Kindat Pandaw

Deals

Transfer to the ship from the airport and explore this pleasant Assami city visiting the Nilachai Hill temple and Commonwealth Graves. Late afternoon cast off upriver.

Sail all day making headway against strong currents through the lush Assami countryside stopping for some exercise in a village of market gardens.

Exploring the town by trishaw we visit the De Parbatia temple with its richly carved portals and Cole Park with its collection of medieval carvings collected from across the region.

After an early breakfast, drive for some two hours to the Nameri National Park at the foot of the blue hills of Arunachal Pradesh, the old North East Frontier Agency. Here, we take a float trip of around two hours down the Jia-Bhoreli River through the park. There are excellent bird-watching opportunities here (look out for the great Hornbills) and, perhaps, the chance of sighting wild elephants.

After lunch, take a village walk before returning to the ship. Continue upstream, passing below a seemingly endless new bridge across the vast width of the riverbed, to moor at Silghat.

Jeep safari to Kaziranga an area of approximately 430 sq km, this UNESCO World Heritage is home to the world’s largest population of the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros as well as the Indian Wild Water Buffalo. It has the highest density of Royal Bengal Tigers with one every five sq. km. The park is an incredibly rich biodiversity hotspot with its marshy swamps and thickets of elephant grass, this park supports large populations of Indian elephants, Indian bison, swamp deer, and capped langurs.

Besides wildlife, Kaziranga National Park is also a birding paradise. A few of the bird species found here are the oriental honey buzzard, black-shouldered kite, white-tailed eagle, and Himalayan griffon to mention a few.

Return downstream to visit a tea estate and historic plantation house on the way. Learn about the tea production process from start to finish in this idyllic setting.

Sailing down past Guwhati moor here in the afternoon to see silk production from the cocoon, to spinning and weaving to make the typical saree worn by Assami women.

Disembark in the morning and transfer to the airport.

AM & PM: Transfer to your cruise via a visit to the ‘Kama-khya Temple’, devoted to the goddess of desire. Set sail passing Peacock Island, famous for the endangered Golden Langur. Enjoy an evening welcome dinner and talk.

AM & PM: Spend the day enjoying the stunning natural scenery and wildlife of the Brahmaputra River. Observe river dolphins and birds of prey as we pass uninhabited islands and the fragile communities that live here. After tea enjoy a talk on ‘The River Brahmaputra and the tribal life that exists alongside’.

AM & PM: Pass Tezpur and a gigantic 3 Km long arched bridge arriving at Silghat, where we take an excursion through stunning countryside to a tea estate and factory producing the famous Assam tea.

AM & PM: Our expedition continues with a visit to the UNESCO accredited Kaziranga National Park where we enjoy a safari searching for the elusive Greater One-Horned Indian Rhinoceros and Indian tiger. We continue to Bagori, whereby open jeep we further explore the wildlife of this magnificent park. We also travel to Biswanath Ghat and discover the charming village by small boat where women weave colourful traditional handicrafts by the riverside.

AM: After more dramatic scenic cruising, we take a boat safari on the Eastern range of Kaziranga where River Dhansiri and River Brahmaputra meet. Here, observes wildlife at its most natural including pied kingfishers, eagles, vultures, water buffalos, monitor lizards and otters.

PM: Dinner is enjoyed al fresco on a deserted island.

AM & PM: Visit a local village on what is the world’s largest river island and home to the ethnic ‘Mishing’ people. Here, women weave on hand-looms to create characterful costumes and we enjoy a demonstration of a Dhoti & Chaddor - traditional dresses for the men and women of the Mishing communities. It is a pleasant place to explore.

AM & PM: Arrive at the ancient town of Majuli, where we explore the impressive Satras dating back to the 15th century. We continue to Sibsagar, capital of the Tai-speaking Ahoms who came from Yunan and China in the 13th Century AD. Explore the Shiva Dol, built in 1734, the highest Shiva temple in India. Our day is completed with an insight into the making of Assam tea from a tea estate family.

AM & PM: In this remote section of the river where no other river cruise vessels ply, great vistas un-fold and bird life is prolific. Village stop for a walk about and then pass Dibrugarh heading for the Dibru Saikowa island to moor for the night.

AM & PM: This less well-known park has an area of 765 square miles and is at the meeting place of three rivers and is mainly evergreen forest and is very lovely. It is a haven for endangered species with thirty-six recorded mammals including leopards, jungle cats and tiger. All very elusive and unlikely to be seen. More evident are an incredible profusion of bird life. Sail back to Dibrugarh and afternoon visit to the Jokai Botanical Cum Germplasm Centre which showcases quite extraordinary flora, in particular orchids and medicinal and aromatic plants.

AM: Travel by car to the Namphake Tai village where there is an ethnic Tai (as in Thai) community maintaining their distinct Thai costume and culture around a Buddhist monastery. Also of interest is an Ashokan pillar situated nearby. 

PM: After lunch, continue to the Jeypore rain forest area where several types of wildcats, leopards and the Royal Bengal Tigers survive in good strength in this hill country of great beauty.

AM: Disembark and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

PM: Welcome to Bhutan! Pick up at Paro international airport. After Lunch (lunch depending on arrival time) in the city, drive on a winding road to Thimphu (one hour), the capital of Bhutan.

Visit Tashichho Dzong, Bhutan's most impressive building and seat of the Druk desi or ‘Dharma Raja’, the head of Bhutan's civil government which has been combined with the kingship since the creation of the monarchy in 1907. It houses the throne room of His Majesty the King of Bhutan and is the summer residence of the venerated monastic community. The current Dzong is the impressive result of a redesign of the original medieval structure sanctioned by the Third King, His Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, when he moved the capital to Thimphu from Punakha.

Note: Arrival to Paro on your own arrangements and transfer to your hotel. Flight arrival is best before midday.

AM & PM: After breakfast at the hotel visit the Memorial Chorten, also known as the Thimphu Chorten, a large Tibetan-style Buddhist Monastery with golden spires and bells. It was built in 1974 to honor the memory of the third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.

Continue to the Folk Heritage Museum, National Institute of Zorig Chusum and the National Library of Bhutan, Junghi Paper Factory, National Institute of Traditional Medicine and Bhutan Postal Museum.

AM & PM: After breakfast at the hotel and bring the lunch box for later, we take the Dochula pass, located 30 km from the capital, on the way to Punakha which offers a 360-degree of beautiful panoramic view of the Himalaya mountain range. Visit Chimi Lhakhang, a monastery dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kinley or ‘the Divine Madman’. An accomplished master of Mahamudra Buddhist Tradition, he is also known as the ‘Mad Saint’ for his unorthodox ways of teaching Buddhism by singing, humor and outrageous behavior.

Continue to Drukpa Kinley, also a cultural icon in Bhutan around whom countless yarns, fictions, stories and legends have been spun. In founding the site, it is said that Lama Kunley subdued a demon of Dochu La with his “magic thunderbolt of wisdom” and trapped it in a rock at the location close to where the chorten now stands.

AM & PM: After breakfast at the hotel, visit the Punakha Dzong, also known as Pungtang Dechen Photrang Dzong (meaning ‘the palace of great happiness or bliss’), the administrative centre of Punakha dzongkhag. Constructed in 1673, it is the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan and one of its most majestic structures.

Drive to Paro then and visit the National Museum and Paro Dzong. The National Museum of Bhutan is housed inside the revamped circular Ta-dzong building, an ancient watchtower above the Paro Dzong. This unusual round building is said to be in the shape of a conch shell. The original building was constructed in 1656 and then converted into a museum in 1968, housing some of the finest specimens of Bhutanese art, including masterpieces of bronze statues and paintings gathered from different parts of the country.

AM: Drive to Satsam Chorten for a soft hike to Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang means “Tiger’s Nest”. The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 800m, overlooking the Paro Valley and the river. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava known as the second Buddha in Bhutan, meditated at the spot where the monastery is situated having alighted there on the back of a flying tigress.

PM: The hike takes about 4 hours back and forth. Once you reach the viewpoint of the monastery you have the option to visit the monastery which takes another hour hike.

After visit a Farmhouse where your dinner will be arranged with the local family.

AM: After breakfast at the hotel, transfer Paro International Airport for your flight to Guwahati.

PM: Free time in the evening to relax.

AM: After breakfast, transfer to your ship.

PM: Transfer to ship from airport and explore this pleasant Assami city visiting the Nilachai Hill temple and Commonwealth Graves. Late afternoon cast off upriver.

AM & PM: Sail all day making headway against strong currents through the lush Assami countryside. Get acquainted with your crew and guide with onboard activities such as lectures and food demonstrations.

PM: Afternoon exploration of Tezpur by trishaw we visit the De Parbatia temple with its richly carved portals and Cole Park with its collection of medieval carvings collected from across the region.

AM: After an early breakfast, drive for some two hours to the Nameri National Park at the foot of the blue hills of Arunachal Pradesh, the old North East Frontier Agency. Here, we take a float trip of around two hours down the Jia-Bhoreli River through the park. Enjoy the breath-taking scenery and bring your binoculars for a chance to spot some birdlife.

PM: After lunch, take a village walk before returning to the ship. We are treated to a traditional Assamese folk dance before dinner and moor at Silghat for the night.

AM: Jeep safari to Kaziranga, with an area of approximately 430 sq kms, this UNESCO World Heritage site is home to the world’s largest population of the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros as well as the Indian Wild Water Buffalo. It also has the highest density of Royal Bengal Tigers with one every five sq. km however these remain extremely illusive and are unlikely to be spotted. The park is an incredibly rich biodiversity hotspot with its marshy swamps and thickets of elephant grass which supports large populations of Indian elephants, Indian bison, swamp deer, and capped langurs.

Besides wildlife, Kaziranga National Park is also a birding paradise. A few of the bird species found here are the oriental honey buzzard, black-shouldered kite, white-tailed eagle, Himalayan griffon to mention a few.

PM: In the afternoon we set sail again downstream.

AM & PM: As we sail along the vast Brahmaputra River downstream, riding the strong currents, we stop for a walk through a typical Assamese village and learn more about their simple lives.

AM: Early morning visit to Noonmati Tea Garden on the outskirts of Guwahati to witness the tea producing process.

PM: After lunch sail down past Guwhati to moor at Sualkuchi, a major centre for weaving in Assam. We learn about the entire silk making production from the cocoon, to spinning and weaving to make the typical saree worn by Assami women.

AM & PM: Dock at Guwahati. Following breakfast transfer privately for your flight to Bagdaogra. Receive a warm Pandaw welcome on arrival into Bagdogra Airport, and journey by road to your accommodation. Spend the rest of the day easing into your magical surroundings or step outside and stroll the main square and mingle with Nepalese, Bhutanese, Tibetan people and domestic Indian tourists.

AM & PM: Darjeeling's rich tapestry of cultures is yours to explore today. Hop aboard the UNESCO World Heritage-listed small-gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, or "Toy Train", for a breathtaking ride to Ghoom, the world’s second highest railway station. The toy train is a marvel of engineering passing through many small towns and is India’s oldest mountain railway route. Explore Ghoom Monastery, with its colourful prayer flags fluttering in the wind before returning to town.

Continue to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, founded in 1954, just after Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first scaled Everest. Visit the Darjeeling Zoo, home of the Snow Leopard Breeding Centre. Then see locals making handicrafts and carpets at the Tibetan Refugee Centre.

AM: Depart early by road, through lush tea gardens to the sublime Glenburn Tea Estate situated on a hillock above the banks of the River Rungeet. Unwind on the the 1,600-acre private estate before an introduction to the specialised art of growing and crafting Glenburn Tea. Visit the tea fields, interact with the tea pickers and follow the journey of “two leaves and bud” into the tea factory, ending with a tea tasting session to discover the incredible variety of flavours and aromas that come from a single bush through the different seasons. Learn why this region is home to almost a quarter of India's tea production.

PM: Enjoy a lunch at the Bungalow followed by a gentle afternoon hike or some down time on one of the peaceful verandas soaking in the views. In the evening take drinks by the bonfire, followed by a sit-down four course dinner with your hosts and other guests in residence.

AM: Following a leisurely breakfast, leave the snow-tipped peaks and terraced tea plantations of Darjeeling behind and transfer privately to Bagdogra Airport for your onward journey.

Note: Disembark after breakfast and transfer to your hotel or Guwahati airport (15km / 30 min). Transfers can be arranged as per your flight details with the latest departure from the ship at 11am.

AM: Arrive at Dimapur Airport or train station. Upon arrival you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to Kohima.

PM: Rest of the evening at leisure or join our expert guide who will give a talk on the Battles of Kohima and Imphal of the WWII’s Burma Campaign in the evening with welcome dinner.

Note : Hotels offered in Kohima will be booked based on availability due to high demand during the festival. All guests may not be staying in the same hotel. If you have any special requests for your hotel, please inform us at time of booking and note these may not be possible due to the festival. La Colline Resort Kohima or Similar.

AM & PM: The first part of today’s tour will give you an introduction to Nagaland and its people through a guided tour of Kohima town. Some of the places to visit include Kohima village, Nagaland State Museum and the Kohima War Cemetery, one of the most iconic WWII battlefields in the world also known as the ‘Stalingrad of the east’. Post lunch in Kohima, you will be driven to Kisama Heritage Village – the main venue of the Hornbill Festival. Experience all the vibrant activities in this ‘festival of festivals’.

AM: After breakfast, prepare yourself to spend the day at the festival venue. There is never a dull moment at the venue of the Hornbill Festival with dances, music, food, drinks, different people from several tribes with their colorful attires, traditional sports and many other exciting things. Try out the traditional Naga food items for lunch and if you are interested, visit the neighboring Angami village of Kigwema which has a rich heritage.

PM: After taking some rest in your hotel at Kohima, visit the bustling Night Carnival in the town where we try out another set of local food items for dinner there.

AM & PM: After breakfast, you will be taken to Kisama Heritage Village to enjoy the Hornbill festival again. Each day is a different experience during the festival and you can enjoy the colorful dances and several traditional games performed by members of various tribes. In the afternoon we visit Khonoma, also known as ‘India’s first green village’, and an important home of the Angami tribe. On reaching this village with full of history, you will be able to see the Naga age-group houses (Morungs), forts, ceremonial gates and the Angami way of living through an engaging village walk. While returning to Kohima, if time permits, stop by Maj. General John Grover’s memorial in Jotsoma village. You can visit the Night Carnival again today, if interested.

AM: A late start today, after breakfast, for a short hike to Mt. Puliebadze (2300 m) just outside Kohima. This is a moderate trek between 1 to 2 hours, depending on one’s fitness. While walking up Mt. Puliebadze, one can imagine the much harder climb embarked upon by the allied soldiers looking to rout the Japanese upon Aradura Spur during the battle of Kohima in the WWII. A hike on the legendary Mt. Puliebadze is always a good way to connect with nature and you will also get to enjoy spectacular views over Kohima and the surroundings from the peak.

PM: A picnic lunch will be arranged at the base of Puliebadze. Return to Kohima in the afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

AM: After breakfast drive to Dimapur for your train journey to Guwahati. No journey to India is complete without experiencing one of the most extensive rail networks in the world and this local train journey provides unrivalled views of this mountainous region.

PM: Upon arrival to Guwahati transfer to your hotel for the night.

AM: Check out after breakfast and transfer to your Pandaw vessel via a visit to the ‘Kama-khya Temple’, devoted to the goddess of desire. Set sail passing Peacock Island, famous for the endangered Golden Langur.

PM: Enjoy an evening welcome dinner and talk.

AM & PM: Stepping ashore in Mayang, a sizeable village along the shores of the Brahmaputra, we learn about the history of magic and sorcery that was prevalent in the region. We visit the fascinating Mayang museum which explains how various mantras were used for anything from curing ailments to identifying a thief. We are then welcomed into the home of a local Mayang resident for a discussion and perhaps demonstration of some tricks.

AM & PM: Today we stop at a local village consisting of migrant populations that have settled and been provided with official status by the government. Their charming village is the perfect place to learn about life along such a dramatically changeable river.

AM & PM: Our expedition continues with a visit to the UNESCO accredited Kaziranga National Park where we enjoy a full day Jeep safari searching for Indian One-Horned Rhinos, Buffalos, Elephants plus a host of birdlife, including hornbills and kingfishers. Tiger spotting at Kaziranga is extremely rare despite having the highest density of tigers in the world.

AM: We sail upstream to Biswanath, a charming riverside village where we stop and explore. Of interest is the Bordol Temple, a brick built temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and built in the 1700s.

PM: Enjoy a walk through the village and along the riverfront before returning to your ship.

AM: As we sail upstream toward Majuli, we visit a local village and learn about the Bihu culture.

PM: Our chef will entertain us in the afternoon with a cooking demonstration as we continue our sailing before we moor for the evening on a sandbank. Enjoy a special sandbank BBQ dinner with your crew and fellow travelers.

AM: Arrive at the ancient town of Majuli on what is the world’s largest river island and home to the ethnic ‘Mishing’ people. We explore the impressive Satras dating back to the 15th century and meet a family who have been making the famous masks of Majuli for over 150 years.

PM: After lunch ashore, we travel to Auniati monestary to witness a special drum performance from the monks.

AM & PM: We take a morning stroll through a local village before casting off and sailing toward Nemati Ghat.

AM & PM: Travel 30 minutes from Nemati Ghat to Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, home to India’s only ape and gibbon species, the Hoolock Gibbon as well as the Bengal Slow Loris. This protected area has been reserved for preservation since 1881 and is rich in biodiversity.

AM & PM: We continue to Sibsagar, capital of the Tai-speaking Ahoms who came from Yunan and China in the 13th Century AD. Explore the Shiva Dol, built in 1734 it is the highest Shiva temple in India. We continue our exploration at the Royal Pavilion built by King Pramatta and said to be one of the oldest surviving amphitheatres in Asia.

AM: Disembark and transfer from Sibsagar to Dibrugarh for your onward flight. Journey time of 3 hours, except during high water situations where we will sail further and dock near Bogibeel bridge at Dibrugarh. We advise booking your flights for afternoon departure.