Overview
The alluring land of North East India is one of the most treasured
and eco-friendly sites in the entire world. This isolated and mysterious land
of natural abundance is still to be touched by the outside world. Calcutta is a
city of wonderful architecture and history which contrasts with the national
parks of Kaziranga, home to the one horned rhino, and Manas which sees few
tourists and borders with Bhutan. The area abounds with Buddhist monasteries
and it is also possible to visit one of the wettest places on earth – Cherrapunjee.
Highlights
- Visit the Victoria Memorial, Calcutta's most imposing monument.
- Visit Majuli, the largest inhabited river island in the world.
- Visit Kaziranga National Park.
- Visit Sualkuchi – the silk village of Assam.
- Visit on foot a nearby tribal village walking alongside a tea garden at Manas.
- Visit the Shillong Peak which at 1965 metres above sea level.
- Visit Mausmai Caves of Cherapunjee the illuminated caves with several stalagmites and stalactites.
Itinerary
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.
Inclusions/Exclusions
WHAT'S
INCLUDED:
- Accommodation on bed & breakfast basis based on double/twin occupancy.
- Excursions and touring as specified in itinerary, all on private basis.
- All airport and ground transportation on private basis.
- Driver allowance and all presently applicable taxes.
*Not included: gratuities, visas (if applicable), international or internal flights, meals and drinks not described, items of a personal nature.