East India and Ganges Cruise

DURATION
14 days
FROM
£3695 pp
Enquire now or Call us on 01224313984 for full details

This extraordinary tour offers a fascinating blend of colonial history, Indian Heritage and glimpses of rural life. From the holy city of Varanasi and silent cruise waters of the Ganges to the bustling, chaotic and heritage rich city of Kolkatta (former Calcutta).

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

DAY 1: Depart

Fly to Delhi.

DAY 2: Varanasi- The Gateway Hotel

Arrive Delhi and connect for flight to Varanasi. On your arrival in Varanasi, assistance and transfer to your hotel. Varanasi (also known as Benaras), is considered to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities of the world, dating back to 3000 years ago. Mark Twain once said: “Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together”. An accurate description would be India’s pilgrimage destination par excellence. Evening at leisure. First of two nights in Varanasi.

DAY 3: Varanasi- The Gateway Hotel

Morning drive to visit Sarnath, the place where Buddha first taught his Dharma or the teachings of Buddhism. An afternoon visit to Varanasi’s principle museum, Bharat Kala Bhawan, on the Benares Hindu University Campus. This evening, experience Ganga aarti at Dasashwamedh Ghats,. A truly mesmerising event, this aarti is the essence of Varanasi. Evening a boat ride in Ganges at dusk to witness the Ganga Aarti ritual along the Dasashwamedh ghats. This daily fire offering, where young priests perform their daily rituals with brass lamps and spiritual mantras in front of large crowds from all over India and the world, dates back to the Vedic period and is the central element of the religious life of this holy city. Overnight in Varanasi.

DAY 4: Bodhgaya - Royal Residency

After breakfast, drive for Bodhgaya (5 hrs) along the Grand Trunk Road, India’s oldest highway. Stop enroute at Sasaram to see the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Sher Shah Suri. Bodhgaya is the crucible of Buddhism, the place where Prince Siddharta attained enlightenment under a bodhi tree 2600 years ago.The Mahabodhi Temple complex at Bodhgaya has fragments from the 3rd century BC and a richly elaborate 55 metre high temple of the 6th century BC, a rare survival. Overnight in Bodhgaya.

DAY 5: Kolkata- Taj Vivanta

In the morning, drive 70 miles to Patna airport in time to board a short flight to Kolkatta. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. After setting into the hotel, visit the South Park Street Cemetery, where tombs of the early British settlers are of a monumental classicism without parallel in Britain. Overnight in Calcutta.

DAY 6: ABN Sukhapa/Rajmahal

Early morning, optional walk through the colourful flower market. Afternoon transfer to train station to take a 4-hour train journey from Kolkata to Farakka, and a short road transfer to your ship. First of seven nights onboard ABN Sukhapa.

DAY 7: ABN Sukhapa/Rajmahal

Morning cruise along a straight canal to Jangipur, where you disembark for day excursion by road to Gaur, near the town of Malda. This quiet, deserted place was once one of India’s great cities, first under the Hindus in 12th century, then as the Muslim capital of Eastern India from the 14th to the 16th century. Visit the plentiful remains of mosques, palaces and gateways telling tales of the past centuries, before rejoining your ship in the evening. Overnight onboard ABN Sukhapa.

DAY 8: ABN Sukhapa/Rajmahal

Morning sailing down the Lower Ganges, a charming waterway twisting and turning between banks lined with mustard fields and mango orchards. Moor at the delightful sleepy village of Baranagar with three miniature terracotta temples. Walk through the fields to explore the temples and get glimpses of the local rural life.This is rural India at its most idyllic. Continue on down past Azimganj, boasting some fine riverside mansions, to Murshidabad, where Hazarduari Palace dominates the waterfront. Built in the nineteenth century by architect Duncan Mcleod under the reign of the Nawab, the palace hosts an extensive collection of pictures, china, weapons and other objects. Continue to visit the great Katra Mosque and Nashipara Palace before driving out to visit the Katgola Palace, a palace built in classical Georgian style by rich local merchants. Overnight onboard ABN Sukhapa.

DAY 9: ABN Sukhapa/Rajmahal

Sail downstream to visit Khushbagh, a peaceful Mughul-style garden enclosing the tombs of Siraj-ud-Daulah – the last independent Nawab of Bengal – and his family. Return to the ship and continue sailing past the old British cantonment of Berhampur to a rural mooring close to the battlefield of Plassey where, in 1757, Robert Clive, the Commander-in-Chief of British India, defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, to change the course of Indian history. You can walk through the fields to the commemorative obelisk. Cruise on to a mooring near Katwa, a market town with narrow bustling bazaars (markets). Overnight onboard ABN Sukhapa.

DAY 10: ABN Sukhapa/Rajmahal

Visit the brassworking village of Matiari where you can see the traditional process of beating out brass water pots and other vessels. Continue on through the countryside to Mayapur to visit the vast new ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) temple which dominates the skyline. As the headquarters of ISKCON or the Hare Krishna movement, the temple receives over a million singing and dancing devotees a year from around the world. Overnight onboard ABN Sukhapa.

DAY 11: ABN Sukhapa/Rajmahal

Sail to the town of Kalna. Take cycle rickshaws to see group of some of Bengal’s most attractive terracotta temples, as well as the unique Shiva temple with concentric rings made up of 108 shrinelets. Sail on, leaving fields behind and arrive at the outskirts of Kolkata. Stop at Bandel to visit the imposing Imambara at Hooghly. With verses from the Koran written on its walls, the Imambara highlights Islamic history in Bengal. Overnight onboard ABN Sukhapa

DAY 12: ABN Sukhapa/Rajamahal

Sail downstream, past fine waterfront buildings and the old Dutch settlement at Chinsura – to land at Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950. Visit the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House, the erstwhile Governor-General of French India, before continuing down to Barrackpore. Disembark and take a walk through the cantonment, past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and Flagstaff House. Overnight onboard ABN Sukhapa

DAY 13: Kolkatta - Taj Vivanta

Early this morning, cruise under the Howrah Bridge to central Kolkata to disembark. Meet your guide for a city heritage walk that takes in some of the finest structures of the British Raj, most European in style but adapted to Bengali climate: the Dalhousie square covering the Georgian classicism of 
St John’s Church (1784) and the Town Hall, the Gothic High Court and Classical General Post, the Anglican cathedral of St Paul (1847) and the Victoria Memorial (1906–21), the most imposing building in Calcutta. Overnight in Calcutta.

DAY 14: Depart Kolkatta

Early morning assistance and transfer to airport to board your return flight.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

What's included

  • Accommodation in twin or double share
  • River cruiser accommodation for seven nights in twin/double share
  • All intercity travel and transfers in private air-conditioned chauffeured car
  • All entrances and excursions
  • 11 breakfasts, 8 dinners and 7 lunches
  • Porterage
  • Gratuities and tips
  • Internal economy flights and train travel

What's excluded

  • International flights- quoted on request
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Visa
  • Expenses of personal nature
  • Single room supplement

MAP


MORE INFORMATION

SPECIAL OFFERS

START DATE END DATE PRICE(PP) SPECIAL(PP)
03 Feb, 2019 16 Feb, 2019 £4775 per person
16 Feb, 2019 01 Mar, 2019 £4775 per person
03 Mar, 2019 16 Mar, 2019 £4775 per person
09 Mar, 2019 22 Mar, 2019 £4160 per person
23 Mar, 2019 05 Apr, 2019 £4160 per person

TESTIMONIALS

Neither of us had been to India before, but we were well taken care of, and learned and saw so much! In addition, I would particularly like to mention how very good Tilak was. We relied on him completely, he managed everything exceptionally well, and nothing was too much trouble. It cannot be easy dealing with a group of senior travellers (especially on the train!) but he made it all very easy for us. He was efficient, professional, resourceful, and kind. We could not have asked for more.

Mr. & Mrs. McGill
Group tour to Northern India

We returned home from India last week and just wanted to let you know that we thoroughly enjoyed our Indian holiday with excellent co-ordination from your company throughout. We had a superb driver and some lovely enthusiastic guides, save for one poor guide in Jodhpur. Our holiday was one of the most vibrant, colourful and cultural experiences ever with delicious varied food.

Mr. & Mrs. Payne
Customised Rajasthan Tour

Start planning your holiday with experts

    I like the itinerary, know my travel dates and would like a quote

    I would like to use this itinerary as a starting point and have some ideas. If that's the case, we just need a few details to start designing your perfect holiday.

    If you would like us to ring you back, please add in your phone number and in the box below state approximate time you’d like to hear from us. We are happy to ring you in the evenings or at weekends

    Tour Wizard

    FIND YOUR PERFECT TOUR

    • Reset

    Can't find what you are looking for? Contact us to Start Tailoring your Holiday

    Follow Us On
    .