ASSAM WILDLIFE, ISLAND & ORISSA CAVES
Overview
Assam Wildlife, Island & Orissa Caves Tour Package Itinerary: Guwahati – Kaziranga – Majuli Island – Jorhat – Kolkata – Bhubaneswar – Udayagiri – Ratnagiri – Jodi Ka Kila – Cuttack – Puri
INDIA !! a vast country and birthplace of two of the world’s great religions – Hinduism and Buddhism in a single page. “Land of the Rising Sun”- Assam. Where a diversity of wildlife to experience at Kaziranga National Park, the home to the world’s largest population of “One Horned Rhinoceros” a World Heritage Site. Admire early morning Sunrise at Umiam Lake is vow. Experience ferry drive to the mighty Brahmaputra river to narrow lanes of Majuli islands the unique mask making art of Majuli. Stopping at Bhumura Bridge over River Brahmaputra and explore end of the trip the most famous Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati.
Further moving to the plains visit Satpada Island the Island where Chilka Lake meets the Bay of Bengal. Explore the Ancient 1st century Buddhist complex in Lalitgiri to 10th century monument fine example of ancient and modern Kalinga School of architecture. Relax and unwind amongst the unique temples of 64 Yogini. Gaze upon the most famous monument of World Heritage Site – KONARK TEMPLE . Shop till you drop in the heart of textile village Raghurajpur – Puri. its extraordinary collection of IKAT textiles.
ARRIVAL GUWAHATI – KAZIRANGA
Arrive Guwahati airport, & drive Kaziranga National Park, the home of the "One Horned Rhinoceros. First we drive to KAMAKHYA TEMPLE: The temple is dedicated to goddess Kamakhya an incarnation of Sati. According to Shiva Purana to save the world from the Shiva’s Tandava Nrittya (Dance of Destruction), cut Sati’s dead body into 51 pieces with his Chakra. After visiting temple, we drive few km away to Kaziranga National Park, it is inhabited by the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses. World heritage site is the oldest park in Assam located on the banks of the Brahmaputra River. Its forests, wetlands and grasslands are home to tigers, elephants and the world’s largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceroses on arrival check in to hotel. Dinner / Overnight stay at hotel.
KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK
Early morning proceeds for JEEP SAFARI to the Western Range of the Park. Return to lodge for breakfast. Free time. Post lunch, we will take you to another JEEP SAFARI to the Eastern (Agaratuli) Range. The area is excellent for birding. Includes nesting of the globally threatened Pallas's Fish Eagle and a colony of Spot-billed Pelicans. Migrant waterfowl may be observed at Sohola Beel. Various woodland birds can be seen along the drive through very scenic Dillenia Swamp Forest... Evening return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK
Early morning Elephant Safari through the Central Zone of the National Park. Post lunch we visit again by Jeep Safari. Dinner / Overnight stay at hotel.
KAZIRANGA -BOAT TRIP - MAJULI ISLAND
Morning after breakfast we drive to Nimati ghat to catch ferry to the Majuli. It’s a wonderful 1.5 hour’s ferry drive to the mighty Brahmaputra. We can smell the fresh air of the river. On arrival at Majuli islands, check in to Guest House. We explore the unique mask making art of Majuli by experiencing it firsthand. Also, we Interaction with the artists to learn how these unique masks take shape, from bamboo structures Afternoon free for Local exploration. Dinner Overnight stay hotel.
MAJULI ISLAND
Morning after breakfast, walking tour, to interact with the local people to know about their life and culture, & afternoon free at leisure or local exploration. Dinner / Overnight stay hotel.
MAJULI - JORHAT - KOLKATA
Morning after breakfast transfer to Kamalabari Ghat to take ferry towards Neemati Ghat, 108 kms 2.5 hrs. On Arrival at Neemati Ghat transfer to Jorhat Airport catch flight to Kolkata. On arrival check in to hotel. After Kolkata sightseeing including Marble Place, Dalhousie Square. Dinner / Overnight stay at hotel.
KOLKATA – BHUBANESWAR: Shatabdi Train
Early Morning visit flower market & Howrah Bridge, return to hotel have breakfast & Departure Transfer to Railway station to catch train to Bhubaneswar, on Arrival Transfer to hotel. Dinner / Overnight stay at hotel.
BHUBANESWAR
Morning after breakfast Visit KHANDAGIRI & UDAYAGIRI: famous name of the two caves believed to have been carved out as residential accommodation for Jain monks during the reign of King Kharavela. Udayagiri, popular as the sunrise hill, has 18 caves. After drive to 64 YOGINI TEMPLE: Dedicated to Goddess Durga and the 64 Yoginis who are considered to be her different forms. On way back to hotel stop visiting MUKTESWAR TEMPLE: a 10th century old monument is fine example of ancient and modern Kalinga School of architecture. The walls are decorated with legendry stories from the Panchatantra. Free evening. Overnight at hotel.
BHUBANESWAR – UDAYGIRI – RANTNAGIRI – LALITGIRI- JODI KA KILA
Morning after breakfast we drive full day trip to LALITGIRI - the 1st century Buddhist complex in Orissa, which together with Ratnagiri and Udayagiri creates Puspagiri University which has a few best sculptures of that age, a holy destination for many Buddhism devotees related with the origin point of Buddhism. RATNAGIRI belongs to Mahayana Sect along with famous kings like Ashoka and Gupta Dynasty. Ratnagiri is also known for the flow of main rivers of Odisha known as Mahanadi, Brahmani, Kimiria and Birupa. Then continue drive to UDAYAGIRI, it referred as ‘Madhavapura Mahavihara’ in the history, as per the epigraphically artifact found in the region. Dinner / Overnight stay at hotel.
JODI KILA PALACE – CUTTACK - PURI
Today after having breakfast, we proceed to Puri. Enroute, we visit Pipli - the artist village where locals produce applique art a town of artisans famous for their colourful fabrics. Later we drive towards Puri on the sun-kissed beach and view the breath-taking sunset. Dinner / Overnight at hotel.
PURI
Morning after breakfast drive to CHILIKA LAKE: One of the most important wetlands in the world because it is home to a phenomenal variety of birds. We visit Satpada Island - a major attraction for spotted Irrawaddy dolphins and Sea Mouth - the Island where Chilka Lake meets the Bay of Bengal. Back to hotel for overnight stay.
PURI
This morning we visit JAGANNATH TEMPLE: One of the major pilgrimage centres in India followed by a visit to Chandrabhaga Beach. Later we visit KONARK SUN TEMPLE – an architectural marvel which is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch visit Raghuraj Pur – textile village of famous IKAT Orissa textile. Overnight at hotel.
PURI – KOLKATA
Today early we take our train to Kolkata. On arrival lunch at local restaurant. Post lunch transfer to Kolkata Airport to board connecting flight to onward journey. Tour End