Cruise on the Ganges: The Sacred Waters between Kolkata and Varanasi (port-to-port cruise)

Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, India, is a vibrant city known for its rich cultural heritage, colonial architecture, and intellectual dynamism. Often called the "City of Joy," Kolkata blends the old and new, featuring landmarks like the Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, and Indian Museum alongside bustling markets and modern malls. The city's literary and artistic legacy is celebrated through numerous festivals, theaters, and galleries. Renowned for its culinary delights, Kolkata offers a diverse cuisine, from street food to Bengali sweets. Home to notable figures like Rabindranath Tagore, the city remains a hub of education, politics, and culture.

Your program will begin according to your time of arrival in Kolkata. If your flight arrives before 6:00 a.m., your program will be: Enjoy a panoramic tour to discover the architectural richness of the city. Kolkata contains numerous colonial-era sites: Raj Bhavanthe official residence of the regional governorand Council House Street. Afterwards, you will board our ship and have lunch on board. In the afternoon, we will visit the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity, where Mother Theresa lived, prayed, and worked, and where her body was laid to rest in 1997. After we return on board, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. We'll have dinner and spend the night on board.

Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, India, is a vibrant city known for its rich cultural heritage, colonial architecture, and intellectual dynamism. Often called the "City of Joy," Kolkata blends the old and new, featuring landmarks like the Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, and Indian Museum alongside bustling markets and modern malls. The city's literary and artistic legacy is celebrated through numerous festivals, theaters, and galleries. Renowned for its culinary delights, Kolkata offers a diverse cuisine, from street food to Bengali sweets. Home to notable figures like Rabindranath Tagore, the city remains a hub of education, politics, and culture.

Kolkata is a modern, cosmopolitan city with great cultural influence in the country. Well enjoy a panoramic tour of the city and visit St. John's Church, the third oldest church in the city. After, well head to the Victoria Memorial, an impressive white marble building that houses a museum maintained by the Ministry of Culture. We'll have lunch on board and begin our cruise along the landscapes once dominated by European colonialism. Well set out on small local boats for Bandel to visit the imposing Hooghly Imambara. It's a chance to step back in time and relive a slice of Bengal's Islamic history. Well have dinner and spend the night on board.

Kalna, also known as Ambika Kalna, is a picturesque town in West Bengal, India, renowned for its stunning terracotta temples and historical significance. Nestled on the banks of the Bhagirathi River, Kalna showcases a rich blend of culture and history. Key attractions include the Rajbari complex, which houses exquisite temples like the 108 Shiva Temples and the intricate Terracotta Temples. The town is also famous for its beautiful gardens and serene riverbanks. Kalna's vibrant local festivals and traditional crafts reflect its deep-rooted heritage, making it a fascinating destination for history enthusiasts and cultural explorers.

Kalna, also known as Ambika Kalna, is a picturesque town in West Bengal, India, renowned for its stunning terracotta temples and historical significance. Nestled on the banks of the Bhagirathi River, Kalna showcases a rich blend of culture and history. Key attractions include the Rajbari complex, which houses exquisite temples like the 108 Shiva Temples and the intricate Terracotta Temples. The town is also famous for its beautiful gardens and serene riverbanks. Kalna's vibrant local festivals and traditional crafts reflect its deep-rooted heritage, making it a fascinating destination for history enthusiasts and cultural explorers.

You'll discover this out-of-the-way village from the seat of a rickshaw. Kalna is home to two circles of 108, small Hindu temples, each of which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. We'll have lunch on board as we continue to cruise the river in the afternoon. Take some time to enjoy the onboard activities or attend a lecture on the region of Bengal. We'll have dinner and spend the night on board.

Matiari is a quaint village in West Bengal, India, renowned for its traditional craftsmanship and serene rural charm. Known particularly for its exquisite brass and copperware, Matiari is a hub for skilled artisans who create intricate handmade items, reflecting the region's rich cultural heritage. The village's picturesque landscape, dotted with lush fields and small water bodies, provides a tranquil backdrop to its vibrant local culture. Matiari offers a glimpse into the timeless traditions and simple, harmonious lifestyle of rural Bengal, making it a unique destination for those interested in folk art and the serene beauty of the Indian countryside.

Matiari is a quaint village in West Bengal, India, renowned for its traditional craftsmanship and serene rural charm. Known particularly for its exquisite brass and copperware, Matiari is a hub for skilled artisans who create intricate handmade items, reflecting the region's rich cultural heritage. The village's picturesque landscape, dotted with lush fields and small water bodies, provides a tranquil backdrop to its vibrant local culture. Matiari offers a glimpse into the timeless traditions and simple, harmonious lifestyle of rural Bengal, making it a unique destination for those interested in folk art and the serene beauty of the Indian countryside.

Join us for a stroll through the charming market town of Matiari, where coppersmiths still work the metal using the techniques passed down from generation to generation. After lunch, departure for an afternoon of navigation and passage along the site of the battlefields in Plassey, thought to be one of the most important battles that took place in the 18th century for the control of the Indian subcontinent by the colonial powers. We'll have dinner and spend the night on board.

Murshidabad, located in West Bengal, India, is a historic city steeped in rich cultural heritage and architectural grandeur. Once the capital of Bengal during the Mughal era, it is home to the stunning Hazarduari Palace, known for its thousand doors, and the majestic Katra Mosque. The city's landscape is adorned with splendid nawabi architecture, gardens, and ancient tombs. Murshidabad's vibrant history is reflected in its bustling markets and traditional silk weaving industry. The serene banks of the Bhagirathi River add to its charm, making Murshidabad a captivating destination for history buffs and cultural enthusiasts alike.

Mayapur, located in West Bengal, India, is a spiritual haven renowned as the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the founder of the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition. Situated at the confluence of the Ganges and Jalangi rivers, Mayapur is a global center for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The town attracts devotees and tourists with its serene ambiance, the grand ISKCON Chandrodaya Temple, and vibrant religious festivals. The peaceful environment, devotional music, and lush greenery make Mayapur a sacred destination for those seeking spiritual growth and tranquility, offering a deep connection to the rich traditions of Hinduism.

Our cruise continues as the wide river transforms progressively into a band of water that glides between mustard plantations, jute shrubs, and mango orchards. While the scenery floats by, your guide will explain the many customs during an onboard lecture on the region. Enjoy lunch on board. Mayapur is the city where the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (known informally around the world as the Hare Krishnas) was founded and has its headquarters. Opened in 1978, the main complex includes a spacious marble temple and a guest house where members can stay and participate in the daily spiritual programs. We'll have dinner and spend the night on board.

Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, India, is a vibrant city known for its rich cultural heritage, colonial architecture, and intellectual dynamism. Often called the "City of Joy," Kolkata blends the old and new, featuring landmarks like the Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, and Indian Museum alongside bustling markets and modern malls. The city's literary and artistic legacy is celebrated through numerous festivals, theaters, and galleries. Renowned for its culinary delights, Kolkata offers a diverse cuisine, from street food to Bengali sweets. Home to notable figures like Rabindranath Tagore, the city remains a hub of education, politics, and culture.

Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, India, is a vibrant city known for its rich cultural heritage, colonial architecture, and intellectual dynamism. Often called the "City of Joy," Kolkata blends the old and new, featuring landmarks like the Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, and Indian Museum alongside bustling markets and modern malls. The city's literary and artistic legacy is celebrated through numerous festivals, theaters, and galleries. Renowned for its culinary delights, Kolkata offers a diverse cuisine, from street food to Bengali sweets. Home to notable figures like Rabindranath Tagore, the city remains a hub of education, politics, and culture.

You'll disembark this morning before visiting Kolkata. Enjoy a stroll through the splendid flower market under the Howrah Bridge, where Indians buy flowers for worship. Our trek will continue to the ghats along the banks of the Ganges. These are the steps leading to the water where people come to participate in a number of rituals. We'll spend some time visiting the Pareshnath Jain Temple, one of the most important in the city. We'll pass through the picturesque quarter of Kumortuli, where street potters hone their craft. After lunch, you'll be transferred to the airport for the flight to Varanasi. On arrival, you'll check into a 4-star hotel and have dinner.