Jorhat is a major tea hub in the Upper Assam region. The city is also a good base for visiting Majuli, the largest river island in the world. Majuli island, a World Heritage Site in the Brahmaputra river, is known for its beautiful rural setting and traditional tribal architecture. It is also famous for its monastic retreats where the worship of Lord Vishnu is through dance, music and poetry.
Day 1 - Majuli
Today you travel from Kaziranga to Nimatighat, a windswept sandbank about an hour's drive from Jorhat. From here you take a narrow, crowded ferry to cruise down the Brahmaputra to Majuli island, the largest river island in the world.
On arrival, you will be transfered by road to your hotel, passing enroute through both Assamese and Mishing Villages - the Mishing houses are typified by being built on stilts and their 'long house' style of design. Your resort is built in exactly the same style - simple bamboo cottages on stilts spread around a central open area.
In the afternoon you visit one of Majuli's satras, unique monasteries, established in the 15th century by a visionary reformer-philosopher, Shankardeva. The satras are rich depositories of traditional Assamese arts and crafts, and regularly stage dance dramas in praise of Vishnu. Watching one of the performances is a riveting experience.
Day 2 - Jorhat
You leave Majuli early in the morning to catch a ferry back to Nimatighat. Cruising upstream is likely to take double the time, approximately 1 1/2 hours.
Jorhat is Assam's second largest city after Guwahati. The actual city is like any other one in India, with chaotic traffic and colourful markets. However, just outside the city limits, the tea plantations take over.
Day 3 - Jorhat
Your tour finishes in Jorhat after breakfast. Jorhat is connected to the rest of India by flight. Alternatively you can drive back to Guwahati or continue from Jorhat to explore Mokokchung & Mon in the hills of northern Nagaland.
