Mystical India & Assam

Saturday 25 October

An evening departure on Singapore Airlines to Singapore from Auckland Airport. Overnight in Singapore.

Sunday 26 October

Deaprt Singapore in the afternon, arriving Delhi late evening. Transfer to your hotel.

Delhi is a dynamic city of two parts where the past coexists with the present.  In 1911, the British decided to make it the capital of India and commissioned Sir Edwin Lutyens to draw up the plans.  The result is slightly surprising, with spacious tree-lined avenues punctuated with architecture that is amongst the most striking in the world.

Monday 27 October

This morning experience the combined charm of Old and New Delhi beginning with a drive past the Red Fort, Jama Masjid followed by a rickshaw ride through the bazaars of Chandni Chowk. Visit the Sikh temple Bangla Sahib. 

The place of ‘Sikh’ worship is open to people of all faiths, castes and creeds.  The ‘Langars’ or the community kitchens prove to be the ideal example of prodigious hospitality of the Sikhs, where anyone and everyone can have scrumptious meal. 

Continue past the historical India Gate, the President’s Estate Parliament House and visit Humayun’s Tomb. Welcome Dinner tonight.

Tuesday 28 October

This morning fly to Jodphur and then drive to Jamba and the Dera Dunes Retreat – the world’s first resort on top of a high sand dune.

Wednesday 29 October

Today we enjoy a desert jeep safari to explore the village communities. The Bishnoi people that inhabit the area believe in the sanctity of animal and plant life so wildlife finds a natural sanctuary around their villages. We also visit the Raikas and carpet weavers.

Thursday 30 October

Drive to Jodhpur, the ‘Blue City’, with a stop at Kheechan to see a spectacular display of Demoiselle cranes being fed by villagers. In the afternoon, visit the majestic Meherangarh Fort.

Friday 31 October

After breakfast, we drive to Pushkar. This evening, we visit Pushkar Lake and an orientation tour of the camel fair, where people travel from far and wide to trade, parade, race camels, horses and cows. It is a lively scene that is part bazaar, trade fair and part religious pilgrimage. 

Saturday 01 November

Today we experience the Pushkar festival, one of the world’s largest fairs, symbolizing a period of joy and respite from everyday life. People dress in their finest and most colourful clothing to celebrate and attend the fair. Booths line roadsides selling all sorts from intricate embroidery, ethnic jewelry, pottery and items of leather and brass. After lunch, an afternoon to explore the festival at leisure.

Sunday 02 November

Drive to Jaipur with some time to relax. Dinner with a local family at their private home.

Jaipur is the largest city of Rajasthan, which s an epitome of magnificence and vibrancy. This royal place is rich in heritage, culture and architecture with splendid fortresses, majestic palaces, tranquil temples and beautiful havelis. Other than these captivating attractions, Jaipur displays exquisite handicrafts and spectacular jewellery.

Monday 03 November

Today we visit the Amber Fort, built by the Kachhawah Rajputs as their capital from 1037 to 1728 before a stop at the Palace of Winds, the Hawa Mahal. After a lunch stop, we visit to the City Palace which now houses the royal residence and museums with a fine collection of textiles and costumes, armoury, manuscripts and paintings.

Tuesday 04 November

Today we travel to Agra. Enroute visit spectacular Underground Step-wells ‘Chand Baori’ that lie hidden deep in the village of ‘Abhaneri’. After lunch in the hotel, proceed to see Mehtab Bagh, a garden built on the banks of Yamuna River.

Wednesday 05 November

This morning a memorable visit to the Taj Mahal - one of the wonders of the modern world, completed in 1652 as a mausoleum for the beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. After a special home-hosted lunch with a local family, drive to the red sandstone Agra Fort, which stands like a crescent on the banks of the Yamuna River. Evening at leisure.

Thursday 06 November

Morning drive along the Taj Express Highway to Delhi Airport for a flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival, visit Dhamek Stupa, where Buddha began his first teaching. Check into the hotel for a two-night stay.

Varanasi or Benaras is one of the oldest living cities in the world, which according to the English author Mark Twain is “older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as them all put together.”  Dawn rays shimmer across the Ganges, the high banks, temples and shrines along the banks are bathed in a golden hue, with hymns, mantras and incense filling the air – an unforgettable experience.

Friday 07 November

Rise early this morning for a boat ride on the Ganges River past the Ghats where pilgrims gather to bathe in the sacred waters in the misty light of dawn. 

Late afternoon enjoy a boat ride along the Ganges River and witness the captivating, twilight ‘Aarti’ ceremony conducted by priests worshipping the river goddess with incense, camphor, flowers and earthen lamps.

Saturday 08 November

A leisurely start before our midday flight to Kolkata. On arrival we travel the busy streets to our hotel for our overnight stop. Evening at leisure.

Sunday 09 November

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Jorhat. On arrival, board the MV Mahabaahu in time for a welcome lunch and a seven-night cruise. This evening raise a traditional toast to the mighty Brahmaputra River that carves the valley of Assam and enjoy the ‘Kamrup Swaagat Bhoj’ – a sit down welcome dinner.

Monday 10 November

Begin with a day-excursion to 13th century Sibsagar, a city built around a huge water tank and Shiva Temple.  Drive to a tea estate for a home-hosted traditional Assamese lunch with the tea-estate family who have been involved in the tea business for more than a century.  Return to MV Mahabaahu by sunset.

Tuesday 11 November

Enjoy a talk of ‘Majuli, the seat of Vaishnav culture’ before sailing towards the Mishing Village whose people live on the banks of the river in houses with raised platforms and are expert weavers. Opportunity to buy ethnic colourful cotton weaves and indulge in a dhoti tying and a Mekhela Chaadar wearing demonstration.

Wednesday 12 November

After breakfast, we enjoy a boat safari. Sightings of otters, elephants, buffalo, darters, herons, kingfishers, serpent eagles and many more are possible. This evening a chef’s cooking demonstration before a relaxing evening onboard.

Thursday 13 November

This morning we have a walk through the village and are struck by the simplicity of life while the weaver women surround us with their silk and cotton weaves. We sail on for the next couple of hours and enjoy a relaxed lunch and reach Silghat. We visit the Kaliabore Tea Estate and the tea factory to see the process of producing Assam Tea. Then visit a jute mill on return to the boat.

Friday 14 November

An early morning drive to the Kaziranga National Park - home to the greater one horned Indian rhinoceros, wild elephants, tiger, deer, Asiatic wild buffalo and a rich variety of birds.  Enjoy a special safari where we search for the elusive rhinoceros, tigers, deer and a variety of birds.

Saturday 15 November

Enjoy the morning scenery and a talk on the geographical location and significance of Assam as you sail towards an island that is occupied predominantly by a Bangla- speaking Muslim community involved in extensive farming. We later sail towards Pandu Port for our final dinner onboard.

Sunday 16 November

A relaxing morning before disembarkation and a transfer to the airport for your flight to Kolkata.  Check into your hotel with the rest of the day at leisure.

Monday 17 November

Today, visit Mother Teresa’s House where her legacy of caring for abandoned children continues. In the afternoon, a pottery tour to Kumartuli, and in the evening, enjoy a river cruise on the Hooghly River, offering a unique and intriguing perspective of the city. Tonight, a farewell dinner too.

Kolkata mainly gained importance in the times of British rule as it had been the capital of India till the year 1912.  At present, it is the capital of West Bengal and is one of the most important places of cultural workshop and industrial centre.

Tuesday 18 November

After an early breakfast, a visit to the flower market – Eastern India’s largest flower market with hundreds of stalls where 2,000 flower growers from the surrounding areas sell their flowers and garlands. We complete our experience with a visit to the Victoria Memorial. This marble white monument is one of the most fascinating landmarks in Kolkata. An afternoon free to relax before our evening flight to Singapore.

Wednesday 19 November

Change planes and continue on to Auckland.