This was a most unique experience, sailing up a river whose geography keeps changing as sandbanks and the mainland coast are continually eroded by the fast-flowing Brahmaputra. The cruise contained a great deal of variety, from visiting Assamese villages which carry on a subsistence lifestyle, to taking a wildlife safari to look for tigers. The service from Mahabaahu's crew and cruise directors was excellent and friendly. They were very careful to look after us during the onshore excursions. They also gave us some background on what we were going to see, so that we actually learned something about the area and its history and culture. The boat normally has capacity for about 45 passengers, so it is possible to get to know most people during the week-long trip. It also has more of a family/community feel than cruising with 100 or more people. I would thoroughly recommend this trip, as being quite a different experience to anything else that might be available. Read Less

We wanted to go to India on this river and to see, particularly, the Kaziranga National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), home of one-horned rhinos. Also, to do something unusual, off the beaten track. The ship was small and intimate but also spacious enough to accommodate dining and entertainment. Staff were outstanding - very professional, caring, pleasant, cheerful. Nothing was too much trouble. Considerable thought went into the itinerary and excursions. There was a lovely, family feel to the cruise and the guests were all treated with respect and encouraged to mix. Food was excellent and cleanliness and hygiene top rate. There is a swimming pool which is a bonus, especially as it is a smaller ship (40 guests maximum). Excursions were all very well organised and we felt looked after and very well catered for at all times. A very unusual destination and definitely worth seeing if you enjoy wildlife and culture. We saw tea estates and some local, cultural dancing. Also lots of temples. All top quality and very interesting. Highly recommended. Read Less

The collection from the airport was not great. We waited for another couple to arrive on a different flight and share the taxi with us for over an hour. Having made a fuss the decision was made for us to continue by ourselves. This should have been dealt with much quicker. We travelled from Guwahati to Jorhat. We had a suite (101) which was comfortable and kept very clean. The additional cost over the standard balcony room was not worth it. We did have dinner in the room on two occasions but the first was a bit of a trial and not very well organised. The staff were delightful and very helpful. We enjoyed most of the excursions off the boat. The tenders used were excellent. There is not much to see whilst cruising but we enjoyed relaxing, both on the top deck and the room's small balcony. Food was very good - we had the non-veg Indian selection for all dinners. What I really did not like was the inability to seat as a twosome for most meals. The first night we were all split up to sit with random guests - I hated being next to two gun-toting far-right Americans who I avoided thereafter. Apart from breakfast we always had to sit with others. I would have preferred having the choice to sit by ourselves sometimes but the dining room had only one sitting with insufficient room for tables for two. Drinks were absurdly expensive which was somewhat money-grabbing considering the overall cost of the week. The naturalist's lectures were delivered in boring monotone. Overall we enjoyed it and I am pleased we did the cruise. Read Less

The whole cruise from start to finish was excellent. The staff and crew couldn't do enough to ensure our comfort and overall experience. Cabin, food, service were all first class. Shore visits to local villages along the river were exceptional and couldn't be any better!! We would strongly recommend this cruise to those seeking a uniquely real adventure in India and specifically Assam Province. The cruise director Neena, had a great rapport with all the passengers. She hosted the passengers as if they were her personnel guests. The crew on board were absolutely amazing and couldn't have done any more for us than they did. My wife and I have done several small river boat cruises in Asia and the cruise down the Brahmaputra on the MV Maahabahu. Overall this was probably the best small boat cruise we have been on. Looking forward to 2020 when hopefully we will be able to cruise with Neena and ARC again on the Ganges!!! Read Less

This was my first ever cruise so I have nothing to compare it to, but I have travelled extensively in India and Asia so I know what geninue hospitality and welcome feels like and the crew on MV Mahabaahu delivered it in full. The ship itself is small compared to the large ocean cruisers or even those plying the European rivers, but it did make the cruise seem more intimate (there were only 16 guests on board for the 5 nights we were onboard). The excursions were well arranged and both fun and educational. The highlight of which has to be the elephant back, jeep and river safaris within the Kaziranga National Park - well worth the early morning start, and although we didn't spot any tigers, the elephants, buffalo, one horned rhino were in ample supply, with the occassional sighting of river dolphins throughout the trip. The food onboard was excellent with a great choice for breakfast and lunch, and a themed selection each evening (choice of Indian or continental and of vegetarian or non veg). After each shore excursion our shoes were collected, cleaned and returned to our rooms, whilst we enjoyed cold towels and delicious ginger drink. In fact for me it wss the little things that made the difference, such as being given bottled water, in a woven holder, when going ashore, or the fact the crew were prepared with umbrellas and plastic coats (which you wouldnt win any fashion parade but did the job) when the rain came in. There was plenty to do when cruising but mostly I watched the world go buy, enjoying Assam tea, and hoping that I might just glimpse that elusive tiger (the closest I eventually got was seeing tiger foot prints along one of the deserted river Islands we had moored to for a bonfire and evening drinks and nibbles. All in all a wonderful experience and can't wait to find an excuse to return. Read Less

Loved the opportunity to sail through a part of India where I could see both various wildlife in their natural environment and observe local village life. Our shore excursions were very interesting both culturally and nature wise. At Kaziranga National Park, we had an early morning elephant safari, followed by an afternoon jeep safari. For me the highlight of the experience was twofold. Spotting a tiger with its prey was so exciting as was riding an elephant. Sitting astride a nursing mother, while learning about the habits of female elephants was also thrilling. Watching rhinos with their young was great. For bird watchers these safaris were fantastic. We had the opportunity to visit some villages where we could observe women weaving, visit local markets, talk with students and generally observe village life. We were able to enter temples and homes, plus we saw several local performances. In addition, our meals on the ship exposed us to local cuisine, which I found great. While on the ship, we also experienced local music and dances, which complemented our onshore experiences. The overall service we received onboard was excellent. Read Less

It is an area of India I have wanted to explore for many years and cruising the river enabled me to reach remote villages and wildlife parks not otherwise easily reached and to see them from a different perspective. The MV Marahabaahu is a charming ship combining most 21st century needs with a subtle Indian character which I liked very much and think is what most people booking this type of holiday want. The Cruise Director, Neena, did an excellent job - including taking early morning yoga classes which those who attended thoroughly enjoyed. PK, who led the excursions was extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic, preparing us for the next day with advice and photos/videos of what we were likely to see. The staff accompanying us on wildlife excursions were quite amazing in their ability to spot and identify birds and animals that few of us had any idea were there which added greatly to our enjoyment. All the crew were outstanding, anticipating our needs with courtesy and genuine smiles. Looking back, I think my favourite experience was the very last afternoon when a few of us walked along the ghat for a couple of hours with Sandip. The sense of peace and tranquillity was so relaxing, there were a few families along the way, we saw some lovely birds and Sandip knew a great deal about the local agriculture. We felt we were in truly rural India and well off the usual tourist routes - just perfect! Read Less

Somewhere different to travel in India. The whole cruise from start to finish was EXCELLENT. The staff and crew couldn't do enough to ensure our comfort and overall experience. Cabin, food, service were all first class. All activities undertaken were well planned and most interesting. All visits to shore villages were well chosen and showed the local life. We would strongly recommend this cruise to our friends and we will now be able to tell them about all the wonderful experiences we had, travelling in such a unique ship. ALL the points listed above could be discussed in far greater length talking personally to other people. The cruise director Neena Morada, had a quiet rapport with all her staff and passengers alike. She hosted the passengers as if they were her personnel guests, in all this she was ably assisted by the Ships Purser, who in his turn, could not have done any more for us. Read Less

This cruise was was excellent in all aspects with top-notch service and daytime explorationof nature and non-touristy communities. . Anyway, the day-to-day activities included side-trips to the Kamakhya temple; Peacok Island; a Bangla village; the town of Silghat with its jute factory and tea estate and dances by local groups; Kaziranga National Park with an elephant ride amongst the rhinos and a jeep cruise; bonfire on the dunes; the weaving village Bishwanath Ghat; trip to Mishing village, also with weavers; trip to Majuli Island with a dance of prayer by monks and other performances; trip to Sibasagar; trip to a tea plantation with a discussion of tea production. There were many other evening activities. The meals were excellent and produced by a very good chef in an extraordinarily small kitchen. Take a tour of the boat and be impressed with how everything works. Read Less

We were very lucky to have enjoyed celebrating our 40th (Ruby) wedding anniversary on this trip and could not have bettered it in any way. From the moment we arrived we were looked after by an amazing staff, fun, efficient, friendly and accommodating. The ship sits perfectly within its surroundings and provides modern and homely facilities. Food was plentiful, varied and just delicious. The attention to detail shown throughout the trip made all the difference. Small things such as the welcome ceremony on arrival and cool drinks every time you return to the ship, and larger things like the Assamese evening and bonfire parties were really appreciated The itinerary provided us with so many new experiences from Elephant safaris to yoga on the beach - all framed by the many smiling faces of the local villagers. Thanks Neena and all your staff for a week we will never forget. We will see you all again !!! Vera and Peter Clay England Read Less