Flavours of Assam

• Visit local village markets in rural Assam, to immerse yourself in the diversity of local ingredients
• Relish cuisine of four different ethnic communities of Assam cooked in various ways like, steamed, roasted, fermented, and grilled
• Learn about traditional food knowledge of Indigenous communities
• Taste local brew made of rice, and get an understanding of its preparation methods

Photos

Day 1: Guwahati

Meet and greet at Guwahati airport from where we drive to Chandubi, a picturesque lake on the outskirts of Guwahati. A gastronomical spread awaits us in which you will get to taste traditional fish and duck preparations. We will have opportunities to visit a local market en route to Chandubi.

Relax for the remainder of the evening .

Day 2: Guwahati to Kaziranga

Today we continue our drive to Kaziranga, the land of the one horned rhinos.  Circumscribed by the mighty Brahmaputra towards the North and East, and by the Mora Diphlu in the South the Kaziranga National park is home to the largest population of the Great One Horned Rhinoceros in the world. The habitat of this 400 sq. kms park encompasses vast expanse of tall elephant grass, marshland, and dense tropical moist broadleaf forests. The landscape consists of exposed sandbars, riverine flood-formed lakes known as, beels, and elevated regions known as, chaporis, which provide retreats and shelter for animals during floods

Day 3: Kaziranga

Early in the morning go for a ride on Elephant back to get up close to the Rhinos. After a breakfast relax around your resort or visit the Orchid and Biodiversity park. In the afternoon you will go for a jeep safari in the Central Range of the park where besides the other herbivores you will also be able to see the Assam Roof turtle.

Day 4: Kaziranga to Majuli

After breakfast drive to Nimati ghat from where an hours ferry ride over the might Brahmaputra gets us to Majuli, one of the larges river island in the world. The name is a conjunction of Ma which denotes Laxmi (the godess of prosperity) and Juli meaning granary. The island has been the hub of Neo-Vaishnavite culture since the 15^th century, having been initiated by the revered Assamese saint  Sankardeva. Besides the Vaishanvites you also have many village of the Mishing and Deori community which present a great opportunity to experience the rural Assamese life.

Day 5: Majuli

The Mishing community have lived for generations on the banks of Brahmaputra, thus possessing a tremendous knowledge of fishing and wet paddy cultivation . We will visit a traditional Mishing village where we will learn to prepare some traditional dishes . The Mishing are also well know for their local brew made by burning rice husk, which is known as Sai Mod. You will also have to opportunity to visit local markets, and sample traditional cooking methods in a ethnic kitchen run by a local family.

Day 6: Majuli – Sibsagar – Dibrugarh

Take the morning ferry back to Nimati ghat from where we drive to Sibsagar , the once eponymous capital of the Ahom Kingdom. The Ahom originally came from Myanmar , bringing with them an interesting food culture which slowly got assimilated into that existing in the Brahmaputra valley. We will visit an Ahom village to flavour their local delicacies.

By later afternoon continue driving to Dibrugarh.

Day 7: Excursion to Nam Phake

Drive to Nam Phake village on the banks of the BuriDihingriver. The village is  home to the Tai Phake community  which originally came down from Northern Thailand via Myanmar sometime in the 16^th century.  They still maintain their distinctive culture and language, along with their food habits.

Start with a visit to the village monastery of theTheruvada sect of Buddhism.  From there continuewalking around this serene village, interacting with the friendly locals. We visit one of the local houses where we have a traditional meal prepared with different kinds of vegetables and foraged greens, infused with local herbs. The vegetables are served with a ball of rice that is wrapped in a leaf and steamed, locally called Tupula Bhat. They are also known for the unique preparation of fish and pork that tastes as good as it looks- a true feast for the senses.

By evening drive back to Dibrugarh.

Day 8: Dibrugarh

After breakfast drop to Dibrugarh airport

Cost per person: Rs.51,000/-  + 5% GST