Day 01: Arrive Guwahati
Arrive Guwahati. Received at the airport and transferred to Hotel Landmark
or similar (25kms/30mints). Afternoon, option to visit Srimanta Shankerdev
Kalashetra. Overnight at the Hotel.
Assam’s
capital city, Guwahati - situated on the south bank of river Brahmaputra.
Once known as Pragjyotishpura (the Eastern City of Light) and mentioned in
the Mahabharata, it has long been the most important town in the region.
Guwahati is home to the world’s largest tea auction centre, and more
importantly is the gateway to the whole of the north-eastern region of
India. Guwahati is home to the famous Kamakhya Temple, a centre of
Tantricism, which dates back to the Vedic and Puranic times.Srimanta
Shankerdev Kalashetra - a multi-art complex portrays the rich cultural
diversity and life of Assam as well as that of the North-east. This art
complex has been named after the greatest Vaishnava saint and the integrator
of the Assamese society, which is why it is chosen as the venue for many
cultural activities.
Day 02: Guwahati – Shillong
After breakfast visit the Kamakhya Temple. Then drive on to Shillong
(100kms/3hrs/1496mtrs), the state capital of Meghalaya. Evening at leisure.
Overnight at a hotel.
Guwahati is home to the famous Kamakhya Temple, a centre of Tantricism,
which dates back to the Vedic and Puranic times. One of the best known
temple of Guwahati is Kamakhya, situated on Nilachal Hill, 8kms west of the
city. This temple honour Goddess Kamakhya, the essence of female energy. It
is one of the 108 Shakti Peethas of Goddess Durga. Legend has it that
Kamakhya came into existence when Lord Shiva was carrying the corpse of his
wife Sati, and her "yoni" (female genitalia) fell to the ground at
the spot where the temple now stands. The temple is a natural cave with a
spring. Down a flight of steps to the bowel of earth, is located a dark,
mysterious chamber. Here, draped with a silk sari and covered with flowers,
is kept the “matra yoni”. Meghalaya, swaddled amidst wraith-like
mists is aptly called “the abode of clouds”. It is one of India’s
prettiest states inhabited by the Khasis, Jaintias and Garos. It is known
for its matrilineal society, which governs lineage and ancestral inheritance
through the female line. It stands out for its traditional and natural
beauty among the other states. Its historical strengths have been
irreversibly linked with its superlative natural setting.
Day 03: At Shillong
Full day sight seeing of Shillong - Meghalaya is best known as the ‘Scotland
of the East’ for this pretty hill station. Meghalaya’s natural
beauty is most conducive for extended holidays with the hill station of
Shillong continuing to be a hot favourite. The scenic Khasi Hills resembles
the Scottish Highlands amidst smoky blue hills thick with pine and orchids,
singing brooks and crashing waterfalls. The Shillong Peak (1965mtrs) offers
breathtaking views of the city spread out against its glorious hill slopes.
Amongst the popular waterfalls, close to the town is the Elephant Falls.
Visit the DBCIC (Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Culture). Overnight at the
hotel.
Day 04: Shillong – Cherrapunjee – Shillong
A day trip to Cherrapunjee (56kms/2hrs/1300mtrs) – the heaviest
rainfall area in the world. Shillong, this former British Raj hill station
with its bustling market bazaar is the gateway for trips to the wettest area
on earth. Overnight at the hotel.CHERRAPUNJEE, south of Shillong, achieved
fame as the wettest place on earth. The highest daily rainfall ever recorded
fell here in 1876 – 104cm in 24 hours – but Cherrapunjee now
shares its watery crown with nearby Mawsynram, whose overall annual rainfall
recently pipped it at the post. Cherrapunjee’s numerous falls are most
impressive during the steamy monsoon season when awesome torrents of water
plunge down to the Bangladeshi plains. The drive will give a spectacular
view of deep gorges and the rolling hills luxurious with tropical vegetation
that boast an innumerable variety of ferns, moss and orchids. At
Cherrapunjee, explore the lime- stone caves.
Day 05: Shillong – Kaziranga
After breakfast drive to Kaziranga National Park (280kms/7hrs). Overnight
at a forest Lodge.
Kaziranga national Park - is a World Heritage Site, where more than 75% of
the world’s total population of the great Indian horned Rhinoceros can
be found. It lies on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River and is one
of the oldest parks of Assam. Besides rhinos, the Asiatic Water Buffalo
numbering over 1200, elephants over 1000, tigers more than 81, Swamp deer,
Barking deer and Hog deer can be seen. About 400 species of birds are found
in the Park.
N.B: - Kaziranga National Park remains open from November till April
only.
Day 06: At Kaziranga
Early morning, go for an elephant safari to the central range of the park.
After breakfast go for a jeep safari followed by another game drive post
lunch. Evening at leisure. Overnight at the lodge.
Day 07: Kaziranga - Guwahati
After breakfast drive to the Guwahati airport (240kms/6hrs) to board flight
for onward destination.
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