Famous for its lush tea gardens, mystic hills, rich wildlife, and the Brahmaputra River, Assam has been a traveler’s paradise since ages. Gifted with a rich variety of flora and fauna, this northeastern state in India can be the perfect getaway from your busy and monotonous lifestyle.
Many people are aware of the number of tourist attractions in the state, like Majuli (largest inhabited river island of the world), Umananda (smallest river island in the world), Kamakhya temple, Kaziranga National Park, and so on and so forth.
However, there is also a large number of unexplored attractions in the region. One such attraction is the Kaziranga National Orchid and Biodiversity Park, which is the largest orchid park in India.
As per reports, Northeast India ranks on top in terms of orchid species concentration. The highest number of orchid species is said to be recorded in Arunachal Pradesh. For Assam, orchids hold a special place as the foxtail orchid is named as its state flower.
As per a local guide, there are over 35,000 species of orchids in the world, of which approximately 1,314 are found in India. Interestingly, over 850 of them can be found in the Northeast region and around 400 species are found only in Assam! This park is therefore a very important stop in your travel itinerary.
All tourists in Assam will never miss their opportunity to visit the famous Kaziranga National Park which is a home to the world’s largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceroses. And the orchid park we are talking about, is located just 2 km from the central range of Kaziranga. Spread across an area of 6 acres, the park is home to almost 600 varieties of orchids.
About Kaziranga Orchid Park
As compared to other tourist attractions, the Kaziranga orchid park is relatively very young. Established in 2015, the park is designed as a mini village, displaying not just these uniquely beautiful flowers, but also other objects that depict the simple and traditional lifestyle of the various tribes in the state.
The wild orchids here are collected from all across Northeast India. The air in the greenhouse, which is designed to support the growth of orchids, is a little warm and humid, but the beauty of the flowers and their vibrant colours is sure to lift up your mood and make you forget about the mugginess.
The Dancing Lady, the Joker Face, butterfly orchid and pineapple orchids are just a few of the highlights. This park also has the smallest variety of orchid found in India.
Fun fact: Any trade of wild orchid is banned globally!
The park doesn’t come with orchids alone. But it also comprises of a rice museum, a cultural center, a few handicrafts shops, a garden of medicinal plants, a fishery, cactus display room, a bamboo forest and other small set ups, that give you an insight of the culture and lifestyle of the various tribes in the region. A restaurant that serves a traditional platter of Assamese food is also well known.
There is also an outlet for locally made medicines that is beneficial to a lot of health issues. So, in case you want to try natural medicines for some sickness, you can do it here while admiring the beauty of nature, and walking amid orchids! The outlets also sell pickles and drinks.
Read More: Visit this mysterious bird suicide point in Assam
Activities at Orchid Park
Apart from display of objects and handicrafts to highlight the culture of the local people, the park also organises live cultural shows in the evening. Local artists perform their cultural dance, or songs, accompanied by their traditional musical instruments. These performances, apart from attracting a huge crowd, gives a musical peek into the way of living of the locals. From Bihu to Bamboo dance, if you are lucky, you get to witness it all.
One can also enjoy a peaceful walk amid nature in the Kaziranga Orchid park premises. The splendid natural pathways within the park, reminds the visitors of the bountiful supply of clean air that the region is blessed with.
Local cuisine:
As mentioned, the Kaziranga orchid park has an ethnic restaurant within its premises. The elaborate traditional platter served in this restaurant is a favourite among the locals, and also among people residing in and around Kaziranga. There are times when families go out specifically for lunch or dinner to this place. When visiting the place, the traditional Assamese thali that comprises almost 28 items is a must try!
Accommodation in Kaziranga:
As Kaziranga is a tourist spot, there are a good number of hotels and eco-camps or wildlife lodges that provide the visitor with a very comfortable and enjoyable stay. From bonfires to camps, these stays not only help the visitors to enjoy nature to the fullest, but also helps in creating memories and bonds that can never be erased.
Places to visit nearby:
Apart from the orchid park, there are a good number of other tourist attractions near Kaziranga.
The Kaziranga National Park, for instance, is a must visit. Also, the Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, which is a home to 106 hoolock gibbons, is not to be missed. It is to be noted that hoolock gibbons are only found in the northeastern region in India.
If you plan to stay a little longer, then Majuli, Kakochang waterfalls, Haflong (only hill station in Assam), Jatinga (bird suicide point) etc can be covered. A delightful boat safari in the mighty Brahmaputra River will certainly give you a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience.
If you get lucky enough, you can spot the rare endangered species of Gangetic dolphins playfully jumping in the waters.
How to reach Kaziranga Orchid Park?
The nearest airport is Jorhat’s Rowriah airport, followed by Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati.
After arriving in Guwahati or Jorhat, you can get a direct bus to Kaziranga from the Guwahati bus stand (ISBT), or Jorhat ISBT respectively. You can also hire a cab that will take you to your destination.
The Nearest railway station to Kaziranga is Furkating JN. From Furkating JN, you can hire a cab. You will reach the destination in just a little over 2 hours.
Note: Ola or Uber services aren’t available in these places yet. So, you might want to hire local taxis or cabs instead.
Do’s and Don’ts while visiting the Kaziranga Orchid Park:
- Orchids bloom at different times. So do not be disheartened if you miss a species or two.
- If you want to see a particular king of orchid, do your research before visiting the place
- The best time to visit the orchid park is between March-July. Though these months are hotter than the rest of the year, it is the time when orchids bloom
- Wild orchids are very difficult to grow. Therefore, you need to be respectful towards the flowers. Some of them are extremely rare, so be careful to not cause any harm
Conclusion
The orchid park, though relatively new, has successfully established itself as the cherry on the cake for tourists visiting Kaziranga only for the national park. With a minimal entry fee of Rs 100, the park beautifully presents an insight into the rich wildlife of the NE region, not to forget the additional display of native culture and the taste of local cuisine.
India is blessed with many attractive destinations and it is not that difficult to choose one for your next vacation. However, instead of picking the routine destinations, this time take your loved ones to any unexplored location and enjoy each moment. TheTravelB.Com is your best guide to select underrated destinations across India. Reach us @ https://thetravelb.com/contact-us/ or send an email to contactthetravelb@gmail.com to share your experiences or for any suggestions.
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