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Starting in Kolkata, exploring colonial landmarks and bustling markets before heading to the Himalayas where stunning monasteries and breathtaking mountain views await. Discover the colonial charm of Darjeeling before travelling to Guwahati, the gateway to the serene Brahmaputra River. Set sail on the Brahmaputra River, cruising its rich waters through the Indian state of Assam and exploring the nature, culture and unique heritage that resides on its banks.
For advice on where to go, what to do and how to choose your perfect tour, talk to our Travel Experts.
Our Beyond the Brahmaputra tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine.
Jeep safari through Kaziranga National Park and have the chance to see the Indian One-Horned Rhinos, Water Buffalo, Royal Bengal Tigers, elephants and numerous bird species
Witness the majestic beauty of the sun rising over Kanchenjunga Park and its peaks
Constructed on account of the 2550th birth anniversary of Lord Gautam Buddha stand in awe of this impressive statue
Explore this historic Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Sikkim.
Renowned for some of the finest tea's and playing a vital role in India's economy, observe the journey from tea bush to cup at an Indian tea estate surrounding by lush, scenic landscapes.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, experience a charming ride through the scenic hills of West Bengal on a steam train as it meanders through narrow landscapes and providing breathtaking views as well as a nostalgic journey through history.
Offering scenic aerial views of the city and the surrounding Himalayan landscape, a thrilling experience onboard this cable car ropeway with views of snow-capped peaks and valleys.
The latest ship to join the Assam Bengal Navigation Company’s fleet, the boutique ABN Charaidew II entered into service in 2019. This modern, yet elegant vessel is adorned with colonial-style touches. The ship’s interior is brought to life by traditional Assamese designs on hand-woven fabrics and furnishings made from natural materials. This is the perfect home away from home for your unforgettable Brahmaptura voyage.
Fly overnight to Kolkata, a vibrant city in the far east of India. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
The capital of West Bengal and widely considered India's cultural capital, in Kolkata is a place of fascinating contrasts, something that you will explore on today's tour of the city. See landmark sights like Birla Planetarium, Belur Math, Dakineshwar Kali Temple and the spectacular white marble edifice of the Victoria Memorial before, this evening, taking a walking tour to Park Street, the famous thoroughfare in Kolkata's downtown area.
The capital of the British Raj between 1858 and 1911, Kolkata is home to a series of colonial sights which you will visit on this morning walking tour, including the stately Dalhousie Square. This afternoon, you'll pay a visit to Mother House, a quiet convent that was home to Mother Teresa and her missionary sisters since 1953. Visit her tomb and a small museum dedicated to her life and work.
Transfer to the airport and fly to Bagdogra. On arrival, drive to Gangtok, winding through the incredible landscapes of Sikkim, with towering Himalayan peaks as your backdrop.
Sikkim's bustling state capital, Gangtok sits on the side of a hill overlooking the valleys and peaks of the Himalayan foothills. Today you will explore it, visiting the 18th-century Rumtek, the region's most spiritually significant monastery, Enchey Monastery with its colourful prayer hall, the Tashi Viewpoint, where you'll get spectacular views of Mount Kanchenjunga and more. You'll also fly your way up the cable ropeway for panoramic views of the city and its surroundings.
Soak up the incredible scenery as you travel through the Himalayan foothills, passing through vast expanses of tea plantations as you approach the hill station of Darjeeling. En route, you'll stop at the Ravangla Buddha Park to admire a 40-metre-tall copper Buddha set against a mountainous backdrop.
Rise before dawn and travel up Tiger Hill to watch the sun rising over Kanchenjunga which, at 8,586 metres, is the world's third highest mountain (weather dependent). The rest of the morning is at leisure before an afternoon ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway's 'toy train' from Darjeeling to Ghoom. Visit Ghoom Monastery before returning to Darjeeling to tour the Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Tibetan Refugee Center. This evening, enjoy a stroll through the market.
Transfer back to Bagdogra airport and fly to Guwahati. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Transfer to Silghat, a port on the Brahmaputra River, where you'll board your river cruise vessel. With a spa, saloon, and spacious sun deck along with cool and roomy cabins with floor-to-ceiling sliding windows for optimum views, there is no better to explore the rich riverbanks of the mighty Brahmaputra. Cast off and begin your upstream cruise, enjoying lunch and dinner onboard.
This morning, disembark from the ship and take a jeep safari into the central range of the Kaziranga National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kaziranga is best known for its population of Indian rhinoceros and is a designated tiger reserve. Alongside these two magnificent creatures, Kaziranga is also home to elephants, sloth bears, pangolin, water buffalo, swamp deer and a number of species of primate, among much more, and is an important habitat for birds. Enjoy a riverside lunch before hopping back into jeeps to explore the park's western reaches, where there is even more wonderful wildlife to spot.
Spend the morning on a tea experience on a picturesque Assam tea estate. Here you’ll learn all about the production process, from plucking the leaves to brewing a cup. Back on the boat, cruise upstream, passing through more of Kaziranga National Park's spectacular wilderness, spotting wildlife on the banks of the river as you go. Drop anchor near Biswanath village.
Head into the village, where there is a rich, cultural heritage to explore. Biswanath's ghat is home to a cluster of temples dedicated to different gods, including an Ahom-era Shiva temple – discover these and have a wander through the town, soaking up the beautiful riverside and rural surroundings. Continue cruising through Kaziranga National Park, keeping a look out for wild elephants. Then, spend the afternoon up on the ship’s sun deck where you may be lucky enough to spot a member of a small population of the endangered Ganges River dolphins.
Today you'll be able to sit back, relax and watch the river landscapes drift by as you cruise upstream. There will be one stop at a rural riverside village where a walking tour is a great way to stretch your legs.
Explore one of the world's largest river islands, Majuli, which is a fascinating microcosm of local culture. Visit two of the island's tranquil satras (monasteries) that have been essential in preserving Assamese art and culture and enjoy a traditional dance performance. Cruise farther upstream to Salmara Ghat, visiting a nearby village that is known for its traditional handicrafts, to see the artisans at work.
Transfer by car to Sibsagar. Once the capital of the Ahom kings, explore the remnants of a fascinating culture with visits to old temples and examples of innovative engineering. Return to the ship and cruise back to Neamati Ghat for your final night onboard the ship.
Bid farewell to your river cruise ship and transfer to Jorhat airport for your flight back to Kolkata. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Fly home to the UK, arriving the same or the following day.
Places Visited: UK - Kolkata (3N) - Gangtok (2N) - Darjeeling (2N) - Guwahati (1N) - Brahmaputra Cruise (7N) - Kolkata (1N) - UK
All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price. If your tour departs in less than 30 days, please call our travel experts to book.
Save up to £500pp on our brand new River Cruise Tours
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Departures for Solo travellers only are available for this tour on selected
dates.
In addition to being for solos only these departures feature smaller group sizes, free
airport lounge access and complimentary cocktails on arrival.
There are no dedicated Solo departures for this year. You can enjoy any of our tours with no Single Supplement on our Happy to Share option or explore the solo departures in other years.
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