Assam Wilderness Escape

Eleven nights through the Brahmaputra Valley, from colonial Kolkata to Manas, Orang and Kaziranga, home to the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceros.

Three protected areas in one journey, including a UNESCO site whose conservation recovery is among the most remarkable in Asia, finishing in the tea gardens of Jorhat.

Private

Tailor-Made Journey

Nights in India

Daily

Breakfast Included

Private

Chauffeur Throughout

Expert

Local Guides

ATOL

Protected Holidays

Grassland, River and Rhino

The Wildlife of the Brahmaputra Valley

This immersive wildlife journey explores the remarkable biodiversity of Northeast India, combining the colonial heritage of Kolkata with the rich wildlife landscapes of Assam.

Discover the grasslands and forests of Manas National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its conservation success stories. Continue to the lesser-visited Orang Tiger Reserve, often called the Mini Kaziranga for its thriving population of the Greater One-horned Rhinoceros. The journey culminates in Kaziranga National Park, home to the world’s largest population of One-horned Rhinoceroses, alongside Tiger, Asian Elephant and Wild Water Buffalo.

Journey Highlights

Experiences You Will Never Forget

Three reserves along the Brahmaputra, each with a different character, and two full days at the greatest of them.

Kaziranga's Rhinos

Kaziranga National Park holds over two-thirds of the world’s population of Greater One-horned Rhinoceroses, plus one of India’s highest tiger densities.

Manas and the Golden Langur

Manas National Park is renowned for the Pygmy Hog, Golden Langur, Hispid Hare and Bengal Florican, all globally threatened.

Orang, the Mini Kaziranga

Orang Tiger Reserve offers exceptional wildlife viewing with comparatively few visitors, along the north bank of the Brahmaputra.

River Excursions

River excursions on the Brahmaputra alongside private jeep safaris, including a Boat excursion to Majuli Island from Kaziranga.

Colonial Kolkata

Dalhousie Square, the Mullick Ghat Flower Market beneath Howrah Bridge, the Victoria Memorial and the Indian Museum.

Tea Gardens at Jorhat

A guided walk through the tea gardens, watching leaves plucked by hand in the tea treasure house of Assam.

Birding on the Floodplains

Great Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Swamp Francolin and Pallas’s Fish Eagle, with winter waterfowl in numbers.

Kolkata's Markets

A guided visit through the meat and fish markets, an authentic look at the rhythm of everyday Kolkata.

Your Journey

Kolkata and the Brahmaputra Valley

West to east along the north bank of the Brahmaputra, through three protected areas of increasing scale.

Kolkata

Stop 1

Manas

Stop 2

Orang

Stop 3

Kaziranga

Stop 4

Jorhat

Stop 5

Sample Itinerary

Your Assam Wilderness Escape Journey

The itinerary can be extended, shortened or upgraded to suit your preferred travel style.

Days 01 - 02 : Arrive Kolkata

Days 01-02

Colonial Calcutta

A warm reception at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport. A full day covering the meat and fish markets, Dalhousie Square with Raj Bhawan, St. John’s Church, Town Hall, Writer’s Building and the General Post Office, then the Mullick Ghat Flower Market, Howrah Bridge, Victoria Memorial, St. Paul’s Cathedral and the **Indian Museum.

Days 03 - 04 : Kolkata - Guwahati - Manas National Park

Days 03-04

A UNESCO Site on the Bhutan Border

The flight for Guwahati, then the drive to Manas National Park, bordering Bhutan’s Royal Manas. A full day of **private jeep safaris, river excursions, birdwatching experiences and guided nature exploration, searching for Asian Elephant, Tiger, Golden Langur and Wild Buffalo.

Days 05 - 06 : Manas - Orang Tiger Reserve

Days 05-06

The Mini Kaziranga

Drive to Orang Tiger Reserve on the north bank of the Brahmaputra, a compact landscape of grassland, wetland and riverine forest renowned for Greater One-horned Rhinoceroses, Tiger, Asian Elephant, Wild Water Buffalo, Hog Deer and Pygmy Hog.

Days 07 - 09 : Orang - Kaziranga National Park

Days 07-09

The Greatest of Them

Drive to Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO site holding over two-thirds of the world’s one-horned rhinos. Two full days of private jeep safaris across different tourism ranges, searching for One-horned Rhinoceros, Tiger, Asian Elephant, Wild Water Buffalo and Eastern Swamp Deer.

Day 10 : Kaziranga - Jorhat

Day 10

The Tea Treasure House

Drive to Jorhat, home to the oldest golf course in Asia and third oldest in the world. Check in at a tea plantation resort, then a guided walk through the tea gardens, watching workers pluck leaves and learning Assam’s celebrated tea production process.

Days 11 - 12 : Jorhat - Kolkata

Days 11-12

Return and Departure

The flight for Kolkata and a final afternoon free for relaxation or shopping, then a transfer to the airport the following morning for your onward flight.

Your Holiday

Thoughtfully Arranged From Beginning to End

Your Journey Includes

11 nights accommodation, including seven at jungle lodges and one at a tea plantation resort
All meals served at the lodges during the reserve stays
Morning and afternoon wildlife activities with experienced naturalists
Private jeep safaris, river excursions and birdwatching at each reserve
Introductory naturalist sessions on arrival at each reserve
Guided sightseeing in Kolkata and a guided tea garden walk at Jorhat
Kolkata to Guwahati and Jorhat to Kolkata flights, plus all road transfers

Tailor Your Holiday

Add extra safaris at any of the three reserves
Add the Majuli Island boat excursion from Kaziranga
Add nights at Kaziranga, the reserve most worth extra time
Add a dedicated bird guide for the Brahmaputra floodplains
Extend to Nameri or Namdapha for a longer Northeast circuit
Add nights in Kolkata at either end
Travel November to April for peak wildlife viewing

Choose Your Assam Experience

Travel Northeast India Your Way

Choose the style of holiday that suits you. Every journey is privately arranged and can be personalised around your travel dates, preferred hotels, pace and experiences.

5★ Deluxe Journey

Delightful Rajasthan

From £2,500 per person

Based on two adults sharing

Luxury Rajasthan

From £3,500 per person

Based on two adults sharing

Palace Collection

Rajasthan Exceptional

Tailor-Made

For an extraordinary private journey

Prices depend on travel dates, lodge selection and safari permit availability. Safari permits are allocated by the Forest Department and advance booking is strongly recommended. International flights are not included but can be added to create a complete ATOL-protected holiday where applicable.

Not sure when to travel?
Season makes more difference to a wildlife journey than to any other kind. Tell us what you hope to see and we will advise on the best months, and on which reserves are open when.

Make It Your Own

Add Extraordinary Private Experiences

The Northeast rewards more time than most itineraries allow. These are the additions guests ask for most.

Majuli Island by Boat

A Boat excursion to Majuli Island, the largest river island in the world, from Kaziranga.

Extra Nights at Kaziranga

Different tourism ranges hold different habitats. More days means more of the park.

A Dedicated Bird Guide

Over 500 species at Kaziranga alone, and a specialist changes what you see entirely.

Longer in Kolkata

The city carries a full day easily, and two if you want the literary and culinary side.

Travel With Confidence

Why Book With India Vacations?

Your holiday is created by specialists who understand India and know how to make a complex journey feel effortless.

India Specialists

Knowledgeable consultants with first-hand understanding of the destination.

ATOL Protection

Financial protection when your holiday is booked with qualifying flights.

Tailor-Made Travel

Every itinerary can be adapted around your interests, dates and preferred level of comfort.

Personal Assistance

Support before departure and dependable local assistance while you travel.

Your Northeast India Story Starts Here

Let Us Create Your Perfect Journey Through India

Speak to an India specialist and receive a personalised itinerary based on your preferred dates, hotels, experiences and budget.

All itineraries are subject to availability and can be tailored to your requirements.

Assam Wilderness Escape Experiences