Indus Experiences Unveils New River Cruise,

Indus Experiences Unveils New River Cruise, Wilderness And Culture Tours To India And Bhutan

Adding to their colourfully diverse India brochure, Indus Experiences, the tailor-made holiday specialist, have broadened the options with a new supplement – India and Bhutan Living Cultures & River Cruises. Combining cruising along the mighty Brahmaputra River with heady Himalayan explorations and trips into the fascinating Dragon Kingdom of Bhutan; exclusive cultural encounters with the locals in Northern India and Rajasthan; and, ideal for first-timers, India’s Golden Triangle with a cruise, it offers five new itineraries. The only navigable river in the world from which one can soak up breath-taking views of the Himalaya, the Brahmaputra River is also the only river, apart from the Zambezi in Africa, from which elephant, jeep and boat safaris are conducted.  Thus offering holidaymakers the opportunity to visit more remote wilderness, ancient temples and palaces, tribal villages, monasteries and tea estates throughout Assam. Conducted aboard the luxuriously appointed MV Mahabaahu, the new tours along the Brahmaputra offer an alternative way of exploring off the beaten track through a well planned combination of cruise and excursions. Described by the National Geographic as the “Serengeti of India”, highlights include wildlife watching on elephant-back for single horned rhinos, elephants, wild buffaloes and tigers in the UNESCO World Heritage Kaziranga National Park; exploring the fusion of faiths at Kamakhya Temple, Sibsagar and Majuli Island; wandering though manicured tea estates; and encounters with local village life. The tour, Mountains, Monuments and Mighty Brahmaputra, combines the cruise with a tour of the vibrant city of Kolkata (plus Mother Theresa's orphanage), the fascinating hill station of Darjeeling (plus lunch with a local family) and eastern India's soaring Himalayan peaks (from £3940/person).  Bhutan & MV Mahabaahu, meanwhile, merges the cruise with a tour of Kolkata and on to the snow-clad Dragon Kingdom of Bhutan.  Highlights, including visits to medieval monasteries and immaculately preserved dzongs (fortresses), provide ample insight into the rich traditions and spirituality of this remote and beautiful mountain country (from £4,240/person). For a holiday offering the best of both worlds, the 16-day Golden Triangle with Brahmaputra Cruise blends the highlights of northern India with a seven-night cruise along the Brahmaputra River. Ideal for the first-time visitor to India, this itinerary takes in the 'Golden Triangle' destinations of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, with some memorable cultural encounters along the way before boarding the MV Mahabaahu (from £3989/person). Ideal for incorporating into any India tour, the MV Mahabaahu is also the fastest river-cruiser on the Brahmaputra allowing for a more compact sightseeing itinerary (most other boats require ten days to cover the distance that the MV Mahabaahu manages in a week).  The most luxurious river-cruiser on the river, it features an onboard spa, swimming pool and just 23 stylishly appointed cabins with a full cultural entertainment programme to complement the simple pleasure of observing life along the riverbanks and the possible sightings of the fresh water Gangetic dolphins. For more information, please call Indus Experiences on 020 8901 7320, email: holidays@indusexperiences.co.uk, www.indusexperiences.co.uk