Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive midday into Guwahati, Assam (flying via Delhi or Kolkata). Your guide and driver will greet you at airport for onward drive to Kaziranga National Park. Check into your cottage. Evening free to relax. Savour a fabulous Assamese meal and have a drink by the bonfire. Overnight in Kaziranga. Meal plan: D

Day 2

Early wake up with hot cup of chai and biscuits. Jeep will take you to the Central Sector for your elephant safari. As the sun rises, ride on elephant-back and wade through thick elephant grass on the look-out for the endangered unicorn rhino. Witness a host of other wildlife, including tigers, with Kaziranga being home to the largest concentration of tigers in a protected area. Return to the jungle lodge for breakfast. Morning to relax. After lunch, take an afternoon game drive. Evening free. Overnight in Kaziranga. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 3

Visit to Panbari Forest Reserve to look for the elusive hoolock gibbon and visit the nearby tea estate. After lunch, rest of day free. Optional visit to Mising tribal village. Overnight in Kaziranga. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 4

Early start for journey to Majuli, the world's largest river island, with its unique culture, increasingly threatened by climate change. Short ferry ride across the mighty Brahmaputra River to Majuli. After settling into your comfortable bamboo hut, stroll around and savour the atmosphere of this unique island. Overnight in Majuli. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 5

Explore Majuli – visit the island’s ancient satras (rare Hindu Vaishnavite monasteries where Lord Vishnu is worshipped). Pop into the local mask shops and watch master craftsmen at work. Alternatively hop into a boat and take in the local surroundings. Overnight in Majuli. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 6

Free day in Majuli. Bikes are available and a bike ride is a good way of exploring the island. Overnight in Majuli. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 7

After breakfast, set off for the Eco-camp on the fringes of Nameri National Park. Go for a wander in the open fields, watch villagers gather their cattle as the sun sets. Feast on delicious Assamese cuisine in the open air banquet area and enjoy a drink by the bonfire. Stay in excellent bamboo tent/cottages, complete with comfortable bamboo beds and attached bathroom. Overnight in Nameri. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 8

Early morning chai, then set off for walking safari. Cross the river by boat to Nameri National Park. Explore the forest by foot, looking out for langur monkeys, wild elephants, barking deer, rare birdlife and more. Return to eco-camp for breakfast, then embark on journey up the Himalayas to Dirang. Evening free. Overnight in Dirang. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 9

Spend the day exploring Dirang. After breakfast, visit picture-postcard Old Dirang, its winding streams and Old Fort. Take a light trek through Sangti Valley and enjoy fantastic views of Dirang, encountering its people and wildlife on the way. Afternoon lunch, rest of day to relax or wander through Dirang. Dinner and overnight in hotel. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 10

After breakfast, we start our journey to Tawang, one of the Buddhist heartlands of India. Rise high above Himalayan clouds and through snow-capped peaks. Drive via Sela Pass, one of the world’s highest motorable passes at 4400 metres, passing yaks on the way. Arrive late afternoon, put your feet up and relax. Munch on Tibetan-style food for dinner. Overnight in Tawang. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 11

Early morning walk to Tawang Monastery, the largest Buddhist monastery outside Tibet. Perched majestically on a Himalayan cliff face looking into Bhutan, admire the huge statue of Lord Buddha and the sublime views. Proceed on to Urgelling Gompa, the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama, then on to charming Ani Gompa (nunnery), and watch the lowering of the Indian flag at the Indo-China War Memorial. Dinner and overnight in Tawang. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 12

Free day in Tawang. Overnight in Tawang. Meal plan: B,L,D

Day 13

After early breakfast, start drive down to the small town Buddhist town of Bomdila. Lunch en-route. On arrival, check-in to hotel and refresh. At dusk, visit the local monastery when the monks go to prayer. Evening free. Overnight in Bomdila. Meals: B,L,D

Day 14

After breakfast drive to Tezpur (6 hours) en-route visiting the Orchid Centre at Tipi. It houses over 7500 orchids. On display are some of the finest species of orchids in the world, with intriguing names like the Dainty Lady’s Slipper! Lunch at Tipi. Continue drive to Tezpur, and check into hotel on arrival. Optional evening sightseeing tour of Tezpur, a city steeped in mythology and history. Overnight in Tezpur. Meals: B,L

Day 15

After breakfast leave for Guwahati (4 hours). Check into hotel on arrival. Rest of day free. Optional activities can be arranged, for example a visit to the Kamakhya Temple, where animal sacrifices are still a daily occurrence, or a visit to the quaint Umananda Temple located on a small island in the Brahmaputra. Overnight in Guwahati. Meals: B

Day 16

After breakfast, transfer to airport for onward flight to Delhi or Kolkata. Meals: B

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