Experience of Assam & Meghalaya

Arrive Guwahati airport and drive to Shillong (140 kms / 4 hrs drive approx). Check-in Hotel. Overnight in Shillong.

After breakfast excursion to Cherrapunjee (60 kms / 2 hrs drive approx). Overnight in Shillong.

Local sightseeing in Shillong covering Ward’s Lake, Don Bosco Church, Shillong Peak, Elephant Falls and Local market (closed on Sundays). Overnight in Shillong.

After breakfast drive to Guwahati (120 kms / 3 ½ hrs drive). Check in hotel. Later visit Sankardev Kalakhetra. Overnight in Guwahati.

After breakfast visit Kamakhya temple and later drive to Chaygaon (Kukurmara): Located 70 km from Guwahati, the river dolphins are found in Kulsi river, which is the southern tributary of the Brahmaputra river. The river, with a width of 19 m, passes mainly through Chaygaon area of Kamrup District. River dolphins scientific name is Platanista gangetica. It is commonly known as “Susu” in Ganges and “Hihu” in the Brahmaputra. They are aquatic mammals. They are found in large numbers on the Kulsi river. Because of their poor eyesight, they cannot be trained as in the case of marine dolphins. Further, they do not live for long in captivity. Hence they cannot be kept for shows in dolphinariums. River dolphins (“Susu” or “Hihu”) grow to a maximum length of 2.6 m (8 ft.), weighing about 100 kg. They have elongated beak with about 28 sharp curved teeth on each side of upper and lower jaws. The flippers (forearms) are broad and paddle-like. The dorsal fin is short but the caudal fluke is well developed. As they are mammals they breathe air with lungs and come to the surface for breathing. They have to surface at least once in 30-50 seconds. They give birth to a calf of the length of about 65 cm after a gestation period of about 9 months. They feed their young ones with milk from the mammary glands located near its anus. The river dolphins feed on small fishes and prawns. They mature at an age of 6-7 years and may live for about 35 years. Country boats (without motor) are used for the sighting of river dolphins. Overnight in Guwahati.

NOTE: This boat ride to view the Gangatic Dolphin is subject to river condition, it is better to avoid the rainy season due to the high water level (June – 1st half of Aug).

After breakfast transfer to Guwahati airport.