Discover life around the holy Ganges on a luxury river cruise of India
Cruises on the Ganges and Lower Ganges (the Hooghly) offer a chance to witness life as lived in riverbank villages and towns, and marvel at ornate historic temples and monuments. A little-known but fascinating and culturally rich part of India, travelling by boat opens up areas otherwise largely inaccessible to the traveller.
Itinerary
Kolkata to Farakka (Downstream available)
Day 01
This morning, you’ll be collected from your hotel in Kolkata to embark your ship by midday. Sail past the old Danish colony of Serampore to Barrackpore. Land and take a walk through the cantonment – past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and Flagstaff House – to get a better understanding of India's journey to independence. Sail up to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950.
Day 02
Visit an 18th century church and Dupleix Palace, once the residence of the erstwhile Governor-General of French India. 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. Sail into the night to a mooring near Kalna.
Day 03
After breakfast, land at the country town of Kalna and take rickshaws to see a group of some of Bengal’s most attractive terracotta temples including a unique Shiva temple with concentric rings made up of 108 shrinelets. You’ll also visit a muslin-weaving centre before continuing 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. Sail on through the night to a mooring near Matiari.
Day 04
This morning you’ll visit the charming riverside village of Matiari, known for its brass-working. Interact with the villagers and witness the traditional process of beating out brass water pots and other vessels. You then cruise on and visit the battlefield of Plassey where, in 1757, Robert Clive, the Commander-in-Chief of British India, defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal, to change the course of Indian history. Moor close to Khushbagh for the night.
Day 05
This morning, you’ll walk to Khushbagh, a peaceful Mughal-style garden that encloses the tombs of Siraj-ud-Daulah and his family. Continue a little way upstream to where the great Hazarduari Palace dominates the waterfront. Built by an English architect in 1837, the palace hosts an extensive collection of pictures, china, weapons and other objects. Carry on to visit the great Katra Mosque before driving out to see the Katgola Palace. Built in classical Georgian style by rich local merchants, Katgola Palace represents the other side of the coin of the 'White Mughal' period when English and Indian cultures came close to fusion. Moor overnight on the riverbank across from the town at Baranagar.
Day 06
This morning you’ll walk through the fields of the delightfully sleepy village of Baranagar to visit its three gorgeous miniature terracotta temples. This is rural India at its most idyllic. Continue up the lower Ganges (or the Hooghly), which transforms into a picturesque waterway, twisting and turning between banks lined with mustard fields and mango orchards. Carry on up a long canal section to a mooring close to the Farakka Barrage.
Day 07
Disembark for a full-day excursion by road to Gaur, near the town of Malda or English Bazar. This quiet, deserted place was once one of India’s great cities, first under the Hindus in the 12th century, then as the Muslim capital of Eastern India from the 14th to the 16th century. There are plentiful remains of mosques, palaces and gateways and you’ll visit a number of the most interesting before rejoining the ship in the evening.
Day 08
Those taking only Bengal Despatch 1 will transfer to Farakka station in the morning for a 4 hr (approx.) train journey to Kolkata. Our representatives will meet you on arrival and transfer you to a central Kolkata hotel.
Farakka to Patna (Downstream available)
Day 01
Take a 4hr (approx.) train journey from Kolkata to Farakka in the afternoon, and then a short road transfer to the ship. Guests joining independently at Farakka can board the ship from midday onwards. For those taking both Bengal Despatch 1 and 2 cruises, a full day excursion by road takes you to Gaur. This quiet, deserted place was once one of India’s great cities, first under the Hindus in the 12th century, then as the Muslim capital of Eastern India from the 14th to the 16th century, and its plentiful remains of mosques, palaces and gateways are testament to this diverse history. Later, travel on through the town of Malda, or English Bazar, to Pandua where you will visit the great 14th century Adina Mosque before returning to Farakka where your ship will have passed through the lock at the barrage.
Day 02
This morning you’ll leave Farakka and sail out into the almost sea-like Ganges proper, just above the great Farakka Barrage. You sail upstream for much of the morning before anchoring at Rajmahal, one of those places that feature in no guidebook, yet offer both interest and atmosphere in abundance. Once known as Akbarnagar, the town was founded by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his eastern capital and Shah Jehan, builder of the Taj Mahal, spent much of his youth here. There are remains of palaces, forts and mosques submerged in vegetation which you can explore before sailing on as far as Manihari Ghat.
Day 03
This morning you’ll continue cruising upstream, passing the confluence with the Kosi river which flows down from Nepal. Arrive at idyllic Bateshwar, with its 6th century Hindu carvings, and the nearby ruins of an 8th century Buddhist stupa and monastery at Vikramshila. Later, you continue onwards to Kehilgaon or Colganj, where the ship awaits you. Sailing on, you’ll pass close to an island shrine with both Buddhist and Hindu cave temples, once the centre of the murderous Thug sect.
Day 04
Setting sail this morning you travel along a stretch of river where the endangered Gangetic Dolphin may be seen. Land at Bhagalpur, a centre of silk production, to visit the silk-weaving village and an elegant 18th century mansion built by Augustus Clevland, the collector and magistrate of the town back in the day. You’ll then continue on to Jahangira Island at Sultanganj, a place of pilgrimage with early Hindu carvings in the rock. On shore, another picturesque rock is topped with a mosque, and the stop offers a chance to stroll around the vibrant local market.
Day 05
Today you’ll sail on to Monghyr, with its large Mughal fort and East India Company cemetery, where villagers now live among the grandiose tombs. You’ll also visit the Pirpahar Hill, crowned by a fine old mansion, and the Sita Kund hot springs, before continuing your cruise upstream.
Day 06
This morning, you pass under the great bridge at Mokameh, where the naturalist Jim Corbett spent his working life in charge of the ferry which operated here in days gone by. Land to visit a bankside village and stretch your legs before sailing on to arrive by evening at Barh.
Day 07
Today brings an excursion to Nalanda, recently included as a UNESCO World Heritage site where visits include the excavated great Buddhist monastery and stupa along with the adjoining museum. Nalanda is also the world's oldest seat of learning, once welcoming over 10,000 students at its height. Later, visit the marbled Pawapuri Jain temple in the middle of a lake before returning in the evening to Barh to reboard the ship.
Day 08
Today is spent cruising upstream, catching up on reading, chatting with new friends, and watching life unfold on the riverbank. There will be time for a stop at a bankside village where you can stretch your legs and explore this rural area. You’ll arrive in the evening at Patna, the state capital of Bihar, and moor close to the old East India Company opium warehouses.
Day 09
This morning, you’ll take a tour of Patna and visit the 18th century Gola Ghar granary, the great Sikh gurdwara and the rich collections of the State Museum. Disembark late in the morning and transfer to the airport or station (transfer included). Alternatively, create your own arrangements for road or rail travel to Varanasi, Bodh Gaya or Nepal.
Kolkata to Kolkata
Day 01
This morning you’ll be collected from your hotel to embark the ship by 11am. Sailing upstream, you pass 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 far behind.
Day 02
Enjoy breakfast with an ever-changing view as you sail upstream, before landing at the country town of Kalna. Here you’ll take cycle rickshaws to see a group of some of Bengal’s most attractive terracotta temples, as well as the unique Shiva temple with its concentric rings made up of 108 shrinelets. 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. Sail downstream as dusk falls to a mooring near Kalna.
Day 03
This morning you’ll sail downstream and visit a saree-weaving village before continuing on to Chandernagore. A French possession until 1950, this old colonial town offers a chance to visit an 18th century church as well as Dupleix Palace, the erstwhile residence of the Governor-General of French India and now a fascinating museum. Later, sail on down to Kolkata.
Day 04
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport or your hotel in Kolkata.
Patna to Varanasi (Downstream available)
Day 01
Arrive at Patna by road, rail or air; transfer from airport or railway station to ship is included in the cruise cost. Embark on your cruise ship from afternoon onwards, and enjoy dinner on board while sailing upstream.
Day 02
This morning you’ll cruise upstream during breakfast before landing to visit a spectacular small Mughal tomb at Maner. Reboard and continue past the confluence with the River Sone to the busy river port of Doriganj, mooring at an overnight stop near the confluence with the River Goghra.
Day 03
Today you continue up past Ballia to Buxar, famous for the battle fought here in 1764 which, together with Plassey, laid the foundations of the British Raj. Visit the memorial on the battlefield and the old East India Company cemetery in town. Later, take a short cycle rickshaw ride up to the ghats of Buxar.
Day 04
Sail upstream today past Chausa to Ghazipur, still a centre for (official) opium production. Visit the imposing tomb of Lord Cornwallis, the General responsible for the British defeat at Yorktown and, if time permits, take a stroll through the busy Ghazipur bazaar, a quintessential Indian experience.
Day 05
This morning, sail on to Varanasi, formerly Benaras. Also known as the ‘City of Light’, it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, dating back 3,000 years. Mark Twain once wrote that "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, Varanasi is arresting to your every sense yet beautifully spiritual for those willing to let go and just be. It's the most important religious site for Hindus and visited by people from all walks of life who come here in the hope of attaining moksha or salvation. After lunch, visit the Buddhist site at Sarnath and the Deer Park where the Buddha preached his first sermon, as well as the nearby archaeological museum.
Day 06
This morning, sail past the ghats of Varanasi to visit Ramnagar and see the Maharaja’s Palace and museum. Sail on to visit Chunar, the great Mughal Fort, the old British cemetery and the Mughal tombs nearby. Carpet weaving and Chunar pottery offer a taste of the traditional industries that still thrive in the region. Sail down to anchor at Ramnagar for the night.
Day 07
An early start this morning as you take rowing boats at dawn to soak in the lively and colourful bathing ghats of Varanasi. After a reviving breakfast onboard, disembark again to take a walk through the busy alleys of Varanasi to experience the beating heart of the city. In the evening, take rowing boats once again to join the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony, 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. A truly mesmerising sight, this aarti is the essence of Varanasi. Return to the ship anchored at Rajghat.
Day 08
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to Varanasi airport or railway station.
Kolkata to Farakka (Downstream available)
Day 01
You are collected from your hotel late morning. Embark midday on your ship and sail up past the old Danish colony of Serampore to Barrackpore, land and take a walk through the cantonment past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame, and Flagstaff House, its garden housing many of the British statues removed from central Calcutta.
Day 02
Sail up to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950, and visit the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House containing a small museum. Sail on past the old Dutch settlement of Chinsura. Land to visit the imposing Imambara at Hooghly then reboard your ship and cruise upstream leaving urban sprawl behind. Sail into the night to a mooring near Kalna.
Day 03
Land at the country town of Kalna and take 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 on through the countryside to Mayapur, its skyline dominated by the vast new ISKCON temple. Sail on through the night to a mooring near Matiari.
Day 04
This morning visit the brassworking village of Matiari where you can see the whole primitive process of beating out brass water pots and other vessels. Later cruise on and visit the battlefield of Plassey where in 1757 Clive’s defeat of Siraj-ud-Daulah changed the course of Indian history, finally mooring at Murshidabad.
Day 05
Land and walk to the Khushbagh, a peaceful Moghul-style garden enclosing the tombs of Siraj-ud-Daulah and his family. Continue a little way upstream to where the Nawab’s great Hazarduari Palace, built by an English architect in 1837, dominates the waterfront. Inside are an extensive collection of pictures, china, weapons and other objects. Visit also the great Katra Mosque and drive out to two amazing buildings of the late 18th century, the Nashipara Palace and the Katgola Palace. Both were built in classical Georgian style by rich local merchants and represent the other side of the coin of the “White Moghul” period when English and Indian cultures came close to fusion. Overnight on the riverbank across from town.
Day 06
Moor at the delightful sleepy village of Baranagar with three gorgeous miniature terracotta temples to which you walk through the fields. This is rural India at its most idyllic. Continue up the Hooghly, here a charming waterway twisting and turning between banks lined with mustard fields and mango orchards. Carry on up a long canal section to a mooring close to the Farakka Barrage.
Day 07
During breakfast we cruise to a mooring by the Farakka lock. Disembark and take a full day excursion by road to Gaur, near the town of Malda, or English Bazar. 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. There are plentiful remains of mosques, palaces and gateways and you visit a number of the most interesting before rejoining the ship in the evening at Farakka.
Day 08
During the day, our ship will pass through the lock which raises it up to the course of the Ganges proper. You are taken to visit a nearby market, and to visit a delightful rural village. Alternatively at extra cost a full day itinerary can be made by road to Pandua and its Sultanate-period mosque.
Day 09
This morning we leave Farakka and sail out into the main stream of the River Ganges, almost sea-like here just above the Barrage. We sail upstream much of the morning, before anchoring at Rajmahal, beneath the Rajmahal Hills. Rajmahal is one of those places, so common in India, which feature in no guidebook and yet offer both interest and atmosphere; once known as Akbarnagar, the town was founded by the Mughal Emperor Akbar as his eastern capital. Shah Jehan, builder of the Taj Mahal, spent much of his youth here. There are remains of palaces, forts and mosques submerged in vegetation which we shall explore. We sail on as far as Manihari Ghat.
Day 10
This morning continue cruising upriver, passing the confluence with the Kosi, coming down from Nepal and keeping a lookout for Gangetic dolphin, often seen here. We arrive at idyllic Bateshwar, with fine 6th century rock carvings, and from here we drive a short distance to the impressive ruins of the 8th century Buddhist monastery of Vikramshila, Reboarding, we sail down to anchor near the port of Sahibganj in the state of Jharkand. The impressive silhouette of the Rajmahal Hills, the only significant uplands anywhere along the course of the river between Kolkata and Varanasi, rises up outlined against the sunset.
Day 11
We land and drive up into the Rajmahal Hills to see the impressive Moti Jharna waterfall, plunging 50m from an unspoilt glen to a pool which is only a little diminished by the concrete menagerie of Indian wildlife assembled around it. We also visit a village of the Santals, tribals who have long survived in these remote hills before returning to the ship to cruise down towards the Farakka Barrage again.
Day 12
Transfer to Farakka station for a 4 hour (approx.) train journey to Kolkata. Our representatives will meet on arrival and transfer you to a city hotel.
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