Duration

15 Days

stamp
Destinations
Delhi | Varanasi | Kolkata | River Cruise | Farakka | Kolkata | Delhi |

Journey Highlights

Detailed Journey

Day 1

Delhi

Reaching Delhi our representative will meet you at the airport to take you to your hotel. On the way he will explain you certain basic etiquettes and provide you with an insight to cultural and social practices, which will go a long way in enhancing the joy of your stay in India.

Day 2

Delhi- Varanasi

A leisurely stroll in afternoon in the bazaars of Delhi. Buy souvenirs while losing yourself in the unique sights and sounds. Later reach the airport for a flight to Varanasi by the Ganges, the city which is considered by the pious Hindus to be the oldest city in the world.

Day 3

Varanasi

Early morning is one of the best times to observe life along the river. Take a boat and watch a unique mix of devotion, spirituality and piety. The walk later in the labyrinthine alleys of the old city is another of the city’s unique experience. Leave in the afternoon for Sarnath, where Buddha preached his first sermon.

Day 4

Varanasi – Kolkata

Arrive in Kolkata (erstwhile Calcutta). You will be met and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon explore the colonial legacy and heritage of Kolkata, the first capital of British in India also known as the ‘City of Processions’ and the ‘City of Joy.’

Day 5

Kolkata – Cruise

Your first day on the river. Board the ship and sail up past the old Danish colony of Serampore to Barrackpore. After disembarking at walk through the cantonment going past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame, and Flagstaff House. The last place has a garden, which has many of the British statues removed from central Calcutta.

Day 6

River Cruise

Thereafter embark once again to reach Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950. Your visit will take you to the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House. Sail on past the Old Dutch settlement of Chinsura. Disembark once again to revel at the sight of imposing Imambara. Sail into the night to a mooring near Kalna.

Day 7

River Cruise

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 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 8

River Cruise

At Matiari village watch from close quarters the brass work that involves the whole primitive process of beating out brass water pots and other vessels. The cruise later will take you to the battlefield of Plassey where in 1757 Clive’s defeat of Siraj-ud-Daulah changed the course of Indian history. Moor close to Murshidabad.

Day 9

River Cruise

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.

Day 10

River Cruise

Moor at the 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.

Day 11

River Cruise

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.

Day 12

River Cruise–Kolkata

Say goodbye to the Ganges and board the train at Farakka station in the morning for a a four hours (approx.) train journey to Calcutta. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. Evening at your leisure. Either unwind at your hotel or set out to explore the various charms of Kolkata.

Hotel Name

Note: Cruise itinerary is subject to river conditions.