PRICES & DEPARTURES: BRAHMAPUTRA CRUISES
The Brahmaputra’s Spell:
These Brahmaputra cruises have been rated among the world’s top 10 most adventurous cruises by the CNN for it is a mighty river that was previously deemed too wild to navigate, too moody in its channel changes until Assam Bengal Navigation embarked on their first maiden voyage. The downstream cruise starts at Dibrugarh, wending its way past the largest river island of the world, Majuli; the tea town of Jorhat; the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kaziranga National Park (home to the largest population of one-horned rhinos); and other stops.
ABN Charaidew II, entered service on the Brahmaputra in January 2019. Built in Kolkata, her length is 44.50 m and breadth is 11.00 m and is powered by 2 engines. Her extra-shallow draught and a lower profile than conventional designs allow her to cruise faster.
ABN Charaidew II has 18 cabins in total: 2 spacious deluxe cabins (350 sq. feet) and 12 spacious twin/double cabins (240 sq. feet.) are on the upper deck while 4 cabins with queen size bed (170 sq. feet) are on the main deck for which we charge no supplement.
The decor reflects a sense of homecoming to Assam, with touches of colonial elegance, brought to life by traditional Assamese designs on hand-woven cotton fabrics.
Celebrate this festival of colours and changing season aboard the dazzling ABN Charaidew II from the house of Assam Bengal Navigation. ABN Charaidew II is a luxury river cruise with 18 cabins with the deluxe cabins having private balconies and the standard cabins, the French balcony.
With a comfortable saloon and bar, dining room, a big open sundeck, gym, and a small spa onboard which offers a wide range of treatments, ABN Charaidew II is a perfect recuse from the fast-paced life as you cruise upstream or downstream with terminal ports of Guwahati and Silghat.
Combining visits to temples and important historic sites, as well as a chance to discover a traditional Assamese village, this cruise is for those who want to discover unique and unknown places in India in the luxury of a cruise on the Brahmaputra river.
You will wake to panoramic views of Assam’s natural beauty and discover the region’s history at Tezpur, Assam’s oldest city and cultural heart. You will also get to taste an array of exciting cuisines from Assam with an introduction to indigenous tribal cuisine, seldom before tasted outside of this region.
Discover iconic wildlife, natural beauty and cultural heritage on a cruise along the Brahmaputra River, one of the world’s great rivers. Venture off the beaten track on a life-changing river cruise through Assam; a mystical land of blue hills, tribal villages, tea fields, amazing wildlife and vernacular architectural. See what lies beyond
GUWAHATI TO SILGHAT
DAY 1
Meet at Guwahati airport and transfer to our cruise at Pandu port. Enjoy lunch while cruising downstream to Sualkuchi. An afternoon walk through Sualkuchi, a bustling little town that is the centre of Assamese silk production, offers a chance to visit weaving workshops. Witness the whole process of silk manufacture, from cocoon and spinning, then dyeing to hand-weaving into exquisite mekhela chadars (a two-piece sari, the traditional attire of an Assamese woman). We then sail up to dock close to the great Saraighat bridge.
DAY 2
This morning you’ll drive up Nilachal Hill to see the holy Kamakhya temple. With its tantric rites and animal sacrifice, the more squeamish may prefer to content themselves with the exteriors. Visit the poignant Commonwealth War Graves cemetery before embarking on your cruise vessel at Uzan Bazaar. We set sail and cruise past Kurua on the north bank.
DAY 3
Morning cruise and visit to a riverside village with its lush green fields of vegetables. The day is spent mostly cruising upstream and presents an opportunity to catch up on reading, writing about your experiences so far, or simply watching life unfold on the riverbanks and jungle-covered hills that rise on either side. Enjoy an Indian cooking demonstration onboard.
DAY 4
This morning you cruise on to reach Tezpur where, after lunch, you’ll visit the 6th century Da Parbatia temple ruins with its beautifully carved portal. Later, explore the town by cycle rickshaw, stopping at Cole Park with its mediaeval stone carvings saved from sites all over the region. Enjoy free time in the local market. The ship will be waiting at the town’s waterfront for you to reboard.
DAY 5
After an early breakfast, drive for around two hours to the Nameri National Park at the foot of the blue hills of Arunachal Pradesh, the old North East Frontier Agency. Here, you 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.
DAY 6
Today, you drive to Kaziranga’s Central Range for a morning jeep safari. Enjoy lunch at Diphlu River Lodge before taking another jeep safari in the little visited Burapahar Range before returning to the boat.
Covering an area of approximately 430 sq kms, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kaziranga National Park is home to the world’s largest population of the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros as well as the Indian Wild Water Buffalo. It has also earned the distinction of having the highest density of Royal Bengal Tigers (one every five sq. km.), making this park an incredibly rich biodiversity hotspot. With its marshy swamps and thickets of elephant grass, the park supports large populations of Indian elephants, Indian bison, swamp deer, and Capped Langurs.
Kaziranga National Park frequently draws comparisons to the Serengeti in Africa due to the park’s abundance of wildlife and birds and is considered a birding paradise. Bird species found here include the Oriental Honey Buzzard, Black-shouldered Kite, White-tailed Eagle, Himalayan Griffon and many more.
DAY 7
This morning, go on a visit to a local tea garden and the weekly market of Uloni. In the afternoon, drive to Kaziranga’s Western range (Bagori Range) for a jeep safari through the lush, biodiverse landscapes of the park.
DAY 8
This morning you bid farewell to the crew and new friends as you set off for the 4-hour drive to Guwahati airport. Alternatively, we can arrange a 40-minute transfer to Tezpur airport or a 2 ½ hr transfer to Jorhat airport.
SILGHAT TO DIBRUGARH/JORHAT
DAY 1
Arrive at Jorhat airport and drive 2 ½ hrs to Silghat, a picturesque beach below jungle-covered hills and close to Kaziranga National Park. Alternatively, arrive at Guwahati airport and drive 4 ½ hrs to Silghat.
DAY 2
After an early breakfast, you’ll be driven to Kaziranga’s Central Range for a morning jeep safari.
Covering an area of approximately 430 sq kms, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kaziranga National Park is home to the world’s largest population of the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros as well as the Indian Wild Water Buffalo. It has also earned the distinction of having the highest density of Royal Bengal Tigers (one every five sq. km.), making this park an incredibly rich biodiversity hotspot. With its marshy swamps and thickets of elephant grass, the park supports large populations of Indian elephants, Indian bison, swamp deer, and Capped Langurs.
Kaziranga National Park frequently draws comparisons to the Serengeti in Africa due to the park’s abundance of wildlife and birds and is considered a birding paradise. Bird species found here include the Oriental Honey Buzzard, Black-shouldered Kite, White-tailed Eagle, Himalayan Griffon and many more.
Returning to the ship, you’ll cruise upstream with Kaziranga National Park on the right bank to anchor for the night at Vishnath.
DAY 3
This morning you’ll visit Vishnath, known for its Ahom-period Shiva temple. Walk through the town before reboarding and setting off again, with Kaziranga still on the far bank. Keep an eye out for wild elephants which have been spotted, and once, memorably, a tiger.
A leisurely afternoon of cruising down the river offers a good chance of spotting the endangered Gangetic dolphin, as well as observing life in the bankside villages as we pass. Arrive in the evening at Dhansiri Mukh.
Did you know that the Brahmaputra River is the third largest river in the world? Geologically, it is the youngest among the major rivers in the world yet it is known as a moving ocean.
Our boutique Brahmaputra River cruises have been popular amongst discerning travellers since its first pioneering expedition in 2003.
We are currently operating our newest vessel, the much in demand boutique ship – ABN Charaidew II with 18 cabins (as shown in the video below) and soon, in November 2021 onwards we will also be operating our smaller vessel – ABN Sukapha on the majestic Brahmaputra River.
The video below is a home-made video of ABN Charaidew II that is a rough compilation of many short videos created ad-hoc hence it is not a professional representation.
DAY 4
This morning, you’ll dock and take a jeep safari to Kaziranga’s little-visited Eastern Range, with grasslands much favoured by rhinos where you might also spot the rare Bengal Florican. Return to the boat and continue your cruise upstream.
DAY 5
Today brings another opportunity to watch life unfold on the riverbanks as you cruise upstream. The languid pace of life onboard the boat offers a rare opportunity to sit and watch the world slip by, chat with fellow guests, or catch up on your reading. You’ll have time to stretch your legs with a walk through a bankside village, gaining an insight into life in rural India.
DAY 6
You should reach Majuli Island around breakfast time. One of the world’s largest river islands and a microcosm of Assamese culture, Majuli is much-photographed but little-visited. It is a stronghold of the peaceful religion of neo-Vaishnavism and the elegant island satras — some for celibate monks, some for families — showcase a unique way of life where the faithful live simply, offering worship through gayan-bayan (songs and musical instruments) and readings.
You’ll visit a monastery at Auniati with its eclectic museum, then attend a dance performance at Kamalabari monastery before cruising across to Neamati Ghat on the opposite bank. In the afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to visit a nearby village.
DAY 7
Today you’ll visit a tea estate in Jorhat, and observe the journey from tea bush to cup. (Please note that the factory is inoperative between December and mid-March.) Later, you’ll be driven to Sibsagar, the one-time capital of the Ahom kings of Assam.
Shan by origin but converts to Hinduism, the Ahoms ruled Assam for some 700 years until the 1820s. Their culture and architecture is a unique and intriguing amalgam of India and Southeast Asia. You’ll see temples with stupa-like profiles and palaces of distinctive form. The temple tank here is believed to be the world’s largest hand-excavated reservoir and quite the feat of engineering, as you’ll see. Return to your ship, which will have cruised up to Neamati Ghat, close to Jorhat.
DAY 8
This morning, you’ll be driven to Dibrugarh airport, a journey of around 4 ½ hours, passing through this typical colonial town and a major base for American flights over ‘The Hump’ to China in WWII. Alternatively, there’s the option of a 1 ½ hour drive to Jorhat airport.
This itinerary, including the cruise and approximate driving durations, is subject to river and weather conditions. Kaziranga National Park comprises low-lying grassland, which may not be visitable when the river is at or near flood level.
ABN CHARAIDEW II
ABN Charaidew II is our latest ship to join the fleet. Her length is 44.50 m and breadth is 11.00 m and she is powered by 2 engines. Her extra-shallow draught and a lower profile than conventional designs allow her to cruise faster.
ABN Charaidew II has 18 cabins in total: 2 spacious deluxe cabins (350 sq. feet) and 12 spacious twin/double cabins (240 sq. feet.) are on the upper deck while 4 cabins with queen size bed (170 sq. feet) are on the main deck for which we charge no supplement.
The decor reflects a sense of homecoming to Assam, with touches of colonial elegance, brought to life by traditional Assamese designs on hand-woven cotton fabrics.
All standard cabins on ABN Charaidew II have French balconies, while the two deluxe cabins have a private balcony.
There is a comfortable saloon and bar, dining room, a big open sundeck, gym, and a small spa onboard which offers a wide range of treatments.
ONBOARD FEATURES
Spacious cabins with individual climate control
En suite shower/WC with Kama Ayurveda toiletries
Generous cupboard space and under-bed storage
Hair drier in each cabin
Minibar in each cabin
In-room electronic safe
Tea/coffee making facilities in cabins
Intercommunication telephone in cabins
High quality bathrobes and slippers in cabins
Large sliding glass windows offering panoramic views of the river
Vast sundeck both open and shaded, with sofas and sun loungers
Spacious air-conditioned saloon
Mini library
Spa with choice of treatments
In-house gym
SERVICES
Shore excursion program including all admissions
Services of in-house guide and naturalist during excursions and onboard
Cold towel service after excursions
Welcome drink after excursions
Shoe-cleaning after excursions
Turndown service in all cabins
Expertly trained culinary staff
Single seating for buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner
Acclaimed combination of Indian and Western cuisines
Wide choice of wines, spirits and beer
Complimentary tea, coffee and packaged water throughout
Welcome reception
Farewell reception
Local on-board dance & song performances
24/7 power backup
Wi-Fi internet in the saloon, sundeck; dining hall (subject to network availability) during the day time.
ABN SUKAPHA
With a maximum group size of 24 guests, ABN Sukapha was designed to expertly navigate the mighty waters of the Brahmaputra river.
In an effort to conserve India’s forests, her 12 upper deck cabins are bamboo-paneled, air-conditioned and roomy with en suite bathrooms; these cabins also have large, sliding windows that offer panoramic views of the river. There is a spa and a saloon with a library. The dining room is on the main deck and a spacious sundeck at the very top. Cane furniture on board, objet d’arts and handlooms on the ship are all locally made by talented artisans from Assam.
ONBOARD FEATURES
Spacious cabins with individual climate control
En suite shower/WC with Kama Ayurveda toiletries
Generous cupboard space and under-bed storage
Hair drier in each cabin
High quality linens
Large sliding glass windows offering panoramic views of the river
Vast sundeck with sunloungers or steamer chairs
Spacious air-conditioned saloon with library and recorded entertainment
Spa with choice of treatments.
SERVICES
Shore excursion programme including all admissions
Naturalist onboard the vessel
Cold towel service after excursions
Welcome drink after excursions
Shoe-cleaning after excursions
Turndown service in all cabins
Expertly trained culinary staff
Single seating for buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner
Acclaimed combination of Indian & Western cuisines
Wide choice of wines, spirits & beer
Complimentary tea, coffee & mineral water throughout
Welcome reception
Farewell reception
Local on-board dance & song performances.
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