ICONIC BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER CRUISE RIVER, WILDLIFE & TEA IN INDIA’S NORTH EAST India 10 Nights / 11 Days Immerse yourself in this fascinating 11-day Small Group Journey that ventures off the beaten track on a river cruise in Assam, a mystical land of sprawling blue hills, lush tea fields, exotic wildlife and architectural masterpieces. Promising signature experiences, exclusive adventures and guided by specialist guides and naturalists, your journey begins briefly in Delhi, a vivid atmospheric blend of international metropolis, medieval chaos and regal splendour. Explore Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of Asia’s greatest wilderness areas. Home to some of the finest wildlife viewing in Asia, everything seems larger than life here. Then spend a week cruising down the waterways of the Brahmaputra River and discover untouched, remote areas that remain hidden from the crowds. Be captivated by houses of worship, venerable temples, vast farming areas, rice paddies, and tribal and riverside villages that dot the shoreline. Learn the art of tea production at tea gardens, visit the river island of Majuli where inhabitants live a devout way of life, and follow the peaceful Hindu practice of neo-Vaishnavism. Appreciate the marvels of places of pilgrimage and ancient ruins steeped in obscurity. Visit Sibsagar, once capital of the Ahom kings of Assam in the 18th century, now a bustling agricultural and administrative town. There is the opportunity to extend your trip and see the tigers in Ranthambhore National Park and the Taj Mahal in Agra. A Small Group Journey offers the opportunity to exclusively explore extraordinary landscapes, whilst enjoying the company of a group of like-minded enthusiasts, on a uniquely curated itinerary. With a minimum of ten and a maximum of 16 guests, these set-departure journeys are privately guided throughout and unequalled in their ability to showcase a little known part of India, in an extraordinary landscape. What we love about the journey - Iconic wildlife in Kaziranga which includes 70% of the world’s one-horned rhinoceros population, herds of Asiatic elephant, Asiatic buffalo, eastern swamp deer and tigers. - Majuli River Island, home to a microcosm of Assamese culture, showcasing a unique way of life. - Discovering the art of tea at the Horu Charai tea estate and taste a selection of delicious blends. Highlights of the adventure - Cruising on the Brahmaputra River encountering the endangered Ganges river dolphin and the smooth-coated otter. - Meandering through bustling towns such as Tezpur and Vishnath and gaining insight into the everyday life of the locals. - Exploring the archaeological site of the ancient ruins of Deopahar Temple, known as the ‘Hill of God’. Specially created for - Wildlife and nature enthusiasts - Culture vultures - Photography aficionados 710 nights nights / / 8 11days days 1 – DelhiKathmandu (Day 1 )(Day 1,2) 2 – PokharaKaziranga (Day (Day 3, 2,3 4) ) 3 – ChitwanBrahmaputra (5, 6) (Day 4,5,6,7,8,9,10) 4 – Dhulikhel (Day 7) AN &BEYOND CUSTOM-DESIGNED ITINERARY DATE SERVICE ACCOMMODATION 01 Mar 2021 Meet and greet services at the airport and transfer to the hotel Monday Welcome Dinner. Spend 1 overnight in Hotel JW Marriott, Delhi Deluxe Room on HB Basis 02 Mar 2021 Post breakfast transfer to the hotel to board your flight to Guwahati Tuesday Upon arrival at Guwahati you drive to Kaziranga (Approx. 4 hrs drive) Spend 2 overnight in Diphlu River Lodge Cottage on JP Basis 03 Mar 2021 Wednesday Enjoy morning and afternoon jeep safari in Kaziranga 04 Mar 2021 After a morning jeep safari at central range, drive to Silghat (Approx. 1 hrs drive) to embark on boat. Thursday Spend seven overnights in River Island Cruise Cabin on JP Basis 05 Mar 2021 After early breakfast drive to Tezpur to visit Da Parbatia temple and other sites. Friday Return to the ship and cruise upstream 06 Mar 2021 Majuli Island Saturday After breakfast visit Vishnath an Ahom period Shiva temple. 07 Mar 2021 After breakfast visit the 10th century temples at Deopahar Sunday 08 Mar 2021 Day is spent cruising upstream and visiting riverside villages Monday 09 Mar 2021 Today we arrive at Majuli Island and visit villages and temples. Tuesday 10 Mar 2021 After breakfast we visit Horu Charai tea estate. After lunch we visit the 18th Century Ahom capital of Sibsagar. Wednesday 11 Mar 2021 After breakfast transfer to Dibrugarh Airport (Approx. 2 ½ hrs drive) to board your flight to Delhi Thursday Upon arrival in Delhi you will be met and driven to a hotel close to the airport. A room is booked for wash & change or an overnight. Late evening /following morning you will be picked up from your hotel and will be assisted transferred to board your flight back home 12 Mar 2021 Fly Home GLOSSARY HB = Bed, Breakfast and Dinner JP = Bed, all meals and all excursions. ENTRY/VISA REQUIREMENTS IN INDIA As for all international travel, the visitor to India is required to be in possession of a valid passport and visa. Travellers from all countries need a visa. Enquire about this from the Indian diplomatic Representatives abroad OR apply online at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html Boarding or immigration can be denied if there is a mismatch of passport details mentioned on the visa letter issued by the Government of India and the passport presented at these checks. The passport has to be valid for a minimum of 6 months AFTER the departure date from India and at least 2 (two) clear pages available in the passport for immigration stamping. SATELLITE PHONES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN INDIA “The use of Satellite phones in India without permits (a very complicated process) is prohibited. It is a criminal and jailable offence to be in possession of an unlicensed phone, or to use it. Mobile phones work well throughout most of the country and communications throughout your tour is generally good.” NOT TO CARRY CERTAIN MODELS OF MACBOOK PRO ON FLIGHTS The Directorate General of Civil Aviation and FAA, has advised passengers not to carry models of 15-inch MacBook Pro laptops that Apple deemed a safety risk due to overheating batteries. Affected units were sold primarily between September 2015 and February 2017 and product eligibility is determined by the product serial number. Apple has determined that, in a limited number of older generation 15-inch MacBook Pro units, the battery may overheat and pose a fire safety risk. Day 1: 01 March, 2021 (Monday) - Arrive Delhi Upon arrival at Delhi Airport proceed towards the immigration counters, and then the baggage belts in the customs hall. After collecting your bags walk toward arrival hall Exit where you will find an &Beyond representative holding a placard of your name. You will then be transferred to your hotel, JW Marriott. Delhi was established around 900 B.C. Delhi's famous "seven cities" range from the 12th century Quila Rai Pithora, built by Prithviraj Chauhan, to the imperial Shahjahanabad, constructed by the Mughals in the 17th century. Of the many attractions in Delhi, the major sites are the Rashtrapati Bhawan designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens as the British Viceroys Palace, Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi) where the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid and the famed Chandni Chowk are found. JW Marriott: The hotel offers 511 stylish rooms and suites, personalized service and an ideal location for your stay in India. The deluxe rooms are among the largest in India's NCR. Indulge at any of their five remarkable restaurants and bars, including a chic speakeasy, a popular multi-cuisine buffet and a Japanese restaurant with a Korean influence This evening you meet up with your Tour Leader over Welcome Dinner at the hotel. Spend One overnight at Hotel JW Marriott. Accommodation will be in Deluxe Room with ensuite facilities. Your stay is on Half Board Basis. Day 2: 02 March, 2021 (Tuesday) – Delhi / Guwahati / Kaziranga We will provide packed breakfast from the hotel. You are driven to the airport to board your flight to Guwahati. Fly by: 6E 939 Departs Delhi: 0715 hrs Arrive Guwahati: 0940 hrs *Note: Baggage allowance is 15kg (33lbs). We can pre-purchase excess baggage at an extra cost. Upon arrival at Guwahati airport you will be met and driven to Kaziranga (Approx. 4 hrs drive). Arrive Kaziranga and check-in at Diphlu River Lodge Kaziranga National Park: Home to some of India’s largest mammals, Kaziranga boasts a thriving population of one-horned rhino, Asian elephant, tiger, and Asiatic wild buffalo, as well as the swamp deer known as barasingha, hog deer, wild boar, sloth bear and many others. Everything appears larger than life at Kaziranga – even some of the largest snakes in the world, including the reticulated and Indian pythons, king cobra and branded krait, are found here. The reserve is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with almost 500 species encountered here, including many migrants. Kaziranga National Park also frequently draws comparisons to the Norongoro Crater in East Africa due to the park's abundance of wildlife and birds. Diphlu River Lodge: Diphlu River Lodge has a boundary river that separates its grounds from the National Park itself, and the jungle views are exceptional. They have four individual cottages and four semi-detached cottages, raised on stilts above the ground. All rooms are air-conditioned and have been beautifully designed making full use of local materials that blend in with the stunning natural surroundings. With environment-sensitive cottages overlooking the river, park or verdant farmland, Diphlu River Lodge combines modern comforts with the thrill of the wild and plenty of activities. Spend Two Nights at Diphlu River Lodge. Accommodation will be in AC cottages. Your stay will be on Jungle Plan basis (cycle of 3 meals a day i.e.