Brahmaputra Cruise

Tour Code: IND02

A magical 14-day holiday to Assam in north-eastern India which includes a unique 11-day wildlife cruise down the Brahmaputra River aboard the RV Sukapha or RV Charaidew, visiting Kaziranga, Nameri and Orang National Parks, and taking in much of the local tribal culture.

14 days from
£4,495
Land only price from
£3,995
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

This wonderful wildlife holiday offers a unique perspective on the sights and sounds of rural Assam from the comfort of a fully-equipped riverboat as we navigate down the mighty Brahmaputra River. With visits to the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary and Kaziranga and Nameri National Parks, outstanding wildlife-viewing is assured, but the cruise also offers the chance to observe tribal villages and isolated fishing communities as we make our leisurely way along the river. Mammal highlights are likely to include Greater One-horned Rhinoceros, Asian Elephant, Water Buffalo, Hog Deer, Hoolock Gibbon and the endangered Gangetic Dolphin whilst an enviable bird list may include such mouth-watering species as Pallas's Fishing Eagle, Grey-headed Fish eagle and Great Hornbill. The sublime experience of exploring one of India's greatest rivers from the comfort of a floating hotel is not to be missed!

  • Unique wildlife cruise on a luxury riverboat
  • Brahmaputra sunsets & Gangetic Dolphins
  • Assam’s finest national parks – Kaziranga & Nameri
  • Greater One-horned Rhinos, Asian Elephants & wild Water Buffalo
  • Other mammals include Hoolock Gibbons & Capped Langurs
  • Tigers & Pygmy Hogs amongst previous sightings
  • Visit Hindu monasteries & the tribal village of Mising
  • Abundant birdlife
  • Enjoy the comfort, cuisine & service aboard our exclusively chartered riverboat
  • Learn from our expert Naturetrek naturalist leader
  • Plus local naturalist & ornithologist guides

Anyone who has travelled through India by train or road will be amazed to learn that there is actually a form of surface transport through the country that offers total serenity and comfort: for it is possible to cruise for some 2,820 kilometres along the rivers of India, passing great cities, wildlife sanctuaries and historical monuments, and journey into the very heart of rural India by boat. Indeed once, such rivers as the Ganges, Hugli and Brahmaputra were all vital arteries for the East India Company, as for other empires before them, and British-run passenger boats plied these rivers from the early 18th century until competition from the railways became just too great by the end of the 19th century. Passenger boats on the Brahmaputra, however, continued to operate until the early 1950s when the tensions that emerged between India and Pakistan after Partition in 1947 finally spelt the end for river traffic. Until that time, daily passenger boats from Kolkata plied the Brahmaputra through Assam, aboard them a complement of tea planters, forest officers, soldiers and district magistrates; indeed, during the Second World War, they also played a vital role in bringing in troops and evacuating casualties during the great battles of Imphal and Kohima in 1944. Today, however, in association with a pioneering Indo-British cruise company, Naturetrek offers you the opportunity to re-live the experience of those days of the Raj, aboard a luxury 24-berth vessel exclusively chartered by us to provide a river cruise with a dedicated focus on the wildlife and national parks of Assam.

This 10-night cruise will include most of the highlights of Assam, with a particular focus on the wildlife, wilderness and tribal villages and cultures that represent the key points of interest along the mighty Brahmaputra, for often the riverbed is 20 to 30 kilometres across, an empty world of grass-covered and forested islands, sand spits and channels, favoured only by rural fishermen and a marvellous birdlife. We will also look out for mammals, especially when passing through Assam’s national parks, although throughout our cruise we may expect to see the endangered and enigmatic Gangetic River Dolphin, a real highlight of this journey.

We begin our cruise, after a night in the fascinating old colonial city of Kolkata and a domestic flight, near Jorhat in Assam. Our first point of call will be the Gibbon Sanctuary at Mariani, where we will walk in the forest in search of Hoolock Gibbons, India’s only species of ape, and a wealth of birdlife. Next stop will be Majuli Island, reputedly the world’s largest river island and short-listed for future UNESCO World Heritage status on account of its rich culture. Here we will visit some of the island’s unique Hindu monasteries (famous for their dance drama performances), experience a typical Mising tribal lunch in a stilted bamboo hut, and enjoy the birds of Sakuli Bheel (lake). On other occasions we will spend time gently cruising down the Brahmaputra, relaxing and birdwatching from the sundeck, perhaps with a visit to a tribal village.

On our fourth day Kaziranga National Park will appear on the left bank and we now have a chance of seeing wild Asian Elephants and wild Water Buffalo from the boat, perhaps even a Tiger! We'll be alongside the national park for the next three days, during which we'll explore the park by jeep. Kaziranga is a 1100 square kilometre park, consisting of broad tracts of tall elephant grass interspersed with evergreen forests, shallow lakes and reedbeds. It is probably the best place on Earth to observe the endangered Greater One-horned Rhinoceros and it is possible to encounter as many as 40 of these prehistoric-looking beasts during a day in the field. Asian Elephants and wild Water Buffalo are also plentiful, as are Sambar, Hog and Swamp Deer, and Wild Boar, the prey of the Leopards and Tigers which roam the park, although amid so much cover they are always hard to see. We may even chance upon some of the more elusive residents such as, rare Black Giant Squirrel, Capped Langur, Assam Macaque and Hoolock Gibbon form a trio of primates that inhabit the woodlands. Despite the profusion of mammals, the birdlife is not eclipsed and a tremendously diverse bird list features many rare or local species such as Great Hornbills and Greater Adjutant.

Leaving Kaziranga, we will next explore Nameri National Park (which lies in the Himalayan foothills an hour’s drive north of Tezpur) by means of a raft journey through the park. Towards the end of our river cruise we will explore some idyllic and isolated village of situated on the river islands where we will take a birdwatching walk through the vegetable gardens. We must also visit the famous Kamakhya Temple before we must disembark at Guwahati and commence our journey homeward. For tour members wishing to extend their holiday, we recommend a pre-tour visit to the Sunderbans, the world’s largest delta and mangrove swamp, renowned for its waterbirds and man-eating Tigers!

 

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Depart London
Day 2
Kolkata
Day 3/12
Fly Jorhat for 11-day Brahmaputra wildlife cruise
Day 13
End cruise; fly Kolkata
Day 14
Fly London
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    For this voyage Naturetrek charters the RV Skuapha or RV Charaidew (Thursday departures). For more information on the vessel please see the detailed tour itinerary. In Kolkata we overnight in a comfortable 3-star hotel, all rooms with private facilities.

  • Food:

    Included in the price, except for main meals in Kolkata. Allow £40.

Reviews
Extensions

Extensions

Sunderbans (Pre tour extension departs Saturdays)

6 days from £795
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Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Sat 7th Mar – Fri 20th Mar FULL £4,495
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£1,995
Sat 28th Mar – Fri 10th Apr FULL £4,495
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£1,995
Sat 31st Oct – Fri 13th Nov FULL £4,495
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£1,995

2027

Departures Availability Cost
Sat 27th Mar – Fri 9th Apr SPACES £4,495
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£1,995

Please note that cabin grades are subject to availability. We recommend phoning the office before booking to confirm that your preference is available.

Tour Dates or Itinerary Don't Suit?

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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!

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