Special Departure
Exploratory Cruise: Guwahati to Dhaka
7 to 17 May 2020
10 NIGHTS
From USD 2,250 per person on a sharing or single basis
Join Assam Bengal Navigation on a first-of-its-kind exploratory cruise on the Brahmaputra river as we sail from Guwahati to Dhaka, crossing the border into Bangladesh at Chilmari from which point onwards, the river is referred to as the Jamuna. 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: 7 MAY
Arrive at Guwahati airport and get collected by our representative. Transfer to Pandu port to embark on your ship before cruising downstream. Upon arrival at Sualkuchi – a bustling little town that is the centre of Assamese silk production – make your way to one of its weaving workshops. 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). Continue cruising downstream and anchor for the night.
DAY 2: 8 MAY
This morning, cruise downstream to Goalpara. In the afternoon, 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 downstream before anchoring for the night.
DAY 3: 9 MAY
This morning, cruise downstream to Dhubri. In the afternoon, 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.
DAY 4: 10 MAY
This morning, we head into Bangladesh, crossing the frontier to Chilmari after completing all immigration proceedings.
Today, enjoy a cooking demonstration with your chef onboard.
DAY 5: 11 MAY
In the morning, drive to Rangpur to visit the Tajerhat Jamindar palace, and a Hindu Kali Temple near the palace. Later in the afternoon, cruise towards Bahadurabad before anchoring for the night.
DAY 6: 12 MAY
This morning, cruise down to Sirajganj. In ther afternoon, drive to visit the 17th century Atia Jame Mosque at Tangail, with its elaborate terracotta decoration.
DAY 7: 13 MAY
Today, visit Hatikumrul Hindu Temples and the nearby villages where weavers make colourful cotton textiles. Return to the ship and cruise further downstream to Paturia.
DAY 8: 14 MAY
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 down towards Narayanganj.
DAY 9: 15 MAY
Today in the morning, drive to Sonargaon, the medieval capital of Bengal, and 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.
DAY 10: 16 MAY
Enjoy a full day in Dhaka today, including a half-day city sightseeing tour and the evening free for shopping. The city sightseeing includes 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.
DAY 11: 17 MAY
After breakfast, transfer to Dhaka International 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
Date
7 to 17 May 2020
Tour price
USD 2,250 + 5% taxes per person on a double sharing or single basis, staying in a main deck cabin (with a queen bed).
USD 2,650 + 5% taxes per person on a double/twin sharing or single basis, staying in an upper deck cabin.
USD 2,950 + 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.