Dibrugarh

Introducing Dibrugarh

Travelling to ‘tea-city’ Dibrugarh usefully closes a loop between Kaziranga and the Ziro–Along–Pasighat route.

From Dibrugarh Town train station, RKB Path follows the rail tracks northeast passing HS Rd (which leads to the market area). After 800m RKB Path meets Mancotta Rd. Around this junction are many places to eat, plus there’s fast-connection internet at Ajmera (Sachit Studio, Mancotta Rd; per hr Rs 20; 10am-9pm). Across the railway tracks, 1km south on Mancotta Rd then 300m right on Convoy/TRP Rd is the main bus station.

Purvi Discovery (2301120; www.purviweb.com; Medical College Rd, Jalan Nagar) organises regional tours, vehicle rental and horse-riding trips (around Rs 7000 per day, including meals) with set date departures (October to April). Given three days’ notice it can organise two-hour tea estate visits (admission Rs 400; Tue-Sat Apr-Nov). Purvi also handles bookings for two colonial-era tea bungalow retreats: the delightful 1849 Mancotta Chang Bungalow (Mancotta Rd, Mancotta; s/d main Bldg Rs 2000/3600, s ‘executive’ Rs 1000), 4km from town, and Jalannagar South Bungalow (Convoy Rd; s/d upstairs Rs 1500/2600, downstairs Rs 1600), 700m from the bus station. In both cases choose the upper rooms that have polished hardwood floorboards and a wonderful heritage feel.

East End Hotel (2322698; New Market; s/d from Rs 230/345), just off HS Rd, is conveniently central, with tired, basic but clean budget rooms and attached cold showers.

Near the train station, Hotel Indsuriya (2326322; RKB Path; s/d fan Rs 345/564, AC from Rs 805/1035; ) has bright, modern rooms, a children’s play area and some local furniture motifs. Spot Princess Diana amongst the lobby’s Assamese textiles.

H20 (Mancotta Rd; mains Rs 50-110, beers Rs 55) is an upstairs bar-restaurant with elements of spaceship décor. Upbeat little Flavours (2326438; Mancotta Rd; mains Rs 20-60; 10am-10pm) nearby serves doughy pizzas. El Dorado (2326805; City Regency Hotel, RKB Path; beers Rs 90) is a suave, under-lit lounge with bottle-spinning barman and Indian trance music.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009