India Expedition: Kolkata, Kaziranga and the Brahmaputra River

Arrive in Kolkata and transfer to The Oberoi Grand Hotel or ITC Royal Bengal Hotel. Formerly known as Calcutta, the city was founded in 1690 by the East India Trading Company and served as India’s capital under the British Raj for over 125 years.  <b>Arrival Time: </b>Arrive before 3:00 p.m. local time.  <br /><b>Arrival City: </b>Kolkata, India<b> </b> 

Venture out early into Kolkata to beat the heat and legendary Indian traffic. As the city wakes up, take in its bustling streets as people commute to work, or head to the River Hooghly where they cleanse and purify themselves. You’ll witness this cleansing ritual amongst the colorful riverside flower market where all the city’s religious flowers originate.   Explore the roots of the British Raj in India alongside Armenian and Portuguese churches, as well as Jewish synagogues, in and around Dalhousie Square. See the famous Writers’ Building—the former HQ of the infamous East India Company, the magnificent Governor’s House and the almost forgotten Charnock Mausoleum. Break for a cup of tea and a snack during the walk.   Next, visit North Kolkata, “The Black Town,” where a parallel culture influenced by the Europeans flourished among the pioneering families of Bengal. Explore the four ornate temples of the Jain Temple Complex, with its shimmering mirrors, ceramic tiles and chandeliers brought to India by rich merchants from Persia, Japan and Europe.   After, you’ll go to the Bengali Quarter, the bastion of Bengali culture, featuring the home of multi-talented Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The house, now a museum, showcases the life of his family in 19th-century Bengal and their involvement in the Bengali Renaissance, the Brahmo Samaj movement and the Freedom Struggle of India.  Following lunch, visit Kumartuli, where giant life-like religious idols are beautifully created out of river clay and adorned with intricate accoutrements for the city’s numerous festivals. End this jam-packed day with a visit to the Motherhouse, Mother Teresa’s home and the center of her Missionaries of Charity, where you’ll witness her modest tomb and the spartan room where she lived and died. 

Travel by air from Kolkata to Guwahati on our recommended flight; transfers to the airport and luggage assistance will be provided. Guwahati is a major city in the remote Indian state of Assam, home to unique cultures, world-famous tea, rich biodiversity and the mighty Brahmaputra River. Drive a short distance this afternoon to embark the charming <i>Charaidew II</i>. With many places almost inaccessible on foot, your river voyage is a perfect way to experience the "real India" in this often-overlooked corner of the country. Settle into your cabin before getting to know the ship and her crew during a welcome briefing, reception and dinner. 

In Pandu, drive up to Nilachal Hill to visit the ancient Kamakhya temple which is dedicated to the Mother Goddess and known for its unique architecture and cultural significance. Stroll around the temple's exteriors, soaking in the rich history and spirituality that define this sacred place. This morning, sail past jungle-covered hills on the south bank of the Brahmaputra River. Enjoy a presentation on Mekhla Chador, a traditional style of Assamese women’s attire. 

Visit the Kaliabor Tea Estate, where you’ll learn more about the history of growing and processing of Assam tea. Engage with expert tea tasters who will hold a tasting session to help you discover the nuanced flavors and aromas of the different types grown in Assam. While cruising this afternoon, attend informative presentations and a cooking demonstration, or relax and reflect aboard the ship. 

From Silghat you’ll drive to Kaziranga National Park for a jeep safari adventure. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is home to the world’s largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceros, as well as the Indian wild water buffalo. It also has the highest density of Royal Bengal tigers in the country—one every five square kilometers! With its marshy swamps and thickets of elephant grass, the park supports large populations of Indian elephants, Indian bison, swamp deer and capped langurs. The park is also an Important Bird Area, and you'll have a chance to spot an array of birdlife including the oriental honey buzzard, black-shouldered kite, white-tailed eagle, hornbills and bee-eaters.  After a morning game drive in Kaziranga on Day 5, spend the rest of the day sailing along the Brahmaputra. Attend naturalist presentations or enjoy some time in the spa. Scan the banks and fields from the ship’s deck for colorful birdlife, wild buffalo, elephants or, if you’re lucky, a rare sighting of tigers or endangered Gangetic dolphins. Anchor for the night at Biswanath Ghat. 

Visit Biswanath, known for its friendly people and Ahom-period Shiva temples, before sailing to Majuli Island, one of the world’s largest river islands and home to the Mising, Deori and Sonowal Kachari people—a microcosm of Assamese cultures.  Explore another Assamese village. Friendly locals will greet you with smiles as you stroll their riverside community, learn about their day-to-day life and share stories from your home with them.<i> Charaidew II</i> will tie up on a sandy riverbank this evening, and you’ll go ashore for stargazing, cocktails and chef-prepared treats such as tikkas and kebabs around a roaring beach campfire. 

Seldom visited, Majuli is a stronghold of the peaceful neo-Vaishnavism religion and their elegant <i>satras </i>(monasteries), dating back to the 15th century, having played a crucial role in preserving Assamese art, culture and tradition. Visit a monastery at Auniati with its eclectic museum, then attend a dance performance at Kamalabari monastery before returning to the ship for an afternoon of sailing and onboard presentations. Tonight, enjoy a farewell reception and dinner on board as you sail to Jorhat. 

Disembark in Jorhat after breakfast and transfer to the airport to fly to Kolkata on our recommended flight; transfers to the airport and luggage assistance will be provided. Check in at Taj Taal Kutir (or similar) for an overnight stay. The next morning, transfer to the airport for flights home.  <b>Departure time: </b>Depart anytime on Day 11.<br /><b>Departure city: </b>Kolkata, India<b>Meals Included: </b>Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included on Day 10; breakfast is included on Day 11.