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.’

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.