Day 01: Arrive Dibrugarh Ex-Delhi / Kolkata by Air.
Arrive Dibrugarh (103 mtrs above sea level). Transferred to a Heritage Chang Bungalow (20 kms/30 mins) in the midst of a tea garden. After lunch we take you for a tour around a tea estate to learn all about tea – its origin and culture, how it is grown, about tea tasting and its quality. In the evening enjoy a dance performance by an ethnic Assamese dance troupe on the bungalow lawns. Overnight at the Chang Bungalow.
DIBRUGARH is the gateway to the “Hidden Land” of Eastern Arunachal Pradesh and Northern Myanmar. The Ahoms from Thailand came through Northern Myanmar to this area in the 13th century to establish their Empire which thrived in the ancient land of Assam. It is the “Camellia” town of Upper Assam, an undisturbed haven, with its rich tea gardens resembling a lush green carpet. CHANG BUNGALOWS. Chang in the local language means “raised on stilts” and the design served multi purposes- to keep the house cool by allowing the breeze to blow underneath and to keep both water and animals out!
A TEA TOUR through a 157 years old heritage tea garden gives an insight into the different activities that vary from season to season. It teaches us all about tea- its origin, how it is grown, tea tasting and its quality. BIHU is the most popular folk dance of Assam. The people of Assam are very proud of its unique position among all other such dances of India. Except Bhangra (the popular folk dance of Punjab), no other folk dance in India can compete with the rhythmic exuberance of the Bihu dance. Please note that there is no tea plucking between December and mid March and hence the actual manufacturing process of tea cannot be demonstrated when one visits the factory during this period. Factory also remains closed on Mondays of the week
Day 02: Dibrugarh - Dibru - Saikhowa National Park
Today early in the morning we drive to Dibru-Saikhowa National Park (55 kms / 1 ½ hrs) for a full day birding with packed breakfast and lunch. Return to Dibrugarh late in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at Chang Bungalow.
Dibru - Saikhowa National Park has the most distinct and vibrant wilderness on earth and is known for its pristine scenic beauty. The forest in this park ranges from semi-evergreen to deciduous to littoral to swampy marshes with patches of wet evergreen jungles. About 36 species of mammals have so far been recorded in Dibru-Saikhowa National Park – Royal Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Jungle Cat, Sloth Bear, Malayan Giant Squirrel, Slow Loris, to name a few.
Day 03: Dibrugarh - Jokai - Jeypure
Early morning drive to Jokai Reserve Forest.It is a rain forest. The elusive leopard has been spotted here. Post lunch drive to Joypur Reserve Forest (75 kms / 2 hrs). Overnight at the Forest Inspection Bungalow.
Joypur Rainforest is spread over an area of 108 sq km in Dibrugarh District of Assam. This rainforest is marked by rich bio diversity. Joypur rainforest is home to a large number of rare and endangered species such as clouded leopard, sloth bear, leopard, tiger, elephant, Indian bison, sambar, slow loris, capped langurs, hoolock gibbons and flying squirrels. Among the birds are drongos, pheasants, orioles, jacanas, wood ducks, eagles, owls, hornbills and minivets
Day 04: Jeypore - Jorhat
Early morning trek inside the forest. Post lunch drive to Jorhat (215 kms / 5 hrs) and check in at hotel for overnight stay.
Jorhat is another tea hub in the Upper Assam region. It is the headquarters of the Jorhat district and is the gateway to Majuli Island. Many small and big tea estates which were planted by the British surround this town. Jorhat also boasts of the Tea Experimental Station at Tocklai where tea scientists continuously endeavour to introduce new and better plantation practices which include developing of new clones and saplings.
Day 05: Jorhat - Kaziranga National Park
Early morning drive to Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary (22 kms/ 40 mins). Explore the Sanctuary and thereafter drive to Kaziranga National Park (100 kms/2½ hrs). We reach the park late in the afternoon and check in at a hotel for 3 nights.
Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary is the only sanctuary in India to be named after a non-human primate, “Hoolock Gibbon”. The other primates found here are capped langur, slow loris, Assamese macaque, rhesus macaque etc. along with elephant, tiger, clouded leopard, sambar and others. The forest is of semi- evergreen type. Kaziranga National Park – A world Heritage Site, is home to more than 75% of the world’s population of the great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros. Kaziranga has a wide variety of fauna and avi fauna in a unique habitat. Grasslands, mainly comprise close tangled and thorny rattan cane, elephant grass and tall trees of the evergreen forest , interspersed with numerous water bodies, marshes and shallow pools. The main wildlife besides the Rhino comprise of the Asiatic Water Buffalo, Elephant, Tiger, Leopard, Swamp Deer, Barking Deer, Hog Deer and Sambar. More than 400 species of birds are found in the park. Note : The Park remains open from 1st November to 30th April only.
Day 06: At Kaziranga National Park
Early morning we take an elephant safari in the central range of the park followed by a jeep safari after breakfast also to the Central range of the park. In the afternoon, we visit the western range of the park by jeep. Overnight at the hotel.
The Central Range passes through the entire habitat spectrum from ox-bow lakes, savannah woodland to Dillenia Swamp Forest. It is very good for mammal sightings as well as birds (Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Great Hornbill, Rufous Woodpecker). Driving along one can see rows of Indian Roofed and Tent Turtles (Kachuga tecta and Kachuga tentoria). Water Monitors Varanus salvator is sometimes seen in the beels. The elephant ride also takes place in this part of the park and one gets to see the Rhino very closely while traversing through its terrain of swamps and tall grass. It is also good for early morning photography of rhinos in the mist.
The Western Range has the highest density of Rhinos, as this part is swampier with extensive Haemarthia compressa stands. It is also good for grassland birds and raptors (Swamp Francolin, Pallas's Fish-Eagle). Smooth Indian Otters Lutrogale perspicillata is sometimes seen fishing in the ox-bow lakes.
Day 07: At Kaziranga
After breakfast go for a nature trek in Panbari range – a reserve forest and a natural corridor to the adjoining Karbi Hills. Return to the hotel for early lunch. Post lunch go for a jeep safari in the Eastern Range of the park. Evening at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
The Panbari Reserve Forest is good for primates such as the Hoolock Gibbon and Capped Langur, smaller mammals such as the Malayan Giant Squirrel, Pallas's Squirrel and Himalayan Striped Squirrel. It is an excellent place for woodland birds, and in the semi-evergreen forests one might see Yellow-vented Warbler, Dark-necked Tailorbird, Grey-bellied Tesia, Slaty-bellied Tesia, Red-headed Trogon, etc. The Eastern Range is good for water birds such as Bar-headed Geese, Falcated Duck, Grey-headed Lapwing and Spot-billed Pelican (a colony of 200 pairs of this globally threatened species nesting on Bombax trees is located here).
Day 08: Kaziranga - Nameri National Park
Today after breakfast we depart for Nameri National Park (120kms/ 2/ ½ hours) and check in at the Eco Camp on the outer fringes of the National Park for 2 nights (tented accommodation). Afternoon take a walk inside the park. Dinner and overnight at Eco Camp.
Nameri National Park is located on the banks of the river Bhorelli on the northern side of the Brahmaputra. Situated on the foothills of the great Himalayas, it is another tiger and bison country. Deciduous forests with the river Bhorelli flowing by its side, have added a unique charm to it. A trek inside the forest enables good sighting of the White Winged Wood Duck. Note : The Park remains open from 1st November to 30th April only.
Day 09: At Nameri National Park
Today we trek inside Nameri National Park and look for the wild flora and fauna of the park. You will have the option to go for White Water rafting at Jia Bhorali river. Dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Nameri - Manas National Park
After breakfast we drive to Manas National Park (270km/7hrs) and check in at Bansbari Lodge for 2 nights. Dinner and overnight.
Manas National Park - It was declared a Project Tiger Reserve in 1973 , a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, and because of its beauty and importance to the environment was made a Biosphere Reserve in 1989. It is indeed breathtakingly beautiful,situated between the Sankos river in the west, the Dhansiri river in the east. Bounded by Himalayan foothills, the dense jungle forest alternates with alluvial grasslands, low alluvial savannah woodland and Assam valley semi-evergreen forests, providing a rich wilderness for a great variety of wildlife, including many endangered species. The Tiger Project reserve extends over an area of 2837 square kilometres with a core area of 519 sq. kms.
Day 11: At Manas National Park
Early morning go for an elephant safari. Later after breakfast visit a Bodo Tribal Village. Afternoon explore the park by jeep upto Mothanguri (approx 22 kms). Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Visits to Bodo villages : The Bodo tribe, indigenous to Assam, have a rich culture of textile, handloom and music. We organize walks through the villages where you can see Bodo women weaving their traditional fabrics and observe village lifestyle at close quarters.
Day 12: Manas - Guwahati
Early morning we take an elephant safari into the park. Post breakfast we drive to Guwahati (180 kms/ 5hrs) and check in at a hotel for 1 night. In the afternoon, option to visit the Pygmy Hog Conservation and Research Center at Basistha (15kms/ 30 mins) from Guwahati to get a first hand knowledge about the behavior of this endangered mammal. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Guwahati : Situated on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River in the Kamrup District of Assam, Guwahati is a fast growing premier city. It is the gate way to the North Eastern States of India and a principal center of socio cultural, political, industrial and trade and commerce of the entire region. Dispur, the capital of Assam is a part of Guwahati. Earlier, this city was full of areca nut trees rappled by pan creepers. Hence, this city subsequently got the name Guwahati. The word ‘Guwa’ in Assamese means areca nut and Hat means market.
Day 13: Guwahati - Fly out
After breakfast drive to Guwahati Airport to board the flight for onward destination. Time permitting you can opt to visit Kamakhya temple and State Museum before flying out.
Situated atop the Nilachal Hills, the foremost shrine of Assam, Kamakhya Temple dominates the life of Guwahati, as much as the great Brahmaputra River. Kamakhya is an ancient seat of tantric and shakti cults of Hinduism. A rush of devotees throng the Temple during the Ambubachi Puja (June)
The Assam State Museum, situated in the city center at the southern end of Dighalipukhuri tank, has an envious collection of antiques dating back to the prehistoric times. These include a large collection of archaeological and historical objects, sculptures, paintings, metal, ivory and woodwork, costumes and ethnology etc. This large multipurpose museum of the north east region was established in 1940.
