CLASSIC NORTH EAST INDIA WITH KOLKATA TOUR

Day 01: Arrival Kolkata

Day 02: Kolkata – Jorhat (by flight)

Day 03: Day trip to Majuli Island

Day 04: Jorhat – Kaziranga

Day 05: Kaziranga

Day 06: Kaziranga – Guwahati

Day 07: Guwahati – Sualkuchi & Hajo – Manas

Day 08: Manas National Park

Day 09: Manas – Guwahati

Day 10: Guwahati – Shillong

Day 11: Day trip to Cherapunjee

Day 12: Shillong – Guwahati – Kolkata (by flight)

DAY 01: ARRIVAL KOLKATA

Upon arrival, welcomed by our local representative at the Kolkata airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. Relax and unwind. Calcutta is a city of glaring contrasts. A curious blend of the old and the new it represents a mix of the East and the West; a graft of a European city imposed on an Asian landscape that gives it charm, confusion and excitement. Founded 300 years ago by the East India Company, this was the British capital of India until 1911. Today, you can see elegant but crumbling relics of the Raj, covered in moss and mildew. It is still the creative capital of India, producing fine art, music and drama and drawing the best performers and their fans. While here you must visit the Victoria Memorial, Calcutta's most imposing monument, opened by the Prince of Wales in 1921 and often called the "Taj Mahal" of the British Raj. Other fascinating sights include St. Paul's Cathedral and the Indian Museum, with one of the best collections of Indian art in the whole of the sub-continent. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 02: KOLKATA – JORHAT (BY FLIGHT)

In the morning you will be transferred to airport to board a flight to Jorhat. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. If time permits, drive to Sibsagar (65 kms/1 1⁄2 hrs), the old capital of the Ahoms who ruled Assam for 600 years before the arrival of the British into these parts. There are a number of old monuments built by them, the most significant being the huge man made tank 'Sibsagar' from which the town got its name. There is a two-storied amphi-theatre built by the rulers to enjoy games, sports, dance and music. We will take a round of other interesting places in and around the town and then drive back to Jorhat. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 03: DAY TRIP TO MAJULI ISLAND (SHORT DRIVE FROM JORHAT AND THEN BY FERRY)

Today we will visit a cultural place. After early breakfast we will start our journey to Majuli, the largest inhabited river island in the world and the seat of Vaishnava culture in Assam. After a short drive from Jorhat we will come across the mighty Brahmaputra River and we will take a ferry to Majuli. The great 15th century Assamese reformer and saint Shankardeva had come down here and set up 'satras' or Vaishnavite monasteries to make the people motivated towards culture and religion. We will visit these 'satras' and interact with the monks and other locales there. Return to Jorhat. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 04: JORHAT – KAZIRANGA (100 KMS/2 HRS)

In the morning we will drive to the Kaziranga National Park. Sprawling over 430sq km in the eastern state of Assam, this national park is one of the last bastions of the endangered great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, whose population was believed to have dropped to just 12 in the 1950s, but has since increased to around 1500. Kaziranga's stunningly beautiful landscape comprises of Savannah type grassland, the green and fertile plains of the Brahmaputra River, as well as evergreen forests and swamps, and is also a haven for over 300 species of birds, as well as wild elephants, Asiatic wild buffalos, tigers, leopards, sloth bears and many species of deer. The Kaziranga National Park is open from 01 Nov till 30 Apr. After lunch we will go on a jeep safari inside the park. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 05: KAZIRANGA

In the early morning we will go to the National Park. Apart from the rhino, other species found are hog deer, swamp deer, wild buffalo and elephants. It is virtually a paradise for bird watchers, with a variety of migratory and resident birds to be found here. It is also home to pelicans, storks and darters as there are a number of water bodies inside the park. We will return to the lodge for breakfast. Mid-morning we will visit a nearby tribal village inhibited by the Mishing tribe. After lunch we'll go on another Jeep safari in a different direction inside the park. Return to the lodge at dusk. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 06: KAZIRANGA – GUWAHATI (230 KMS/4 1⁄2 HRS)

After breakfast drive to Guwahati and check in at the hotel. Late in the afternoon visit the emporium and local markets. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 07: GUWAHATI – SUALKUCHI & HAJO – MANAS (180 KMS/4.5 HRS)

After breakfast we will drive to Sualkuchi – the silk village of Assam which is situated on the bank of the river Brahmaputra. The village presents ample opportunities to experience the rich history and local culture. You can see the whole process of manufacturing of Assamese silk and Muga Silk and then drive 10 minutes to Hajo, a place where three religions meet - Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism and visit Hayagriva Madhava Temple and Powa-Mecca. From here we will drive on to the Manas National Park – a Project Tiger Reserve and a World Heritage Site. The Manas National Park is situated on the foothills of the Himalayas and a part of it extends into Bhutan. It was declared a sanctuary on October 01, 1928 and was designated a World Heritage site in December 1985. The sanctuary is home to a great variety of wildlife, including tiger, golden langur, wild buffalo, hispid hare, pigmy hog, capped langur, Indian one-horned rhinoceros, elephants, gaur, hog deer, etc. The scenic beauty and rare wealth of wild life combine with this unique world heritage site to offer one of the most enthralling experiences. On arrival, check-in at the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 08: MANAS NATIONAL PARK

Today we will visit on foot a nearby tribal village walking alongside a tea garden. Lunch at the lodge. Later we will go on a Jeep-safari inside the park. Return to the lodge for Dinner and stay overnight.

DAY 09: MANAS – GUWAHATI (180 KMS/4 1⁄2 HRS)

After breakfast we will drive to Guwahati and on arrival check in at hotel. Rest of day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 10: GUWAHATI – SHILLONG (120 KMS/3 1⁄2 HRS)

After breakfast we will drive to Shillong and check-in at the hotel. After lunch we will visit the Shillong Peak which at 1965 metres above sea level offers a panoramic view of Shillong. We will also visit the Ward Lake which is a century old picturesque lake located in the heart of the city. Later we will visit the exciting traditional archery ground where the locals bet huge amounts of money every day. In the evening take a stroll around Police Bazaar – Shillong's prime location where the wares on sale range from electronic goods to traditional handicraft, modern clothing to handloom items. We will also visit the Burra bazaar and see Khasi (local tribe) ladies selling vegetables and traditional spices etc. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 11: DAY TRIP TO CHERAPUNJEE (56 KMS/1 1⁄2 HOURS)

After breakfast we will proceed to Cherapunjee and visit Mausmai Caves – the illuminated caves with several stalagmites and stalactites. We will next visit the Seven Sister Falls and the Nohkalikai Falls – among the most striking waterfalls and undoubtedly the biggest in Meghalaya. Return to Shillong. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 12: SHILLONG – GUWAHATI – KOLKATA (BY FLIGHT)

Transfer to the Guwahati airport for the flight to Kolkata. Upon arrival board on your connecting homebound flight with the happy memory of ur incredible nation.

Note: This is just a suggested itinerary indicative of what could be possible. We tailor holidays for your specific needs. Contact us if you want modifications so that we could tailor a holiday to suit your need for an unforgettable India tour.