Cruise on the Ganges between Kolkata and Varanasi & the splendors of Rajasthan (port-to-port cruise)

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Chandernagore is a former French colony that has been able to preserve its unique identity over the years. We'll visit the house that once belonged to the governor for the French East India Company in the 18th century. We'll then visit Sacred Heart Church, one of the most beautiful examples of architecture during the French period. Tonight we'll have our farewell cocktail and dinner and spend the night on board.

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.

Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan, and there is no better place to discover its charms than at its famous Palace of the Winds. We'll also visit Amer Fort, known for its artistic style of elements and architecture. Located high on a hill, it is surrounded by over five miles of walls (9 km). After lunch, we'll set out for a stroll through the bustling city. The Jantar Mantar monument is a fascinating collection of astronomical instruments built in the 18th century, and features to world's largest sundial. We'll have dinner and spend the night at the hotel.

Our day will begin at the white marble Birla Temple, which was built in 1988. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver, and his consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. After, we'll enjoy a moment of cultural sharing during a visit to one of the city's schools. After lunch, we'll visit the Nahargarh Fort, which stands on the edge of the Aravalli Hills and once helped form a strong line of defense for the city. We'll then enjoy a rickshaw ride through one of the busy markets in the area. Take in dinner and a show in a traditional haveli this evening. You'll spend the night at the hotel.

We'll leave for Agra by bus, traveling through village after village where you'll be able to glimpse the everyday life of the inhabitants. After lunch, we'll visit the gated city of Fatehpur Sikri. Founded in 1571, it was completely abandoned by its inhabitants within 40 years. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After our tour, you'll check into a 4-star hotel LS and have dinner.