Sailing further into the Assam valley than ever before, Pandaw's new 10-night Full Brahmaputra expedition is a true adventure. Reaching the second largest city of Assam, Dibrugarh, some 450 km up the mighty Brahmaputra from Guwahati we explore several national parks in search of Assam's abundant wildlife as well as discovering the diverse and unique cultures of the people who live along this vast river system. This is a trip unlike any other and only available thanks to Pandaw's ultra low draft vessels.
From September 2024, Pandaw is happy to announce that our India expeditions will be all-inclusive, with complimentary local beers, spirits, mixers and soft drinks for all guests. Also included free of charge is select house wines during lunch and dinner only. Subject to availability.
Day 1 - Embark Guwahati
Transfer to your Pandaw vessel via a visit to the ‘Kama-khya Temple’, devoted to the goddess of desire. Set sail passing Peacock Island, famous for the endangered Golden Langur. Enjoy an evening welcome dinner and talk.
Day 2 - Sailing Towards Silghat
Spend the day enjoying the stunning natural scenery and wildlife of the Brahmaputra River. Observe river dolphins and birds of prey as we pass uninhabited islands and the fragile communities that live here. After tea enjoy a talk on ‘The River Brahmaputra and the tribal life that exists alongside’.
Day 3 - Silghat
Pass Tezpur and a gigantic 3 Km long arched bridge arriving at Silghat, where we take an excursion through stunning countryside to a tea estate and factory producing the famous Assam tea.
Day 4 - Kaziranga National Park
Our expedition continues with a visit to the UNESCO accredited Kaziranga National Park where we enjoy a safari searching for the elusive Greater One-Horned Indian Rhinoceros and Indian tiger. We continue to Bagori, where by open jeep we further explore the wildlife of this magnificent park. We also travel to Biswanath Ghat and discover the charming village by small boat where women weave colourful traditional handicrafts by the riverside.
Day 5 - River Safari
After more dramatic scenic cruising, we take a boat safari on the Eastern range of Kaziranga where River Dhansiri and River Brahmaputra meet. Here, observe wildlife at its most natural including pied kingfishers, eagles, vultures, water buffalos, monitor lizards and otters. Dinner is enjoyed al fresco on a deserted island.
Day 6 - Towards Majuli
Visit a local village on what is the world’s largest river island and home to the ethnic ‘Mishing’ people. Here, women weave on hand-looms to create characterful costumes and we enjoy a demonstration of a Dhoti & Chaddor - traditional dresses for the men and women of the Mishing communities. It is a pleasant place to explore.
Day 7 - Majuli, Neamati Ghat And Sibsagar
Arrive at the ancient town of Majuli, where we explore the impressive Satras dating back to the 15th century. We continue to Sibsagar, capital of the Tai-speaking Ahoms who came from Yunan and China in the 13th Century AD. Explore the Shiva Dol, built in 1734, the highest Shiva temple in India. Our day is completed with an insight into the making of Assam tea from a tea estate family.
Day 8 - Sailing
In this remote section of the river where no other river cruise vessels ply, great vistas un-fold and bird life is prolific. Village stop for a walk about and then pass Dibrugarh heading for the Dibru Saikowa island to moor for the night.
Day 9 - Dibru Saikhowa National Park
This less well-known park has an area of 765 square miles and is at the meeting place of three rivers and is mainly evergreen forest and is very lovely. It is a haven for endangered species with thirty-six recorded mammals including leopards, jungle cats and tiger. All very elusive and unlikely to be seen. More evident are an incredible profusion of bird life. Sail back to Dibrugarh and afternoon visit to the Jokai Botanical Cum Germplasm Centre which showcases quite extraordinary flora, in particular orchids and medicinal and aromatic plants.
Day 10 - Jeypore Dibrugarh
Travel by car to the Namphake Tai village where there is an ethnic Tai (as in Thai) community maintaining their distinct Thai costume and culture around a Buddhist monastery. Also of interest is an Ashokan pillar situated nearby. After lunch, continue to the Jeypore rain forest area where several types of wildcat, leopards and the Royal Bengal Tigers survive in good strength in this hill country of great beauty.
Day 11 - Dibrugarh Disembark
Disembark and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Day 1 - Embark Dibrugarh
Arrive to Dibrugarh in the morning and transfer to your Pandaw ship. After lunch visit to the Jokai Botanical Cum Germplasm Centre which showcases quite extraordinary flora, in particular orchids and medicinal and aromatic plants.
Day 2 - Jeypore Dibrugarh
Travel by car to the Namphake Tai village where there is an ethnic Tai (as in Thai) community maintaining their distinct Thai costume and culture around a Buddhist monastery. Also of interest is an Ashokan pillar situated nearby.
After lunch, continue to the Jeypore rain forest area where several types of wildcat, leopards and the Royal Bengal Tigers survive in good strength in this hill country of great beauty.
In Jeypore we visit the Royal Palace, lake and other attractions and then continue after lunch to the picturesque hill station of Margherita, so named by an Italian railway engineer after the Queen of Italy. Here the Ledo Road to Burma, famed from the last war, begins. Return by car to Dibrugarh and enjoy an evening cruise up toward Dibru Saikhowa National Park.
Day 3 - Dibru Saikhowa National Park
This less well-known park has an area of 765 square miles and is at the meeting place of three rivers and is mainly evergreen forest and is very lovely. It is a haven for endangered species with thirty-six recorded mammals including leopards, jungle cats and tiger. All very elusive and unlikely to be seen. More evident are an incredible profusion of bird life. After a morning visit we begin our sail down the Mighty Brahmaputra River.
Day 4 - Sibsagar And Majuli
Arrive at Sibsagar, capital of the Tai-speaking Ahoms who came from Yunan and China in the 13th Century AD. Explore the Shiva Dol, built in 1734, the highest Shiva temple in India. Continue after lunch to the ancient town of Majuli, where we explore the impressive Satras dating back to the 15th century.
Day 5 - Majuli Island
Visit a local village on what is the world’s largest river island and home to the ethnic ‘Mishing’ people. Here, women weave on hand-looms to create characterful costumes and we enjoy a demonstration of a Dhoti & Chaddor - traditional dresses for the men and women of the Mishing communities. It is a pleasant place to explore.
Day 6 - River Safari
After more dramatic scenic cruising, we take a boat safari on the Eastern range of Kaziranga where River Dhansiri and River Brahmaputra meet. Here, observe wildlife at its most natural including pied kingfishers, eagles, vultures, water buffalos, monitor lizards and otters. Dinner is enjoyed al fresco on a deserted island.
Day 7 - Kaziranga National Park
Our expedition continues with a visit to the UNESCO accredited Kaziranga National Park where we enjoy a safari searching for the elusive Greater One-Horned Indian Rhinoceros and Indian tiger. We also travel to Biswanath Ghat and discover the charming village by small boat where women weave colourful traditional handicrafts by the riverside.
Day 8 - Silghat
In the morning take an excursion through stunning countryside to a tea estate and factory producing the famous Assam tea. After lunch, pass Tezpur and a gigantic 3 Km long arched bridge and sail downstream toward Guwahati.
Day 9 - Sailing
Spend the day enjoying the stunning natural scenery and wildlife of the Brahmaputra River. Observe river dolphins and birds of prey as we pass uninhabited islands and the fragile communities that live here. After tea enjoy a talk on ‘The River Brahmaputra and the tribal life that exists alongside’.
Day 10 - Guwahati
Enjoy a full day city tour of Guwahati visiting Nilachai Hill, commonwealth graves Kama-Khya temple and the Assam state museum. In the evening our crew will provide a farewell dinner onboard.
Day 11 - Disembark Guwahati
Disembark and transfer to your hotel or airport for your onward journey.
Cruise Price Includes: Transfer to/from Ship, entrance fees, guide services (English language), gratuities to crew, main meals, local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes plus our India complimentary drinks package
Price Excludes: International flights, laundry, all visa costs, fuel surcharges (see terms and conditions), all beverages except local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes, tipping for guide and drivers.
Please Note: We suggest to change money at a bank at the international airport before exiting (currently there is shortage of new money bills in India).
All bookings are subject to availability
Very Important : Before booking be sure you read our Terms and Deposit section for important information.
