One of the most sought after wildlife holiday destinations in India, Kaziranga National park’s 430 square kilometer area sprinkled with elephant-grass meadows, swampy lagoons, and dense forests is home to more than 2200 Indian one-horned rhinoceros, approximately 2/3rd of their total world population. Formed in 1908 on the recommendation of Mary Curzon, the park is located in the edge of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspots – Golaghat and Nagaon district.
In the year 1985, the park was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is said when Mary Curzon, the wife of the Viceroy of India – Lord Curzon of Kedleston, visited the park to see Indian one-horned rhinoceros; she wasn’t able to found even one. Then she persuaded her husband to take urgent measures to protect the dwindling species which he did by initiating planning for their protection. After a series of meetings and documentations, the Kaziranga Proposed Reserve Forest was created with an area of 232 km2 (90 sq mi) in 1905.
Along with the iconic Greater one-horned rhinoceros, the park is the breeding ground of elephants, wild water buffalo, and swamp deer. Over the time, the tiger population has also increased in Kaziranga, and that’s the reason why Kaziranga was declared as Tiger Reserve in 2006. Also, the park is recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International for the conservation of avifaunal species. Birds like lesser white-fronted goose, ferruginous duck, Baer’s pochard duck and lesser adjutant, greater adjutant, black-necked stork, and Asian Openbill stork specially migrate from the Central Asia during the winter season.
Undoubtedly, the park is known for its good population of animals but more than that its the wildlife conservation initiatives that take place in the park are more popular. With its amazing wildlife conservation activities, the park has successfully managed to grow the population of Greater one-horned rhinoceros, an endangered species.
The vast expanse of tall elephant grass, marshland, and dense tropical moist broadleaf forests undoubtedly makes the park look beautiful but it’s the presence of Brahmaputra river, which makes it look enigmatic.
Arrive at Guwahati airport. On arrival meet and assist. Proceed to the hotel. Check into the hotel and rest. O/N in Guwahati.
After breakfast, visit the Assam state museum, Assam state zoo cum botanical garden, Kamakhya temple, Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra- a sprawling enclosure depicting cultures and traditions of Northeast India with an interesting museum. In the evening enjoy a one hour cruise on the River Brahmaputra. O/N at Guwahati.
Check out from Guwahati and drive towards Shillong. (approx 2 hrs ) On arrival in Shillong, visit Don Bosco centre for Indigenous cultures, Capt. Williamson Sangma state museum, Cathedral Catholic church, Wards Lake, Lady Hydari park, Ever living museum and sweet falls. O/N Shillong
Visit the second wettest place on earth- Cherrapunji. Enroute visit Shillong peak and Elephant falls. In Cherrapunji, visit the double decker root bridge, dainthlen waterfalls, Rangjyrthei village, khasi monoliths, Ramakrishna mission museum, Cherrapunji meteorological museum, David Scot Memorial. On your return, visit the local market for its orange flavoured honey and tribal jewellery. Back to Shillong in the evening. O/N at Shillong.
After an early breakfast check out from Shillong and drive towards Kohima. On arrival in Kohima, check into the hotel. Later visit the second world war memorial and enjoy a walk in the local market. O/N at Kohima.
After breakfast, visit Khonoma village, 20 km one way. Afternoon drive a short distance to the southern Angami tribal village of Kigwema. Back to Kohima in the evening. O/N at Kohima.
Check out from Kohima and drive to Tuophema. ( approx 3 hrs). On arrival check into Village resort built in the Angami Naga style with amenities for a comfortable stay. Walk in the old village and visit the small but interesting museum. Evening enjoy a traditional dance performance by the local people. O/N at Tuophema.
Morning drive short distance to a village inhabited by the Rengma Naga tribe. You can have a look at the traditional weaving in some households and also buy Naga shawls or stoles, if interested, direct from the villagers. Afternoon back to Tuophema. O/N at Tuophema.
Check out from Tuophema and drive to Mokokchung. On arrival check into the tourist lodges. Later visit Ao Naga tribal villages.. O/N at Mokokchung.
Check out from Mokokchung and we proceed towards Jorhat in Assam.On arrival check into the hotel. Later visit enjoy a tea tour visiting tea plantations and tea factory (factory not in operation from mid December to end March), Thengal Bhawan, Raja Maidam, Gibbon wildlife Sanctuary and Dhekiakhowa Bornamghar. The Dhekiakhowa Bornamghar is the oldest and the most famous place of worship in Assam, which attracts a lot of tourists every year. O/N at Jorhat.
Check out from Jorhat and drive 45 km to Neematighat near the town of Jorhat to take a ferry across the mighty Brahmaputra to Majuli Island, the culture centre of Assam. Visit Hindu monasteries or ‘satras’ of Majuli. . Interact with the ‘bhakts’ or monks, know about their practices and way of living. O/N at Majuli.
Take the return ferry to Neematighat and drive on to Kaziranga National Park . On arrival check into the lodge/ hotel. O/N at Kaziranga.
Set out for an early morning elephant safari in the central range of the park. Afternoon jeep safari in the western range of the park. Kaziranga is also well known for its bird life with more than 450 species recorded. Wild buffalo, deer, elephants make this park a favourite for the wild life enthusiast. O/N at Kaziranga.
Check out from Kaziranga and you shall be dropped at Guwahati airport to take your return flight back home. ...Tour ends..!!
