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Peregrine Travel Centre

The Lower Ganges River – India River Cruise

The Lower Ganges River – India River Cruise

From USD $4,500

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Description

There can be no river in the world as sacred as the Ganges River 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.
You will start or end our newly updated 7 night itinerary in either the former colonial capital of Kolkata or Farakka, location of the famous Farakka Barrage where the sacred Ganges flows into the Hoogly River. With one-way first class train ticket included between Farakka and Kolkata this is the perfect way to explore West Bengal in true Pandaw comfort and style.

Trip Name
The Lower Ganges River - India River Cruise
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: River Boat Length: 40 metres Passenger Capacity: 32 passengers (28 passengers from Sept 2019) Built / refurbished: 2011 ACCOMMODATION 6 upper deck, 10 main deck (4 upper deck, 10 main deck from Sept 2019) - 170 square feet, finished in teak and brass - AC with individual control - Premium mattresses  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 - Open air lounge and 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 - 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 - Shop, supporting fair trade - Library with contemporary and classic literature.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1 KOLKATA - BARRACKPORE
Transfer from the meeting point at the Oberoi Grand to embark and sail at noon. Sail past the old Danish colony of Serampore to Barrackpore to land and take a walk through the cantonment - past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and Flagstaff House.
Day 2 - DAY 2 KALNA
After breakfast sail upstream and 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. Sail on through the night to a mooring near Matiari.
Day 3 - DAY 3 MATIARI
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 4 - DAY 4 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 5 - DAY 5 BARANAGAR - AJIMGANJ
Continue up the Hoogly which transforms into a charming waterway twisting and turning between banks lined with mustard fields and mango orchards. 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. Visit the Jain temples at Azimganj and the Bara Bari Palace and continue downstream.
Day 6 - DAY 6 MAYAPUR
Explore the village of Mayapur, the headquarters of the ISKCON movement with a new temple comparable in size to the Vatican and largely funded by Alfred B. Ford, the great grandson of car maker Henry Ford. Meet Krishna followers and walk through the pilgrims’ bazaar.
Day 7 - DAY 7 CHANDERNAGORE - HOOGHLY
Sail to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950. Visit the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House, 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 8 - DAY 8 DISEMBARK KOLKATA
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the Kolkata airport or hotel.
Day 9 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
27-09-202404-10-2024USD $4,500Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
27-09-202404-10-2024USD $5,625Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
25-10-202401-11-2024USD $4,500Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
25-10-202401-11-2024USD $5,625Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
16-11-202423-11-2024USD $4,500Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
16-11-202423-11-2024USD $5,625Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
26-12-202402-01-2025USD $4,500Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
26-12-202402-01-2025USD $5,625Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
03-01-202510-01-2025USD $4,500Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
03-01-202510-01-2025USD $5,625Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
11-01-202518-01-2025USD $4,500Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
11-01-202518-01-2025USD $5,625Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
02-02-202509-02-2025USD $4,500Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
02-02-202509-02-2025USD $5,625Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
10-02-202517-02-2025USD $4,500Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
10-02-202517-02-2025USD $5,625Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From

Inclusions

    • Land at the country town of Kalna and take cycle rickshaws to see a group of some of Bengal’s most attractive terracotta temples
    • Visit the brass-working village of Matiari, a charming riverside village
    • 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
    • Walk through the fields of the delightfully sleepy village of Baranagar to visit its three gorgeous miniature terracotta temples

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