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$Page 1: andBeyond Journeys- Brahmaputra River Cruise-Final...ZZZ DQG%H\RQG FRP %UDKPDSXWUD 5LYHU &UXLVH ² ,QGLD $1 %($
RIVER, WILDLIFE, & TEA IN INDIA’S NORTH EAST India 10 Nights / 11 Days

www.andBeyond.com Brahmaputra River Cruise – India

Let your imagination soar

About &Beyond

&Beyond is a pioneering, experiential travel company that offers

forward-thinking, global travellers an exclusive experience of the

world as it should be; a world that is in balance with itself. We go

beyond mere luxury to enrich your guests’ experience through our

core ethos of Care of the Land, Care of the Wildlife, and Care of the

People. &Beyond has 30 exquisite safari lodges and camps across

Africa and South America, and we also design personalised, high-end

tours in 15 African countries, India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Chile,

Argentina, Ecuador and Peru.

Welcome to India

India is the world’s largest democracy and covers an area of 3,287,263

sq. km, stretching from the high Himalayas in the North, to the

southern tropical rain forests and flanked by the Arabian Sea in West

and The Indian Ocean in the East. In the shape of a triangle, India's

topography is greatly varied in that there are deserts and rain forests,

much of its land is comprised of fertile river plains and high

plateaus. A vast country of over 1.3 billion people, and contains more

different languages, religions, races and cultures than any other

country in the world. India offers the traveler a multitude of unique

experiences ensuring an unforgettable visit. From the vibrant and

bustling markets and extravagant festivals to the serenity of a

mountain retreat, India is a destination that will touch your soul.

Highlights of the Itinerary:

The Brahmaputra is one of the world's great rivers, and but

surprisingly one of the least known. It is largely unimpeded; no dams

or barrages, no locks, and very few bridges block its flow from the

Tibetan Plateau, cutting through the eastern Himalaya and flowing

through Assam and Bangladesh to merge with the Ganges, and

disapear into the Bay of Bengal.

The Brahmaputra is brimming with life. The annual floods rejuvenate

a landscape. The waters sustain millions of people, and some of

India’s finest wilderness areas. But it remains, in essence, a rural

river.

In the plains the river has traditionally been an artery of transport and

communication, but this became less with the introduction of roads,

railways, and air travel. It is now time to rediscover the beauty and

vastness of the Brahmaputra, and the wildlife and people that thrive

on the flood plains.


At a glance

INDIA

7 nights / 8 days

1 – Kathmandu (Day 1,2)

2 – Pokhara (Day 3, 4)

3 – Chitwan (5, 6)

4 – Dhulikhel (Day 7)

10 nights / 11 days

1 – Delhi (Day 1)

2 – Kaziranga (Day 2,3)

3 – Brahmaputra (Day 4,5,6,7,8,9,10)


AN &BEYOND CUSTOM-DESIGNED ITINERARY

DATE SERVICE ACCOMMODATION

01st Mar 2021

Monday

Meet and greet services at the airport and transfer to the hotel

Welcome Dinner.

Spend 1 overnight in Hotel JW Marriott, Delhi Deluxe Room on HB Basis

02nd Mar 2021

Tuesday

Post breakfast transfer to the hotel to board your flight to

Guwahati

Upon arrival at Guwahati you drive to Kaziranga (Approx. 4 hrs

drive)

Spend 2 overnight in Diphlu River Lodge Cottage on JP Basis

03rd Mar 2021

Wednesday

Enjoy morning and afternoon Jeep safari in Kaziranga

04th Mar 2021

Thursday

After a morning jeep safari at Central range, drive to Silghat

(Approx. 1 hrs drive) to embark on boat.

Spend seven overnights in River Cruise Cabin on JP Basis

05th Mar 2021

Friday

After early breakfast drive to Tezpur to visit Da Parbatia temple

and other sites.

Return to the ship and cruise upstream

06th Mar 2021

Saturday

Majuli Island

After breakfast visit Vishnath an Ahom period Shiva temple.

07th Mar 2021

Sunday

After breakfast visit the 10th century temples at Deopahar

08th Mar 2021

Monday

Day is spent cruising upstream and visiting riverside villages

09th Mar 2021

Tuesday

Today we arrive at Majuli Island and visit villages and temples.

10th Mar 2021

Wednesday

After breakfast we visit Horu Charai Tea Estate. After lunch we

visit the 18th Century Ahom capital of Sibsagar.

11th Mar 2021

Thursday

After breakfast transfer to Dibrugarh Airport (Approx. 2 ½ hrs

drive) to board your flight to Delhi

Upon arrival in Delhi you will be met and driven to a hotel close

to the airport. A room is booked for wash & change or an

overnight.

Late evening /following morning you will be picked up from your

hotel and will be assisted transferred to board your flight back

home


12th Mar 2021 Fly Home

GLOSSARY

HB = Bed, Breakfast and Dinner JP = Bed, all meals and all excursions.

ENTRY/VISA REQUIREMENTS IN INDIA

As for all international travel, the visitor to India is required to be in possession of a valid passport and

visa. Travellers from all countries need a visa. Enquire about this from the Indian diplomatic

Representatives abroad OR apply online at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html

Boarding or immigration can be denied if there is a mismatch of passport details mentioned on the visa

letter issued by the Government of India and the passport presented at these checks.

The passport has to be valid for a minimum of 6 months AFTER the departure date from India and at

least 2 (two) clear pages available in the passport for immigration stamping.

SATELLITE PHONES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN INDIA

“The use of Satellite phones in India without permits (a very complicated process) is prohibited. It is a

criminal and jailable offence to be in possession of an unlicensed phone, or to use it. Mobile phones

work well throughout most of the country and communications throughout your tour is generally good.”

NOT TO CARRY CERTAIN MODELS OF MACBOOK PRO ON FLIGHTS

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation and FAA, has advised passengers not to carry models of 15-inch

MacBook Pro laptops that Apple deemed a safety risk due to overheating batteries. Affected units were

sold primarily between September 2015 and February 2017 and product eligibility is determined by the

product serial number. Apple has determined that, in a limited number of older generation 15-inch

MacBook Pro units, the battery may overheat and pose a fire safety risk.


Expect the extraordinary

Day 1: 01st March, 2021 (Monday) - Arrive Delhi

Upon arrival at Delhi Airport proceed towards the immigration

counters, and then the baggage belts in the customs hall. After

collecting your bags walk toward arrival hall Exit where you will find

an &Beyond representative holding a placard of your name. You will

then be transferred to your hotel, JW Marriott.

Delhi was established around 900 B.C. Delhi's famous "seven cities"

range from the 12th century Quila Rai Pithora, built by Prithviraj

Chauhan, to the imperial Shahjahanabad, constructed by the Mughals

in the 17th century.

Of the many attractions in Delhi, the major sites are the Rashtrapati

Bhawan designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens as the British Viceroys Palace,

Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi) where the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid and

the famed Chandni Chowk are found.

JW Marriott: The hotel offers 511 stylish rooms and suites,

personalized service and an ideal location for your stay in India. The

deluxe rooms are among the largest in India's NCR. Indulge at any of

their five remarkable restaurants and bars, including a chic

speakeasy, a popular multi-cuisine buffet and a Japanese restaurant

with a Korean influence

This evening you meet up with your Tour Leader over Welcome Dinner

at the hotel.

Spend One overnight at Hotel JW Marriott. Accommodation will be in

Deluxe Room with ensuite facilities. Your stay is on Half Board Basis.

Day 2: 02nd March, 2021 (Tuesday) – Delhi / Guwahati / Kaziranga

We will provide packed breakfast from the hotel and later transfer

you to the airport to board your flight to Guwahati.

Fly by: 6E 939


Departs Delhi: 0715 hrs

Arrive Guwahati: 0940 hrs

*Note: Baggage allowance is 15 Kgs. We can pre-purchase excess

baggage at an extra cost.

Upon arrival at Guwahati airport you will be met and driven to

Kaziranga (Approx. 4 hrs drive).

Arrive Kaziranga and check-in at Diphlu River Lodge

Kaziranga National Park: Home to some of India’s largest mammals,

Kaziranga boasts a thriving population of one-horned rhino, Asian

elephant, tiger, and Asiatic wild buffalo, as well as the swamp deer

known as barasingha, hog deer, wild boar, sloth bear and many

others. Everything appears larger than life at Kaziranga – even some

of the largest snakes in the world, including the reticulated and Indian

pythons, king cobra and branded krait, are found here. The reserve is

also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with almost 500 species encountered

here, including many migrants.

Kaziranga National Park also frequently draws comparisons to the

Norongoro Crater in East Africa due to the park's abundance of

wildlife and birds.

Diphlu River Lodge: Diphlu River Lodge has a boundary river that

separates its grounds from the National Park itself, and the jungle

views are exceptional. They have four individual cottages and four

semi-detached cottages, raised on stilts above the ground. All rooms

are air-conditioned and have been beautifully designed making full

use of local materials that blend in with the stunning natural

surroundings. With environment-sensitive cottages overlooking the

river, park or verdant farmland, Diphlu River Lodge combines modern

comforts with the thrill of the wild and plenty of activities.

Spend Two Nights at Diphlu River Lodge. Accommodation will be in a

AC Cottages. Your stay will be on Jungle Plan basis (cycle of 3 meals a

day i.e. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner plus safari drives)

Day 3: 03rd March, 2021 (Wednesday) – Kaziranga

Explore the park with morning and afternoon safari drives. A park

drive inside Kaziranga National Park is very different from other parks

in India. Large parts of the park are made up of tall grasslands with

patches of swampy water bodies covered with beautiful water lilies,

and extensive riverine woodlands. One-horned Rhinos and herds of

Asian Elephants are seen busily grazing. Swamp deer or Barasingha are

often seen wading through the water bodies chomping on weeds or

displaying them on their large antlers to impress the females.


Day 4: 04th March, 2021 (Thursday) – Kaziranga / Sukapha

We will be taken at the Central Range on an elephant back

exploration of the grasslands, followed by a short jeep safari.

[Due to limited availability of elephants the elephant ride will be

subject to availablity].

Besides mammals and reptiles, Kaziranga National Park is also a

birding paradise. A few of the bird species found here are the Oriental

Honey Buzzard, Black-shouldered Kite, White-tailed Eagle, Himalayan

Griffon and numerous forest and grassland species.

Later, Drive to Silghat (Approx. 1 hr drive) to board your vessel

Sukapha on Brahmaputra.

Sukapha was designed In an effort to conserve India’s forests, the

interiors are bamboo-panelled, air-conditioned and roomy with en

suite bathrooms. There is a spa and a saloon with a library. The dining

room is on the main deck and a spacious sundeck at the very top.

Furniture on board is locally made; objet d'arts in the saloon are from

Bengal; and fabrics are all locally sourced by the finest artisans in all

of the state.

Lunch and Dinner on Board

Spend Seven overnights on Sukapha. Accommodation will be in a Cabin

with ensuite facilities. Your stay is on Full Board Basis.

Day 5: 05th March, 2021 (Friday) – Sukapha

Today after an early breakfast, drive to the nearby town of Tezpur.

The Da Parbatia temple with its exquisitely carved portal and lintel

dates from the 5th & 6th century. We will use local rickshaws to

explore the town, visit the some of the thousand-year-old carved

stones, and wander through the busy market area. Time permitting

we will also visit the ruins of the 9th century Panchayatna Temple

dedicated to Lord Vishnu, on the Bamuni Hills.

Returning to the ship, we cruise upstream with Kaziranga National

Park on the right bank to anchor for the night at Vishnath.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on Board


Day 6: 06th March, 2021 (Saturday) – Sukapha

This morning, visit the small town of Vishnath, known for an Ahom-

period Shiva temple. Walk through the town before reboarding and

setting off again, with Kaziranga still on the far bank. Wild elephants

may sometimes be spotted and once, memorably, even a tiger walking

along the bank.

There is good chance of spotting the endangered Gangetic dolphin, as

well as creating a sensation in bankside villages as we sail past. Arrive

in the evening at lonely Dhansiri Mukh

The visit to Vishnath take about 1 ½ hrs.


Day 7: 07th March, 2021 (Sunday) – Sukapha

This morning, we drive to recently excavated and spectacular temple

at Deopahar on the edge of the Deopani Reserve Forest.

Located in Golaghat district, Assam, the Deopahar ruins of a temple

built in the 10th or 11th century are extraordinary. The angular

sculpture and decoration echo styles from south-east Asia, while the

circular base is unusual among Hindu temples. Little is known of the

temple origins or who may have built it.

We leave the ship before breakfast (6 AM or before). To reach the

temple we will be using combination of transport using Coach / Jeeps

and small boat and on return, we will have lunch on the ship and

dinner.

Day 8: 08th March, 2021 (Monday) – Sukapha

Another day spent cruising upstream, past remote villages, and newly

created river islands known as chars. We shall stop and walk through a

bankside village, getting an insight into the life of rural Assam. Some

of the villages along the river are home to the Mishing tribe that

moved to the plains from the Himalayan foothills a few centuries ago.

Lunch and Dinner on Board


Day 9: 09th March, 2021 (Tuesday) – Sukapha

Around the time of breakfast, we should reach Majuli Island, one of

the world’s largest river islands. It is probably geologically a young

island carved of the flood plain by a series of floods in the 18th

century. Today the island is home to a microcosm of Assamese

culture. Majuli represents rural idyll in Assam. A stronghold of the

peaceful religion of neo-Vaishnavism, the elegant satras (hermatages)

— some for celibate monks, some for families — showcase a unique

way of life where the faithful live simply, offering worship

through gayan-bayan (songs and musical instruments) and readings.

We visit a monastery at Auniati with an eclectic museum, then attend

a dance performance at Kamalabari monastery, before cruising across

to Neamati Ghat on the opposite bank. In the afternoon, visit a nearby

village.


Day 10: 10th March, 2021 (Wednesday) – Sukapha

We visit Horu Charai tea estate this morning and learn about the

production of tea, and sample the various blends.

Later, drive for about an hour to Sibsagar, the one-time capital of the

Ahom kings of Assam during the 18th century.

Shan by origin but converts to Hinduism, the Ahoms ruled Assam for

some 600 years until a Burmese invasion in 1819. Their culture and

architecture is a strange and delightful amalgam of India and

Southeast Asia. We will explore some of these distinctive buildings

including the two storey Rang Ghar used for watching sports, and the

18th century Talatal Ghar. The temple tank here is believed to be the

world’s largest hand-excavated reservoir.

Return to your ship, which will have cruised up to Dikhou Mukh close

to Sibsagar. (Dependent on river conditions, the last night may be

spent at Neamati, closer to Jorhat).

Lunch will be at Horu Charai,

Dinner on board


Day 12: 12th March, 2021 (Friday) – Delhi / Fly Home

Fly Home

Day 11: 11th March, 2021 (Thursday) – Sukapha / Dibrugarh / Delhi

This morning, we transfer for approximately 2½ hours to Dibrugarh

airport, passing through this typical colonial town. During WWII the

runway at Dibrugarh was one of many US airfields built to supply the

Chinese government with munitions and supplies. Allied pilots flew

over the Hump (the eastern Himalaya) ferrying material shipped to

Indian ports such as Calcutta (Kolkata) and Chittagong (now in

Bangladesh), and then sent up the Brahmaputra river on barges.

On arrival in Dibrugarh you will connect to your flight to Delhi.

Fly by: 6E 5337

Departs Dibrugarh: 1455 hrs

Arrives Delhi: 1805 hrs

*Note: Baggage allowance is 15 Kgs. We can pre-purchase excess

baggage at an extra cost.

Upon arrival in Delhi you will be met and driven to the hotel JW

Marriott wherein the room is booked until departure.

Late evening assisted transfer to Delhi airport to board your flight to

onward destination


Journey overview

THIS DEPARTURE WILL OPERATE WITH A MINIMUM OF 10 GUESTS AND MAXIMUM OF 16 GUESTS PLUS AN EXPEDITION

LEADER.

RATES IS USD

VALIDITY – 1- 12 MARCH 2021

PER PERSON ON TWIN SHARE

10 -11 GUESTS 8370 USD PER PERSON

12-13 GUESTS 7293 USD PER PERSON

14-15 GUESTS 6525 USD PER PERSON

16 GUESTS 5947 USD PER PERSON

SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT 980 PER PERSON

Flights (Schedule subject to change)

DATE FROM/TO FLIGHT NUMBER TIME

02th Mar, 2021 Delhi / Guwahati 6E 939 (Indigo Airlines) DEP 0715 hrs ARR 0940 hrs

11th Mar,2021 Dibrugarh / Delhi 6E 5337 (Indigo Airlines) DEP 1455 hrs ARR 1805 hrs

Accommodation

DATE DESTINATION ACCOMMODATION DETAILS

01st Mar 2021 Delhi JW Marriott, Delhi Deluxe room on Room +

welcome Dinner

02nd Mar 2021 Kaziranga Diphlu River Lodge, Kaziranga Accommodation + Meals

03rd Mar 2021 Kaziranga Diphlu River Lodge, Kaziranga Accommodation + Meals

04th Mar 2021 Brahmputra Cruise Upstream Sukapha, Brahmaputra Cabin with Meals Included







11st Mar 2021 Delhi JW Marriott, Delhi Lunch + Deluxe room only


What’s included:

Accommodation on Twin share basis in hotels & vessel as per the meal plan mentioned above.

All transfers as mentioned in 01 Air-Conditioned Coach in Delhi and during the excursions & transfer while on the

cruise it will be either by Coach / Tempo Traveller Van / Toyota Innova. [The transport will be used as per

availability and as per logistic feasibility].

Welcome Dinner on Day1 with soft beverages.

Services of an in-house naturalist during the safaris in Kaziranga and during the cruise are included.

Services of an inhouse guide during the cruise is included.

Services of an &Beyond Leader.

All entrance and monuments fees.

All current taxes as on date – subject to change as per hotel/airline/Government policy.

Air fare as mentioned in the quote above.

What’s not included:

Tipping to guides and drivers.

Any Insurance and rescue of any form.

Cost arising out of flight cancellation/road blockades/landslides/riots and events beyond our control.

Expenses of personal nature and any other expenses not mentioned in the above cost.

Any international air fare/airport taxes not mentioned above

Any change in tax structure resulting from the hike in published tariff.

Items of personal nature like tips, laundry, phone calls.alocohol.

Any video/still camera fee to the monuments and places of visit

Any other item not explicitly mentioned under “What’s Included”.

Any airfare for domestic flights other than the quoted details.

Any cost of the meals other than the ones indicated in room meal plan.

Sightseeing and excursions other than those specified.

The Details are in the fine print

Hotel Check-In 1400 hours, Check-out time 1200 Noon

The river itinerary and day-to-day travel is subject to the flow of the river and navigable channels. These channels are

often changed by the previous monsoon and precipitation upstream.

Prices are subject to change as per change in Government / Hotel / Airline policy without prior notice.

Rates include only those items specified in your itinerary.

Please note, the names of hotels mentioned above only indicate that our rates have been based on usage of these

hotels. It is not to be construed that accommodation is confirmed at these hotels until and unless we convey the

confirmations to you on receipt of your acceptance. However in the event of any of the above mentioned hotels not

becoming available at the time of initiating the reservations, we shall book alternate accommodation at a similar or next

best available hotel and shall pass on the difference of rates (supplement/reduction whatever applicable) to you.

In case on any currency fluctuations or amendment in local Government taxes, or any fuel hike, we reserve the right to

adjust the tour price accordingly. The due increase or decrease will be communicated accordingly.


The rates quoted are subject to change without prior warning, should there be any increases in Park Fees, Fuel, Sales

Tax or VAT, third party services, or any other circumstances beyond our control in the regions featured in this

quote/booking.

All guests must take out comprehensive travel insurance covering them for personal effects, personal accident, medical

and emergency travel expenses, cancellation and curtailment.

In order to comply with international insurance requirements all airline tickets must clearly show the passenger’s title,

surname, name and initial (as indicated in their passport). As this applies to both scheduled and charter flights we

would be grateful if you could provide us with this information at the time of confirmation.

Your internal flights have been organized by us. While we take the maximum care to ensure a safe and comfortable

journey for you &Beyond is not responsible for the fitness of the carriers or the safety standards of the carrier company.

In order to comply with International Insurance requirements &Beyond can only reserve seats, be it on a provisional or

confirmed basis, on both domestic/scheduled or charter flights.

Please note that fares may increase between time of booking, time of payment and the ticket being issued. Any costs

incurred due to amendments will not be borne by &Beyond.

&Beyond cannot be held responsible should airlines discontinue flights on certain routings or change scheduled

timetables, resulting in missed connections etc. Should an amendment in a routing or itinerary be necessary we will re-

quote you accordingly.

Dietary Requirements: All dietary requirements can be catered for. When making your reservation, please advise us of

any specific dietary requirements that you may have and these will be communicated through to the respective

establishment.

Gratuities: Tipping is at your discretion. However management of the establishment will be able to assist with guidelines

&Beyond reserves the right to modify program itineraries, including arranged sightseeing, and substitute

accommodations, including vessels and trains, at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond

&Beyond’s control. Every effort will be made to operate itineraries as planned, but alterations may occur after the final

itinerary has been issued.

&Beyond strongly recommends that the guests insure themselves against loss of deposit, cancellation charges, medical

expenses and loss of personal possessions, and any other foreseeable loss or expense.

Photography During Travel

A. &Beyond reserves the right to take photographs or video during the operation of any program or part thereof and to

use them for promotional purposes during the program and thereafter. By booking a program with &Beyond, guests

agree to allow their images to be used in such photographs. Guests who prefer that their images not be used are

asked to identify themselves to &Beyond representative at the beginning of their program.

The use of DRONES are not allowed without permits in India.

Guest Obligations:

1. Medical Conditions – the guest must notify &Beyond of any pre-existing medical conditions that might reasonably be

expected to affect the Travel Arrangements. The guest agrees and acknowledges that &Beyond will not be liable for

any loss or damage incurred by the guest as a result of any pre-existing medical condition or health issue of the

Customer that may preclude, delay, affect or interfere with the Travel Arrangements.

2. Health Issues – It is the guests sole responsibility to

a) obtain any vaccinations or take any other health precautions applicable to the country of travel;

b) take all steps reasonably necessary (including, without limitation, the consultation of appropriate medical

professionals) to identify whether they have any pre-existing medical conditions or health issues (whether known or

unknown) that may preclude, delay, affect or interfere with the Travel Arrangements; and

c) notify &Beyond if the guest has any pre-existing medical conditions or health issues that may preclude, delay,

affect or interfere with the Travel Arrangements.


BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS FOR RIVER ISLAND CRUISE & DIPHLU RIVER LODGE:

- A non-refundable payment of 10% of the total cost is required to book the River Island Cruise.

- A second 10% instalment is due 6 months before the charter date. Final balance is payable 8 weeks before departure. Failure to pay may be treated as a cancellation and our cancellation terms will be applied.

CANCELLATION CONDITIONS FOR RIVER ISLAND CRUISE & DIPHLU RIVER LODGE:

- More than 6 months before departure: 10% of charges - Between 4 months and 6 months before departure: 20% of charges - Between 2 and 4 months before departure: 50% of charges - Less than 2 months before departure: 100% of charges

BOOKING & CANCELLATION TERMS & CONDITIONS FOR ACCOMMODATION IN DELHI:

Booking made more than 60 days prior to arrival 25% payment at the time of booking (within 7 days ) and

balance 75% , 60 days prior to arrival

Cancellation 60 days or more prior to arrival No cancellation/ retention charge, except for cancellation

fee on air tickets/ train tickets or deposits.

Cancellation within 60 days of arrival Retention of full deposit levied as cancellation charge

Kindly note that payments may be processed with Visa and MasterCard credit cards. Payments may also be paid directly into

&Beyond or US bank account details.

All payments received through credit card will attract an additional 2.50% transaction fee on the total invoice

amount being paid.

All payments received through PayPal will attract an additional 2.0% transaction fee on the total invoice

amount being paid.

Documents

andBeyond Journeys- Brahmaputra River Cruise-Final...ZZZ DQG%H\RQG FRP %UDKPDSXWUD 5LYHU &UXLVH ² ,QGLD $1 %(