Land of the thunder dragon brochure

The

of the

A 16 night escorted adventure departing 11 November 2017

Memories live longer than dreams‌

Fully Escorted by

Travel Fred. Olsen

Agents Exclusive Travel Club

Kolkata

Tashichhodzong - Thimphu

Punakha Dzong

the Land of the T afloat in the foothil This remarkable journey of exploration includes a five night tour of Bhutan and a seven night journey along the mighty Brahmaputra River as it meanders Nigel Alexander - through Assam.

Fred. Olsen Travel Mystical Bhutan, sandwiched between the Tibetan plateau and India and closed to the outside world until 1974 is quietly revealing itself to visitors and is a nation which gauges wealth by the happiness of its people.

The cruise on the Brahmaputra River will give you the opportunity to meet tribal people who have little or no contact with the outside world, explore ancient temples and visit tea plantations. The undoubted highlight will be a visit to Kaziranga National Park, home to so many of the world’s most endangered species.

Day 1 - Sat 11 Nov: Depart London for overnight flight to Kolkata (Calcutta) via Dubai Day 2 - Sun 12 Nov: Kolkata (Calcutta) Arrive am and transfer to the Oberoi Grand for an overnight stay.

Taktsang Monastery - Paro

MV Mahabaahu

Local life

Day 3 - Mon 13 Nov: Kolkata/Paro (Bhutan) This morning we fly to Paro. The flight into the Himalayas reveals breathtaking views of the world’s highest peaks, taking you right into the Dragon kingdom’s cloud scraping airstrip in the lush green valley of Paro (alt. 7000 ft).

Upon arrival in Paro transfer to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan.

Late afternoon, we visit Tashichhodzong, the beautiful medieval fortress/monastery which houses most of the Government’s office and the King’s Throne room.

Overnight at Hotel Druk (B, L, D) Day 4 - Tue 14 Nov: Thimphu This morning we visit the National Library which has a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts, the Painting School, famous for traditional thangkha paintings and the Traditional Medicine Institute where centuries old healing methods are still practiced. Later we visit the Textile and Folk Heritage Museum.

After lunch we visit the Handicrafts Emporium which displays beautifully handwoven and crafted products. Then we drive to the Memorial Chorten, a stupa built in memory of Bhutan’s Third King who is regarded as the Father of modern Bhutan. The paintings and statues inside this monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.

Overnight at Hotel Druk (B, L, D) Day 5 - Wed 15 Nov: Thimphu/Punakha Today we drive to Punakha with a short stop enroute at the Dochula pass (3,050m) that offers enchanting views.

Later we visit the Punakha Dzong, the 17th century fortress which has played an important role in building up of modern Bhutan. After, we visit a local market and Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten, a newly built stupa.

We then drive to Wangduephodrang and visit the local market, famous for its bamboo products, slate and stone carvings.

Overnight at the Damchen resort (or similar) (B, L, D) Day 6 - Thu 16 Nov: Punakha/Paro After breakfast, we drive to Paro en-route visiting the Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom built in 1627, it now houses the School for religious studies.

In the afternoon visit the Ta Dzong, the National Museum of the Kingdom, with it’s fascinating collection of art, artefacts, thangkha paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps. We then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong which has a long and fascinating history.

Overnight at the Tasha Namgay Resort (or similar) (B, L, D) Day 7 - Fri 17 Nov: Paro After an early breakfast, we leave for an excursion to the Taktsang Monastery, the most famous of Bhutanese monasteries. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated, hence it is called the “Tiger’s Nest”. As non Buddhists are not allowed inside the monastery we view it from a point nearby. The trek/hike to the view point takes about 5 hours for a round trip.

In the afternoon, we drive to the ruins of the Drukgyel Dzong. From this fort the Bhutanese repelled several invasions by Tibetan armies. Later we visit a traditional Bhutanese Farm House. On our return we visit the Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom.

Overnight at the Tasha Namgay Resort (or similar) (B, L, D) Day 8 - Sat 18 Nov: Paro/Kolkata Morning flight from Paro to Kolkata. Later enjoy a guided tour of Kolkata which includes a visit to the Victoria Memorial, St Paul’s Cathedral and Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity.

Overnight at the Oberoi Grand hotel (B)

Thunder Dragon lls of the Himalayas Day 9 - Sun 19 Nov: Kolkata/Jorhat Morning flight to Jorhat. On arrival transfer to MV Mahabaahu.

As the ship sails scan the river for a fleeting sight of the Gangetic Dolphins and listen to a talk on ‘Sibsagar and the Ahom civilisation’.

After MV Mahabaahu drops anchor for the night there is a welcome dinner.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, packed L, D) Day 10 - Mon 20 Nov: Sibsagar After an early breakfast, we start our day-excursion to Sibsagar, the ancient city and capital of the Tai-speaking Ahoms who came in the 13th Century AD to the area. Sibsagar town literally means ‘the ocean of Lord Shiva’ as it is built around a huge man made water tank ordered by the Ahom Queen.

The Shiva Dol, constructed in the year 1734 is believed to be the highest Shiva temple in India.

We also visit The Talatal or Kareng Ghar, the palace of the Ahom Kings and the Rang Ghar, an amphitheater After we drive to a Tea Estate where we enjoy a traditional Assamese lunch hosted by the family who have been involved in the tea business over a century.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D) Day 11 - Tue 21 Nov: Majuli Island and Mishing village Start the day with Yoga or a walk along the swamps to catch local wildlife!

During breakfast we sail to Majuli the second largest river island in the world. The treasures of Majuli are its monasteries, home to the Vaishnavite culture.

After lunch we sail towards the closest Mishing Village.

Afterwards the ship heads towards Dhansiri Mukh where the waters of Bhramaputra and Dhansiri meet, while we enjoy a talk on ‘Assam, its geographical location & importance’ followed by an evening under the stars on a deserted island before dinner.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L D) Day 12 - Wed 22 Nov: Boat Safari MV Mahabaahu sails towards the Eastern Range of Kaziranga during which there is a talk on ‘The River Brahmaputra and the life that exists alongside’.

The boat safari is taken on tenders which hug the shore, home to many species including roof turtles, water lizards, otters, elephants, wild buffaloes, rhinos, pied kingfishers and serpent eagles.

Later there is a Chef’s Cooking Demonstration followed by a talk on ‘Tea, Silk and Jute in Assam.’

This evening, weather permitting, is spent on a deserted island with a bonfire.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 13 - Thu 23 Nov: Bishwanath Ghat and Silghat Morning talk on ‘Kaziranga and the Wild Life in India’ followed by a visit to Bishwanath Ghat where the women are expert weavers.

After lunch we drive to the Kaliabore tea estate, to watch the tribal women pick tea leaves and to visit the tea factory.

We may also visit a Jute Mill.

This evening there is a cultural evening on the ship followed by an early dinner.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D) Day 14 - Fri 24 Nov: Kaziranga National Park Today we visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Kaziranga National Park for a once-in-a-lifetime elephant-backed safari and home to as many as 180 different mammals including Tigers, the one horned Indian Rhinoceros, elephants, deer, Asiatic wild buffalo and a rich variety of birds.

After breakfast in Kaziranga, we drive on to Bagori, and continue through the Western Range of Kaziranga by jeep to spot wildlife in this magnificent park.

Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon of relaxing.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D) Day 15 - Sat 25 Nov: Village visit, full day sailing and peacock island After yoga and breakfast MV Mahabaahu heads towards an island that is occupied predominantly by a Muslim community.

We return to the ship for lunch and sail towards Peacock Island that is home to some Golden Langurs.

This evening is the Farewell Dinner ‘AlvidaBhoj’.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Tea Plantation

Monks of Majuli Island

Local Mishing woman

Kaziranga National Park

Day 16 - Sun 26 Nov: Guwahati/Kamakhya Temple visit, departure to Delhi After breakfast and armed with a packed lunch we drive to the Kamakhya Temple. This Temple is devoted to the eternal feminine; the goddess of desire whose name is Kama Khya, granter of desires.

Overnight Shangri La Hotel (D, B) We drive onward from the temple to the airport with packed lunch for the flight to Delhi.

Day 17 - Mon 27 Nov: Delhi/London Depart Delhi for the flight back to London, via Dubai. (B) B = Breakfast

L = Lunch

D = Dinner

Kaziranga National Park

Kamakhya Temple

About your ship - MV Mahabaahu:

Prices per person from: Superior Outside Twin

Superior Outside Twin with Balcony

Suite with Balcony

Single from

£4,999

£5,399

£5,999

£7,299

The Mahabaahu is a comfortable little ship carrying just 46 passengers looked after by 30 dedicated crew. She is perfectly suited to the unique voyage she undertakes on the fastest flowing waterway in the world.

She has a well-stocked library, various board games, outdoor swimming pool, spa and salon. The chefs devise local and continental menu’s using locally sourced ingredients. Given advanced notice all dietary requirements can be catered for. Dining is open seating so you can sit where and with whom you want.

What’s included:

There are two suites, nine superior cabins with balconies and 12 superior cabins without balcony, all of which have satellite TV, personal safe, mini bar, in house telephone, en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning.

• Economy class international and internal flights • All overseas transfers with assistance and porterage • Hotel accommodation as detailed in itinerary

Evening entertainment is low key and the atmosphere everywhere on board is friendly and informal.

• 7 night cruise on the MV Mahabaahu • Meals as detailed in the itinerary • Sightseeing as per the itinerary with services of an English speaking guide • All excursions/lectures/performances and activities as per the itinerary • All Entrance fees to the Monuments and National Parks as per the itinerary.

• Pony ride to the Taktsang monastery in Paro (one way/uphill only) • Government Royalty, Taxes & Bhutan Visa fee

Lobby

Restaurant

Superior Outside Cabin

Superior Outside Balcony Cabin

• All taxes where applicable • Welcome drinks party and farewell dinner hosted by your escort • Fully Escorted by Nigel Alexander - Fred. Olsen Travel (subject to minimum numbers)

DAY 1 to 7

Paro

YOUR HOLIDAY

Punakha Thimphu

nepal

bhutan Fly to Jorhat

IS

LLY FINANCIA SECURS!E WITH U

bhutan DAY 8 to 15

Majuli

india

Bishwanath Ghat

bangladesh

Fly from Kolkata to Jorhat

Kaziranga National Park Fly from London to Kolkata

Peacock Island

Sibsagar

Join MV Mahabaahu Jorhat

india

By Air

By Road Cruise

Guwahati

Travel

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