Assam Wildlife Tour
Tour Duration : 5 Nights / 6 Days
Travel Season : November to April
Detailed itinerary:
Day 01: Guwahati - Manas National Park (176 kms, 3 & 1/2 hrs drive)
Meet upon arrival at Guwahati Airport / Railway Station.
Guwahati:
Guwahati, 'the city of Eastern light' stands on the southern bank of the mighty river Brahmaputra. It is the capital city of Assam and the gateway to the entire north-eastern states. Modern Guwahati is the hub city of Assam. It fulfills every aspect of a metropolitan city with its advanced means of transport, communication and media, as a major center of business activity, educational institutions, and various administrative and political activities of entire Assam. Besides, its landscape surrounded by hills and the mighty Brahmaputra River, rich and diverse flora and fauna enhances its natural scenic beauty.
If time permits, visit in Guwahati -
Kamakhya Temple:
Kamakhya Temple, one of the greatest 'Shaktipeeth', the shakti shrine of Goddess Kamakhya is situated on the Nilachal Hills. It is the oldest center of Tantric Shaktism. A famous legend regarding the birth of the Kamakhya temple narrates that Lord Shiva, rage with anger at his wife Sati's death, wandered the entire earth carrying Sati's corpse. An organ of Sati fell here and eventually the place became a temple of worship in due course of time. The temple features various stone inscriptions, terracotta works, sculptures and idols of Ganesha and Chamundeswari which are worth mentioning. The famous 'Ambubachi Fair' is celebrated with great enthusiasm every year in mid-June in this temple and devotees from different parts of India throng into it for the special occasion.
Later, take transfer to Manas National Park.
If time permits, en-route visit -
Barpeta:
Barpeta is renowned to be the home of various Satras (monasteries), temples, mosques, shrines, rivers and the Gateway to Manas National Park. Acclaimed for its natural beauty and religious significance, Barpeta is also widely famous for its cultural and traditional crafts like pottery, wooden crafts, masks, gold ornaments and ivory carvings. Sarthebari is the home of household bell and brass-metal industry.
Barpeta Satra:
Barpeta Satra (monastery) was established by great Vaishnavite saint Shri Shri Madhav Dev, the disciple of Shrimanta Shankar Dev. The reflection of religious and cultural tradition of Barpeta Satra is very ancient and unique. Madhav Dev stayed for 8 long years and produced his best literature here. Barpeta Satra encompasses a large area with an entrance gate known as 'Batsora'. Prayers or 'Naam Kirtan' are held in the prayer hall named 'Kirtan Ghar'. The Satra owned some other important wings which are not found in other satras of Assam. Those are Jagmohan Ghar, Daul Ghar, Paat Chang, Saaj Ghar, Bhaaj Ghar and the Math. These structures are beautiful and are used in different purposes of the satras. Devotees gather in large numbers during the anniversaries of Vaishnava Gurus and Doul festival.
Arrive at Manas and check-in jungle cottage.
Manas National Park:
Manas National Park, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, is situated on the foothills of the Himalayas in the district of Barpeta. It is a famous Tiger Reserve of Assam. It encompasses an area of 519.77 sq km and is a home to many rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. It's rich bio-diversity and wealthy wildlife enhances the scenic beauty and glory of this park. Around 550 varieties of plant species identifies the rich flora of Manas National Park. It is a homeland to 60 species of mammals, 435 species of birds (10 species are globally threatened), 42 species of reptiles and amphibians, 54 species of fishes and 103 species of invertebrates.
Manas National Park is an ideal habitat to rare species such as One Horned Rhinoceros, Asian Elephant, Royal Bengal Tiger, Pygmy Hog, Hispid hare, Golden Langur, Bengal Florican, Gaur, Assam Roofed Turtle and Rat Snake. Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Himalayan Bear, Wild Boar, Sambar, Swamp Deer, Hog Deer are the common inhabitants of this park. Hundreds of migratory birds like Riverchats (White Capped Redstars) Forktails, Cormorants and Ruddy Shelduck visit this park during the winter season.
Click in the link to view Clements Check-list of birds (6th edition, updated in 2012) found in Manas National Park -
Manas National Park Birds' Check-list
Overnight: Stay in jungle cottage.
Day 02: Manas National Park
Elephant Safari:
In the early morning, enjoy an elephant ride in the Bansbari range of Manas National Park.
River Rafting:
In the morning after breakfast, enjoy a mild river rafting at Manas River adjoining to Manas National Park. (Optional)
Tea Factory:
Later, visit a tea factory of Assam Tea Garden to witness the processing of world famous Assam CTC Tea.
If time permits, make a visit to the local market and local village to have a glimpse into the lives of indigenous tribal people.
Jeep Safari:
Post lunch, enjoy one round of Jeep safari in Manas National Park covering Bansbari and Mothanguri ranges of the National Park.
Overnight: Stay in jungle cottage.
Day 03: Manas National Park - Nameri National Park (341 kms, 7 hrs drive)
In the morning after breakfast, take transfer to Nameri National Park. En-route visit -
Madan Kamdev Temple:
Later, depart to Nameri National Park.
Nameri National Park:
Nameri National Park is situated in the foothills of Eastern Himalayas and covers an area of about 200 sq km, stretching along both banks of the Jia Bhoroli River in the district of Sonitpur. The park is identified with its rich diversity of flora and fauna. It consists of semi-evergreen vegetation, moist deciduous forests and open grasslands along with about 600 species of flora.
It is the famous resident place for Asian Elephants. It is also a homeland to Royal Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Indian Bison, Gaur, Wild Boar, Sloth Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Capped Langur, Indian Giant Squirrel, Pygmy Hog, Indian Wild Dog and Civet Cat. Various beautiful birds like White Winged Wood Duck, Great Pied Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Black Stork, Ibis Bill, Blue-bearded Bee Eaters, Babblers, Plovers, Rufous Necked Hornbill etc. are also found here.
Click in the link to view Clements Check-list of birds (6th edition, updated in 2012) found in Nameri National Park -
Nameri National Park Birds' Check-list
Arrive at Nameri and check-in jungle cottage.
Evening: Free at leisure to explore the nature by your own. Overnight: Stay in jungle cottage.
Day 04: Nameri National Park - Kaziranga National Park (117 kms, 3 & 1/2 hrs drive)
Trekking:
In the early morning, enjoy guided trekking inside the dense forest of Nameri National Park along with an armed forest guard.
In the morning after breakfast, take transfer to Kaziranga National Park. En-route cross -
Tezpur:
Tezpur, the 'city of love' is situated on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River. The ancient name of Tezpur was Sonitpur, the kingdom of the mighty legendary king, Baan Raja. It was the capital city under his reign. Tezpur holds in its heart many ancient historical events, and witnessed many legends and mythological wars of ancient Assam. The occurrence of a famous war named 'Hari-Hara' is related with the attainment of the present day Tezpur. This battle led to the bloodshed of so many soldiers that the entire place was stained with blood and hence the city came to be known as Tezpur ('Tez' meaning blood and 'pur' meaning city in Assamese language). Present day Tezpur was founded by the British colonial administration in 1835 as the headquarters of Darrang district.
Arrive at Kaziranga and check-in jungle resort.
Kaziranga National Park:
Internationally popular forest reserve and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, Kaziranga National Park is situated on the northern banks of the mighty river Brahmaputra, spreading wide on both the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of Assam. It covers an area of over 430 sq km. Its landscape is characterized by swamps, beels, tall elephant grass, flat grasslands with streams.
Kaziranga National Park supports a variety of flora and fauna. It is mainly the undistributed residence of the Great One horned Rhinoceros. It is also a home to a large population of Indian Elephant, Wild Water Buffalo, Swamp Deer, Indian Boson, Royal Bengal Tiger, Sloth Bear, Hog Deer, Leopard Cats, Otter, Hog Badger, Capped Langur, Hollock Gibbons, Wild Boar, Jackal, Pythons, Monitor Lizard, and Fishing Cat etc. Small mammals like the rare Hispid Hare, Indian Gray Mangoose, Large Indian Civet, Small Indian Civet, Bengal Fox, Golden Jackal, Chinese Pangolin, Indian Pangolin, Hog Badger, Chinese Ferret Badger, Parti-colored Flying Squirrels etc. are also found here.
More than 500 species of birds have been recorded in Kaziranga National Park including 26 species of globally threatened category. Migratory birds like Lesser White Fronted Goose, Ferruginous Duck, Baer's Pochard Duck and Lesser Adjutant, Greater Adjutant, Black Necked Stork, Asian Openbill Stork etc. migrate to this park during the winter season every year. It is also a habitat of threatened species like Blyth's Kingfisher, White Bellied Heron, Dalmatian Pelican, Spot-billed Pelican, Nordmann's Greenshank, Black-Bellied Tern and other birds like the Eastern Imperial Eagle, Palla's Fish Eagle, Grey Headed Fish Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Indian Vulture, Slender billed Vulture, Indian White-rumped Vulture, Swamp Francolin, Bengal Florican, Pale- Capped Pigeon, Black Breasted Parrotbill and Rufous vented Prinia etc. It is also a home to the endangered Gangetic Dolphin. Besides there are more than 40 species of fishes and 42 species of reptiles are found in Kaziranga National Park.
Click in the link to view Clements Check-list of birds (6th edition, updated in 2012) found in Kaziranga ->
Kaziranga National Park Birds' Check-list
Jeep Safari:
After reaching Kaziranga , enjoy one round of Jeep safari in the western range (Bagori) of Kaziranga National Park.
After completing jeep safari, check-in jungle resort.
Evening: Free at leisure. Overnight: Stay in jungle resort.
Day 05: Kaziranga National Park
Elephant Safari:
In the early morning, enjoy an elephant ride in the western range (Bagori) / central range (Kohora) of Kaziranga National Park.
In the late morning after breakfast, take a visit to the Ethnic Village of Kajir Ronghangpi Aklam, Kohora and explore the way of living of North Eastern People. Have a glimpse of Assam tea plantation. Observe the teams of colorfully dressed tea garden female workers plucking the delicate buds and leaves with their nimble fingers. Also, visit the company outlet of Hathikuli Tea Estate for purchasing different kinds of organic Tea.
Later visit -
Kaziranga National Orchid and Bio-diversity Park:
Witness more than 500 varieties of wild orchids collected from different parts of North-East Indian states, 132 species of sour fruits and leafy vegetables, 12 species of cane, 46 species of bamboo and a large variety of local fishes in Kaziranga National Orchid and Bio-diversity Park, located in Durgapur.
Also visit - Souvenir shops of bamboo and wooden products near Orchid Park at Kaziranga.
Jeep Safari:
In the afternoon post lunch, enjoy one round of Jeep safari in the central range (Kohora) / western range (Bagori) of Kaziranga National Park.
If interested, visit in the evening - Kaziranga Orchid Park again to enjoy special cultural show of different folk dances of Assam.
Overnight: Stay jungle resort.
Day 06: Kaziranga - Guwahati departure (217 kms, 4 & 1/2 hrs drive)
In the morning after breakfast, drive to Guwahati city. Only if time permits, visit in Guwahati -
Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra:
Sankardev Kalakshetra is named after the most illustrious son and Vaishnavite propagator of Assam. It is the hub of all the cultural activities of entire Assam and a center for the promotion and preservation of the cultural heritage of the various tribes, communities and ethnic groups of Assam. It consists of a museum wherein lies the various traditional dresses, jewelry, ancient pottery, weapons belonging to various ethnic groups, sculpture, and works of art created by various artists depicting as a whole the entire Assam. The open air amphitheatre, wherein the cultural performances are held very often and the collection of whole life activities of the legendary artist Dr. Bhupen Hazarika carry a great measure in Kalakshetra.
Later, take transfer to Guwahati Airport / Railway Station for your onward destination.
Tour terminates here
North East India Tourism
Important Note:
Due to arid winter from mid December to first week of March, the minimal growth of tea leaves results in declination of plucking activity in the Tea Estates of Assam every year. That's why, processing of tea leaves in the manufacturing units cannot be demonstrated to the visitors in its real sense. Besides, tea factories also remain close every Monday.
Package Inclusions:
# All ground transportation by a comfortable vehicle driven by dedicated driver
Package Exclusions:
# Any air fare or train fare
