Itinerary
- Day 1
Kolkata
Your arrival time determines how this day unfolds in Kolkata. If you get in before 6:00 a.m., you'll start with a panoramic tour of the city's colonial buildings, passing by Raj Bhavan and Council House Street. After that, you'll head to the ship for lunch, then make your way to the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity. Once back on board, you'll meet the crew at a welcome cocktail before settling in for dinner.
- Meals
- Lunch (On board), Dinner (On board)
Included Activities
- Panoramic tour of Kolkata's colonial architecture
- Visit to Raj Bhavan and Council House Street
- Visit to Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity
- Welcome cocktail with crew
Landmarks/POIs Raj Bhavan Council House Street Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity - Day 2
Bandel
This morning brings a panoramic tour of Kolkata where you'll see St. John's Church and the Victoria Memorial along with its museum. Lunch happens on board, and from there the ship moves along the river while passing colonial-era historical sites. Later in the day, you'll take small boats out to Bandel to check out the Hooghly Imambara and learn about Bengal's Islamic heritage firsthand.
- Meals
- Lunch (On board), Dinner (On board)
Included Activities
- Panoramic tour of Kolkata
- Visit to St. John's Church
- Visit to Victoria Memorial and museum
- Cruise along the river
- Excursion to Bandel by small local boats
- Visit to Hooghly Imambara
Landmarks/POIs St. John's Church Victoria Memorial Hooghly Imambara - Day 3
Kalna
You'll spend time in the village of Kalna today by rickshaw, wandering through two circles of 108 small Hindu temples, each one dedicated to Lord Shiva. Lunch is served on board as the ship continues along the river. During the afternoon, you can relax with onboard activities or sit in on a lecture covering the Bengal region and its history.
- Meals
- Lunch (On board), Dinner (On board)
Included Activities
- Rickshaw tour of Kalna village
- Visit to the two circles of 108 Hindu temples
- Onboard activities or lecture on Bengal region
Landmarks/POIs Two Circles of 108 Temples of Kalna - Day 4
Plassey
The morning takes you through Matiari, a market town where traditional coppersmiths still practice metalworking techniques passed down through generations. After lunch, you'll cruise past the Plassey battlefield site, an important 18th-century battle that shaped colonial control of the Indian subcontinent.
- Meals
- Lunch (On board), Dinner (On board)
Included Activities
- Stroll through Matiari market town
- Visit to local coppersmiths
- River cruise and passage along Plassey battlefield
Landmarks/POIs Plassey Battlefield - Day 5
Baranagar - Murshidabad
You'll walk through Khushbagh, the Garden of Happiness, then head to Baranagar Village to see authentic rural life and hauntingly beautiful clay temples. Following lunch on board, the ship passes by tiny riverside villages as it makes its way to Murshidabad. There you'll explore impressive colonial buildings, including the Hazar Duari Palace with its 1000 doors and museum, plus the brick Katra Masjid.
- Meals
- Lunch (On board), Dinner (On board)
Included Activities
- Walk to Khushbagh (Garden of Happiness)
- Visit to Baranagar Village
- Exploration of Murshidabad's colonial architecture
- Tour of Hazar Duari Palace and museum
- Visit to Katra Masjid
Landmarks/POIs Khushbagh Baranagar Village Hazar Duari Palace Katra Masjid - Day 6
Mayapur
As the wide river narrows between mustard plantations, jute shrubs, and mango orchards, your guide will talk about regional customs during an onboard lecture. Later, you'll visit Mayapur, headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, which was founded in 1978 and features a spacious marble temple and guest house.
- Meals
- Lunch (On board), Dinner (On board)
Included Activities
- River cruise with commentary on regional customs
- Onboard lecture on the region
- Visit to Mayapur Krishna Consciousness complex
- Visit to Mayapur marble temple
Landmarks/POIs Mayapur Temple Complex (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) - Day 7
Chandernagore
Chandernagore awaits today as a former French colony that's kept its distinctive character over the years. You'll explore the old governor's house from the French East India Company dating back to the 18th century, plus the Sacred Heart Church, a fine example of French colonial architecture.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Visit to former French governor's house
- Visit to Sacred Heart Church
Landmarks/POIs Sacred Heart Church - Day 8
Kolkata to Varanasi
After disembarking, you'll head to Kolkata's flower market under Howrah Bridge where locals buy flowers for worship. Next you'll visit the Ganges ghats, steps where pilgrims perform rituals, and the important Pareshnath Jain Temple. You'll also walk through Kumortuli where street potters make their wares. After lunch, you'll transfer to the airport for your flight to Varanasi and check into a 4-star hotel for dinner.
- Meals
- Lunch (On board), Dinner (At hotel)
Included Activities
- Flower market tour under Howrah Bridge
- Visit to Ganges ghats
- Visit to Pareshnath Jain Temple
- Walk through Kumortuli potters' quarter
- Domestic flight to Varanasi
Landmarks/POIs Howrah Bridge Ganges Ghats Pareshnath Jain Temple Kumortuli - Day 9
Sarnath
Sunrise brings a river cruise on the Ganges to watch daily rituals, then you'll walk through narrow streets to the Alamgir Mosque and Kashi Vishvanath Temple. Back at the hotel for breakfast, the day continues with a tour of Ramnagar Fort, home of the Maharaja of Varanasi and its museum of jewel-encrusted chairs and royal costumes. After lunch, you'll visit Sarnath where Buddha first taught, tour the Buddhist museum, take a cycle rickshaw through the bazaar, and end with an evening Aarti ceremony featuring light offerings.
- Meals
- Breakfast (At hotel), Lunch (On board), Dinner (At hotel)
Included Activities
- Sunrise river cruise on the Ganges
- Walk to Alamgir Mosque and Kashi Vishvanath Temple
- Tour of Ramnagar Fort and museum
- Excursion to Sarnath
- Visit to Sarnath Buddhist museum
- Cycle rickshaw ride through bazaar
- Aarti ceremony with light offerings
Landmarks/POIs Kashi Vishvanath Temple Alamgir Mosque Ramnagar Fort Sarnath - Day 10
Varanasi to Delhi
You'll visit the Bharat Mata Mandir, a Mother India Temple built in the 1930s and inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi. After lunch, you'll fly to Delhi, which marks the end of the tour services.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit to Bharat Mata Mandir (Mother India Temple)
- Domestic flight to Delhi
Landmarks/POIs Bharat Mata Mandir
