Visit Communities
Be welcomed with joy and warmth by the beautiful people of Assam.
Cruising the Brahmaputra River is a fascinating introduction to the highlights of this transboundary river valley. Assam boasts great riches including Kaziranga National Park, the old capital of the Ahom kings and the villages of Majuli Island.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
Cruise in Comfort
Navigate this vast Himalayan river on board a comfortable cruiser or a completely private houseboat.
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Incredible Wildlife
Safari through Kaziranga National Park to see Indian one-horned rhinoceros, wild elephant and tiger.
Visit Majuli Island
A vast river island with unique Hindu monasteries, famous for their dance performances.
Why Steppes?
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Why we like it
Cruising offers a close encounter of India’s evergreen northeast region of Assam. Daily land excursions by jeep, on foot and by rickshaw to parks, tribal villages, river islands and tea plantations are all accompanied by a knowledgeable naturalist guide and an English-speaking West Bengali guide. After exploring on land, you return to your comfortable oasis on the river and watch the changing scenery of India from your window without having to unpack your bags.
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Day 1
Delhi
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Day 2
Delhi - Guwahati - Steemer Ghat
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Day 3
Kaziranga Central Range
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Day 4
Vishnath
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Day 5
Kaziranga Eastern Range
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Day 6
Brahmaputra Village Visits
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Day 7
Majuli Island
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Day 8
Neamati
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Day 9
Dibrugarh - Delhi
Day 1
Delhi
At first glance, the Indian capital can seem an overwhelming place to negotiate but give it time and you’ll feel the chaos subside.
Day 2
Delhi - Guwahati - Steemer Ghat
Day 3
Kaziranga Central Range
Safari through the grasslands of Kaziranga and Manas National Park
Day 4
Vishnath
Day 5
Kaziranga Eastern Range
Kaziranga is a World Heritage site and with a population of well over 1500 rhinoceros is the best place in the world to see these beasts.
Day 6
Brahmaputra Village Visits
Day 7
Majuli Island
Majuli Island is of huge cultural interest with its 22 ancient Hindu monasteries and centres of art.
Day 8
Neamati
Day 9
Dibrugarh - Delhi
Extraordinary Wildlife Experiences
Wildlife viewing is one of the main features 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 have thought 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 you’ll visit. A huge island in the middle of the Brahmaputra. A microcosm of Assamese culture, Majuli represents rural idyll in Assam. Visiting Majuli Island provides a wonderful insight into a simple, peaceful community who offer worship through dance, music and song. An incredible experience to behold.
Who Operates the Brahmaputra River Cruises?
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.
Make the Experience a Private Cruise
The MV Rudra Singh is a completely private houseboat that travels along the Brahmaputra River, through the Assam plains. It offers you the opportunity to tailor your holiday on the river to your interests. Choose from specially curated tours and cruise the mighty Brahmaputra on your riverine adventure. Suitable for a couple and up to two young children, this is an exciting option to consider against the larger cruisers. Included in your private cruise is premium accommodation (double or twin bedded room with private bathroom) in an air-conditioned wooden houseboat, personalised service from a captain and naturalist guide, delicious freshly cooked regional cuisine and WIFI. The activities range from village walks, wildlife safaris, market visits, dance performances, sundowners on deserted sandbanks, cooking classes, fishing and more.
Pre/Post Cruise Suggestions
This fascinating tour can be complemented by a stay at the heavenly little Glenburn Tea Plantation, a working tea estate established by the Scottish tea planters in the 1860s. To reach this enchanted getaway, fly from Guwahati post-cruise to Bagdogra. A road transfer climbs into the lower Himalayas to reach Glenburn – home to the Prakash family. Spend glorious fresh air days here and enjoy a private tour of the tea estate and factory. Whilst in Darjeeling riding the narrow-gauge railway is a must.
Other land-based options could be to spend a few days in Kolkata learning about the British Raj or visit the city of Delhi and the Taj Mahal in Agra for further insight into the history of the British Raj and the Mughal Empire.
The pre and post cruise options are endless, so do discuss your interests with our India specialists and they can tailor an add on tour to fit seamlessly with the cruise.
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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.
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