Day 01: Arrive in Delhi.
On arrival in Delhi you are met by our representative and escorted to your hotel. Rest of the day is free to recover from your long flight. Alternatively, our representative can arrange a half day tour of Old Delhi where you can visit the Mughal grandeur of Red Fort and visit the largest Mosque in India, the Jama Masjid. Old Delhi was the capital of Muslim India between the 12th and 19th centuries and one can find mosques, monuments and forts related to this Muslim history. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 02: Delhi to Jorhat and on to Amguri.
Early morning transfer to the airport to board flight for Jorhat (4 hr 10 min). You will be met by our representative at Jorhat airport and transferred to Amguri (40 km/1hr). Afternoon enjoy a cup of fresh Assam tea near the tea garden. Whispering Bamboo home stay is situated near Haluwating Tea Estate alongside the river Janji. The houses, built on stilts, are made out of bamboo in the traditional style of the Mishing tribe. The rooms overlook Nagaland – the foothills of the eastern Himalaya and the river.
There is time to explore the nearby villages, tea gardens and weekly local markets. In the evening we enjoy garden fresh vegetables cooked in the traditional way in the fire hearth, and are treated to a dance near the river performed by Mishing girls in their eye-catching traditional dress. Overnight at Whispering Bamboo homestay.
Day 03: Visit Tea Gardens & day trip to Sivasagar & Shiva temples.
We take a walk through one of the most beautiful tea gardens situated near the frontier of Nagaland and discover the secrets of Assam tea and why it is strongest tea in the world. After breakfast we drive to Sivasagar to visit the monuments of medieval Assam. We will take lunch at Sibsagar and after explore the tallest Siva temple in the world.
Sivasagar was once the capital of the Ahom Kings. They were known as Shans who came from Thailand through Northern Myanmar to this area in early 13th century, and ruled for 600 years. The Siva Temple, built by the Ahoms, is believed to be the tallest of all existing Siva temples. The ruins of the Ahom palaces and monuments dot the landscape around this historical town. Centuries, before the arrival of the British, this part of the world was controlled by a number of tribal chieftains. In the town of Sivasagar, one can still see the remaining well preserved relics. Palaces, tanks, forts, places of worship. One of the largest and the oldest amphitheaters of Asia (Rang Ghar) is another remarkable landmark in the history of Sivasagar. In the afternoon we visit a local market and then return to Whispering Bamboo for overnight accommodation.
Day 04: Mishing Tribal village walk & visit to the weekly market.
After breakfast walk through a Mishing village – a tibeto-burman linguistic tribe which migrated across the Himalaya during 9th century. The walk will take us to a local market through beautiful tea gardens. There is also the option to go by bicycle to explore the market where farmers sell their locally grown fresh products. Traditional lunch at Whispering Bamboo. Afternoon enjoy a Mishing tribal dance performed by the village youth.
Day 05: River cruise to Majuli Island.
Today we will take a boat cruise on the Brahmaputra River to Majuli Island – the largest inhabited river island in the world. Majuli Island is an interesting walking destination, a combination of Hindu monasteries and Mishing tribal villages. Overnight at monastery guest house.
Day 06: Transfer to Kaziranga National Park.
After breakfast we transfer to Kaziranga National Park (A World Heritage Site). In the afternoon we will take a jeep ride through the park. Kaziranga is a World Heritage site and home to more than 75% of the World’s total population of Indian One Horned Rhino. Also found in the park are Asiatic Water Buffalo – numbering up to 1200, over 1000 elephants, Swamp Deer, Barking Deer and Hog Deer. The park is also home to over 81 tigers. Kaziranga is also a bird watchers paradise with over 400 species in the park.
Day 07: Elephant safari & transfer to Jorhat to fly back to Delhi.
This morning we will take an early elephant safari in Kaziranga NP before transferring to Jorhat for onward flight to Delhi (3 hr 50 mn). On arrival in Delhi in the evening you will be escorted to the hotel.
Day 08: Full day sightseeing in New Delhi. Depart Delhi.
New Delhi sights include Humayan’s Tomb and the shrine of Nizam-ud-din. Humayan’s tomb is one of the oldest examples of Moghul architecture, precursor to the Taj Mahal. It’s a building filled with raw energy, topped by giant domes, surrounded by linear gardens. We then visit the neighborhood of Nizam-ud-din, the birthplace Quawali music. We also visit the Jantar Mantar (built in 1725), a lunar and solar observatory (which looks like a post-modern playground). The Jantar also has instruments used in predicting eclipses. Should time permit we will and visit the Modern Art Museum, Hauz Khas Village and the Lodhi tombs and gardens. We also visit some of the more obscure shopping areas such as Dilli Haat and Pragati Maidan.
Late evening transfer to the airport to board flight for onward destination.
Date and price to suit individual arrangements based on 2 people sharing. Breakfast included. Private air-conditioned car and driver with English speaking guides for sightseeing.
