Assam is the most easily accessed state in the Northeast, with an airport and railway station at its capital Guwahati which welcome flights and trains from all the metros. It's also the best-known - but that doesn't mean it can't spring some surprises.
To fully savour tea country, make your holiday at a tea garden bungalow-turned-hotel. We can recommend three. The Mancotta Chang Bungalow, outside Dibrugarh, is set on stilts ("changs") and surrounded by gardens and tea estates (Contact 0373-2301120); Thengal Manor, in Jalukonibari, near Jorhat, offers interestingly mismatched decor, massive meals, four-poster beds, and a pond to fish in (0 94355 14177 heritagetourismindia.com/). Wild Mahseer in Tezpur is adjacent to the Eastern Himalayan Botanic Ark and offers Raj style bungalow accommodations (Starts INR 10,900 per night, wildmahseer.com)
Staying at a planter's bungalow is one way to experience life at a tea garden. To live the life of a planter for a few days, you need to have a riding holiday at an estate. Equestrian tours are hosted by the Mancotta Chang Bungalow - typical trails are around the plantation, along the banks of the Brahmaputra, or into an adjoining forest reserve. Previous horse-riding experience is necessary participants need to bring breeches and riding boots. Costs range from INR 6,000 per day for a single person to INR 3,000 per person in a group of six includes stay, meals, rides, and guide. Contact Mancotta Chang.
World's heritage, Assam's pride. The success story of the wildlife conservation efforts - especially of the endangered one-horned Rhinoceros at Kaziranga is remarkable. The first National Park in India to be listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site, it covers an area of 860 sq km predominated by grasslands. Visitors to the Park can hope to see the "Big Five" - the one-horned rhinoceros, the Royal Bengal tiger, the Asiatic elephant, the Asiatic wild buffalo, and the Eastern swamp deer. Stay at any of Assam Tourism's three lodges in the Park (03776-2662423, 2662429). Or at the lovely Wild Grass Resort (0361-2546827, www.oldassam.com).
Less known but just as remarkable as Kaziranga is Majuli - the world's largest river island with 800 sq kms of forest and beach situated in the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra. The island of plenty boasts considerable natural and cultural wealth. Its satras or monasteries house valuable relics, and the island's biodiversity creates an ideal homing ground for birds. Access is by ferry from Neemati Ghat, 14km from Jorhat. There are no accommodation facilities for tourists on the island, but it's possible to stay at a satra. For details, visit www.majuli.org. Or take a Brahmaputra cruise, such as on the luxury Charaidew, which includes a day-trip to Majuli. (Contact 0361-2602186, 2602223, assambengalnavigation.com)
Manas National Park stands as a pristine haven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers alike. Its lush expanses, spanning over 500 square kilometers, host a rich tapestry of biodiversity, including the iconic Indian rhinoceros, Bengal tigers, elephants, and a plethora of avian species. Also recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park offers immersive experiences through adventurous safaris, tranquil boat rides along the winding Manas River, and guided nature walks. With its breathtaking landscapes and abundant wildlife sightings, Manas National Park promises an unforgettable rendezvous with nature.
