Explore Old Delhi
Discover the Mughal and colonial heritage of India’s captivating capital.
The Brahmaputra River Journey
From Delhi to the Himalayas, cruise the Brahmaputra through Assam, exploring Kaziranga, Majuli Island and Glenburn Tea Estate.
Beginning amid the energy of Delhi and ending in the cool air of the Himalayas, this two week holiday is centred around a seven-night cruise on the Brahmaputra through Assam.
Discover Kaziranga National Park, the former Ahom capital and the river communities of Majuli Island, with daily excursions to tea estates, villages and wildlife-rich landscapes. Between explorations, return to the comfort of your riverboat and watch one of Asia’s great rivers unfold from your cabin.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
Cruise the Brahmaputra
Explore one of Asia’s great rivers aboard a comfortable vessel designed for slow travel.
Incredible Wildlife
Explore Kaziranga National Park in search of one-horned rhinoceros, wild elephant and, with luck, tiger.
Tea & the Himalayas
Stay at Glenburn Tea Estate and visit Darjeeling in the Himalayan foothills.
Why Steppes?
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Day 1
Arrive Delhi
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Day 2
Delhi
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Day 3
Delhi – Jorhat – Silghat
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Day 4
Kaziranga National Park
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Day 5
Tea Estates & Brahmaputra Cruise
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Day 6
Biswanath
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Day 7
Life on the Brahmaputra
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Day 8
Majuli Island
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Day 9
Sibsagar
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Day 10
Jorhat – Bagdogra – Glenburn Tea Estate
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Days 11 - 12
Darjeeling
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Day 13
Depart Bagdogra
Day 1
Arrive Delhi
Arrive in Delhi, where you are met and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, begin exploring India’s capital or simply relax ahead of your journey.
Day 2
Delhi
Discover the contrasting worlds of Old and New Delhi. Visit highlights such as Humayun’s Tomb, the Jama Masjid and bustling Chandni Chowk before exploring the broad avenues and colonial architecture of New Delhi.
Day 3
Delhi – Jorhat – Silghat
Fly to Jorhat and continue by road to Silghat. Board your riverboat and settle in as your seven-night voyage along the Brahmaputra begins.
Day 4
Kaziranga National Park
Spend the day exploring Kaziranga National Park on morning and afternoon jeep safaris. Search for the greater one-horned rhinoceros, wild elephant, water buffalo and, if fortune smiles, the elusive Bengal tiger.
Day 5
Tea Estates & Brahmaputra Cruise
Visit a traditional Assam tea estate before cruising upstream past the grasslands of Kaziranga. Watch the riverbanks come alive with birdlife and wildlife as you continue towards Biswanath.
Day 6
Biswanath
Explore the historic riverside town of Biswanath before returning to the boat. Continue cruising while looking out for Gangetic dolphins, elephants and other wildlife along the banks.
Day 7
Life on the Brahmaputra
A leisurely day on the river. Visit a riverside village or sandbank island and gain an insight into life in rural Assam while enjoying the ever-changing scenery.
Day 8
Majuli Island
Discover Majuli, one of the world’s largest river islands and the cultural heart of Assam. Visit Vaishnavite monasteries, enjoy a traditional dance performance and meet local artisans.
Day 9
Sibsagar
Visit the former Ahom capital of Sibsagar, home to elegant temples, palaces and remarkable engineering works. Return to the boat for a farewell dinner.
Day 10
Jorhat – Bagdogra – Glenburn Tea Estate
Disembark your cruise and fly to Bagdogra. Continue into the foothills of the Himalayas to Glenburn Tea Estate, a peaceful working plantation overlooking the Kanchenjunga range.
Days 11 - 12
Darjeeling
Over the next two days enjoy a private tour of the estate and factory, walk through the tea gardens and take in views of Kanchenjunga. Also visit nearby Darjeeling to ride the famous UNESCO-listed Himalayan Railway and explore the town’s colonial heritage.
Day 13
Depart Bagdogra
Transfer to Bagdogra Airport for your flight to Delhi and onward travel.
Extraordinary Wildlife Experiences
Wildlife viewing is a key feature of this cruise. The Brahmaputra river is often 20 to 30 kilometres wide, creating an eerie world of sand spits and watery vistas, with impressive birdlife and Gangetic dolphin. Visit Kaziranga National Park, a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts well over 1,500 Asian one-horned rhinoceros, the world’s largest population. It also has good numbers of tiger, wild elephant, sambar, swamp deer, hog deer and wild pig.
Assamese Village Life and Majuli Island
The extraordinary thing about cruising the Brahmaputra is the sensation in bankside villages that is created as you pass by. You would think that they had never seen a western visitor before and perhaps some of them really haven’t, but the welcome, curiosity and joy is genuine and heartfelt as you step ashore. Majuli Island is one such place. A huge island in the middle of the Brahmaputra. A microcosm of Assamese culture, Majuli represents rural idyll in Assam. Visiting the Island provides a wonderful insight into a simple, peaceful community who offer worship through dance, music and song.
Who cruises on the Brahmaputra?
Steppes work with river cruise operators who reflect our outlook and ethos. Both the Assam Bengal Navigation Company (ABN) and Pandaw offer the highest of operating standards, superb service and exceptional non-invasive expeditions. Both run a series of fixed date departures throughout the year offering a different focus. We can talk you through the cruises and help you choose the right one for you.
A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.
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