Itinerary
- Day 1
Delhi
You'll arrive in Delhi and head to your luxury hotel to settle in. This evening includes a private tour of The Imperial New Delhi's art collection with champagne, followed by a specially curated Indian fusion dinner at The Spice Route restaurant.
- Meals
- Dinner (Specially curated Indian fusion dinner at The Spice Route)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Imperial New Delhi)
Included Activities
- Private art collection tour at The Imperial New Delhi
- Indian fusion dinner at The Spice Route
- Day 2
Delhi
Start your day riding an electric rickshaw through Old Delhi, stopping at Chandni Chowk market and Asia's largest spice bazaar. You'll tour the Jama Masjid and visit the World Heritage-listed Qutub Minar. Meals include regional cuisines at Cafe Lota, tea at the imam's residence, and dinner overlooking Qutub Minar with insights from a local historian.
- Meals
- Lunch (Selection of lesser-known regional cuisines at Cafe Lota), Tea (Tea at the residence of the imam of Jama Masjid), Dinner (Dinner overlooking Qutub Minar with insights from a renowned local historian)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Imperial New Delhi)
Included Activities
- Electric rickshaw ride through Old Delhi
- Chandni Chowk market visit
- Asia's largest wholesale spice bazaar visit
- Jama Masjid guided tour
- Qutub Minar visit
- Regional cuisine dining at Cafe Lota
- Tea at Jama Masjid imam's residence
- Dinner overlooking Qutub Minar with local historian
Landmarks Chandni Chowk Jama Masjid Qutub Minar - Day 3
Delhi to Agra
Drive through New Delhi's tree-lined boulevards to see Humayun's Tomb, a 16th-century structure that inspired the Taj Mahal. Stop at India Gate, then travel by road to Agra. For dinner, you'll choose between Peshawri for northwest frontier cuisine or Taj Bano for Indian and international options.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (ITC Mughal)
Included Activities
- Humayun's Tomb visit
- India Gate visit
Optional Activities
- Dinner at Peshawri - authentic northwest frontier cuisine with tandoori kebabs, dal Bukhara, and traditional clay tandoor breads
- Dinner at Taj Bano - Indian and international gourmet selections including regional specialties and continental options
Landmarks Humayun's Tomb India Gate 
- Day 4
Agra
Rise early to catch the Taj Mahal at sunrise as its marble facade lights up with natural colors. You'll visit Agra Fort where Shah Jahan was imprisoned, then explore the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah. Return to see the Taj Mahal at sunset, followed by a private Sufi performance with qawwali music and north Indian snacks.
- Meals
- Snack (Mouthwatering north Indian snacks during private Sufi performance)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (ITC Mughal)
Included Activities
- Taj Mahal sunrise visit
- Agra Fort visit
- Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah visit
- Taj Mahal sunset visit
- Private Sufi performance with qawwali music and north Indian snacks
Landmarks Taj Mahal Agra Fort Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah - Day 5
Agra to Ajabgarh
Travel to Ajabgarh with a stop at Fatehpur Sikri, a 16th-century World Heritage site built in red sandstone by Mughal emperor Akbar. After exploring the ruins and hearing stories, you'll continue to your rural Rajasthan hotel for a guided nature walk. Later, take part in an Indian gin cocktail workshop with an expert mixologist.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ajabgarh)
Included Activities
- Fatehpur Sikri visit and guided exploration
- Guided nature walk in Ajabgarh
- Indian gin cocktail workshop with expert mixologist
Landmarks Fatehpur Sikri - Day 6
Ajabgarh
Begin with a yoga session, then choose your signature experience: cooking class with spices, creating traditional jutti shoes with a master cobbler, or activities like visiting Bhangarh Fort, a jeep safari to nearby villages, or ayurveda massage. Lunch and dinner on the terrace feature a Rajasthani thali.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch featuring dishes prepared during cooking class), Dinner (Rajasthani thali on the terrace showcasing fragrant spices and local ingredients)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ajabgarh)
Included Activities
- Yoga session
- Cooking class with Indian spices and lunch
- Master cobbler class - create traditional jutti slip-on shoes
- Rajasthani thali dinner on the terrace
Optional Activities
- Bhangarh Fort exploration - visit 17th-century architectural marvel known for haunting legends and historical ruins
- Jeep safari to nearby villages to meet locals
- Traditional ayurveda massage
Landmarks Bhangarh Fort - Day 7
Ajabgarh to Jaipur
Travel to Jaipur, Rajasthan's Pink City and state capital. Tour Amber Fort, then have lunch at a traditional vegetarian Indian restaurant in the lively Johri Bazaar. This afternoon, you'll participate in a private workshop learning to craft block prints using natural dyes. Evening is yours to relax.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional vegetarian Indian cuisine at a restaurant in Johri Bazaar)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Raj Palace)
Included Activities
- Amber Fort tour
- Traditional vegetarian Indian lunch in Johri Bazaar
- Private block printing workshop with natural dyes
Landmarks Amber Fort Johri Bazaar 
- Day 8
Jaipur to Kolkata
After choosing your morning activity in Jaipur, transfer to the airport for your flight to Kolkata, the City of Joy. Once India's capital during colonial times, Kolkata is now a cultural and historical hub. You'll head to your luxury accommodation once you arrive.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kolkata)
Optional Activities
- Pink rickshaw tour driven by women - visit Govind Devji Temple for morning aarti prayers and Jaipur Wholesale Flower Market near Hawa Mahal
- Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory UNESCO visit, followed by private access to Jaipur royal family's City Palace normally closed to public
- Jaipur bicycle tour through narrow lanes of old city
Landmarks Govind Devji Temple Hawa Mahal Jantar Mantar City Palace - Day 9
Kolkata
Explore Kolkata on a privately chartered heritage tram ride through picturesque areas. Visit Kumartuli, the traditional potters' quarter where craftspeople create clay pots and elaborate statues of gods and goddesses for festivals. This afternoon, enjoy elegant afternoon tea at the Glenburn Penthouse overlooking the city.
- Meals
- Tea (Afternoon tea at Glenburn Penthouse with exquisite selection of teas and delectable treats), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kolkata)
Included Activities
- Privately chartered heritage tram ride through Kolkata
- Kumartuli traditional potters' quarter visit
- Afternoon tea at Glenburn Penthouse with city views
Landmarks Kumartuli - Day 10
Kolkata
Choose your morning sightseeing activity, then transfer to the pier to board the Ganges Voyager for your seven-night river cruise. You'll have lunch on board, visit the Victoria Memorial with its British colonial artifact museum, then return to the ship for a performance by Baul musicians, recognized by UNESCO for their spiritual customs.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch on board Ganges Voyager)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ganges Voyager)
Included Activities
- Victoria Memorial and museum visit
- Baul musician performance on board
Optional Activities
- Mallick Ghat Flower Market early morning walk across Howrah Bridge - one of Asia's largest flower markets
- CIMA Gallery and Sasha NGO tour - contemporary art and local artisan crafting traditions
Landmarks Victoria Memorial Mallick Ghat Flower Market Howrah Bridge CIMA Gallery - Day 11
Kolkata to Lower Ganges
Start with a walking tour of Kolkata's best-preserved colonial buildings including the Writer's Building, General Post Office, High Court, and Raj Bhawan. Visit St John's Church built in 1756 with British general tombs. After lunch on board, your ship heads upstream along the Hooghly River. You'll tour the 19th-century Hooghly Imambara with its Victorian clock, then sail to Kalna.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch on board Ganges Voyager)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ganges Voyager)
Included Activities
- Colonial buildings walking tour - Writer's Building, General Post Office, High Court, Raj Bhawan
- St John's Church tour
- Hooghly Imambara visit
Landmarks Writer's Building General Post Office High Court Raj Bhawan St John's Church Hooghly Imambara - Day 12
Kalna
After breakfast, explore Kalna, known as the City of Temples. Ride a rickshaw through town visiting Bengal's distinct terracotta temples, the Rajbari royal palace complex, and eye-catching Shiva temples. Walk through the local market before returning to the ship, which sails to the village of Matiari.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ganges Voyager)
Included Activities
- Rickshaw ride through Kalna
- Terracotta temples visit including Rajbari royal palace complex
- Shiva temples visit
- Local market exploration
Landmarks Rajbari - Day 13
Matiari
Morning walk through Matiari lets you explore beautiful cooking and household items crafted from recycled copper and brass. You'll visit small home factories operating for generations and watch masterful craftspeople at work. The ship continues cruising near Plassey, where the 1757 Battle of Plassey occurred. Walk past local farmers' fields to the tomb of Siraj ud-Daula, the last Nawab of Bengal.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ganges Voyager)
Included Activities
- Morning walk through Matiari
- Visit home factories producing copper and brass items
- Khushbagh garden and cemetery walk
- Tomb of Siraj ud-Daula visit
Landmarks Plassey Khushbagh - Day 14
Baranagar to Murshidabad
Cruise to the sleepy village of Baranagar for a walk experiencing rural Indian life and beautiful terracotta Char Bangla Temples. You'll have a leisurely afternoon along the Lower Ganges as you approach Murshidabad. Tour the impressive Hazarduari Palace featuring more than 1000 doors, then enjoy high tea in the grounds of Kathgola Palace before riding an electric toto to the 18th-century Katra Mosque.
- Meals
- Tea (Indian high tea in the grounds of four-storeyed Kathgola Palace)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ganges Voyager)
Included Activities
- Baranagar village walk
- Char Bangla Temples visit
- Hazarduari Palace tour
- High tea at Kathgola Palace
- Electric toto ride to Katra Mosque
- Katra Mosque visit and learning about Mohammedan rulers
Landmarks Char Bangla Temples Hazarduari Palace Kathgola Palace Katra Mosque - Day 15
Mayapur
Start with a restful morning as river life unfolds around you, then visit the village of Mayapur. Learn about the Hare Krishna community through meetings with devoted followers. You'll see the ongoing construction of the enormous Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, the world headquarters of ISKCON.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ganges Voyager)
Included Activities
- Mayapur village visit
- Hare Krishna community meeting and learning
- Temple of the Vedic Planetarium construction viewing
Landmarks Temple of the Vedic Planetarium - Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir - Day 16
Chandannagar
Cruise to Chandannagar, established as a French colony in 1673. Stroll along the lively promenade admiring French architecture and visit the 17th-century Sacred Heart Church. Tour the Dupleix Museum housed in the former home of French Governor Joseph Fran\u00e7ois Dupleix. This afternoon, continue cruising along the Ganges for your final night on board.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ganges Voyager)
Included Activities
- Chandannagar promenade walk
- Sacred Heart Church visit
- Dupleix Museum tour
Landmarks Sacred Heart Church Dupleix Museum - Day 17
Kolkata to Varanasi
After early breakfast, disembark and travel to the airport for your flight to Varanasi, one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities. Check into your hotel and have lunch before experiencing the evening aarti ritual at sunset with a private seat to witness priests and devotees presenting offerings of fire and mantric chants to the Ganges.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Varanasi)
Included Activities
- Aarti ritual at sunset - private seating with fire offerings and musical performance
Landmarks Ganges River 
- Day 18
Varanasi
Begin with an early morning sunrise cruise along the Ganges aboard a decorated boat as the river comes to life with classical tabla and sitar music. Return for breakfast, then choose your Freedom of Choice activity. Spend the afternoon at leisure before celebrating with a memorable farewell dinner featuring Satvik Thali and contemporary Indian cuisine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Satvik Thali featuring contemporary Indian cuisine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Varanasi)
Included Activities
- Sunrise cruise along the Ganges on decorated boat with tabla and sitar music
Optional Activities
- Visit Sarnath - one of Buddhism's most important holy sites with Deer Park where Buddha gave his first sermon, including private session with a monk
- Silk Weaver Village tour - discover Varanasi's artisans creating exquisite Banarasi sarees using traditional techniques
- Walking tour of old city neighbourhoods - visit historic Kashi Vishwanath Temple (one of Hinduism's holiest places) and Tulsi Akhara fight club
Landmarks Sarnath Kashi Vishwanath Temple Tulsi Akhara - Day 19
Varanasi Departure
Your journey comes to an end today with a transfer to Varanasi's Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport for your onward flight.
