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.