Day 1: Kolkatta

This morning, you will be collected from your hotel to embark the ship by 11 am. Sail upstream past the old Dutch settlement of Chinsura before landing to visit the imposing Imambara at Hooghly. With verses from the Koran written on its walls, the Imambara is an opportunity to step back in time and relive a slice of Islamic history in Bengal. After the visit, reboard your cruise and start sailing, leaving urban sprawl behind.

Day 2: Kolkatta – Kalna

Sail upstream and, after breakfast, land at the country town of Kalna and take cycle rickshaws to see a 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. Continue 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. Sail downstream as dusk falls to a mooring near Kalna.

Day 3: Kalna – Kolkatta

This morning, sail downstream and visit a saree-weaving village before continuing to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950, to visit the 18th century church as well as Dupleix’s House, the erstwhile Governor-General of French India. Later, sail on down to Kolkata.

Day 4: Kolkatta

After breakfast, disembark and transfer to airport or hotel in Central Kolkata.

Tour Price Per Person:
From US$ 1020 on double sharing basis

Day 1: Guwahati – Sualkuchi

Meet at Guwahati airport and embark your ship by mid-afternoon. Enjoy lunch while cruising downstream to the little town of Sualkuchi, where the clatter of looms gives a clue to the town’s industry. Post-lunch, walk through the village and visit its silk-weaving workshops and observe the whole process of silk manufacture, from cocoon and spinning to dyeing and hand-weaving into exquisite mekhela chadars (a two-piece sari, the traditional attire of Assamese women). Overnight on onboard.

Day 2: Sualkuchi – Pandu

This morning cruise upstream and disembark at Pandu docks for a short sightseeing tour of Guwahati. Drive up Nilachal Hill to the holy Kamakhya temple, though with its tantric rites and animal sacrifice, the more squeamish may prefer to content themselves with its exteriors. Visit the poignant Commonwealth War Graves cemetery and a shop selling local crafts. Cross by country boat to the mid-stream Peacock Island with its population of Golden Langurs before reboarding and cruising past Kurua on the north bank. Overnight on board.

Day 3: Pandu – Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

Today cruise upstream past jungle-covered hills and turn into the Mayong River. Then take a country boat for a kilometre or two to the roadhead from where you’ll be driven to Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.

This small park has a dense population of the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros and it would be unlucky to not spot some of these armoured beasts on a jeep safari around the park. Those departing today are picked up from the park and driven for 4 ½ hrs to Kaziranga National Park.

Return to the ship in the afternoon and cruise to a riverside village, which you can explore on foot. Later, sail downstream to spend the last night close to Kurua. Overnight on board.

Day 1: Arrive Kolkata, Embarkation

Morning embark the ship at the Jetty in Kolkata and enjoy lunch on board.

This afternoon, visit Mother Teresa’s home and tomb (closed on Thursdays). Mother Teresa started the Missionary of Charity in 1952, then lived and worked here until her death in 1997. Visit her personal room, learn her life story and see her charity that is still active.

Optional: Continue by foot a short distance to her orphanage, Sishu Bhawan (Children’s Home), where one of the sisters will lead you on a tour.

Return to the ship. Enjoy a cultural performance by Baul musicians, whose music represents a long heritage of preaching mysticism through songs in Bengal. The Baul tradition has been included in the list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Overnight onboard.

Day 1: Varanasi – Embarkation: 12 pm (L/D)

Varanasi is considered the holiest city in Hinduism and Jainism. It also played an important role in the development of Buddhism. In the evening ride the country boat to the Dashashwamedh Ghat to see the “Ganga Aarti” performed by a group of priests lined up on the riverbank chanting mantras and performing the prayer ritual with lamps, incense, and traditional instruments to honor the river.

Dinner & overnight on-board Bengal Ganga.

Day 2: Varanasi – Cruising Downstream (B/L/D)

After breakfast stroll in the Vishwanath Gali (street) and experience the hustle and bustle of devotees and roadside vendors. Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple for “Darshan” and offering prayers to Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of the city. Return to the ship by midday and cruise downstream, viewing the countryside and enjoying lunch onboard.

Dinner & overnight onboard Bengal Ganga.

Day 3: Varanasi – Cruising Upstream (B/L/D)

After breakfast sail upstream towards Varanasi, arriving by midday at Ravidas Ghat. Post lunch visit Sarnath where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment in Bodhgaya. Visit the local bazaar to shop for the famous “Banarasi” silk, muslin, perfumes, and other handicrafts that Varanasi is famous for.

Dinner & overnight onboard Bengal Ganga.