Assam Tea & Rhinos

Overview

The tour starts at the wonderful city of Kolkata that is drenched in colonial and the native charm in equal measures. After spending a day here the journey moves towards the city of Dibrugarh, which is a gateway to three of the main cities of Arunachal Pradesh. It carries the distinction of being the producer of 50% of the tea n India. The mighty and the majestic Brahmaputra is at its best here.

The next city is one of the holiest for the Vaishnavaites sect of India and that is Jorhat. Basketry, ivory art, silver filigree is some of the noteworthy attractions. Now comes the prime destination of this tour- the Kaziranga national park. Crisscrossed by five magnificent rivers the long and large leafed swampy vegetation is the ideal home for the Indian Rhinos. Though a very solitary animal it’s often spotted in herds. The national park also is an ornithologist's delight.

From here onwards, the tour takes you to an unbelievably beautiful and breathtakingly scenic place like Shillong, the capital of the home of clouds or Meghalaya. Milky waterfalls, gurgling brooks, lofty hills hiding and showing the magic of dawn and dusk, lush forests, picture perfect villages and misty curtains of clouds, Shillong offers more....The awestruck traveller very reluctantly has to end this tea and rhinos journey here.

Surely yearning to begin again next time from Shillong probably and explore more of India’s far North Eastern States!

Outlined Itinerary

Day 01 - Delhi

Arrive Delhi, meet and transfer to your hotel. Later proceed for orientation tour of Old and New Delhi. Visit Qutub Minar – the 239ft sandstone tower. Drive past the India Gate; Parliament House [exterior] and the President’s Palace. Visit Raj Ghat where Mahatma Gandhi – The Father of Nation was cremated and drive past the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk.

Day 02 - Dibrugarh

After breakfast, you will be met and transferred to Delhi airport to connect with your flight to Bagdogra 0945-1345. Arrive Dibrugarh and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day will be at leisure to pursue independent activities. Dibrugarh is the largest tea exporting town in India, located on the banks of the River Brahmaputra, it is the gateway to the three tea producing districts of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, and Jorhat. FULL BOARD

Day 03 - Dibrugarh

After breakfast, you will have tea tour, visiting tea gardens and factory and learn the tea making process. Rest of the day will be at leisure to pursue independent activities. FULL BOARD

Day 04 - Jorhat

After breakfast, you will drive to Jorhat (4 Hrs). Enroute at Sibsagar (the ancient capital of Ahom Kingdom) visit the monuments of the Ahom kings. Arrive Jorhat and check in at the hotel. Afternoon will be at leisure to pursue independent activities. Jorhat the second largest city in Assam to Guwahati and once the capital of the Ahom Kings, this city has an ancient heritage which makes a good base for exploring the unique Vaishnavite culture of Majuli, the largest river island in the world. FULL BOARD

Day 05 - Jorhat

After breakfast, you will make an excursion to Niamtighat (0.5 Hrs) and cross river Brahmaputra and reach Majuli, visit the Satriya Cultural Monasteries and Mishing village. After lunch at Majuli, you will drive back to Jorhat, crossing river Brahmaputra. FULL BOARD

Day 06 - Kaziranga NP

After breakfast, you will visit Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary. Later, you will drive to Kaziranga National Park (2.5 Hrs). Arrive Kaziranga and check in at the hotel. Afternoon will be at leisure to pursue independent activities. After the sanctuary was declared a national park the rhino population grew and is presently around 1200. The park also has numerous wild buffalo, sambar, swamp deer, wild boar, elephants and a wide variety of shallow-water fowl. FULL BOARD

Day 07 - Kaziranga NP

After breakfast, you have full day jungle activities. This will include one elephant ride and 02 Jeep safaris at Kaziranga National Park. FULL BOARD

Day 08 - Kaziranga NP

After breakfast, you will drive to Shillong (8 Hrs). Arrive Shillong and check in at the hotel. Evening will be at leisure to pursue independent activities. In 1876, the British Raj set about separating the province of Assam from Bengal, they set about replicating a bit of Scotland here in these beautiful highlands. FULL BOARD

Day 09 - Shillong

After breakfast, you will make an excursion to Mawlynnong (2.5 hrs), the cleanest village in Northeast India, trek to see the living root bridges. Rest of the day will be at leisure to pursue independent activities. FULL BOARD

Day 10 - Shillong

After breakfast, you will make an excursion to Cherrapunjee (2.5 hrs). Later, return to the hotel. Evening will be at leisure to pursue independent activities. FULL BOARD

Day 11 - Shillong

After breakfast, you will drive to Guwahati (04 hrs) airport to connect with your flight to Delhi 1405-1795. Arrive Delhi and transfer to your hotel. Evening will be at lesiure to pursue independent activities. FULL BOARD

Day 12 - Delhi

Breakfast is at the Hotel. Today at an appropriate time, you will be met and transferred to Delhi International airport to connect with your homebound or onwards flight... or travel to you next destination if you would like to add to this tour.

All our tours and holidays are tailor made so can be amended to suite your budget. Click on our from prices below to see what hotels you can expect based on the cheapest time to travel in High Season per person based on two people sharing a room. We can design this tour for you at a lower or higher price, basically to suite your budget, style and comfort. Contact a specialist to discuss your requirements. International flights are not included.