First l should say, I am not a cruiser. However, In April I had the pleasure of boarding the MV Mahabaahu for an expeditionary adventure cruise down the Brahmaputra River and I loved every moment. The Mahabaahu has cruises available up or downstream; My choice was 8 days downstream from Jorhat to Guwahati and I discovered the necessity for the cruise vessel to be accompanied by a pilot boat which navigates safe passage on the fast-flowing Bramhaputra River with its ever changing landscapes and shifting sands. It is fascinating to watch this progress with the Captain from the wheelhouse. Onboard a resident naturalist provides informative talks to guests prior to on-shore excursions and of an evening there is a slide show. These varied experiences ranged from colourful cultural dances, visits to building remnants of the Ahom Dynasty as well as several villages which specialise in weaving, fishing or farming. A visit to Assam would not be complete without a wander through the famous Assamese tea estates or an extensive safari within the World Heritage Kaziranga National Park. The Mahabaahu crew members are super friendly, helpful and attentive. Nothing is too much trouble. Creative chefs produced a selection of delectable daily menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner and I loved the blended fruit drinks offered after excursions not to mention the evening cocktails which always kept my tastebuds guessing. This may have been my first luxury river cruise however, Neena our cruise director, together with the wonderful Mahabaahu crew members, have ensured I will return for another. Highly recommended Read Less

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

We had been wanting to visit India for a number of years and investigated various ways of travelling through the country - special train journeys etc., however, when we learned of the mv Mahabaahu and its itinerary on the Brahmaputra River, we immediately made a reservation. Prior to the boat trip we made arrangements with Far Horizon Tours to put together an itinerary for us covering The Golden Triangle (New Delhi/Agra/Jaipur) - we spent a wonderful week under the care of courteous guides and drivers before arriving in Guwahati, Assam, to join the Mahabaahu. Neena and her crew were most welcoming and went out of their way to ensure that we had a memorable journey upstream. Organisation of side trips to villages, temples, archaeological sites, tea estates etc. were well orchestrated despite occasional changes to plans due to the changing conditions of the river which was recovering from the recent monsoon season. The food on board the boat was good although we suggested that more local cuisine be served, rather than attempts at European cuisine. Our balcony cabin was adequate - clean; the cabin staff were unobtrusive and maintained a high standard. Shoes were cleaned after each excursion and left at the cabin door. Entertainment on board was exceptional with visits by local dancing groups. We can highly recommend this company, especially the lovely Neena and her exceptional crew. Read Less

Having Travelled around India alone using local transport since the early seventies I am addicted. However my wife had never been despite several attempts to persuade her to try. We have cruised regularly, so when I saw this cruise advertised I felt this to be a great opportunity to get her on board. Well Calcutta I knew would be chancy for her because of the crowds and the obvious poverty, but once on the boat and in comfort I was sure things would fine although in an alien area. Fortunately it proved to be the case. The on land travel was all in comfortable 4X4 type vehicles with careful drivers for all trips, The boat was really comfortable, clean and fit for purpose. Cabins were excellent as were the other facilities. The top of the boat was perfect for observing what was happening on the banks. The food was very good and varied, although the one attempt at European food was mixed. Stick to what you know would be my suggestion. The crew were all terrific and helpful. A special mention must be made for our resident guide, a magic ornithologist who also had a wealth of knowledge about all the other trips to architectural sights, on safaris and village life. He runs early morning bird walks before breakfast which were terrific. Strangely only two people took advantage of these. Don't miss them even if your not a real birdie. They were brilliant. The two safaris in the Kazaringa were fabulous. Indeed all of the trips collectively gave a wonderful insight into life in Assam. On a different note, the massages were something else, When have you had eight or ten hands working on you at the same time. But totally safe and not intrusive. Even my wife indulged. Coming back to my wife she loved it all, bar Calcutta. Even to the point of going shortly afterwards to Sri Lanka. Some success. My only moan was that the prices stated for drinks and other purchases were not as they seemed as they added all sorts of taxes when the bill was printed. Sharp practice. They did say that they would rectify the situation. I hope so because it's sad to finish an absolutely brilliant trip on a potentially sour note. But don't let that stop you going. Read Less

Sailing up the mighty Brahmaputra River in North India with Pandaw River Cruises was a truly amazing adventure. I had always dreamed of seeing the real India and when we saw this opportunity to explore the Assam region by boat we couldn’t resist. The ship itself was wonderful - a real floating hotel. The cabins were beautifully appointed and spotless (I’d recommend a balcony birth so you can watch the ever changing scenery slip by and enjoy an evening cocktail as the sun set) the crew were superb and really looked after us. The food was delicious with a great range of both western and Indian delicacies. Dinner was a very social affair we made some great friends and had many laughs with our fellow passengers. What really set this trip apart was the sense of discovery. Every morning we woke up to watch the majestic river reveal new landscapes. Our itinerary was jammed packed with the most amazing experiences. Everyday we had excursions to temples, local villages and tea plantations. I have to make a special of Venkatesh, our resident naturalist, historian and all round lovely guy. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of the animals, birds and plant life and was always fascinating to talk with. When we visited temples he could describe in detail the symbolism, spiritualism and beliefs. Every evening we were treated to talks on the wildlife and could watch the amazing sunsets from the 360- degree sundeck One evening we disembarked to a deserted island to enjoy a bonfire barbeque and cocktails under the starlight sky. The highlights of the trip had to be the two safaris to Kaziranga National Park. The first was by jeep which allowed us to cover a lot of ground and see as much of the abundant wildlife, culminating at sunset with a stunning view of the animals gathered at a watering hole. Our second was on elephant back which allowed us to get really close to the wildlife. At one point we were within feet of a basking Rhino, a truly amazing sight. Sailing with Pandaw is more than just a holiday it’s a truly unique and immersive experience, a trip of a lifetime. If you’re interested in getting off the beaten track and seeing slices of life that the regular tourism would miss out on then this is the trip for you. It was an unforgettable journey and I can’t recommend it enough. Read Less

We opted for the Upstream one, in the mighty Brahmaputra River. Our trip began with the visit to the Kamakhya Temple, a great start to the cruise. It was a wonderful experience with excellent service and cabins. In the seven days we witnessed the local culture through dance(Bihu), drama (mask dance), music, orchestra, the local wildlife by elephant safari, boat safari and jeep safari, local hand craft with tours to the villages such as Majuli Island and local tea in a tea estate. An extremely eventful week. My children loved every part of it. It was relaxing to cruise with views of river dolphins swimming with the cruise. We recommend the cruise to anyone looking for a complete package and a tour to love part of India. We spent the New Year in the Cruise and had an overnight celebration on the New Year in one of the River Island. One of the most memorable holiday. Read Less

This was the most amazing experience, so well looked after by Neema the boat's captain and crew. The boat was well equipped, comfortable cabin's and great food onboard. Mooring at night on newly formed sank banks after the monsoon for BBQ's and social occasions was great fun and visiting the real Assam a not to be missed opportunity. Visits to the Kasaranga National Park, local Mishing tribe villages and Marjuli Island monastry were real highlights. The tour started with 2 days in Kolcata at an excellent 5 star hotel providing us with an opportunity to spend time exploring the city in complete safety. Although when first stepping out we felt overwhelmed by the crowds, poverty and noise but what a city! As part of the package we did have a city tour with a local guide who was superb and very knowledgeable. The tour concluded at the house of Mother Theresa, this house does close on time so if you want to visit leave plenty of time to do so. We would return to do the same thing tomorrow with the same crew. Read Less

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This was part of a larger tour. This was definitely the best part. Cute boat, we only had about 24 guests on board and probably 10-12 staff. This was a once in a lifetime experience for us. There were no docks, we just pulled up at the side of the sand banks and tenthered for the night. There were no set times or places, we just went according to the tides. We stopped at Majuli island and walked around the village. An amazing and eye opening experience : we visited Jute factories, tea plantations, nature reserves, amongst other places. The boat was dark timber but quite modern. Our balcony room (110) was a great size ..plenty of room and storage , with a balcony which was great for the washing. Food was Indian with plenty to suit western palates. We had BBQ ‘s and drinks out on the Sandhills. Just wonderful ... Staff.... Excellent tour manager and Naturalist onboard. All staff , so friendly and accommodating... can’t rave about this trip enough. The calm after the madness of the GOLDEN TRIANGLE part of the trip. We went jan/feb 2015 Read Less