Islands of the Brahmaputra River Cruise aboard Charaidew II

Arrive into Jorhat Airport and transfer approximately 3.5 hours by road to Silghat, a scenic mooring set beneath forested hills on the banks of the Brahmaputra and close to Kaziranga National Park. Alternatively, arrive into Guwahati Airport and transfer approximately four hours to Silghat. On arrival, meet your local crew and embark your vessel for a seven-night Brahmaputra River voyage. Spend the evening settling in, meeting fellow travellers and being introduced to the river, the region and the journey ahead as you begin your time in Assam.

Meals:  L,D

This morning, transfer to Kaziranga National Park’s Central Range for a jeep safari. A UNESCO World Heritage Site spanning approximately 1,090 sq km, Kaziranga protects the world’s largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceros, along with significant numbers of wild water buffalo, Asian elephant and swamp deer. The park also has one of the highest densities of Royal Bengal tiger in India. Its mosaic of floodplains, marshes and tall elephant grass creates a rich habitat supporting diverse wildlife including gaur, hoolock gibbons and capped langurs. Kaziranga is often likened to the Serengeti for its expansive grasslands, prolific wildlife and abundant birdlife. Species regularly sighted include Oriental honey buzzard, black-shouldered kite, white-tailed eagle and Himalayan griffon. Lunch is served riverside at Diphlu River Lodge, with an opportunity to meet members of the local community who contribute to the lodge’s award-winning eco-tourism model. In the afternoon, continue exploring the park with a second jeep safari in the Western Range before returning to the ship.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today you will visit a picturesque Assam tea plantation before we cruise upstream sailing past Kaziranga National Park. This unique experience combines adventure and tranquillity, making it an unforgettable part of your journey through Assam. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a wildlife photographer, or simply seeking a peaceful escape, cruising through Kaziranga National Park offers a captivating encounter with one of the world's finest wildlife habitats. You will also witness the ecological balance of the area. The annual floods caused by the Brahmaputra when we do not cruise this mighty river play a crucial role in rejuvenating the park's landscape, ensuring the growth of nutrient-rich soil that supports the diverse flora and fauna. We will anchor for the night near Biswanath village.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning you’ll visit Biswanath, 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.

Meals:  B,L,D

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.

Meals:  B,L,D

Arrive at Majuli Island around breakfast. One of the world’s largest river islands, Majuli is a cultural heartland of Assam and a centre of neo-Vaishnavite tradition. Explore the island’s distinctive satras (monasteries), where communities of celibate monks and householders maintain a simple devotional lifestyle expressed through gayan-bayan (traditional music and chanting) and sacred readings. Visit Auniati Satra, known for its eclectic museum collection, and attend a traditional dance performance at Kamalabari Satra. Afterwards, cruise across the Brahmaputra to Neamati Ghat on the opposite bank. In the afternoon, there is an opportunity to visit a nearby village before returning to the ship.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today, explore Sibsagar, the former capital of the Ahom kingdom and a powerful reminder of Assam’s royal past. The Ahoms, of Shan origin and later converts to Hinduism, ruled the region for nearly 600 years until the early 19th century, shaping a distinctive cultural legacy that blends Indian and Southeast Asian influences. Visit remarkable temples with stupa-like profiles and distinctive palace structures, including monuments recently recognised with UNESCO World Heritage status. The vast temple tank — regarded as the world’s largest hand-excavated reservoir — stands as an impressive feat of historic engineering. Rejoin the vessel at Neamati Ghat, near Jorhat, where the ship will have repositioned downstream. This evening, gather for a farewell dinner hosted by your crew.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning, you’ll be driven to Jorhat Airport (with direct flight connectivity to Kolkata), about an hour’s drive from Neamati Ghat. Alternatively, there’s the option of driving to Dibrugarh airport (with direct flight connectivity to Kolkata, Delhi, Bagdogra and Guwahati), a journey of around 4 hours, passing through the provincial town of Dibrugarh and major American base in WWII.

Meals:  B