MV Mahabaahu Cruise

We fly in to Guwahati by 1100 hrs. where the representatives of MV Mahabaahu receive us and we drive away to Kamakhya Temple. After a visit to the Goddess of Desire we drive to MV Mahabaahu. We are welcomed and ushered in to our cabins and soon after we enjoy lunch on board. We peel away from the Saraighat Bridge that supports a rail and a road and marks the narrowest stretch of Brahmaputra. We sail past the Peacock Island and notice the hills around Guwahati that make it picturesque. We use the afternoon to settle in and this evening we gather on the Sun Deck We raise a toast to the River Brahmaputra and enjoy this sundowner and look out for the Gangetic Dolphins that hunt in these deep waters. Soon after we gather for a safety briefing and a presentation on the ship’s facilities as we sip on Assam tea. This evening we gather in the lounge for drinks and move on for a sit-down Chef’s Welcome Dinner in the Ship’s Restaurant ‘Mungri Mungram’. We are briefed on the program for the following day once again. Some guests continue on, in the Lounge after Dinner and others retire for the day.

A video on Kamakhya temple and an orientation on the Bangla Village, A talk on ‘Assam, its geographical location, the role of River Brahmaputra on tribal life’ This is a very relaxed morning. You can sleep in or be on the top deck to experience a session of Yog and enjoy a peep into the traditional wisdom of the gurus from ancient times. A laid-back relaxed breakfast from 0800 to 1000 hrs, a talk on Kamakhya temple and an orientation on the Bangla Village. Enjoy a relaxed dinner on MV Mahabaahu. After dinner, some of us indulge ourselves in the lounge. A laid-back relaxed breakfast from 0800 to 1000 hrs, a talk on Kamakhya Temple and an orientation on the Bangla Village. We interact with the village folk and try to understand the simple and satisfied subsistence life styles. These folks who live off the Brahmaputra River, both for farming and fishing make a choice of living on fertile unclaimed sand bars. They understand that they can enjoy the privilege of owning large expanse of land only till the river decides to remain benevolent. The river claims their land during the monsoon and they must return to their haven on mainland or create one. The river starts receding from October to mid-Feb and slowly the snow-melt in the Himalayas starts creating volume and an indication to get ready. April showers add to the water levels. We return to the ship for lunch and enjoy some leisurely hours reading a book or indulging in a steam, Sauna, Jacuzzi or an Ayurvedic Massage or any other treatment. You can enjoy a dip in the swimming pool or be on the sun deck to enjoy the river in its process of devouring or adding to the sand of the sand bars. In the evening, along with some ‘chai and pakoras’, an ethnic Indian snack, we enjoy a talk on ‘Assam, its geographical location, the role of River Brahmaputra, the tribal life and commercial Ventures; Tea, Silk & Jute that Assam is famous for’

A relaxing cup of Assam tea on this leisurely morning followed by some Yog on the Sun Deck and a laid- back leisurely breakfast is the call of the day as MV Mahabaahu sails past lush villages where village folk rush to the shores to witness the ship sail past. These colourful rural folk keep the river alive with their colours and their farming and fishing activities. The River Brahmaputra is a life line of all who settle on these fertile alluvial islands. We take advantage of the leisure in hand and take a dip in the pool on board MV Mahabaahu and enjoy the waters or fix a massage/beauty therapy appointment. We sail along Singri and Tezpur and under the Kaliabhomura bridge and reach Silghat where the ship docks for further activities. Those of us who opt for the 2 night cruise enjoy an early lunch, complete the departure formalities and deboard at Silghat to Drive to Guwahati to board the flight (scheduled for 1900 hrs or later)