Destinations
SPIRIT OF INDIA’S GANGES RIVER
Cruise the Ganges, the holy river of Hinduism, which slowly courses through one of the world’s most fertile and populated areas. Along its banks, human life is connected to its waters and you’ll get a glimpse of life away from India’s big cities.
Enter a world of color, culture, and cherished spiritual tradition on this India river cruise. The holy river of Hinduism, the Ganges, slowly courses through one of the world’s most fertile and populated areas. Along its banks, human life is connected to its waters and you’ll get a glimpse of life away from India’s big cities. See muslin weaving in Kalna and candy making in Matiari. Stop in Murshidabad for an excursion to Azimganj and Jiaganj—to savor authentic Indian tea, as well as stunning gold and silversmith workshops. You’ll meet saree weavers, goldsmiths, and pottery makers. Explore the fascinating Hare Krishna headquarters in Mayapur, and visit Mother Teresa’s former home upon your return to Kolkata.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Discover picturesque temples
- Explore ancient palaces and historical sights
- Savour Indian cuisine on board
- Enjoy a rickshaw ride to view Mughal ruins
AT A GLANCE
ITINERARY DETAIL
DAY 1: KOLKATA – EMBARKATION
Kolkata – Embarkation
Arrive Kolkata, West Bengal and make your way to the harbour to board your river cruise ship. Get acquainted with the ship prior to the welcome reception this evening. Cruise along the river to Kalna. We would recommend planning to arrive a day or two before your cruise embarkation date, to allow time to recover from jet lag before cruising on the Ganges.
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Tour: Kolkata – Embarkation Accommodation: Ganges Voyager Meals: D |
DAY 2: RITUALS, RICKSHAWS, AND A MUSLIN WEAVERS
Rickshaws of Kalna
Ride on cycle rickshaws during your guided tour of Kalna, along the way visiting the historic terracotta temple complex and receive blessings from the temple priest. Also visit a muslin weaver’s home. Enjoy a free afternoon on board the ship before sailing this evening to Matiari.
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Tour: Rickshaws of Kalna Accommodation: Ganges Voyager Meals: B, L, D |
DAY 3: SWEET SHOPS AND SHINY BRASS
Guided walk of Matiari
Join a Guided Walk through the village of Matiari where fascinating scenes of everyday life unfold in front of you. Stop to see how traditional sweets are made and explore the local produce market. The village is best known for brass-making and you’ll see how scrap metal is recycled to make figurines and functional items such as tea sets and vases. For the final step, watch a talented craftsman delicately hand-hammer intricate patterns into the brass. Enjoy a free afternoon on board the ship before sailing this evening to Murshidabad.
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Tour: Guided walk of Matiari Accommodation: Ganges Voyager Meals: B, L, D |
DAY 4: A LAND OF SILVER, GOLD, AND SILK SAREES
Dueling cities of Murshidabad and Jiaganj
Guided Sightseeing brings you to two towns on opposite sides of the river. In Jiaganj, travel by electric rickshaw to see the art of Baluchari saree weaving. In Azimganj, walk through the local crafts market and visit Bari Kothi, a former residence that has been restored to its former grandeur after being abandoned for over half a century. Tour several rooms for a glimpse into the past, then settle in for a silver- and gold-making demonstration in the garden
Daily Summary |
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Tour: Dueling cities of Murshidabad and Jiaganj Accommodation: Ganges Voyager Meals: B, L, D |
DAY 5: A HOLY PILGRIMAGE ON THE GANGES
Your Morning Excursion brings you to the fascinating ISKCON campus at Mayapur, the worldwide headquarters of the Hare Krishna movement. A Krishna leader will guide you throughout your visit to introduce you to their philosophy and life on campus. Along the way, you’ll tour the main temple and have time for questions. This afternoon, climb aboard a Rickshaw (Toto) Ride for your visit to the small riverside village of Guptipara. Along the way see pottery and idol making. You’ll also visit a farmer’s home to interact with the family
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Tour: Explore the Hare Krishna Campus Accommodation: Ganges Voyager Meals: B, L, D |
DAY 6: FLOWERS, FAITH, AND VICTORIAN ART
Guided Visit Through Kolkata
This morning, take a Guided Walk through the colorful flower market. Afterward, stop to see Mother Teresa’s former home and the Calcutta rescue. After lunch, join a Guided Visit to the Victoria Memorial Museum. Built to commemorate Queen Victoria, the museum houses a beautiful collection of paintings, textiles, weapons, and other artifacts from the Victorian era.
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Tour: Guided Visit Through Kolkata Accommodation: Ganges Voyager Meals: B, L, D |
DAY 7: DISEMBARK KOLKATA
Your Ganges River cruise holiday ends after breakfast this morning. We can arrange for you to extend your time here or travel on to another fascinating destination in India or beyond.
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Meals: B |
ACCOMMODATION
GANGES VOYAGER
Cruise in comfort and elegance on the pioneering Ganges Voyager, carrying just 56 guests for a warm and relaxed experience. The ship takes you back in time with the grace and style of the colonial era with wood furniture and hand-stenciled murals. From the air-conditioned indoor lounge to the outdoor lounge, you’ll find plenty of seating and spots to relax. You’ll never feel cramped or crowded. Plus, the indoor lounge features large windows, so no matter where you sit, you’ll always have a great view. Retire to your private sanctuary, featuring 260 square feet of living space. A comfortable sitting area, highlighted by floor-to-ceiling windows, is the perfect place to watch the passing scenery or relax after a sightseeing excursion. As night falls, reflect on the day’s fascinating local encounters and wake up in your window-facing bed, eager for what lies ahead. There is simply no better way to experience the Ganges.
Room Type: Queen Room
TRIP DETAILS
Call for dates and pricing
Explore palace ruins at Rajmahal, trace 6th-century rock carvings with your own fingers, and photograph to your heart’s content the picturesque Pawapuri Jain temple in the middle of a lake. Experience India in a way you haven’t yet imagined. While it is the intention of the tour operator to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary. On occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances. Additionally, some modifications to the itinerary are occasionally needed if water levels become very low. If changes need to be made, they may involve docking the boat just before a scheduled port and using overland transportation to reach the destination. International flights: If arranging your transportation your own, such as flights, please take into consideration the below time restrictions for joining and departing from your group. These times have taken into account travel time to/from the airport in the given destination and required time for check-in or baggage collection/immigration. Your flight must arrive by or before: Arrive at any time. Your flight must depart no earlier than: 08:00 p.m. Local notes: Alcohol – due to laws in the sate of Bihar that have banned the sale and consumption of alcohol, you will be unable to purchase alcoholic drinks on this cruise. Dress code – dress on board the boat is informal. Bring comfortable, casual, light weight clothing that can be worn in layers. In India, as most of Asia, the dress standard is more conservative than in North America. It is requested that you dress respectfully for the local Indian cultures and avoid very short shorts and skirts, singlets and tank tops, especially when visiting temples, mosques or other holy sites. Disclaimer: We do our utmost to ensure that information posted on our website is correct at the time of publication, however trip details are subject to change without notice by the suppliers and operators involved. We update the information as soon as possible when changes are advised to us, however, we cannot assume responsibility for such changes made by the suppliers and operators.