Diphlu River Lodge
Room Types
2 Options
Check-in
12:00 PM
Check-out
10:00 AM
Stay Type
Lodge
Diphlu River Lodge is an award-winning eco-luxury safari lodge situated directly on the boundary of Kaziranga National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Assam. Separated from the national park only by the gentle flow of the Diphlu River, the lodge provides an intimate, low-impact wilderness sanctuary comprising just 12 stilted cottages (8 Paddy-facing and 4 River-facing) accommodating a maximum of 24 privileged guests.
Available Accommodation
1/6Paddy-facing Cottage
Spacious 480 sq ft eco-cottage built on raised stilts overlooking lush paddy and mustard crop fields. Features a king-size bed (or twin configuration) with Assamese handwoven runners, high vaulted bamboo ceiling, cosy sitting area, writing desk, in-room mini-fridge, electric kettle with organic Assam tea, and a private thatched verandah with cane armchairs. Ensuite bathroom features a marble-top vanity and walk-in rain shower.
1/5River-facing Cottage
Exclusive 480 sq ft premium stilt cottage set right along the Diphlu River facing directly into Kaziranga National Park. Includes the historic Cottage #4 (Royal Suite of Prince William & Kate Middleton). Features floor-to-ceiling folding glass doors opening onto an extended private thatched deck equipped with binoculars, wicker day loungers, and riverside seating. Soaring bamboo cathedral rafters, king bed, writing desk, mini-fridge, and en-suite walk-in rain shower bathroom.
Location Details
Near Bagori Police Outpost, Kuthari, Kaliabor, Nagaon District, Assam 782136
Royal Heritage & Worldwide Acclaim
In April 2016, Diphlu River Lodge had the distinct honor of hosting TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Prince William and Kate Middleton) during their official tour of India, staying in Cottage #4. The lodge has been ranked by Lonely Planet Magazine as the #2 Wildlife Resort in India (second only to the Oberoi Vanyavilas), consistently awarded the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Best of the Best Award (top 10% worldwide), and featured across Architectural Digest and Vogue India for exceptional sustainable jungle architecture and celebrity-approved wilderness hospitality.
Architecture & Indigenous Assamese Craftsmanship
Reincarnated in 2008 by Ashish Phookan from his family's pioneering 1970s ecotourism outpost (Kamrup Komplex), the lodge's architecture draws pure inspiration from the indigenous Mishing tribal stilt houses (chang ghar). Every cottage is constructed on raised concrete stilts thatched with local elephant grass, woven bamboo screens, reclaimed sal timber beams, and polished natural hardwood flooring. Elevated bamboo boardwalks weave through organic mustard and paddy fields, allowing free movement of natural water channels and wildlife below without soil compaction.
The Machan: Dining, Lounge & River Observation
At the heart of the property stands The Machan, an iconic two-tiered open-sided bamboo pavilion overlooking the Diphlu River and the wild grasslands of Kaziranga:
- Upper Observation Deck: Furnished with deep cushioned daybeds, nature field guides, wildlife binoculars, and handcrafted Assamese fishing baskets, offering a peaceful vantage point for spotting wild rhinos, Asian elephants, otters, and hornbills across the river.
- Central Hearth & Dining Pavilion: Features a sunken open fireplace where guests gather in the evenings for cocktails, single-estate Assam tea, and farm-to-table cuisine prepared with organic vegetables grown on-site. The culinary team crafts authentic Assamese thalis, tribal delicacies, and refined Continental fare.
Luit Spa & Wilderness Experiences
- Luit Spa: A dedicated wellness sanctuary offering Ayurvedic massages, herbal steam therapies, and organic botanical treatments using local camphor, ginger, and wild mustard oil.
- Exclusive Guided Safaris: Expert in-house naturalists guide private 4x4 open-top Gypsy safaris into the Central (Kohora), Western (Bagori), and Eastern (Agoratoli) ranges of Kaziranga National Park.
- River Cruises & Cultural Encounters: Private country boat cruises along the Brahmaputra River to encounter endangered Ganges river dolphins, guided walks through local Karbi tribal villages, and organic tea garden plucking tours.
Key Distances & Transit Proximity
- Kaziranga Western Range Gate (Bagori): 3.5 km (6-minute drive)
- Kaziranga Central Range Gate (Kohora): 11 km (15-minute drive)
- Kaziranga Orchid & Biodiversity Park: 9 km (12-minute drive)
- Jorhat Airport (JRH): 96 km (2 hours drive)
- Tezpur Airport (TEZ): 78 km (1.5 hours drive)
- Guwahati Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport (GAU): 215 km (4 hours drive via 4-lane NH715)
Property Amenities
Property Policies & House Rules
- Cancellation Policy Cancellations made 12 weeks or more before arrival: 10% cancellation charge. 12 to 8 weeks prior: 20% charge. 8 to 4 weeks prior: 30% charge. 4 to 2 weeks prior: 50% charge. Less than 2 weeks prior or no-show: 100% forfeiture. No refund for early check-out.
- Child & Extra Bed Policy Children of all ages welcome. Child 0–5 years stays complimentary sharing existing bedding with all meals and jeep safari access on Jungle Plan. Children 6–11 years extra bed charged at INR 8,000 per night (Jungle Plan). Children 12+ years charged at adult extra bed rate of INR 10,000 per night (Jungle Plan).
- Pet Policy Pets are strictly prohibited due to the lodge's direct border with Kaziranga National Park wildlife territory and strict conservation protocols.
- Check-in / Check-out Standard check-in starts at 12:00 PM, and checkout is required by 10:00 AM.