Rivers, Rhinos & Rhythms of the East

A Journey Through East & North-East India: Kolkata, Kaziranga & Brahmaputra

India’s culture, like its people, is a rich mosaic whose myriad elements have been born of its ancient roots and foreign influences. It is vibrant and chaotic, a land of incredible contrasts and paradoxes.

The eastern and north-eastern parts of India offer an escape from the hustle and bustle of mainstream travel and allows travellers to immerse in authentic experiences shaped by centuries of history and geographical diversity. Serving as the gateway to the region, Kolkata blends urban vibrancy with a nostalgic nod to its storied past.

In the North-east, Assam’s lush landscapes and pristine forests provide sanctuary to a number of wildlife species, while the Brahmaputra River winds its way through the region, shaping both its geography and cultural identity.

Highlights

Cruise down North-east India’s mighty Brahmaputra River to glimpse unhurried, rural rhythms, unexplored heritage and culture
Look for the one horned Rhinos on a private jeep safari in Kaziranga National Park.
Learn about the traditional silk weaving on a walk through Sualkuchi village
Discover Kolkata’s colonial heritage and revolutionary rebellions on guided walks

Destinations Covered

10 Days

| 4 Destinations

Day: 1-3Kolkata
Day: 4-5Majuli
Day: 6-9Kaziranga
Day: 10Guwahati

Best Time to Visit

Good time to visit

jan
Great time to visit

feb
Great time to visit

mar
Great time to visit

apr
Not advisable

may
Not advisable

jun
Not advisable

july
Good time to visit

aug
Good time to visit

sep
Good time to visit

oct
Good time to visit

nov
Good time to visit

dec

Gallery

Programme Details

Kolkata

Day: 1-3

Arrival at Kolkata. Check in and unwind in the comfort of your stay.

Begin your day with a Colonial Heritage Walk around Dalhousie Square, exploring landmarks of the British Raj such as the Writers’ Building and Governor’s House, before continuing to Kumartuli, the potters’ quarter where festival idols are crafted, and College Street, India’s largest book market with its famed coffee houses. Enjoy a home-cooked Bengali lunch with art collector Bomti Iyenger for a glimpse into Kolkata’s cultural life, then visit the moss-covered tombs of Park Street Cemetery and the grand Victoria Memorial, the city’s most iconic colonial landmark.

Begin the day in North Kolkata, the historic “Black Town,” with a visit to the ornate Jain Temple Complex, dazzling with mirrors, chandeliers, and ceramics from across the world. Continue to the 19th-century Marble Palace, a mansion filled with paintings, sculptures, Belgian glass, and gardens once home to India’s first zoo, before visiting Jorasanko, the ancestral home of Rabindranath Tagore, showcasing the family’s role in Bengal’s Renaissance and freedom movement. Enjoy a traditional Bengali lunch at the historic Star Theatre, birthplace of Bengali theatre, before concluding with a reflective visit to the Motherhouse of Mother Teresa, where her tomb and simple room embody her life of service.

Recommended Accommodations

The Glenburn Penthouse

Luxury Boutique

Majuli

Day: 4-5

Arrive at Jorhat and drive an hour to Neamati Ghat to board your exclusive river cruise, the MV Rudra Singha-II, and sail towards Majuli. Spend the evening on the sundeck with tea, coffee, and homemade cookies, followed by dinner and an overnight stay aboard the vessel.

Disembark to explore Majuli, once the world’s largest river island and now shortlisted for UNESCO World Heritage status. Visit the monastery at Auniati and nearby villages before returning to your riverboat to cruise gently downstream. Dinner and overnight aboard the vessel.

Recommended Accommodations

MV Rudra Singha

Remote Experiential

Kaziranga

Day: 6-9

Enjoy a full day of cruise downstream, an optimistic chance of spotting endangered Gangetic dolphins. While sailing down Kaziranga National Park will be on our left - wild Elephants, Buffaloes are sometimes visible from the boat.

Over breakfast, cruise down to Silghat before disembarking for a one-hour drive to Diphlu River Lodge in Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Famed for its conservation success with the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, Kaziranga’s grasslands are home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife.

Spend two days exploring different zones of Kaziranga National Park on private jeep safaris with an expert naturalist. The central and western ranges bring close encounters with the one-horned rhinoceros, while the eastern zone offers sightings of elephants, water buffaloes, swamp deer, otters, and abundant birdlife. Between safaris, choose from immersive experiences such as visiting nearby villages, walking through rubber plantations, or exploring Assam’s famed tea gardens. Evenings end with bonfires and shared stories under the stars.

Recommended Activities

Recommended Accommodations

MV Rudra Singha

Remote Experiential

Diphlu River Lodge

Wildlife Lodges

Guwahati

Day: 10

Arrival at Guwahati. Once a stronghold through Assam’s many invasions, the city reflects a rich history in its temples and architecture shaped by successive kingdoms. Choose to visit a historic temple or simply wander through its lively markets.