JTI GROUP

JTI GROUP
HANDCRAFTED EXPERIENCES OF EASTERN INDIA
DESTINATION MANAGEMENT SERVICES | RIVER CRUISES | BOUTIQUE LODGES AND RESORTS | TEXTILES AND HANDICRAFTS

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Contents
p. 5
JTI Group
p. 6
Eastern
Odyssey
p. 10
Jungle
Travels India
Namaste!
This year, JTI Group turns 29 and continues to be recognised as a forerunner in East India’s tourism and
hospitality industry, offering incredible experiences with our collection of brands in wildlife and birding,
cultural immersion tours, river cruising, boutique lodges and resorts, and textile and handicrafts. To date, we
are the first and only company based in Northeast India to have won the National Tourism Award.
Constantly looking to improve and grow our products and services, we have a number of exciting news to share.
Under Eastern Odyssey, we have launched MV Rudra Singha, our new elegant houseboat that now makes it
possible to cruise the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra river to areas hitherto unexplored by boat.
Assam Bengal Navigation, the pioneer in Indian river cruising, turns 15 this year. As India’s first, largest and
most experienced river cruise operator, we are proud to announce that we have begun design work on our
fourth cruise ship that will set sail on the Ganges in due course.
In April 2016, the state of Assam was honoured when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, HRH Prince
William and Catherine Middleton, chose to visit Kaziranga National Park. And that the royal family chose to
stay at Diphlu River Lodge, our boutique safari lodge, further reaffirms our ecotourism ethos and standards
of excellence.
JTI Group has always maintained that as our family of brands grows, the local communities that support
us in our tourism endeavours too should grow. Under Assam Bengal Navigation, we have set up ABN
Foundation, pledging to contribute 5% of all bookings to the causes of local community development,
wildlife conservation and environment protection.
This brochure aims to provide just a flavour of what’s on offer in Eastern India. This region is fast-emerging as
the next favoured destination, offering discerning travellers fascinating experiences to write home about.
We look forward to welcoming you to Eastern India!
Ashish Phookan
Founder and CEO, JTI Group
p. 12
JTI
Holidays
p. 15
Assam Bengal
Navigation
p. 22
Diphlu River
Lodge and
Bansbari
Lodge
p. 25
Tribal Heritage
p. 26
ABN Foundation
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INTRODUCING JTI GROUP
JTI GROUP IS A FAMILY-OWNED AND -MANAGED ENTERPRISE
THAT IS COMMITTED TO CRAFTING UNIQUE TRAVEL
EXPERIENCES AND CHAMPIONING RESPONSIBLE TOURISM.
Comprising river cruises,
boutique lodges and resorts,
destination management
services, and textiles and
handicrafts, JTI Group is a
collection of brands that
all operate under the same
management and maintain an
equal standard of excellence.
In 1989, in a tiny back-room
with nothing more than
a telephone and a solid
knowledge of the destination,
husband-wife traveller duo
Ashish and Jahnabi Phookan
established Jungle Travels
India Pvt Ltd, an award-winning
boutique travel company that
has been in operation for over
29 years.
Today, Jungle Travels India Pvt
Ltd remains the registered
name of the enterprise but we
refer to ourselves as JTI Group
to encapsulate all our other
new products and services.
Our destination management
services operate under two
companies: Jungle Travels
India, which focuses on
wildlife and birding tours in
Eastern India; and Eastern
Odyssey, a cultural travel
specialist that crafts bespoke
experiences in Eastern India.
In 2003, Ashish and Jahnabi
Phookan partnered with
Andrew and Grania Brock
to found Assam Bengal
Navigation, an Indo-British
joint venture offering boutique
river expeditions on the
Brahmaputra and Ganges
rivers. Our pioneering effort in
opening up India’s waterways
to tourism won us the National
Tourism Award in 2004-5.
We are also the largest and
most experienced river cruise
operator in India.
JTI Group has also expanded
into creating boutique lodges
and resorts in the vicinity
of Assam’s national parks.
Bansbari Lodge is a simple
but comfortable lodge
outside Manas National Park
and Diphlu River Lodge is an
award-winning lodge, built on
ecotourism principles, located
on the periphery of Kaziranga
National Park. We are also in
the process of building a resort
outside of Manas National
Park; landscaping work is
currently underway.
Weaving is an intrinsic part
of Assam but handspun
textiles may soon become a
lost art. Tribal Heritage, under
JTI Group, was established
to preserve Assam’s rich
textile heritage by offering
skills training in design and
hand-weaving to rural men and
women.
Our philosophy at JTI Group is
simple: travel and do good. In
April 2017, our commitment to
rural community development,
wildlife conservation and
environment protection will be
legitimised in the form of the
ABN Foundation. Every time
you travel with Assam Bengal
Navigation, ABN Foundation
will pay it forward to the
communities and national
parks you visited.
Delivering the most exclusive
experiences in East India,
JTI Group is honoured to
introduce travellers to our part
of the world.
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Eastern Odyssey is a boutique travel specialist of Eastern India,
from Varanasi to the Indo-Myanmar border, from the Eastern
Himalayas to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Bhutan, our
next-door neighbour.
EASTERN
ODYSSEY
We focus on bespoke private travel and small group tours to
Eastern India. Whether your interest is in cultures and customs,
wildlife and birding, or hiking, biking and other types of adventures,
Eastern Odyssey can plan, prepare and arrange everything for you
so that you can have the best introduction to our corner of the
world.
We also conduct photography, textiles, tea and other special
interest tours.
WHY EASTERN INDIA?
Eastern India is a wondrous collection of varied cultures,
topography, and flora and fauna. This stretch of India prides itself
on its sacred rivers, diverse cultures, the lofty Himalayas, exotic
tribes, abundant wildlife and birding, and swathes of forests.
UNCOVER THE SECRETS OF
INDIA’S EASTERN CORNERS,
AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT
REGION ALTOGETHER.
From the holy Ganges to the mighty Brahmaputra river; from idyllic
Majuli, a microcosm of culture and the world’s largest river island,
to Tawang Monastery, the second largest monastery in the world;
from the living root bridges of Nongriat to the rhinos and tigers
of Kaziranga, National Park, Eastern India is a land of staggering
diversity and an unexplored region for many.
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You could rub shoulders with the
tattooed Konyak tribesmen of
Nagaland one day and two days
later, find yourself mesmerised
with the 13th century Sun
Temple of Konark in Orissa. It is
this polarity that makes Eastern
India such an exciting
destination to discover.
AUTHENTIC,
LOCAL EXPERIENCES
At Eastern Odyssey, our aim is to
offer you authentic experiences
that go beneath the surface
of a destination. Gain firsthand
knowledge of the history and
everyday life of a place from
locals; immerse yourself in the
cultures and traditions of tribes
and communities; and step back
in time as you discover some of
the last remote frontiers of this
diverse region.
This might mean a conversation
with a wildlife conservationist,
an invite to a tribal chief’s home
or a delightfully humble meal at a
homestay.
Whichever experience you
choose, there will always be an
earnest attempt by Eastern
Odyssey to create a connection
between you and the places you
visit, the people you meet and
the experiences you feel.
As a small way of being true to
our commitment of offering
authentic experiences to
travellers, Eastern Odyssey
employs only local guides who
we train and support to cultivate
their interest.
TOP 5 EXPERIENCES IN
EASTERN INDIA
1. Spend a week or two weeks cruising the
Ganges, India’s most sacred river and lifeline
to millions of people.
2. Hike through evergreen forests and valleys
or visit the Buddhist monasteries of the states
of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
3. Experience the staggering wildlife diversity
of the greenest part of India - go on safaris
to UNESCO World Heritage Sites for close
encounters with rhinos, tigers, gibbons and
exotic birds.
4. Learn about the customs, traditions and
histories of the tribes of Nagaland at the
Hornbill Festival, a vibrant display of colour and
a photographer’s dream.
5. Go on a cruise on the mighty Brahmaputra
river, rated one of the world’s top 10
adventurous cruises by CNN - visit national
parks, ancient temples and tribal villages along
the way.
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TASTE OF ASSAM:
TEMPLES, TIGERS &
TEXTILES
MV Rudra Singha
Spend three nights/four days in your
comfortable riverboat and sail up and
down the Brahmaputra river, checking off
the best of Assam’s temples, textiles and
wildlife.
• Visit the Umananda and Aswaklanta
temples, two important shrines of worship
for the local populace that date back to the
18th century;
• Enjoy a bicycle ride through Vijayanagar, a
tiny town bustling with activity;
• Go from home to home in Sualkuchi to
learn about Assamese silks; watch in awe
as weavers deftly use their handlooms to
create beautiful garments;
• Track rhinos and tigers by jeep safari in
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary;
• Go on a guided walk through old
Guwahati’s streets and visit the local
museum.
In February 2017, Eastern Odyssey
launched MV Rudra Singha, a tastefully
appointed, air-conditioned houseboat
for private river cruises on the entire
stretch of the Brahmaputra river in
the Assam plains. Built to sail all the
way upstream to river ports near
the remote, mountainous state
of Arunachal Pradesh, where the
mighty Brahmaputra river starts its
tumultuous journey from Tibet, MV
Rudra Singha is well-equipped to
explore seldom navigated parts of
the region.
Assam is arguably one of India’s most
beautiful states, with its tea
gardens, river islands, national parks
and temples. Located close to
Southeast Asia, Assam was ruled
by the Ahom dynasty (kings of Thai
stock) for 600 years and, as such, has
cultures and customs that have been
influenced by those of the kingdoms
of Myanmar, Bhutan, Thailand and
other parts of that region.
Large parts of Assam are carpeted
in greenery – from evergreen forests
to dense grasslands – making this
state a very suitable home for rhinos,
elephants, tigers and other wildlife.
The state is also renowned for its tea,
an industry that was brought to life
during the British Raj.
The mighty Brahmaputra river is
Assam’s lifeline, depositing silt along
its course and contributing to the
rich fertility of its soil. The river bed
is often 20 or 30 km across, a calm
vista of sand spits and water. Deep
water channels change their course
from week to week, making every
cruise an adventure. Watch out for the
endangered Gangetic Dolphin, a sight
not uncommon along these waters,
and discover bucolic riverside scenes
as your boat sails past towns and
villages.
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Experience riverside idyll as you glide
down the Brahmaputra river of Assam,
one of India’s greenest states.
FEATURES AND TECHNICALITIES
MV Rudra Singha is built by local
craftsmen in the traditional style
of Assamese Pansoinau (flatbottomed
large boat), entirely
made of local wood and elegantly
adorned with local weavings. The
houseboat is perfect for couples
and small families to explore
the Brahmaputra river and the
numerous attractions close to its
banks. A crew of four – Captain,
sailor, chef and cruise manager/
guide – will be present at all times
to ensure your comfort.
A unique feature of MV Rudra
Singha is its shallow draft that
enables it to glide through the
shallowest of channels on the
river, even at the peak of winter
(dry season) in Assam. This
capability of the houseboat
enables travellers to explore tribal
communities and wildlife reserves
across Assam and up to the upper
reachers of the Brahmaputra
river, near the Eastern Himalayas.
In other words, MV Rudra Singha
takes travellers to places hitherto
unexplored by boat.
MV Rudra Singha is 70 ft. (l) x
13 ft. (w) and is equipped with
modern on-board waste-water
treatment plant, safety
equipment (including life jackets,
life buoys and a fire-fighting
system), and an electric generator
with a battery pack that ensures a
quiet night.
The cabin is 121 sq. ft. and has
double or twin occupancy.
It is air-conditioned with a private
bathroom and a lounge that offers
panoramic views. On prior request,
the lounge can also be converted
into an additional bedroom with a
sofa bed.
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JUNGLE
TRAVELS
INDIA
GO DEEP INTO THE
WILDERNESS OF INDIA FOR
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS WITH
RHINOS, TIGERS AND EXOTIC
BIRDS.
Jungle Travels India is an
award-winning destination management
company that specialises in wildlife and
birding tours throughout India and with
particular emphasis on Eastern India.
For over 29 years now, we have been
leading wildlife and birding tours to
some of India’s best national parks and
sanctuaries, including lesser-known ones
that may not be large in size but are still
teeming with life.
One of 17 megadiverse countries in the
world, India is incredibly rich in wildlife
and birds. There are 103 national parks
and 537 wildlife sanctuaries in India,
out of which 37 national parks and 137
wildlife sanctuaries are
located in India’s eastern belt.
Within this belt, Northeast India
deserves special mention for its
abundant flora and fauna. Supporting
the world’s highest density of the Royal
Bengal Tiger (Kaziranga National Park) and
the One-horned Rhinoceros
(Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary),
Northeast India is also home to more than
850 species of birds, including hornbills,
White-winged Wood Duck, Firetailed
Myzornis, Bengal Florican and Temminck’s
Tragopan, making this region
one of the most biodiverse
in the country.
In addition to India’s eastern belt, other
areas of the country are also notable for
their diversity in flora and fauna.
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Central India has many renowned
national parks – such as
Bandhavgarh, Pench, Kanha and
Satpura national parks – that present
ample opportunity to spot tigers,
gaur, nilgai and chital.
Gir National Park, in West India, is the
only home of the Asiatic lion and is
considered to be one of the most
important protected areas in Asia.
Ranthambore National Park, in
Northwest India, is one of the best
places in India to spot big cats, and
Periyar National Park, in South India,
is an important elephant and tiger
reserve.
WHY TRAVEL WITH JTI?
Simply put, with many years of
experience comes not only
improved services and excellent
client feedback but also an
extremely detailed knowledge of the
land.
In Eastern India, we employ our own
naturalists, spotters and guides,
which means that you can be sure
of receiving the highest level of
service that has been vouched
and vetted by us. All of our clientfacing
employees (including your
tour vehicle drivers) are young men
and women who have grown up in
villages near the national parks
and wildlife sanctuaries or the
adjoining region. Whilst some were
experienced naturalists and guides
before joining JTI, many have been
trained by us to become the best in
their fields.
JTI is also conscious of the damage
that tourism - unless checked and
conducted properly - can have on a
place and its residing community. We
follow responsible tourism
practices and engage partners in
other areas of India who lead their
operations with the same ethos.
Just as we have done in our 29 years
of operations, JTI will continue to go
to great lengths to ensure that your
experience in India is a memorable
experience .
MEET A JTI NATURALIST
Abidur Rahman is a gifted naturalist who
has been leading birding and wildlife
tours in Eastern India and other parts of
the subcontinent for the past 12 years.
Born and brought up near the Eastern
range of Kaziranga National Park, Abidur
developed a deep respect and
appreciation for the natural world from a
young age. He is not only a professional
naturalist but also a conservation
activist who has contributed valuable
work to the Threatened Birds of India
Project, the Bengal Florican
Conservation Project and many others.
He is a member of the Bombay Natural
History Society and Indian Bird
Conservation Network.
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JTI HOLIDAYS
ESTABLISHED IN 1989, JTI HOLIDAYS IS THE
FIRST AND MOST EXPERIENCED IATA AGENT IN
NORTHEAST INDIA. AS A FORERUNNER IN THE
TRAVEL INDUSTRY OF THE REGION, WE OFFER
GROUP TOURS AND PERSONALISED HOLIDAYS
TO ANY DESTINATION WORLDWIDE.
JTI Holidays provides specialist
travel information and services
in bespoke international and
domestic luxury travel, special
interest tours and small group
tours to travel enthusiasts
from Northeast India.
We are proud to be the first
IATA accredited travel agency
and the first to be a part of the
American Express network in
all eight states of Northeast
India, making us the most
experienced and
reputable one in the region.
JTI Holidays looks after the
end-to-end management of all
your travel needs. We provide
the following services:
• international tour packages
by global group travel
operators
• specialist small group tours
• visas and foreign exchange
services
Our small group tours deserve
special mention. Designed for
8 friends or family, these
cost-effective small group
tours allow travellers to
explore Europe, Asia and the
Americas in the comfort of a
chauffeured car, local guides
with deep knowledge for the
region, personalised service,
and the luxury of privacy and
travelling at their own pace.
This year, JTI Holidays is also
introducing a loyalty program
that will offer our clients
exclusive promotions and
holiday discounts to share
among their friends and family.
Whether you wish to glide over
the Bayan temples of Myanmar
in a hot-air balloon or go on a
winery tour of France; seek
blessings at the Golden Temple
at Amritsar or relax on the
beaches of the Caribbean, JTI
Holidays can plan and prepare
every detail for you.
• hotel bookings
• group tours
• MICE and incentive travel.
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ASSAM BENGAL
NAVIGATION
ESTABLISHED IN 2003, ASSAM BENGAL NAVIGATION CO.
IS THE LARGEST AND MOST EXPERIENCED RIVER
CRUISE OPERATOR ON THE GANGES AND BRAHMAPUTRA
RIVERS AND THE PIONEER OF LONG-DISTANCE RIVER
CRUISING IN INDIA.
Anyone who has travelled by train
or plane through India, or who has
been driven on Indian roads, will
be amazed to learn that there is
actually a way to travel through the
country in total serenity and comfort.
It is, in fact, possible to cruise for
some 1750 miles on the rivers and
inland waterways of India, passing
through great cities, alongside
wildlife sanctuaries and historical
monuments and into the heart of rural
India. Assam Bengal Navigation are
pioneers in this exploration.
A sister concern of JTI Group, Assam
Bengal Navigation is an Indo-British
joint venture founded by Ashish and
Jahnabi Phookan along with their
partners, Andrew and Grania Brock.
With three cruise ships, we are
the largest and most experienced
operator on Indian rivers. In 2003, we
pioneered long-distance river cruising
in India with our boutique expedition
cruises on the Brahmaputra river in
Assam, and in 2007, we were also the
first to run cruises on the Ganges.
Our first riverboat, the ABN
Charaidew, with 12 air-conditioned
en-suite cabins was joined in 2006
by her near-identical sister ship ABN
Sukapha. Cruises operate on the
Brahmaputra River from October to
April and virtually all through the year
on the Ganges. The size of our fleet
increased with the launch of ABN
Rajmahal in 2014, a 22-cabin
riverboat specifically designed for
water levels on the Ganges.
We also own and operate two
boutique lodges. Diphlu River Lodge
is an award-winning lodge located on
the periphery of the UNESCO World
Heritage Site of Kaziranga National
Park and Bansbari Lodge in Manas
National Park, on the other hand, is
simpler in style but still comfortable.
Experience counts for everything
and our expertise in the field of river
cruising and hospitality is unrivalled.
We were awarded the Indian National
Tourism Award for Innovation
in 2004-5.
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ABN RAJMAHAL &
ABN SUKAPHA
The Ganges cruises
presents a variety of
delights, with a fascinating
mix of visits each day. From
stunning and little-known
terracotta temples to the
echoing corridors of princely
palaces; from the impressive
archaeological sites
associated with the life of
Buddha to the walks through
villages and amongst rice
paddies and fields of jute,
the Ganges cruises offers
travellers a chance to
experience the heart of India,
far from the bustle of the
big cities and into the quaint
little towns and villages on
the banks of the river.
Worshipped as a goddess,
the Ganges is the most
sacred river to the Hindus;
it is also the cultural and
economic lifeline to millions
of Indians who along its
2525 km course and
depend on it it for their daily
needs. Once a significant
trade route, the historical
importance of the Ganges is
proven by the many former
provincial or imperial capitals
that sprung up along its
banks over the centuries.
Assam Bengal Navigation
cruises the 1200 km of
navigable river between
Kolkata and Varanasi, with
ABN Rajmahal being the first
and only riverboat to sail this
entire stretch.
SIGHTS ALONG
THE GANGES
In Kolkata, visit the Victoria
Memorial, a structure built
during the British Raj to rival
the Taj Mahal. From there,
cruise up to the riverside
towns of Chandernagore, an
erstwhile French colony, and
Murshidabad, the capital of
the Nawabs of Bengal and
once larger than London.
Explore the terracotta
temples of Kalna and the
Mughal fort of Chunar; learn
about India’s colonial history
at Plassey and the spread
of Buddhism at Nalanda,
an 8th century stupa and
monastery.
Arresting to all the senses,
Varanasi is the world’s oldest
continuously inhabited town
and a culture enthusiast’s
dream. Experience the
evening aarti ceremony, a
very powerful and uplifting
ritual, and take rowing boats
at dawn past the busy and
colourful bathing ghats.
ABN RAJMAHAL
ABN Rajmahal, the latest
addition to our fleet, was
built in Kolkata and launched
in 2014.
She has been designed
specifically for river
conditions on the Ganges;
with her extra-shallow
draught and reduced
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air draught, she will be able to
cruise further upstream than
any of her competitors, making
her the only riverboat to
access the ghats of Varanasi.
ABN Rajmahal has 22
spacious, air-conditioned
cabins over two decks, all
with floor-to-ceiling sliding
windows and French balconies.
In addition to the double/twin
cabins on both decks, there
are 4 single cabins for which
no supplement is charged.
The decor is stylish and fresh,
using hand-blocked cotton
textiles with traditional Indian
motifs, while the floors are
polished teak. There is a
comfortable saloon and bar
as well as a dining room and
a spa. The very large sundeck,
with both open and shaded
areas, offers generous
amounts of seating in both
comfortable rattan chairs and
teak steamer chairs.
ABN SUKAPHA
ABN Sukapha was built in
Kolkata in 2006. She has 12
air-conditioned cabins (10
x twin-bedded, 2 x doublebedded)
with large sliding
windows.
In an effort to conserve
India’s forests, the interiors
are bamboo-paneled, airconditioned
and roomy with
en suite bathrooms. There is a
spa and a saloon with a library.
The dining room is on the main
deck and a spacious sundeck
at the very top.
Fabrics on board have been
handwoven by Bodo tribal
villagers; the comfortable
rattan chairs are locally
sourced and made; and our
gift shop stocks only arts and
crafts made by local artisans.
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LIFE ON BOARD
ALL ABN CRUISE SHIPS
Enjoy a cup of tea on the sundeck in the early hours
of the morning when the sun has just risen and rural
life begins to unfold on the banks. While sailing times
vary, guests are able to watch lush scenery glide
by as they dig into a hearty breakfast. Excursions
differ each day but there is usually plenty of time for
relaxation; return the waves of village children on their
way to school or enjoy a glass of beer on the sundeck
from the honesty bar.
Our chef’s talents are much appreciated, whether for
the continental dishes usually served at lunchtime or
for the varied Indian cuisine at dinner. Most guests
tend to have a drink beforehand in the saloon - a
good time to chat over the day’s experiences and
to discuss the next day’s programme with our
guide. Those wishing to unwind further can indulge
themselves at the spa on board (on our Ganges
cruises). Coffee in the saloon, accompanied by a
liqueur, is a fitting prelude to a comfortable night far
from the hurly-burly of modern life.

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ABN CHARAIDEW
One of Asia’s major rivers, the
Brahmaputra river flows through three
countries: born in Tibet, reaching
maturity in India, and ending its journey
to the sea in Bangladesh. It bears
many names along its course: Tsangpo
in Tibet, Lohit or Brahmaputra in India,
and Jamuna in Bangladesh.
Navigable for most of its length, the
Brahmaputra is known for its floods,
which are essential to the ecosystems
of the wildlife sanctuaries along
its banks. The river bed, miles wide,
forms a natural corridor for birds
and mammals, while industry and
development are absent from the
scene.
Wilderness and wildlife are, in fact, the
dominant aspects of the Brahmaputra
cruise but the distinctive nature of
Assamese culture is also equally
fascinating. Assam was the only area
of India that remained unconquered by
the Mughals; instead, the influence of
Buddhist traditions of Southeast Asia
spread through the land.
Rated by CNN as one of the world’s
top 10 adventurous cruises (albeit of
a gentler variety), the Brahmaputra
cruises are a passage to a little-known
corner of the subcontinent and the
natural and cultural treasures it
harbours.
SIGHTS ALONG
THE BRAHMAPUTRA
On the Brahmaputra, our cruises take
you to riverside villages where the
locals will be as enchanted by us as we
by them. Our guide will be able to fill in
about their background and to point
out the differences between the
various tribal communities, whether
they be Mishing, Dimasa, Kachari or
Bodo.
Where we cannot moor the riverboat
alongside the bank, we take our
country boat to explore temples such
as Kamakhya, where tantric rites are
practised, or the ruins of the Ahom
dynasty, kings of Thai stock who ruled
Assam for 600 years.
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The riverine island of Majuli is
also another highlight of the
Brahmaputra cruises. A stronghold
of the peaceful religion of neo-
Vaishnavism, Majuli’s elegant island
satras showcase a unique way of
life where the faithful live simply,
offering worship through music
and readings.
On certain mornings, rise early to go
on wildlife safaris with our expert
naturalists. Venture deep into the
UNESCO World Heritage of Kaziranga
National Park, and come across
rhinos, tigers, elephants and wild
water buffaloes in their
natural habitat.
A favourite evening is a barbeque
on a mid-river sand island around a
campfire. The wilderness setting
under a vast canopy of stars adds
to the appreciation of our chef’s
kebabs, cooked to perfection.
ABN CHARAIDEW
Built in Guwahati in 1973 and
entirely rebuilt there in 2003, ABN
Charaidew is 38m x 8.5m in size.
The grand old lady of our fleet, she
has 10 twin-bedded and 2
double-bedded cabins with
en-suite bathrooms. All cabin
accommodation is on the upper
deck, as is a bar and saloon opening
onto a front deck. A dining room with
full-length opening glass doors on
each side is on the lower deck, while
a large top sundeck offers additional
comfortable open-air seating in
shade or sun. Local handloom
fabrics specially woven for us and
comfortable cane sofas and chairs
contribute to the attractive décor.
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SERVICES ON
ALL ABN CRUISE SHIPS
• Shore excursion programme including all
admissions
• Maximum 20 guests per guide on all excursions
• Cold tower service after excursions
• Welcome drink after excursions
• Shoe-cleaning after excursions
• Turndown service in all cabins
• Expertly trained culinary staff
• Acclaimed combination of Indian and Western
dishes
• Wide choice of wines, spirits and beer
• Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water
throughout trip
• Welcome reception
• Farewell reception
• Local on-board song and dance performances
• Vast sundeck, both open and shaded, with
sunloungers or steamer chairs
• Spa with a choice of treatments (except ABN
Charaidew)

DIPHLU RIVER LODGE
& BANSBARI LODGE
DIPHLU RIVER LODGE
Established in 2008, Diphlu River
Lodge is a boutique safari lodge
that is spectacularly situated on
the periphery of Kaziranga National
Park, a UNESCO World Heritage
Site in Assam. It is separated from
the park only by its namesake river,
a watering hole for wild
buffaloes and elephants.
The lodge exemplifies rustic luxe
and was adjudged as the first
runner-up in the ‘Best Wildlife
Resorts in India’ category by Lonely
Planet, placing between billiondollar
hospitality chains of the
Oberoi and Taj group of hotels.
In April 2016, Diphlu River Lodge
was also honoured to have had the
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge,
HRH Prince William and Catherine
Middleton, stay with us on their
maiden trip to India.
Cottages and other areas
Purposely built to blend into
surrounding foliage and terrain,
Diphlu River Lodge has 12
twin-bedded, air-conditioned
thatch-and-bamboo cottages
on stilts that is set amid paddy
or mustard farmland (depending
on the season); this style of
architecture was inspired by the
simple tribal homes of the Mishing
people of Assam.
Besides comfortable beds, each
cottage has a pleasant sit-out as
well as a writing desk, mini-bar and
a small fridge. Our complimentary
selection of tea and coffee and an
electric kettle is also at hand. The
bathroom has a rain shower and a
roomy dressing area.
The main area where guests dine
and congregate in the evenings
to socialise over a sundowner is
called Machaan. The Machaan has
lounge areas with balconies on
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two floors that face the park, a
perfect vantage point to watch
the wild. While walking around
the lodge, one can also spot
over 57 species of birds.
Our chef is a talented
individual from a nearby village
who uses fresh produce
from our organic garden or
from the local market to
rustle up Indian, Assamese
and continental fare. Meals
are typically in the style of a
buffet.
Diphlu River Lodge is a proud
supporter of local artisanship
- the unique weaves and
artefacts that adorn the lodge
are all handmade, fair trade
products by local artisans.
Shop our curated collection
of handicrafts and handlooms
from our in-house boutique or
visit our in-house weaving unit
to learn more about handloom
textiles.
Responsible tourism
Committed to responsible
tourism, Diphlu River Lodge
takes great care to ensure
that nature, the wild and local
communities always come
first. This means recycling our
greywater, practising organic
farming, providing hospitality
training to young men and
women from neighbouring
villages, starting an in-house
weaving unit, and subscribing
to a low light and noise policy
within the lodge premises,
among other initiatives.
Additionally, Diphlu River
Lodge is associated with the
Ecotourism Society of India,
the peak advocacy body for
ecotourism, and is part of
Travel Operators for Tigers
(TOFT), a global campaign that
supports responsible tourism
as a way to save the Royal
Bengal Tiger and other wildlife.
BANSBARI LODGE
The Bansbari Lodge is situated
in prime position right at the
entrance to the UNESCO
World Heritage Site of Manas
National park, with tea
gardens on one side, jungle
and views of the Himalayan
foothills on the other. The 16
large twin-bedded rooms all
have attached bathrooms
and the lodge is simply but
comfortably furnished.
There is a welcoming
atmosphere to the lodge,
which includes an attractive
dining room and a lobby where
you can relax on sofas,
browsing through books from
our library. In fine weather,
tables and chairs are set
outside for breakfast and the
spacious grounds are fast
becoming a delightful
garden in which to stroll. Each
bedroom has comfortable
twin beds, a writing/dressing
table, cane chairs to relax in,
and en suite bathrooms. Our
policy at Bansbari Lodge is to
generate local employment
opportunities by training men
and women from nearby
villages and using locally
sourced furniture and
hand-spun fabrics.
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24

TRIBAL HERITAGE
WITH A SINGULAR MISSION OF
PRESERVING THE HANDWOVEN TEXTILES
OF ASSAM, TRIBAL HERITAGE PROVIDES
WEAVERS AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT
TO CONTINUE THEIR CRAFT.
“Assamese women weave fairy tales
in their looms”, said Mahatma Gandhi in
1921 when he first visited the state.
Weaving has been an intrinsic part of
Assam’s culture and heritage and a
cottage industry of the state as the
women are traditionally the weavers in
Northeast India, unlike the rest of the
country.
The silks and weaves of this state in
Northeast India are beautifully unique,
with intricate patterns of native animals,
human figurines, flowers and birds that
depict everyday rural scenes. Assam
also has the Geographical Indicator
status for Muga, the golden silk which is
endemic to Assam.
Tribal Heritage started with one
enterprising woman weaver, Anjali, who
understood the design intervention
that we wanted to provide to make her
hand-weaves more appealing for urban
women. She would go village to village to
engage rural women in their looms and
collect at the months’ end from them.
This provided a sustainable
livelihood generation model at the
doorsteps of the rural women weavers.
Today, Tribal Heritage has its own
weaving centre in Kaziranga National
Park with Anjali managing women as well
as men weavers in our own looms. It is
located right next to our wildlife lodge,
the Diphlu River Lodge. Our guests have
the opportunity to observe at close
quarters basic bamboo looms and the
heavier wooden looms that are used
for the tedious and intricate craft of
hand-weaving. This has led to a greater
appreciation of the handloom over the
machine-run loom and an acceptance of
the price differences involved that our
weavers get to benefit from.
Tribal Heritage provides an enabling
environment for an experiential textile
tourism model and a training ground
for learning design and weaving skills.
Our ethos remains to revive, sustain
and celebrate the weaving heritage of
Assam’s tribal communities.
Alongside Tribal Heritage, Jahnabi and
her partner, Jesmina Zeliang, also set
up Konyak, a fair trade platform for the
grassroots artisans of Northeast India.
With three boutiques in Assam, Konyak
takes pride in introducing the world
to the handicrafts and handlooms of
Northeast India.
JTI Group, under Tribal Heritage, runs
textile tours and workshops in Assam.
From the riverside town of Sualkuchi
to the island hamlet of Majuli, explore
weaving hubs, interact with talented
weavers and try your hand at the loom
as you learn more about Assam’s history
and future in handwoven textiles.
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ABN FOUNDATION
LAUNCHING OFFICIALLY IN APRIL 2017,
THE ABN FOUNDATION IS A NON-PROFIT
ORGANISATION THAT AIMS TO SUPPORT
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION, RURAL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION EFFORTS.
As a company, Assam Bengal
Navigation has always prided itself
on adhering strongly to the principles
of responsible tourism. Since our
inception, we have invested heavily
in many rural community development
initiatives; one such example is our
choice to train and employ young men
and women from villages in hospitality
and English language skills.
In April 2017, we are taking our
existing efforts a step further and
formalising ABN’s philanthropy into a
legitimate charitable body, the ABN
Foundation.
With the aim to support wildlife
conservation, rural community
development and environmental
protection efforts, ABN Foundation
pledges to contribute 5% of every
tour booked with Assam Bengal
Navigation to fund these causes.
By travelling with Assam Bengal
Navigation on the Brahmaputra and
Ganges rivers and to the UNESCO
World Heritage sites of Kaziranga
and Manas national parks, you can
be assured that your support of our
cruises and boutique lodges will be
paid forward to the villages,
forest officials and other NGOs
operating in these areas.
EXISTING AND
PLANNED INITIATIVES
Through Assam Bengal Navigation’s
15-year history, we have been involved
in hospitality and English language
training, women’s empowerment
through the set-up of weaving microenterprises,
talent development,
reforestation programs and education
sponsorships.
The planned initiatives for 2017
include investments in health
and hygiene programs in rural
communities, our fair-trade weaving
unit, more education sponsorships for
employees’ children and flood relief
efforts. Financial contributions to local
schools and the wildlife rescue centre
in Kaziranga National Park will also be
made. In future, ABN Foundation also
plans to organise skilled volunteer
programs.
We believe that working in tandem
with rural communities and local
non-profit organisations is one of the
most effective ways by which we can
foster the growth of sustainable and
responsible tourism in India.We are
dedicated to positively impacting lives
and livelihoods in the communities
along the rivers and national parks we
operate in.
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3B, DIRANG ARCADE, GNB ROAD, CHANDMARI,
GUWAHATI - 781003, ASSAM, INDIA
W: www.jtigroup.co.in E: info@jtigroup.co.in
T: +91 920 920 0013
Member: