuesday, 19 December 2023

Jorhat and fly back to the UK

We arrive in Jorhat. Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.