Diphlu River Lodge opened in January 2008, providing much-needed high-class accommodation at Kaziranga National Park, a World Heritage Site. The position of the lodge is second to none: only the boundary river separates its extensive grounds from the National Park itself, and the jungle views are exceptional.

Diphlu River Lodge has 12 stilted air-conditioned cottages made of bamboo and with thatched roof, with en-suite shower and roomy dressing area. All the cottages are well-appointed and charmingly furnished with individual interiors. Each has a seating area with comfortable cane furniture, a writing desk, mini-bar, safe, small fridge and tea & coffee machine as well as top-quality beds and mattresses. The spacious cottages have a wide folding glass door opening onto a thatched verandah with cane day bed and inviting chairs, and overlook the Diphlu River and National Park, while at the rear a deck with sun loungers looks across farmland.

High above the Diphlu River is the Machan with its air-conditioned sitting and dining areas opening onto a large verandah with high thatch ceiling and bamboo floor. Guests can relax here during the day over a chilled beer or a delicious meal, sink onto sofas with a book from the library, enjoy an al fresco breakfast on the verandah, watch for birds or scan the forest for wild animals.

Kaziranga National Park; home to the largest number of Indian one horned Rhino is quite pleasant during the monsoon as well. Though the core area of the National Park remains closed for visitors a lot of the inhabitants of the forests can be sited from the fringes. Different activities will be organized by the Diphlu River Lodge management both for the nature lovers as well as for the visitors wanting to relax in the serenity of the forest environment, away from the sweltering heat of most of India.

The monsoon days can be spent indulging in soft activities like walking along the bank of Diphlu River accompanied by the naturalist to spot and identify many birds of the area, taking an elephant ride in the fringes of the park, visiting nearby archeological sites and the famous Assam Tea Estates. One can also go for a day long dolphin spotting expedition on the Brahmaputra River accompanied by naturalist and boatmen.

SPOT THE DOLPHIN ON BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER

A very rare species, under threat of extinction, the Ganges River Dolphin is primarily found in the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers and their tributaries in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. River Dolphin can be spotted near the Bhorelli River and Brahmaputra confluence off Silghat which is approximately 45 minutes drive from Diphlu River Lodge.

After early morning breakfast at the lodge you will be driven to Silghat where a motorized country boat will first take you to Hatimurah temple (10th Century AD) located on top of a hill. Later sail on downstream to confluence of Bhorelli - Brahmaputra River to spot river Dolphins. Disembark at Ganesh Ghat in Tezpur in the afternoon and drive back to Diphlu River Lodge (approximate 1 hr drive). Alternatively you can enjoy a short sightseeing of Tezpur town including visit to the 6th century ruins of Da Parbatia temple, Cole Park and Mahabhairab temple before driving back to Diphlu River Lodge.

ANCIENT TEMPLE SITE OF DEOPAHAR

Deopahar ruins are the great archeological remains of an ancient temple dating back from 10 – 12 century AD. This temple was built atop a hillock with great views of tea estates, the Karbi hills and also the Brahmaputra River in the distance. The main plinth of the temple is still intact with exquisitely carved bas-reliefs. Other statues and figures are also scattered on this hill top, believed to be parts of the same temple.

After breakfast you will be driven to the ruins of Deopahar temple located near the town of Numaligarh. Leaving the vehicle we will walk up the steps built to take you to the top where this site is located. Look around the various beautifully carved figures, relax in the midst of ruins, trees and take in the grand view it offers of the surrounding area. We return to the lodge by midday for lunch. Afternoon is kept free for you to relax.

ELEPHANT RIDE

Jungle safari by elephant and by open jeep is not allowed by the forest department inside Kaziranga National Park from 1st May till end September. Park Officially opens from 1st November. During the month of October Jungle activities may be allowed by the forest department depending on flood conditions.

However, the Manager of Diphlu River Lodge can arrange elephant ride outside the National Park at extra cost.

For special tariff and TAC contact us at jti_tours@rediffmail.com

These 7-night cruises operate in the summer months from Kolkata to the Ganges (upstream and downstream), with one way by ship and one way by rail. Highlights are the ruins of the medieval city of Gaur, Murshidabad, capital of the Nawabs of Bengal, delightful Bengali terracotta temples, idyllic Bengal villages and the colonial trading stations of the British and other European nations to the north of Calcutta. The intimate waterway of Hooghly is bordered by idyllic villages and rural landscape of jute fields and mango orchards.

The 12 air-conditioned cabins with en-suite shower and WC of the luxury river boat RV Sukapha are equally roomy and are equipped with the much appreciated comfortable chairs by the picture windows for relaxing in privacy. The spacious saloon of RV Sukapha has French windows opening onto a front balcony deck and the dinning room has glass doors down each side. Specially-commissioned furniture and locally-woven soft furnishings adorn all the cabins and public areas. The large sundeck offers the opportunity to relax on comfortable cane rattan chairs and sun-loungers. RV Sukapha is also equipped with a Spa, providing traditional Ayurvedic massages and other traditional treatments.

SCHEDULES & PRICES

PRICE

USD195 per person per night Hooghly Cruises Jul/Sep 2009
USD105 per night single supp Hooghly Cruises, Jul/Sep 2009
Prices subject to 2.65% service tax

Scheduled Departures Duration Cruise Vessel From – To 18-25 July 09 7 nights Hugli upstream Sukapha Kolkata-Jangipur 25 July -1 August, 09 7 nights Hugli downstream Sukapha Jangipur-Kolkata 1-8 August, 09 7 nights Hugli upstream Sukapha Kolkata-Jangipur 8-15 August, 09 7 nights Hugli downstream, Sukapha Jangipur-Kolkata 15-22 August, 09 7 nights Hugli upstream Sukapha Kolkata-Jangipur 22-29 August, 09 7 nights Hugli downstream Sukapha Jangipur-Kolkata 29 August – 5 September, 09 7 nights Hugli  upstream Sukapha Kolkata-Jangipur 5-12 September, 09 7 nights Hugli downstream Sukapha Jangipur-Kolkata 12-19 September, 09 7 nights Hugli upstream Sukapha Kolkata-Jangipur 19-26 September, 09 7 nights Hugli downstream Sukapha Jangipur-Kolkata

Special Discount of 25% for the 18 to 25 July, 09 Hooghly Upstream cruise and on 25 July to 1 August, 09 Hooghly Downstream cruise For detailed itineraries and any other cruise related information please visit our website: www.assambengalnavigation.com or you can write to us at assambengal@rediffmail.com

TOP

ENTRY REGULATIONS RELAXED FOR FOREIGN VISITORS TO ARUNACHAL PRADESH

Arunachal Pradesh: After years of gentle persuasion by the tour operators of North East the Government of Arunachal Pradesh has finally relaxed the entry formalities for the foreign visitors to the state. Earlier the Restricted / Protected Area Permit regulations of the Arunachal Pradesh Government stipulated that there has to be a minimum number of four tourists in a group to apply for the permit. This has been revised and now two tourists also can apply for the said permit. In another significant revision Arunachal Pradesh Government is now issuing the permit with thirty days validity instead of the earlier ten days. This is allowing foreign visitors and tour operators to plan for more elaborate tour itineraries for the fascinating state of Arunachal Pradesh. Individuals and groups with special interest in various aspects of the tribes and culture of the state can now spend longer periods in each site studying and recording their interests. For special Arunachal Pradesh tour itineraries contact us at jti_tours@rediffmail.com NEW TOURIST CIRCUITS OPENED IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH In another very welcome development, the Government of Arunachal Pradesh has opened new tourist circuits for foreign and domestic visitors to the state. Along with the newly extended validity period of the Restricted Area Permit, the newly opened destinations will certainly increase the volume of visitors to the state. The new routes are Along – Mechuka; Along – Yinkiong – Tuting; Daporijo – Sippi. The above routes will take visitors to previously almost unexplored areas to throw insight into the tribal customs of some of the Arunachali tribes. MECHUKA The frontier town of Mechuka is 215 km north-west of Along and is only 29 km away from Indo-China border. The journey from Along to Mechuka takes about 8 to 9 hrs to a place which is not on the map! As the banana trees and the dense verdant vegetation surprisingly and suddenly opens out into a plateau of pines, apple and almond trees, traversed by a stream, grazed by ponies and Tibetan prayer flags waving in the breeze at dusk, you will know that you have arrived at Mechuka. Mechuka is situated at 6000 feet, close to the Chinese border, and is a mainly Buddhist town, due to the large number of Tibetan refugees settled in this area. There are also quite a number of Adi tribal people living in the Mechuka area. The Memba tribal people of Siang District are also Buddhists, following the same strand of Buddhism as the Tibetans. The Gompa at Mechuka is one of the oldest monasteries called Samten Yongcha of Mahayana sect located at a hilltop in the western most part of Mechuka, this Gompa as per the oral history of Membas is a contemporary of the great Tawang monastery.  For tour ideas of Arunachal Pradesh contact us at jti_tours@rediffmail.com

TOP

FOR VISITORS TO BHUTAN: NEW ENTRY / EXIT ROUTE OPEN THROUGH ASSAM

In a recent development, the Government of Bhutan has opened another entry and exit point on the Assam – Bhutan border for foreign visitors to that country. Earlier, apart from Phuntsoling in North Bengal, foreign tourists were allowed to enter or exit Bhutan only through the Samdrup Jhonkar border post situated about 100 km north of Guwahati, the capital of Assam. Recently the Bhutan Government has started allowing foreigners to enter or exit through the Bhutanese trading town of Gelephu on its border with the Indian state of Assam. Gelephu is about 265 km North-West of Guwahati, 60 km from the nearest railhead of New Bongaigaon in Assam, only 125 km from the World Heritage Site of Manas National Park in Assam. This has allowed tour operators to offer new itineraries and combinations to foreign visitors including sections in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Sikkim-Darjeeling and other areas of North East India. For more travel ideas including Bhutan and North Eastern states please contact us at jti_tours@rediffmail.com

TOP