Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be welcomed by our local representative and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure, giving you time to relax after your international journey and settle into the vibrant surroundings of India’s capital.

Delhi is a fascinating blend of ancient heritage and modern India, where historic monuments, bustling neighbourhoods and grand avenues provide an intriguing introduction to the journey ahead.

Overnight in Delhi.

After breakfast, set out to discover the fascinating contrasts of Old and New Delhi, where centuries of history sit alongside the avenues and landmarks of modern India.

Begin in Old Delhi with a visit to the magnificent Jama Masjid, one of India’s largest mosques, before experiencing the colourful lanes and bustling bazaars of Chandni Chowk. Continue past the imposing Red Fort, an enduring symbol of the Mughal era.

Later, explore New Delhi, including the UNESCO-listed Humayun’s Tomb, an outstanding example of Mughal architecture and an important precursor to the Taj Mahal. Continue past India Gate, the grand government buildings and Rashtrapati Bhavan, before visiting the remarkable Qutub Minar, one of Delhi’s most recognisable historic monuments.

Return to your hotel after an absorbing introduction to India’s capital, with the evening at leisure.

Overnight in Delhi.

After breakfast, transfer to Delhi Airport for your flight to Bagdogra, the gateway to the beautiful Himalayan foothills of West Bengal.

Upon arrival, meet your local representative and continue by road to Darjeeling. Enjoy the changing scenery as you climb through the foothills, passing forested slopes, hillside villages and tea-growing country on the journey into the Himalayas.

Arrive in Darjeeling, one of India’s most celebrated hill stations, renowned for its world-famous tea, colonial heritage and magnificent views towards the snow-capped Himalayan mountains. Check into your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Darjeeling.

Rise early for an unforgettable excursion to Tiger Hill, one of Darjeeling’s most celebrated viewpoints. Weather permitting, watch the first light of day illuminate the magnificent Himalayan peaks, with spectacular views towards Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest mountain.

Return to the hotel for breakfast before continuing your exploration of Darjeeling. Visit the renowned Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and the adjoining Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, known for its conservation of rare Himalayan species including the red panda.

Later, visit one of Darjeeling’s famous tea estates to discover how the region’s celebrated tea is grown, harvested and produced while enjoying beautiful views across the surrounding plantations.

The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Darjeeling’s atmospheric streets, local markets and shops at your own pace.

Overnight in Darjeeling.

After breakfast, experience one of the great highlights of Darjeeling with a memorable journey aboard the historic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, affectionately known as the Toy Train. This UNESCO World Heritage railway winds through the Himalayan foothills, offering a fascinating glimpse into one of India’s most celebrated feats of mountain engineering.

Enjoy the classic Toy Train experience between Darjeeling and Ghum, passing through the famous Batasia Loop, where the railway curves dramatically around the hillside and, on a clear day, provides wonderful views towards the surrounding Himalayan peaks.

Later, immerse yourself in Darjeeling’s world-renowned tea culture with a visit to a local tea estate. Walk through the picturesque plantations and learn about the journey of Darjeeling tea from leaf to cup, including the traditional methods of plucking, processing and production. Complete the experience with an opportunity to taste some of the region’s distinctive teas.

Return to Darjeeling with the remainder of the day at leisure to relax or explore the town at your own pace.

Overnight in Darjeeling.

After breakfast, bid farewell to the Himalayan landscapes of Darjeeling and transfer by road to Bagdogra Airport for your flight to Kolkata.

Upon arrival, you will be met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel. Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is one of India’s most fascinating cities, renowned for its rich colonial heritage, grand architecture, literary traditions and vibrant cultural life.

After checking in, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to relax or begin discovering the atmosphere of this remarkable city at your own pace.

Overnight in Kolkata.

After breakfast, set out to discover Kolkata, a captivating city where grand colonial architecture, colourful neighbourhoods and deeply rooted Bengali traditions come together.

Begin with a visit to the magnificent Victoria Memorial, one of Kolkata’s most recognisable landmarks, surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens. Continue to St Paul’s Cathedral, an impressive example of Gothic Revival architecture and an enduring reminder of the city’s colonial past.

Continue through the historic heart of the city, passing notable colonial-era buildings before visiting the colourful Mallick Ghat Flower Market, where vast quantities of flowers are traded each day beneath the iconic Howrah Bridge. The lively market provides a fascinating glimpse into everyday life in Kolkata.

Later, visit the peaceful Mother House, associated with Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity, before experiencing more of Kolkata’s distinctive streets, markets and neighbourhoods.

Return to your hotel after an absorbing exploration of one of India’s most culturally rich cities.

Overnight in Kolkata.

After breakfast, transfer to Kolkata Airport for your flight to Assam, where an extraordinary journey through northeast India begins.

On arrival, you will be met by our local team and transferred to the embarkation point on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra River. Board your comfortable river vessel and settle into your cabin as you prepare for a memorable seven-night voyage through one of India’s most fascinating and seldom-explored regions.

The Brahmaputra flows through a landscape of fertile plains, wildlife-rich forests, tea country, river islands and traditional Assamese communities. Over the coming days, your cruise will combine remarkable wildlife encounters with visits to historic settlements, remote villages and important cultural sites.

After boarding, enjoy time to familiarise yourself with the vessel and take in your first views of life along the river before dinner on board.

Overnight aboard the Brahmaputra river cruise.

Today brings one of the great wildlife experiences of your journey as you explore Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of India’s most celebrated wildlife reserves.

Set out by jeep safari through the park’s remarkable landscape of tall elephant grass, wetlands, woodland and open plains. Kaziranga is particularly renowned as the world’s most important stronghold of the greater one-horned rhinoceros, which can often be seen grazing across the grasslands.

Keep watch for some of the park’s other inhabitants, which may include Asian elephants, wild water buffalo, swamp deer and numerous species of birdlife. Kaziranga is also home to Bengal tigers, although sightings of these elusive predators are considerably less common.

After your safari, return to the river vessel and relax on board as you continue experiencing the magnificent landscapes of Assam and the Brahmaputra.

Overnight aboard the Brahmaputra river cruise.

Continue your exploration of magnificent Kaziranga National Park with another jeep safari, providing a further opportunity to discover the park’s diverse landscapes and remarkable wildlife.

Travel through a different area of the reserve, keeping watch for the celebrated greater one-horned rhinoceros as well as Asian elephants, wild water buffalo, deer and an extraordinary variety of resident and migratory birds. With each safari offering a different experience, today provides another chance to appreciate the scale and natural beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After your wildlife experience, return to the vessel and continue your journey along the Brahmaputra River. Relax on deck as the scenery unfolds around you, with distant hills, sandbanks, farmland and riverside communities revealing the peaceful rhythms of life along one of Asia’s great waterways.

Spend the remainder of the day enjoying the tranquillity of the river as your vessel sails onwards through Assam.

Overnight aboard the Brahmaputra river cruise.

Wake to the tranquil landscapes of the Brahmaputra River as your vessel continues its journey through the heart of Assam. After breakfast, go ashore to explore Biswanath, an historic riverside settlement known for its temples and traditional Assamese character.

Take a leisurely walk through the town and visit the riverside temple area, where a collection of small shrines reflects the region’s long spiritual heritage. Along the way, experience everyday life beside the Brahmaputra and gain an insight into the traditions of communities that have lived along this great river for generations.

Return to the vessel and continue cruising upstream through an ever-changing landscape of broad waterways, fertile riverbanks and vast sandbanks. Keep watch for the Gangetic river dolphin, which inhabits the Brahmaputra, although sightings are naturally dependent on conditions and cannot be guaranteed.

Spend the remainder of the day relaxing on board and enjoying the scenery as the vessel continues through the peaceful landscapes of Assam.

Overnight aboard the Brahmaputra river cruise.

Enjoy a leisurely morning cruising along the magnificent Brahmaputra River, watching the landscapes of rural Assam unfold from the comfort of your vessel. Vast stretches of water, shifting sandbanks, cultivated fields and distant villages create an ever-changing panorama along this remarkable waterway.

Later, step ashore to visit a traditional riverside village and experience a side of Assam rarely encountered on conventional tours. Walk through the village with your guide and gain an insight into local life, traditional homes, farming practices and the close relationship between these communities and the river.

Return to the vessel and continue your journey along the Brahmaputra. As you cruise, keep watch for birdlife and other wildlife along the riverbanks, with further opportunities to spot the elusive Gangetic river dolphin.

Relax on deck as the afternoon gives way to evening, enjoying the tranquillity and immense scale of one of Asia’s great rivers.

Overnight aboard the Brahmaputra river cruise.

Today, discover one of the cultural highlights of your Brahmaputra journey as you visit Majuli Island, renowned for its distinctive Assamese traditions and centuries-old Vaishnavite culture.

Explore some of Majuli’s celebrated Satras, monastic institutions that have played an important role in preserving Assamese religion, music, dance, art and literature for generations. Visit Auniati Satra and experience the fascinating cultural heritage associated with these unique spiritual centres.

Continue to discover more of the island’s artistic traditions, including its remarkable craft of traditional mask-making. Skilled local artisans create expressive masks using techniques passed down through generations, many of which are used in theatrical performances depicting stories from Hindu mythology.

During your time on Majuli, gain an insight into everyday island life and the communities whose customs have developed alongside the ever-changing Brahmaputra.

Later, return to your vessel and continue cruising through the peaceful landscapes of Assam.

Overnight aboard the Brahmaputra river cruise.

Today, delve into another fascinating chapter of Assam’s history with an excursion to Sibsagar (Sivasagar), the former capital of the powerful Ahom Kingdom, which ruled much of Assam for almost six centuries.

Explore some of the area’s remarkable historic monuments, beginning with the impressive Shiva Dol, an important temple rising beside the great Sivasagar Tank. Continue to the distinctive Rang Ghar, a remarkable two-storey royal pavilion once used by Ahom rulers to watch traditional games and festivities.

Visit the intriguing Talatal Ghar, an extensive Ahom-era palace and military complex whose surviving structures offer a fascinating insight into the architecture and ingenuity of this once-powerful dynasty.

After exploring Sibsagar’s rich heritage, return to your vessel for your final evening on the Brahmaputra River. Relax on board and reflect on a memorable voyage encompassing Assam’s wildlife, remote river landscapes, traditional communities and extraordinary cultural heritage.

Overnight aboard the Brahmaputra river cruise.

After breakfast, enjoy your final morning aboard the Brahmaputra river cruise before bidding farewell to the crew and disembarking, bringing your memorable seven-night voyage through Assam to a close.

Transfer to Jorhat Airport for your flight to Kolkata. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for your final night in India.

The remainder of the day is at leisure, providing time to relax after your journey or enjoy a final opportunity to experience Kolkata at your own pace.

Overnight in Kolkata.

After breakfast, enjoy your final moments in India before transferring to Kolkata Airport for your international flight back to NEW YORK.

Your remarkable journey comes to an end, leaving you with lasting memories of Delhi’s historic treasures, the Himalayan landscapes and tea country of Darjeeling, the cultural heritage of Kolkata, the wildlife of Kaziranga and an unforgettable voyage along the mighty Brahmaputra River.