Assam Despatch 4b – Kaziranga - Guwahati

Day 1

Embark your ship at Silghat (D)

Transfer in the afternoon from a Kaziranga lodge to board the ship at Silghat.

Day 2

Tea garden & cycle rikshaw through Tezpur (BLD)

Cruise downstream under the seemingly endless new bridge to dock at Tezpur. From here we travel on by road to visit a working tea garden at Dhekiajuli, seeing all the stages of growing and processing tea (factory not in operation between December and mid-March).

After lunch on board, we visit the remains of the the 6th century Da Parbatia temple, with exquisite carved portal, then board cycle rickshaws to take us through the bazaars to Cole Park with its collection of medieval stone carving. Re boarding our ship we cruise down to moor for the night near the isolated Singri Hill.

Day 3

Cruise to Ganesh Pahar (BLD)

The day is spent on the river, traversing a lunar landscape of sand islands then closing on the range of hills beyond which lies Guwahati. In the evening we should reach the idyllic isolated village of Ganesh Pahar.

Day 4

Temple visits along the banks of Guwahati (BLD)

This morning's voyage is particularly pretty, with jungle-covered hills on the south bank. Reaching Guwahati at midday, we moor opposite the city and climb up to the pretty Aswaklanta temple on the hill above before driving out to the beautifully sited temple ruins of Madan Kamdev, their erotic carving an indicator of the strong tantric traditions in the area. Returning to the ship we cruise down to Sualkuchi either this evening or the following morning.

Day 5

Tour around Guwahati (BLD)

Walk through Sualkuchi to visit weaving workshops and see the whole process of silk manufacture, from cocoon to spinning to dyeing and finally to handweaving into exquisite saris and dress lengths. We then sail up to dock close to the great Saraighat bridge and take a tour of Guwahati, driving up Nilachal Hill to the Kamakhya temple. With its tantric rites and animal sacrifices, the more squeamish may prefer to content themselves with the exterior. Visit the poignant Commonwealth War Graves, the museum and the bazaars.

Day 6

Visit silk weavers. Transfer to airport (B)

Disembark during the morning and transfer to the airport for final departure.