[San Phrangmung]

Well it's been long time since I shared a travel experience as I don't get the time & opportunity to go on drives as before.

However this diwali was able to took a four day trip to Kaziranga National Park & Tiger reserve which I would like to share here today.

The journey started late afternoon at 2 pm from Guwahati. Traffic within Guwahati was heavy and took time to cross the busy GS road with the new electronic traffic signals in multiple unnecessary points creating jams.

However from Khanapara onward to Sonapur end of the hill section it was easier and thereafter from the first toll gate one could drive above 90 without issues.

The toll gate unlike earlier don't make one wait for a guy with a sensor walk in front of the car windshield to scan the barcode but do it online just logging car number so didn't take much time.
The second toll gate was near Raha village before reching Nagain bypass. Toll at both points were around 130.

The drive was smooth all the way upto Samaguri post Nagaon till where four lane work is complete. Than one needs to slow down criss crossing into two lanes here and there in Amoni Misa areas as construction work is going on still and at one point work progress is very slow as they have just finished clearing land for four lane.

Once one reach Koliabor tiniali from where the left road takes one to Tezpur town & military & air base the four lane ends on Kaziranga side but continues on Kaliabhomora bridge side leading to Tezpur town.

That side the four lane work as well as the construction of the second bridge over Brahmaputra river beside the old Kaliabhomora bridge is almost complete. They are making the toll gate ready that side and i think may open both ways within a few months.

Anyways we reached the Tezpur turn point around 4.30 driving on average 90-100.
At some points speed was 120 and that shows road conditions are good and the Baleno also performed well without any shake or other issues.

As it was about to get dark we decided to have our late lunch and pack our dinner at Jakhalabandha town. The restaurant we stopped at was Choupal a well maintained clean bar cum restaurant to the right just few minutes after Jakhalabandha main town.

My ride the Baleno which gave a smooth drive during the holiday without any issues. This picture taken at the start of Kaliabhomora bridge point while returning from Tezpur on way back.

[San Phrangmung]

Ok so around 4.35 pm we reached Jakhalabandha towns Choupal restaurant cum bar where we had butter nan, chicken chai and for me a cool beer to relax.

By the time we finished eating it was totally dark so we all decided to stay at a simple campsite cum traditional Assamese hut accommodation called Tushita Ban just five minutes drive from Choupal to the left on the highway. I am sharing here the pictures of the place as I loved it for its rawness and location among paddy fields and tea garden.

Tushita Ban is a simple non ac accommodation that provide homely simple food. So we had our dinner packed from Choupal itself and just came here and spent a relaxing night.

[San Phrangmung]

Day 2: Jakhalabandha to Kohora, Kaziranga.

Next day after a relaxing sleep woke up early and took a walk around Tushita Ban taking pictures.

Than we had tawa roti and aloo matar breakfast here and drove ahead to Bagori gypsy safari point which was around one hours slow drive given speed restrictions of 40 & 20 at many places where animals cross.

The safari was a nice experience where we saw many rhinos and few wild elephants apart from varieties of birds. I did not took any pictures or made videos during safari as don't want to spoil it for future visitors of their excitement.

As the park safari had just opened this month and grass are still high and green the number of animals seen are less as per our driver cum guide. He suggested that if one visit in January February after the grass gets dry and are burnt one can see large variety and numbers of animals compares to now. But i loved the ride anyways and won't mind coming in October again.

The Bagori range safari cost (jeep cum three adult entrance) fee was roughly Rs 2,500 for the about one hour tour as the complete range is not yet open to tourists.

[San Phrangmung]

Post safari we were feeling a bit hungry so the gypsy dropped us at Bonroja restaurant cum hotel which was just next to the entrance gate parking place.

That place had azing alu paratha and made super cup of masala chai.

From here we proceeded towards Kohora to Foxtail Orchid resort where we stayed for two relaxing nights.

Foxtail Orchid resort is at per with Iora and Borgos in comfort however their location has mobile internet problem and hotel does not provide wifi. But since it's a small property with only 16 rooms the place is quiet and the swimming pool is best in Kaziranga compared to one in Iora and Borgos.

Another issue the food items are limited and some items you have to order the day before if you want in breakfast or many hours before if the same day.

Never the less my son loved this place compared to Iora and Borgos and he said he wanted to come and stay here again. So those with kids can come here without worry.

One thing to remember book the front side rooms overlooking the lawn as the backside rooms have no view and boundery covered with high bamboo wall and comparatively dark.

[San Phrangmung]

Day 3: Foxtail Orchid resort, Kohora Kaziranga.

Day three was a lazy start with hotel breakfast and rest till midday than visiting the Kako Gokhani Mohamaya Durga than temple of Ahom era than the Kaziranga Orchid & Biodiversity park & having lunch at Borgos.

The temple is more than 300 years old and has three sections, main old Durga than temple, Chandi path temple and Kali maa temple side by side. At the entrance from highway there are few shops to get the diya and agarbatti and anything one might want to offer at the than.

It's located very close to the main highway, walkable distance so you may park your vehicle near the shops.

The Orchid park cum museum entrance is filled with local snacks stores which you must try with a cup of chai. They also have stores selling local handicrafts which would be a good buy if you want something from Assam to take back home with.

Inside the Orchid park you can have a look at varieties of orchid as well as have a glimpse into Assam's history at a small museum and have a huge huge Assamese thali for lunch. But as it's always crowded more so on weekends the food tales time to serve as tables are few. The experience is something like Goa spice firm visit with added features.

This was our second visit to the Orchid park and we saw many new additions.

As for Borgos it's quiet an Amazonian rainforest experience from the very entrance covered with overgrown trees and shrubs. The food menu at Borgos is extensive but some of the items may not be upto mark. They have a souvenir shop too selling handicrafts but at a higher price than outside.

After returning from Borgos we spent the rest of the evening at Foxtail Orchid resort having dinner there with sausages and momos which were good.

Next morning we drove to Tezpur University campus for diwali celebrations with relatives and on Tuesday returned to Guwahati.

Sharing here the pictures of the days trips.

[San Phrangmung]

Day 4 & 5 : Drive to Tezpur & return to Guwahati

Day 4 Monday we had planned to drive slow get down at a few place have lunch on way to Tezpur but due to the cyclonic storm in Bay of Bengal it started to rain and was windy so we went without any stop and celebrated diwali with relatives in Tezpur university.

Day 5 Tuesday early morning we packed up and drove back to Guwahati stopping at Nagaon bypass for breakfast and also stopped at SitaJakhala for Nepali pitha, jelebi and got some mithai for home.

All in all it was a good trip with 90% good roads and the Baleno did a wonderful job offering us a comfortable & safe journey.

Last pictures of Foxtail Orchid resort morning shots & paratha breakfast at Nagaon bypass.

[San Phrangmung]

You tube video link for Tusita Ban Jakhalabandha stay

https://youtu.be/RPZUWs6cHro

You tube video link for Foxtail Orchid resort Kaziranga

https://youtu.be/9waM2AJUcuQ

You tube video link for Kaziranga Orchid & Biodiversity park

https://youtu.be/cNlixlXEhnc