Day 2 (Monday):

ShivSagar, the Ahom stronghold for Shiva Dol, Talatal Ghar and Rang Ghar
Home-hosted lunch with a Planter’s family at their Tea-Estate

An early morning light breakfast and we drive along the river and through Assamese country side of huts with fish ponds and beetle trees. We witness road side vegetable vendors selling home-grown vegetables and fruits and some fresh catch of fish from the river.

We reach Shivsagar, the Ahom stronghold where monuments speak of an era of 13th Century when the north-east was ruled by a Tibeto-Burman race that adopted the neo-Vaishnav philosophy of the locals. We visit the tallest Shiva Temple of India, Shiva Dol; Talatal Ghar, the Ahom Palace; the Rang Ghar, an amphi-theatre.

We arrive at the Planter’s family home on the Tea-Estate and get a feel of luxury and expanse and space. We are welcomed by the guests and we help ourselves to the buffet of ethnic Assamese cuisine. After a relaxed meal and authentic Assam Tea we indulge in some tea-tasting and a talk by the professionals.

This evening we return to the Ship at Sunset, freshen-up and step into the Lounge and enjoy a relaxed dinner in the Dining area.

We are briefed on the program for the following day and we call it a day or continue in the lounge.

Overnight on board MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 3 (Tuesday):

Nature Walk on Neamati Bund, Majuli Visit for a cultural experience with the Neo-Vaishnavites
A Bonfire Evening with Barbequed snacks and Beverages on a deserted island, a unique experience

This day the nature enthusiasts wake up early to enjoy a couple of hours of walk on the Neamati Bund which is a raised platform that juts out above the river. On one side is the river that constantly cuts and adds sand and on the other side a swamp fed by rain water that is a natural breeding space for birds. We enjoy a walk through this narrow village where the huts/homes have sprouted along the two sides of a 12 ft wide bund. At this early hour one can see the village waking up, milking cows, gardening, farming, children in uniform cycling to school and the fishermen fishing for a fresh catch from the net. This walk is an informal way of peeping into the simple unpretentious Assamese village life.

After breakfast MV Mahabaahu sails towards Majuli. We take our tenders to go ashore Majuli to experience the neo-Vaishnav culture of the world’s largest inhabited riverine island. We sail away in our tenders to Majuli to experience the neo-Vaishnav culture of the world’s largest inhabited riverine island.

We enjoy Gayan Bayan by the priests. We drive to a different part of Majuli to watch Dashavatar by young Vaishnav girls and an episode from Ramayana—Mukha Bhavana. These are a peep into a varied and rich culture of Assam.

We have lunch on board and enjoy the sail towards the Deserted Island. We enjoy a cup of tea or coffee on the sun deck and watch the sun lowering itself.

As the sun sinks into the horizon the navigation team locates an untouched deserted island moor for the night.
The beverages are set and the seating arranged. The aroma of the barbequed snacks fills the air and soon the guests step out on the island. Drinks in hand we indulge in talks, charades, camp fire songs and story-telling and enjoy the star laden skies with the ambience of water all around. We pay homage to the Brahmaputra River by floating oil lamps.

We move in to the ship’s restaurant to enjoy a sit-down dinner. After dinner the spirit of the evening moves into the lounge and we watch a documentary/movie for an hour and retire to the comfort of our cabins.

Overnight on board MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 4 (Wednesday):

Yoga or a walk on the deserted island, Mishing Village Visit, Post Lunch Boat Safari at the Eastern Range (Agoratolli) of Kaziranga

This morning we enjoy Yog or a walk on the untouched silver sands of the island. After breakfast we sit through a short orientation for the Mishing Village Visit and the Evening Boat Safari at Agoratoli.

We take our tenders to the Mishing Village to witness life on Chang Ghars of Bamboo scaffolding, bamboo roofs and matted bamboo walls. The Mishing women arrange their looms beneath their raised homes and weave bright and colourful ethnic designs in their waft and warp. This village provides an opportunity to add Mishing woven fabric to your wardrobe or home décor.

We return to the ship and the ship sails away towards the Eastern Range of Kaziranga.

After a sumptuous lunch and some rest, we get into our tenders to study the shoreline of the Eastern Range of Kaziranga and understand how the mighty Brahmaputra shapes and re-shapes the Banks. This area is the confluence of Dhansiri and Brahmaputra and promotes itself as a playground for gangetic dolphins, tiny Assamese roof turtles and fish eating avians. Any wildlife we see is a bonus.

We enjoy The Chef’s Cooking Demo and A talk on ‘Assam, its geographical location, the role of River Brahmaputra, the tribal life and commercial Ventures like Tea, Silk and Jute that Assam is famous for’ followed by A short orientation on the Jute Mill and the Tea Estate

We enjoy a relaxed lounge hour followed by dinner.

Overnight on board MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 5 (Thursday):

Weaving Community of Bishwanath Ghat and Sail towards Silghat
A visit to the Last Co-operative Jute Mill & to the Kaliabore Tea Estate
A talk on UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE OF KAZIRANGA and a short orientation on Elephant Safari and the Post Breakfast Jeep Safari for Day 6

This morning we enjoy Yog on the Sun Deck as the ship sails towards Bishwanath Ghat; to this tiny sub-urban village on the banks of the Brahmaputra which is sprinkled with temples and is a cosmos of weavers, fishermen, farmers, boat makers.

Bishwanath Ghat wakes up once a week to the presence of MV Mahabaahu and the travellers of the world and excitement shoots across.

The sound of the shuttle on tense warp and raised alternate weft moving back and forth is music to the weavers of this community. A Shiva Dol (temple) from the times of Ahoms looms over and a promenade along the outcrop of rocks and swinging country boats adds beauty to the area. The weavers display their stories on these colourfully woven fabrics and wait in anticipation. Bishwanath Chariali is the 6th Range of Kaziranga.

We sail along Kaziranga and reach Silghat where the ship docks. After a relaxed lunch and some leisure, we walk to the Jute Mill to witness the complete process in a co-operative mill for turning the golden fibre into a gunny bag. All the families in Silghat and the Jute Mill have formed a special eco-system for themselves. From here we drive to the Tea-Estate to see the women plucking tea-leaves and also to the tea-factory to see the leaves turn into various grains for packing (The tea-factory is operational till mid Nov and after mid-Feb).We enjoy the State Dance of Assam, ‘Bihu’ by young village boys and girls and return to the ship.Over tea-coffee and snacks we enjoy A talk on ‘Kaziranga and wildlife in India’ and orientation on the Elephant and Jeep Safaris’.

The evening leads us to the lounge and an early dinner.

Wake up calls must be requested at reception for a 3:30 am coffee and light snacks in the restaurant. The group will depart for Kaziranga at 0400 hrs.

Overnight on board MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 6 (Friday):

An early morning Elephant Safari and a Post breakfast Jeep Safari

This day we wake up much before the dawn and sip away at a strong cup of Assam tea, some coffee and cookies. Some fresh fruit, juice and some dry fruits are on display too. An hour of drive takes us to a resort in Kaziranga for use of facilities before we get ready for an elephant ride.

We ride into the early morning mist and as the sun rays force the mist to thin, we witness wild life up close and personal; swamp and hog deer, Asiatic water buffaloes and Rhinos; all happily grazing within yards of each other. An hour of elephant back saga through tall elephant grass leaves us non-plussed and wanting.

We drive to a resort where breakfast is waiting.

We energies ourselves on regular continental breakfast along with a lavish display of Indian cuisine like dosas, idlis, coconut chutney, poori aaloo, paranthas and much more. Soon we drive towards the range for jeep safari to explore for more wild life. We look for the Asiatic Wild Elephants, the striped cats, the Wild Water Buffalo with enormous horn span, the hog deer and the swamp deer and of course the one horned-rhinoceros that this UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for.

The Jeep Safari ends by 1030 hours when we head back to the Cruise witnessing the paddy fields fed by the Brahmaputra as our wheels cautiously maneuver the Karbi Anglong bends.

This evening we enjoy an Assamese theme evening; Assamese freshly caught fried fish for snacks, Assami Mekhla Chaadar and Dhoti Kurta with Ahomia music and Ahomia dance moves and to top it all an Assamese Dinner Menu.

Overnight on board MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 7 (Saturday):

A Bangla Village Visit and sail past Peacock Island
Orientation on Bangla Village Visit and a video on Kamkakhya Temple

This is a very relaxed morning. You can sleep in or be on the top deck to experience a session of Yog and enjoy a peep into the traditional wisdom of the gurus from ancient times

A laid-back relaxed breakfast from 0800 to 1000 hrs, a talk on Kamakhya temple and an orientation on the Bangla Village and Kamakhya. We also talk of our departure arrangements for the following morning.

We leave for the Bangla village visit. We interact with the village folk and try to understand the simple and satisfied subsistence life styles. These folks who live off the Brahmaputra river, both for farming and fishing make a choice of living on fertile unclaimed sand bars. They understand that they can enjoy the privilege of owning large expanse of land only till the river decides to remain benevolent.

The river claims their land during the monsoon and they must return to their haven on mainland or create one. The river starts receding from October to mid-Feb and slowly the snow-melt in the Himalayas starts creating volume and an indication to get ready.

We sail on towards the Peacock island and enjoy the hills that surround Guwahati. We get together on the top deck to sail into Guwahati as the sun sets behind the Sarai Ghat road and rail bridge. Sarai Ghat marks the narrowest stretch of the river as 1.3 kms. We dock in Pandu Port and this marks the end of Cruising. We get together in the lounge for a relaxed evening.

This evening we enjoy the Chef’s ‘Alvida Bhoj’—A Farewell Dinner.

Overnight on board MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 8 (Sunday):

Kamakhya Temple Visit and Airport/Hotel Transfer

This morning we are docked at Pandu in Guwahati. We enjoy breakfast on the ship and deboard at 0900 hrs. We get into our cars and drive to the famous Shakti Peeth of Kamakhya Devi, the Goddess of Desire. This temple is located on Nilachal hill.

Post the temple visit we drive to the Guwahati Airport with countless memories of Assam.

It is recommended that the flight out of Guwahati is after 1200 hrs.

—-Shubh Yatra / Bon Voyage—-

(B, packed L)