Special Departure
Exploratory Cruise: Dhaka to Guwahati
9 to 20 October 2020
11 NIGHTS
From USD 3,250 per person on a sharing or single basis
Join Assam Bengal Navigation on a first-of-its-kind exploratory cruise on the Jamuna river of Bangladesh as we sail from Dhaka to Guwahati, crossing the border into the Indian state of Assam near Dhubri, from which point onwards, the river is referred to as the Brahmaputra.
While we have reconnoitred this itinerary by land, and have sailed this route on several delivery voyages, there may be the odd hiccup in coordination of the final product.
ITINERARY
DAY 1: 9 OCTOBER
Today in the morning, transferred from Dhaka airport or city hotel to join the group at Narayanganj and drive to Sonargaon, the medieval capital of Bengal. Visit an art and crafts museum and the restored Baro Sardar Bari within the complex. Also visit the famous weavers’ village of Rupshi for a weaving demonstration of the Jamdani sari; this art of weaving this particular muslin textile received the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Return to the ship for lunch.
DAY 2: 10 OCTOBER
Enjoy a half-day city sightseeing tour of Dhaka with visits to the century-old Curzon hall (Dhaka University campus), Language Martyr’s Memorial, Liberation war museum, Lalbaghfort, and the exterior of the Louis Kahn-designed National Parliament House. Return to the ship and set sail towards Chandpur.
DAY 3: 11 OCTOBER
Visit the local wholesale fish market at Chandpur this morning. Later, sail towards Paturia.
DAY 4: 12 OCTOBER
This morning, drive to visit Dhamrai village to witness the old process of making brass artifacts using the lost wax technique. Only a few families are currently keeping this tradition alive, which was very prevalent in the region not too long ago. The main street of the small town has a few traditional residences with shop fronts, allowing visitors a glimpse of the affluent trading houses of the 19th century Bengal. Return to the ship and sail upstream towards Kaoulia to anchor for the night.
DAY 5: 13 OCTOBER
This morning, drive to visit the 17th century Atia Jame Mosque at Tangail, with its elaborate terracotta decoration. Later, cruise upstream to Sirajganj.
DAY 6: 14 OCTOBER
Today, visit Hatikumrul Hindu Temples and the nearby villages where weavers make colourful cotton textiles. Return to the ship and cruise further upstream to Chandanbaisha.
DAY 7: 15 OCTOBER
A day spent on the river as we cruise upstream to Chilmari. Today, enjoy a cooking demonstration with your chef onboard.
DAY 8: 16 OCTOBER
In the morning, drive to Rangpur to visit the Tajerhat Jamindar palace, and a Hindu Kali Temple near the palace. Later, meet with authorities to complete immigration and customs formalities to cross the border into India.
DAY 9: 17 OCTOBER
This morning, cruise upstream to Dhubri to complete immigration and customs formalities. Later, take a short trip by rickshaws to this riverside town, including a visit to the town’s statue of Queen Victoria, which arrived in India by steamer from Britain in 1905. Then, visit the famous Gurudwara Damdama Sahib Sikh temple on the banks of the river. Return to the ship and continue sailing upstream.
DAY 10: 18 OCTOBER
This morning, cruise upstream to Goalpara. Visit Sri Surya Pahar, a significant but relatively unknown archaeological site in Assam. The site has scattered remains of several rock-cut Shivalingas, votive stupas and the deities of the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain pantheon. Return to Goalpara and start cruising further upstream before docking for the night.
DAY 11: 19 OCTOBER
In the morning, cruise up to Sualkuchi – a bustling little town that is the centre of Assamese silk production. Visit the weaving workshops in the afternoon to witness the whole process of silk manufacturing, from cocoon and spinning to dyeing and hand-weaving into exquisite mekhela chadars (a two-piece sari, the traditional attire of Assamese women).
DAY 12: 20 OCTOBER
Cruise upstream this morning and disembark at Pandu port. Transfer to Guwahati airport or a city hotel for your onward journey.
This itinerary is subject to river and weather conditions.
ACCOMMODATION
BOUTIQUE EXPEDITION CRUISING
with ABN Charaidew II
Our selection of boutique cruise ships are comfortable, contemporary, and celebratory of Assam and Bengal's rich regional heritage. They are designed to reflect a sense of homecoming to the region: the unique objets d'art and handicrafts aboard the ships have been carefully collected and curated over the years, and the locally made furniture and textiles are a product of traditional craftsmanship and modern design intervention.
As such, each boutique ship was designed to be purposefully distinct in its style, with interesting stories that accompany each ship's décor.
ABN Charaidew II has 18 cabins: two spacious deluxe double-bedded cabins and 12 twin/double-bedded cabins on the upper deck, and four cabins with a queen bed each on the main deck, for which we charge no supplement.
All cabins have en suites with W.C., a writing desk and chair, mini-fridge, individual climate control, and storage space. The standard cabins have French balconies, while the two deluxe cabins have a private balcony.
There are three cabin categories on ABN Charaidew II:
UPPER DECK DELUXE DOUBLE-BEDDED CABIN
This cabin (350 sq. ft.) is located on the upper deck. The spacious cabin opens out to a comfortable sit-out, offering guests a better vantage point from which to watch rural India glide by.
UPPER DECK TWIN/DOUBLE-BEDDED CABIN
This cabin (240 sq. ft.) is located on the upper deck, and can be converted into twin or double beds.
MAIN DECK CABIN WITH QUEEN BED
Featuring a queen bed, this cabin (170 sq. ft.) is ideal for solo travellers, for which we charge no supplement.
DATE & PRICE
Dates
9 to 20 October 2020
Tour price
USD 3,250 + 5% taxes per person on a double sharing or single basis, staying in a main deck cabin (with a queen bed).
USD 3,650 + 5% taxes per person on a double/twin sharing or single basis, staying in an upper deck cabin.
USD 3,950 + 5% taxes per person on a double sharing or single basis, staying in an upper deck deluxe double-bedded cabin.
Price includes
All accommodation
All excursions and entry fees
All transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
Full board
Service of an English-speaking guide onboard and during excursions
Price excludes
Drinks from the bar
Laundry
Tips, camera fees
Insurance
Telephone charges
Items of a personal nature
GST
PRICES & DEPARTURES
Check cabin availabilities for this special river cruise.