River Ganges Heritage Cruise

With modern navigational equipment and a host of luxurious cabins, this cruise is the perfect way to explore a relatively unexplored part of India in real style. The Ganges river cruise will enable discovery of parts of this enormous country where people live a much slower and simpler pace of life. Have ample time to just relax on the ship as you watch the various sights and sounds unfold on the different riverbank towns you pass in your journey. Visit one of the oldest cities of the eastern coast, Murshidabad.
Head to the terracotta temples of Kalna. Stroll along the more British cities and areas of Kolkata. Visit the Kansari artisans who are famous for their bell and brass metal utensils. Sail at a slow pace and get to know your fellow travellers over a refreshing drink on deck.

Built: 2004
Crew: 30
Passengers: 56
Rating: Four Stars

Built in 2004 to a traditional design based on the river ships of colonial times.

This intimate ship carries the most modern navigational and safety equipment and features just 28 comfortable cabins. Excellent use is made of gleaming teak and brass fittings throughout – it’s the perfect way to explore a relatively unexplored part of India in real style. Our eight-day Ganges river cruise covers 650 kilometres enabling discovery of parts of this enormous country only just opening up to international visitors, where you are still treated as a guest and almost a curiosity rather than a tourist. You’ll experience something which many of us have lost touch with: a much slower and simpler pace of life. This is reflected in the rhythm of your days on board the RV Bengal Ganga with ample time to just relax on the ship as most days include several hours’ sailing. Shipboard activities include the chef’s cooking demonstrations, lectures on contemporary Indian life, religion and culture and some fascinating documentaries in the evenings. Life on board is unhurried and informal, with plenty of time to get to know your fellow travellers over a refreshing drink on deck.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Kolkata
On your arrival in Kolkata you check in at Vivada Jetty in Millennium Park. The cruise sails past Howrah Bridge either in the evening or early morning (next day) according to the tidal conditions.

Day 2 Sightseeing
This day you visit the British Charms around Kolkata. The destinations to be visited are selected upon the choice of the guests. The destinations are Barrackpore (Residence of British Governors), Chandannagore (The French Colony), Serampore (Danish Colony) and Bandel (Portugal style sea port).

Day 3 Kalna and Fulia/Shantipur
Today you visit Kalna and Fulia/ Shantipur. Kalna is known for its Terracotta Temple and Rajbari. Later, you head to Weavers Colony (Fulia/ Shantipur). This colony is famous for Tant (Bengali Cotton). While you are here, you must shop for saris, cotton stoles and dhoti. You further cruise to Mayapur.

Day 4 Mayapur- Matiari- Murshidabad
Mayapur and Matiari are scheduled to be visited on the fourth day of the journey. Mayapur is the headquarters of ISKCON (International Society of Krishna Consciousness) and is also the birth place of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Further in Matiari, the guests visit Kansari Artisans who are famous for bell and brass metal utensils. Thereafter, you cruise towards Murshidabad.

Day 5 Murshidabad
Murshidabad is one of the oldest cities of Kolkata. In full day sightseeing of Murshidabad, you visit Katra Mosque, Katgola Gardens and Nizamat Kila.

Day 6 End of Journey
Your journey ends and you disembark in Jangipur lock/ Farakka Barrage.