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Ganges River Cruise
7 DAYS | BOAT KOLKATA to FARAKKA

5 DAYS | LAND VARANASI to Delhi

North India River Cruise

In 2003, ABN launched India’s first-ever long-distance river cruises.

Since then, they have been committed to delivering unique, authentic expeditions experienced in luxury on two of the Indian Subcontinent’s greatest rivers.

From interiors to food, from service to the people you’ll meet, the ABN experience has been thoughtfully designed to champion local, minimise our impact on the environment, and build connections with the community.

THE BOAT – THE ABN RAJ MAHAL

The ABN Rajmahal, entered service in mid-February 2014. Built in Kolkata, she is 50m long and powered by 3 engines; her extra-shallow draught and a lower profile than conventional designs allow her to cruise further upstream than any of her competitors.

ABN Rajmahal has 22 cabins: 14 spacious twin/double cabins on the upper deck; 4 twin/double cabins on the main deck; and 4 single cabins for which we charge no single supplement. The décor is stylish and fresh with touches of colonial elegance, brought to life by traditional Indian-inspired designs on hand-blocked cotton fabrics.

All cabins on ABN Rajmahal have French balconies.

There is a comfortable saloon and bar, dining room and a vast canopied sundeck. A small spa onboard offers a wide range of treatments. All cabins and public rooms on our ships are air-conditioned.

Food on board is a mixture of Assamese (milder than most Indian cuisine) and Continental cuisines. Wines, beer and spirits are available.

Historic Hooghly River Cruise 8 DAYS KOLKATA TO FARAKKA NORTH INDIA

Cruise Itinerary

DAY 1 – Arrival Kolkata – Embark onboard

After arriving the night before from your home country. This morning you will be collected from your Kolkata hotel and transferred to the to embark your ship by midday. Once on board the ship will set sail past the old Danish colony of Serampore to Barrackpore.  We shall Land and take a walk through the cantonment – past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and Flagstaff House – to get a better understanding of India’s journey to independence.

DAY 2 – Chandernagore
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 – Kalna | Mayapur

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 shrinelets. 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 – 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 – Khushbagh

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 – 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 Hooghly River, 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 – Farakka

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 & 9 – Farakka to Varanasi

Disembark from the ABN Raj Mahal and transfer to the train station for a afternoon leisurely train journey to the holy city of Varanasi based on the Holy Ganges River. Next two days are packed with local sightseeing excursions, including local boat rides, temple visits and shopping in the old city street laneways. 1 night Varanasi, 1 night overnight train to Agra

Day 10 & 11 – Agra – The Taj Mahal

Early morning arrival in Agra. Transfer to hotel and after checkin we take a guided walking tour to the Riverside to see the Taj Mahal. Evening dinner at local restaurant and local music entertainment. Next morning sunrise entry into the Taj, followed by a visit to Agra Fort and other local sightseeing.

Day 12– Agra – New Delhi

After breakfast we depart on the 3 drive back to New Delhi. We shall do some local sightseeing and evening transfer to Delhi international to connect with your evening international flights.

7 nights cruise| 5 days land Tour

  • Fully inclusive of all airport, hotel and boat transfers in private vehicles
  • AC cabin with en-suite bathrooms and French Balconies
  • 3 meals per day onboard on land 2 meals per day
  • 2 shore excursions from boat per day with experienced local guides
  • Morning yoga classes on top deck
  • snacks tea & coffee facilities
  • Train journey from Farakka to Varanasi & to Agra
  • Transport in Varanasi, Delhi & Agra for sightseeing with guides
  • All sightseeing land excursions with local guides

Itineraries are subject to river conditions

Terms & Conditions apply

Pricing From – $5,285 AUD per person

 7 nights cruise| 5 days land Tour

Contact Us
meredith@tiwaritravel.com

Terms & Conditions Apply.

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