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the brahmaputra drift: majuli (8 days)
introduction
about
The Brahmaputra Drift is a series of river expeditions carefully designed to explore a network of tributaries that form the catchment of the great Brahmaputra river. The Brahmaputra is the 15th longest river in the world. Rising in the trans-Himalayan belt of Tibet, it enters India at Arunachal Pradesh, before reaching the plains of Assam and completing its journey in Bangladesh at the Bay of Bengal.
For the second in this series, we have chosen an anabranch that diverts from the main channel of the Brahmaputra, and joins the Subansiri river downstream. A narrow tributary that offers the opportunity to explore the island of Majuli and experience the vibrant Mising culture – from water!
In our effort to showcase the breadth and diversity of the Brahmaputra, we’re ecstatic about exploring this section. It’s so thoroughly different from our tryst with the Idu Mishmi community in Arunachal Pradesh. The legends and myths are different, as are the tastes (both artistic and culinary).
We’ll deep dive into what makes this community so unique, from their traditions and way of life by the river to their spice-infused, bamboo-smoked gastronomic spreads. Interact with our friends here who’ve come together to create this riverine experience just for you.
The best part is that most of your time spent getting distracted is from a truly unbelievable vantage point — the water itself. Float on your own little packraft, and drift past the wetlands, farms and quaint villages. Catch sightings of the region’s diverse birdlife, and camp under the stars for a week that you will never forget. This is our promise to you.
itinerary
days 1 & 2
Welcome to Assam. On arrival at Dibrugarh airport or railway station, we transfer to Majuli—the world’s largest river island. Here, life moves at its own rhythm, among golden mustard fields, bamboo groves, and village scenes of fishing, foraging, and tending to open farmlands.
The next two days allow time to settle in, get acquainted with the group, and attend detailed orientation briefings. We give you a full day of practice paddling on a quiet, meandering ox-bow lake and issue your gear in preparation for the journey ahead.
days 3 & 4
Set off on the river! For the next few days, the river is yours and you are the river’s!
Meander from one river bank to the other on your very own private packraft touching upon Mising and Assamese villages, greeting village folk and fellow boatmen as they go on about their day to day. Stop for a chat, a little stroll into the countryside, observe the ways of traditional fishing, handloom textiles, or silkworm cultivation. Along the way, prepare to be amazed by a dazzling array of birds as the river transforms before your eyes, revealing its ever-changing beauty.
Camp on pristine river banks under the open sky and dine on delicious spreads of Mising food and Apong (traditional rice beer!)
days 5 & 6
The expedition continues, and as you paddle forward, watch the river widen, embracing the mighty mouth of the Subansiri along with countless smaller tributaries. Row yourself gently across vast wetlands, aquatic forests, and witness migratory and resident birds, in enormous numbers and even more flying overhead.
Upon reaching camp, settle into the serene woodlands, where you can watch the sun set from the banks of the river or venture out on a bicycle to explore the countryside.
days 7 & 8
As your journey winds down, take part in a final boat maintenance exercise before indulging in a hearty (well-earned!) Mising Thali feast.
With the last day in Majuli at your leisure, immerse yourself in its rich culture: browse for souvenirs, visit a local school, a pottery village, or explore the region’s vibrant handicrafts, including traditional mask making. Finally, there’s no better way to end this adventure than by witnessing a breathtaking sunset over the mighty Brahmaputra, a perfect farewell!
We’ll see you on the river again!
accommodation
days 1, 2 & 7 - chang ghars
Stay in traditional kare okum (or chang ghar in Assamese). These homes are an innovative way to keep floodwaters (between June and September) at bay as it is built on a raised platform supported by bamboo stilts.
Your hosts, the warm and caring Doley family are from the Mising community. Their land is amidst lush paddy plantations, ponds, and sacred groves away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist pockets of Majuli.
There are four chang-ghars chang ghars, each equipped with a combination of twin and triple bedding, three western baths (two attached and one unattached), and private sit-outs. The dining area is either in the traditional kitchen or in the common dining space by the paddy fields.
The property comes with gorgeous views of the countryside and its otherworldly sunsets. The property is exclusive to our group.
days 2 to 6 - camping
Spend four nights camping by the pristine riverside. We’ve left no stone unturned to make your camping experience comfortable after a long day’s paddle.
Spacious tents with sleeping bags, quilts and air pillows will be provided on twin-sharing basis.
Wine and dine on local delicacies by a fire. All campsites are equipped with dry-pit toilet tents and a changing tent.
food
Begin your mornings with an energising breakfast of fruits, juices, tea, coffee, spreads like jam, butter, peanut butter, and an assortment of bread, eggs, and veggies. For a quick snack, there are cookies, local treats, and chai.
Lunches and dinners showcase lovingly prepared and lavishly generous spreads of regional dishes along with rice, local curries, dals, salads, pitikas and pickles. There’s a strong focus on traditional Mising cuisine cooked with iku (bamboo) on the meram (sacred hearth) in earthen pots on woodfire.
Fish, chicken, pork, duck (roasted, boiled, dried or steamed in aromatic leaves), chillies, foraged herbs, leafy greens, fruits, vegetables, curries, pitikas, pickles, fermented sides, salads and local rice are all part of the feasts of the Misings.
Enjoy a mug (or five) of apong to wash it down!
the river
This is a narrow tributary that splits from the the northern banks of Majuli, the largest river island in the world. It forms a natural boundary around the island. The river is essential to the island’s ecosystem and in supporting the livelihoods of the communities living along its banks.
Floating down the river feels like entering a quieter, more intimate world. The surface of the water is smooth, only broken by the gentle ripples of your boat or the occasional splash of a fish. The water, is blue and calm, reflecting the soft greens of overhanging trees and bamboo groves that line its banks.
You’ll see fisherfolk going about their day with their catch, the children waving at you from the banks, and the gentle passing of a breeze. Let us allow the environment to dictate the tone and mood of your journey.
This stretch of the river, is a paradise for birders. And even if you don’t consider yourself one, it’s hard not to be drawn in by the sheer abundance of birdlife along the way. Expect to encounter both migratory and resident species in remarkable diversity—various ducks, storks, ibis, raptors, and owls alongside smaller birds such as kingfishers, swifts, swallows, wagtails, shrikes, plovers, shorebirds in the plenty.
packrafting
Knowhere Travel Co has been working on the concept of river exploration through packrafts since 2019.
Packrafting is a fusion of backpacking and rafting, bringing you an amphibious adventure like no other.
Originating as a lightweight, inflatable raft designed for backcountry travel, packrafts unlock access to remote rivers, serene lakes, and untouched wilderness.
Since they are highly manoeuvrable, packrafts can give you the freedom to navigate water bodies that are otherwise difficult to access.
As pioneers of commercial packrafting in India, we remain committed to setting a high benchmark for safety, responsibility, and sustainability, helping shape the path as the community grows.
guides
The Brahmaputra Drift is a fully supported and guided expedition. Our guide-to-guest ratio is 4:8 to ensure high standards of safety while on the water.
Two experienced river guides from the Knowhere Travel team will accompany guests on packrafts. In addition to this, traditional country boats will man seasoned boatmen from Majuli, who know these waters intimately.
Our guides are trained in Wilderness First-Aid and Swift-Water Rescue.
safety & equipment
At Knowhere Travel, safety is of paramount importance. We leave no stone unturned, nor do we make any compromises when it comes to the quality and maintenance of the gear we provide you with.
Our packrafts are not toys. They are compact, yet highly robust boats. Our crafts are sourced from an internationally acclaimed manufacturer and have been tested across the world in a variety of conditions.
Our paddles are made of fibreglass and carbon fibre – making them light to carry but super strong too!
Our team has spent over nummerable years in different nautical conditions, guiding and training with these boats to understand them at a highly technical level. Our PFDs (Personal Floatation Devices) are 50N life vests with multiple adjustable straps, multiple pockets for accessories, and a water bladder so you can paddle handsfree.
We provide gloves and water shoes for comfort both in and out of the water, and a water-proof bow bag to access your personal gear.
As for support, we will have support canoe(s) alongside us. We will also have a support vehicle at the nearest road head for any emergencies.
Our teams are equipped with comprehensive field-repair and medical kits. For ease of communication, our teams would be hooked onto walkie-talkies.
how we work
It is imperative to us that we collaborate with partners who are deeply ingrained in the region. Our support teams are a combination of Mising and Assamese men and women from Majuli.
We work with award-winning hosts, recognised for their warmth, hospitality, and culinary traditions at the Outlook Responsible Tourism Culture & Heritage Awards 2025 and other families from the local Mising community who welcome us travellers on their ancestral lands.
Our logistics partners, Further & Beyond, have spent over a decade working in North East India on sustainable development in the renewable energy space, and are currently advancing waste management and recycling initiatives through the Himalayan Fringes Project. Through this partnership—and the networks and trust it brings—we are able to conduct this expedition with a strong commitment to safety, sustainability, and a near zero-waste approach.
Our packrafts are Bluesign certified, which guarantees that environment-friendly material is used at the time of production.
Barring support vehicles on land, our river journey is entirely non-motorised.
We are certified LNT practitioners and follow the Leave No Trace principles as part of all of our experiences.
is this for me?
This is a surreal holiday experience. We’re saying, “Hey! Come have an adventure — chill on river islands, eat yummy food, and float on crystal clear waters… there are no crowds, no 9-5, traffic, neon lights, billboards, loud noises, or pollution.”
Are you looking for that kind of holiday? If so, there are a few prerequisites.
You weigh lesser than 95 kgs (non-negotiable) and are not taller than 6 feet and 6 inches.
You are fit — not athlete-level fit, but you will be paddling for long durations over 5 days.
You are comfortable camping in the outdoors.
You are curious about the world — both communities and wildlife. You will be actively engaging with a small group — so bring your heart and your soul.
You are comfortable in the water. Knowledge of swimming is good, but not mandatory. That said, you can be assured that if you join us, there’s no safer environment to face your fears. We’ve got your back.
You love to relax. There’s plenty of time to take a heavenly nap or let your mind wander as the river drifts by.
You are 18 years and above.
The Majuli edition of the Drift is graded as easy.
pricing & dates
Join the journey
We run limited tours, just two departures for a group of 8 guests per trip.
Dates (2026-2027):
January 23 to January 30, 2027
February 6 to February 13, 2027
Since this is a group holiday, we can only run the trip if a minimum of 6 guests sign up.
Pricing
Indian nationals: Rs. 100,000 + 5% GST = Rs. 105,000
Foreign nationals: Rs. 120,000 + 5% GST = Rs. 126,000
Includes (ex-Dibrugarh)
Lodging, all meals and beverages, to and fro airport transfers, all internal transfers, all boating and camping equipment, bicycles at camp (4 nos), experienced guides, local support team and vehicle, applicable permits, service charges, and taxes.
Excludes
Air/rail/bus tickets to Dibrugarh and back, gratuities, trip extensions, travel insurance, alcoholic beverages, any personal purchases, a change in the itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances, and anything not mentioned under ‘includes’.
Get in touch and we’ll see you on the water!
reviews
It’s been an absolute delight and a rare privilege to connect with the Mising community of Majuli. Experiencing their way of life on packrafts and witnessing their traditions up close has enriched my perspective and relationship with the water even more.
– Natasha, Goa
It’s been an absolute delight and a rare privilege to connect with the Mising community of Majuli. Experiencing their way of life on packrafts and witnessing their traditions up close has enriched my perspective and relationship with the water even more.
– Natasha, Goa
Being on the water was the first time for me, rafting on the river and honestly I don’t have words to talk about how beautiful the landscape is, how much people revere the land and take care of it.
– Gopika, Chennai
Being on the water was the first time for me, rafting on the river and honestly I don’t have words to talk about how beautiful the landscape is, how much people revere the land and take care of it.
– Gopika, Chennai
This trip will definitely be one of the most memorable trips of my life, as experiencing Majuli from the water gave me a very different perspective of the lives of the people, the natural ecosystem and way the river is such an integral part of their lives and histories. The vastness of the river & the land , the varied species of animals & birds we saw there and the warmth of the people made me think how small and insignificant we are as individuals within the realms of nature. Its been a truly immersive & humbling experience.
– Maya, Bangalore
This trip will definitely be one of the most memorable trips of my life, as experiencing Majuli from the water gave me a very different perspective of the lives of the people, the natural ecosystem and way the river is such an integral part of their lives and histories. The vastness of the river & the land , the varied species of animals & birds we saw there and the warmth of the people made me think how small and insignificant we are as individuals within the realms of nature. Its been a truly immersive & humbling experience.
– Maya, Bangalore
You all have really created something very special! I love travel and have always struggled with the voyeurism is intrinsic to most forms of tourism. I am overwhelmed by this experience. Applaud several teams and people behind this beautiful live orchestra which is grounded in the reality of the Majuli people and their journeys with the river.
– Nidisha, Bangalore
You all have really created something very special! I love travel and have always struggled with the voyeurism is intrinsic to most forms of tourism. I am overwhelmed by this experience. Applaud several teams and people behind this beautiful live orchestra which is grounded in the reality of the Majuli people and their journeys with the river.
– Nidisha, Bangalore
Paddling through the water, I felt the raw power of nature teaching me the balance, patience, and resilience. Every stroke is a lesson: sometimes you ride the current, sometimes you fight it, but always you move. The horizon isn’t just a destination—it’s an evolving promise of what you can become when you flow with purpose. Overall, it was ever cherishing memory.
– Keziah, Kodaikanal
Paddling through the water, I felt the raw power of nature teaching me the balance, patience, and resilience. Every stroke is a lesson: sometimes you ride the current, sometimes you fight it, but always you move. The horizon isn’t just a destination—it’s an evolving promise of what you can become when you flow with purpose. Overall, it was ever cherishing memory.
– Keziah, Kodaikanal
A lesson in Kindness, humility and hope 🙏
– Helen, United Kingdom
A lesson in Kindness, humility and hope 🙏
– Helen, United Kingdom
