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Peregrine Travel Centre

The Lower Ganges River Cruise (Upstream)

The Lower Ganges River Cruise (Upstream)

From USD $2,650

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Description

There can be no river in the world as sacred as the Ganges and an expedition on the Lower Ganges or Hooghly is one of the prettiest river journeys imaginable. The river wends its way through the lush countryside of West Bengal with its culturally significant towns crammed with temples and palaces. A rich and vibrant rural life abounds and there is never a dull moment as we sedately ply this pleasant waterway.

A decade ago, for the first time since colonial times, Pandaw pioneered river expeditions in India. Since then we have depended on modern style and often impractically designed partner ships. We are now able to offer an original Pandaw ship, vastly more suited to river expeditions in the tropics and far more comfortable too.

There can be no better vessel to explore this rich tapestry than the stately Orient Pandaw, built in Vietnam in 2012 and pride of the Pandaw fleet having seen service now in four countries. With thirty staterooms on two decks, all with personal verandah space, the ship boasts indoor dining, a deck bar, a movie / lecture theatre and spa.

Trip Name
The Lower Ganges River Cruise (Upstream)
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury River Cruising Passenger Capacity: 60 passengers Length: 180ft / 55m Built: 2008 ACCOMMODATION 20 upper deck, 10 main deck staterooms - 170 square feet, finished in teak and brass - Panoramic French window, leading to personal deck space - Central AC with individual control - Premium mattresses - 24h laundry service WINING & DINING Local master chef heading an experienced international culinary team - Semi-buffet breakfast, Semi-buffet lunch, and seated theme dinners - Daily lean & light menu options - Complimentary coffee, water, tea, soft drinks, local beer, local spirits, juices - Extensive wine list with premium wines - Series of cultural performances, educational talks, cooking classes, and ship tour - Welcome drink on arrival - Welcome cocktail - Farewell reception - Theme dinners - Spacious, air-conditioned saloon bar with nightly entertainment - Sundeck bar - 24hrs hospitality bar - Onboard bakery with daily freshly baked breads and rolls ON EXCURSIONS Admissions - Shoe cleaning after excursions - Bottled drinking water - We give away aluminium water bottles - Cold towel service after excursions - Refreshing drink following excursions - Full-size motor coach on all excursions - 1st aid trained assistant guide to follow all tours and excursions SAFETY & SECURITY All onboard crew is trained and certified as per international marine standards - Fire alarm system in all cabins, public areas and back areas - Fire fighting system in all ship areas - Expert marine superintendant - 24 hrs watch on duty ONBOARD STAFF Captain - River Pilot - First Officer - Chief Engineer - 1st Engineer - Electrician - Bosun & nautical crew - Ship manager - Housekeeping - Dining - Bar keeper - Chefs - Local tour guides PUBLIC SPACES Guest relation desk - Fair-trade shop - Lecture and meeting room with oversized flat screen TV, LSD projector and sound system - Art gallery featuring local art and artists - Library with contemporary and classic literature

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1 KOLKATA - BARRACKPORE
Transfer from your hotel to embark and sail at noon. Sail past the old Danish colony of Serampore to Barrackpore to land and and take a walk through the cantonment – past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and Flagstaff House.
Day 2 - DAY 2 CHANDERNAGORE - HOOGHLY
Sail up to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950. Visit the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House, 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 3 - DAY 3 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 lesser shrines. 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 on through the night to a mooring near Matiari.
Day 4 - DAY 4 MATIARI
This morning visit the brass-working village of Matiari, a charming riverside village. Interact with the locals of Matiari and witness 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, 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 Murshidabad for the night.
Day 5 - DAY 5 MURSHIDABAD
This morning, walk to the Khushbagh, a peaceful Mughal-style garden that encloses the tombs of Siraj-ud-Daulah – the last independent Nawab of Bengal – 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 and Nashipara Palace 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 town.
Day 6 - DAY 6 BARANAGAR
This morning, 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 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 7 - DAY 7 GAUR
During breakfast, we cruise to a mooring by the Farakka lock. Disembark and go on 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 above the Farakka lock gate to continue your cruise upstream.
Day 8 - DAY 8 FARAKKA - KOLKATA
Journey approximately four hours by train from Farakka to Kolkota and transfer to Oberoi Grand Kolkata.
Day 9 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
21-07-201928-07-2019USD $2,650Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
21-07-201928-07-2019USD $2,950Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
18-08-201925-08-2019USD $2,650Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
18-08-201925-08-2019USD $2,950Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
15-09-201922-09-2019USD $2,650Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
15-09-201922-09-2019USD $2,950Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
13-10-201920-10-2019USD $2,650Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
13-10-201920-10-2019USD $2,950Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
10-11-201917-11-2019USD $2,650Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
10-11-201917-11-2019USD $2,950Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
24-11-201901-12-2019USD $2,650Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
24-11-201901-12-2019USD $2,950Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
22-12-201929-12-2019USD $2,650Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
22-12-201929-12-2019USD $2,950Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
23-12-201930-12-2019USD $2,650Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
23-12-201930-12-2019USD $2,950Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
05-01-202012-01-2020USD $3,100Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
05-01-202012-01-2020USD $3,400Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
19-01-202026-01-2020USD $3,100Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
19-01-202026-01-2020USD $3,400Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
02-02-202009-02-2020USD $3,100Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
02-02-202009-02-2020USD $3,400Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
16-02-202023-02-2020USD $3,100Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
16-02-202023-02-2020USD $3,400Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
01-03-202008-03-2020USD $3,100Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
01-03-202008-03-2020USD $3,400Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
15-03-202022-03-2020USD $3,100Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
15-03-202022-03-2020USD $3,400Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
29-03-202005-04-2020USD $3,100Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
29-03-202005-04-2020USD $3,400Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
12-04-202019-04-2020USD $3,100Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
12-04-202019-04-2020USD $3,400Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
26-04-202003-05-2020USD $3,100Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
26-04-202003-05-2020USD $3,400Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From

Inclusions

    • Sail up to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950. Visit the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House, the erstwhile Governor-General of French India
    • 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 lesser shrines
    • Visit the brass-working village of Matiari, a charming riverside village
    • Walk through the fields of the delightfully sleepy village of Baranagar to visit its three gorgeous miniature terracotta temples

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