Itinerary
- Day 1
Delhi
You'll arrive in Delhi and head straight to your luxury hotel in the city center. This evening includes a private look at the hotel's art collection with champagne, then a specially prepared Indian fusion dinner at The Spice Route restaurant.
- Meals
- Dinner (Signature Experience - Sumptuous, specially curated Indian fusion dinner at The Spice Route)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Imperial New Delhi)
Included Activities
- Tour of The Imperial New Delhi's private art collection
- Signature Experience - Indian fusion dinner at The Spice Route
- Day 2
Delhi
Start by visiting India's largest mosque, Jama Masjid, then take an electric rickshaw through the lively Chandni Chowk market in Old Delhi. Grab lunch at Cafe Lota before heading to the Qutub Minar, a World Heritage site with its striking red sandstone minaret. At Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Sikh temple, you'll help prepare chapati, then have dinner overlooking the Qutub Minar while a local historian shares stories about Delhi's past dynasties.
- Meals
- Lunch (Regional cuisines at Cafe Lota), Dinner (Signature Experience - Dinner overlooking Qutub Minar with insights from a local historian)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Imperial New Delhi)
Included Activities
- Visit Jama Masjid
- Electric rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk market
- Lunch at Cafe Lota
- Visit Qutub Minar
- Signature Experience - Gurudwara Bangla Sahib visit and chapati preparation
- Signature Experience - Dinner at Qutub Minar with local historian
Landmarks Jama Masjid Chandni Chowk Qutub Minar Gurudwara Bangla Sahib - Day 3
Delhi to Agra
Drive through New Delhi's tree-lined streets to see Humayun's Tomb from the 16th century, which inspired the Taj Mahal design, and visit the India Gate war memorial. Later you'll travel by road to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. For dinner, choose between authentic frontier cuisine or international options at your selected restaurant.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (ITC Mughal)
Included Activities
- Visit Humayun's Tomb
- Visit India Gate
Optional Activities
- Dinner at Peshawri - Authentic northwest frontier cuisine with tandoori kebabs and dal Bukhara
- Dinner at Taj Bano - Indian and international gourmet selections
Landmarks Humayun's Tomb India Gate 
- Day 4
Agra
Rise early to watch sunrise light up the Taj Mahal's marble surface, then explore Agra Fort where Mughal emperor Shah Jahan was held prisoner. You'll also visit the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, sometimes called the Baby Taj. This evening features a private Sufi performance with qawwali music and north Indian snacks.
- Meals
- Dinner (Signature Experience - Sufi performance dinner with mouthwatering north Indian snacks)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (ITC Mughal)
Included Activities
- Sunrise visit to Taj Mahal
- Visit Agra Fort
- Visit Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah
- Signature Experience - 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 World Heritage site and 16th-century red sandstone fortified city built by Mughal emperor Akbar. Walk among the ruins and learn about this ancient place. After that, continue to your hotel in rural Rajasthan, take a guided nature walk, and join an Indian gin cocktail workshop.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Amanbagh)
Included Activities
- Visit Fatehpur Sikri
- Guided nature walk in Ajabgarh
- Signature Experience - Indian gin cocktail workshop
Landmarks Fatehpur Sikri 
- Day 6
Ajabgarh to Jaipur
Begin with a peaceful yoga session, then join a cooking class to learn about Indian spices and prepare your own lunch. Later you'll travel to Jaipur, the Pink City and capital of Rajasthan.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch prepared during cooking class)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Jaipur)
Included Activities
- Yoga session
- Signature Experience - Cooking class with chef instruction on Indian spices
- Day 7
Jaipur
Spend the full day exploring Jaipur's key sites including Amber Fort, the distinctive Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), and the City Palace where the Jaipur royal family lives. Have lunch with local ingredients at a traditional vegetarian restaurant in Johri Bazaar, then participate in a private block printing workshop using natural and Azo-free dyes.
- Meals
- Lunch (Delicious local produce at traditional vegetarian restaurant in Johri Bazaar)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Jaipur)
Included Activities
- Tour of Amber Fort
- Visit Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds)
- Visit City Palace
- Lunch at traditional vegetarian restaurant in Johri Bazaar
- Private workshop - Block printing with natural dyes
Landmarks Amber Fort Hawa Mahal City Palace Johri Bazaar - Day 8
Jaipur to Kolkata
Choose one of three morning activities: a pink rickshaw tour visiting Govind Devji Temple and the Jaipur Wholesale Flower Market, the Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory and a private section of City Palace, or a bicycle tour through historic lanes in the old city. Later you'll head to the airport, fly to Kolkata (the City of Joy), and check into your luxury hotel.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kolkata)
Optional Activities
- Freedom of Choice - Pink rickshaw tour visiting Govind Devji Temple for morning aarti prayers and Jaipur Wholesale Flower Market
- Freedom of Choice - Jantar Mantar Observatory visit and private City Palace section tour
- Freedom of Choice - Jaipur bicycle tour through old city's historic lanes
Landmarks Govind Devji Temple Jaipur Wholesale Flower Market Jantar Mantar - Day 9
Kolkata
Take a heritage tram ride through Kolkata's most picturesque areas, then visit Kumartuli, the traditional potters' quarter, to see craftwork from clay pots to elaborate god and goddess statues. This afternoon, have elegant afternoon tea at the Glenburn Penthouse with city views and a selection of fine teas and treats.
- Meals
- Afternoon Tea (Signature Experience - Afternoon tea at Glenburn Penthouse with exquisite selection of teas and delectable treats)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kolkata)
Included Activities
- Signature Experience - Privately chartered heritage tram ride
- Visit Kumartuli potters' quarter
- Signature Experience - Afternoon tea at Glenburn Penthouse
Landmarks Kumartuli - Day 10
Kolkata
Pick from two morning sightseeing options in Kolkata, then head to the pier to board the Ganges Voyager for a seven-night river cruise. After lunch on board, visit the Victoria Memorial and its museum with the nation's largest collection of British colonial items. Return to your ship and enjoy a performance by Baul musicians, a UNESCO-recognized spiritual tradition.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch on board Ganges Voyager)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ganges Voyager)
Included Activities
- Lunch on board Ganges Voyager
- Visit Victoria Memorial and museum
- Performance by Baul musicians on ship
Optional Activities
- Freedom of Choice - Early morning stroll across Howrah Bridge to Mallick Ghat Flower Market, one of Asia's largest flower markets
- Freedom of Choice - CIMA Gallery and Sasha NGO tour exploring art and local artisan traditions
Landmarks Victoria Memorial Howrah Bridge Mallick Ghat Flower Market - Day 11
Kolkata to Kalna
Start with a morning walking tour of Kolkata's best-preserved colonial buildings like the Writer's Building, General Post Office, High Court, and Raj Bhawan (Governor's House). See St John's Church built in 1756, which holds tombs of British generals from the Siege of Kolkata. After lunch on board, cruise upstream along the Hooghly River. Visit the 19th-century Hooghly Imambara with its massive Victorian clock, then sail on to Kalna.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch on board)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ganges Voyager)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Kolkata's colonial buildings
- Visit Writer's Building
- Visit General Post Office
- Visit High Court
- Visit Raj Bhawan
- Tour of St John's Church
- Lunch on board
- Visit Hooghly Imambara
- Cruise on Ganges Voyager
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 in a rickshaw through town to see Bengal's distinct terracotta temples, including the Rajbari royal palace complex and striking Shiva temples. Browse the local market before returning to your ship as it sails to the village of Matiari.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ganges Voyager)
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Rickshaw ride through Kalna
- Visit terracotta temples
- Visit Rajbari royal palace complex
- Visit Shiva temples
- Local market stroll
- Cruise to Matiari on Ganges Voyager
Landmarks Kalna Temples Rajbari Palace - Day 13
Matiari to Plassey
Take a morning walk through Matiari, checking out cooking and household items crafted from recycled copper and brass. Visit small home factories that have operated for generations and watch skilled craftspeople work. Continue cruising near Plassey, site of the historic 1757 Battle where the British East India Company gained control. Visit Khushbagh garden and cemetery, then 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 copper and brass craft home factories
- Cruise near Plassey
- Visit Khushbagh garden and cemetery
- Visit tomb of Siraj ud-Daula
Landmarks Plassey Khushbagh - Day 14
Baranagar to Murshidabad
Cruise to the quiet village of Baranagar and experience rural Indian life with a relaxing walk past the beautiful terracotta Char Bangla Temples. Spend the afternoon at leisure gliding along the Lower Ganges. As you approach Murshidabad, you'll spot the impressive Hazarduari Palace with over 1000 doors (some fake to deter thieves). Tour the palace, have high tea in the grounds of the four-storeyed Kathgola Palace, then ride a toto (electric rickshaw) to the 18th-century Katra Mosque.
- Meals
- Afternoon Tea (Signature Experience - Indian high tea in the grounds of Kathgola Palace)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ganges Voyager)
Included Activities
- Walk through Baranagar
- Visit Char Bangla Temples
- Afternoon at leisure on ship
- Tour Hazarduari Palace
- Signature Experience - High tea at Kathgola Palace
- Visit Katra Mosque
Landmarks Char Bangla Temples Hazarduari Palace Kathgola Palace Katra Mosque - Day 15
Murshidabad to Mayapur
Enjoy a restful morning as life unfolds along the river, then visit the village of Mayapur. Learn about the Hare Krishna community by meeting with dedicated followers. See the construction progress of the enormous Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir), the world headquarters of ISKCON.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ganges Voyager)
Included Activities
- Morning cruise on Ganges Voyager
- Visit Mayapur village
- Meet with Hare Krishna community
- View Temple of the Vedic Planetarium construction
Landmarks Temple of the Vedic Planetarium - Day 16
Mayapur to Chandannagar
Take a tranquil cruise to Chandannagar, established as a French colony in 1673. Walk along the lively promenade and see the French architecture. Visit the 17th-century Sacred Heart Church and the Dupleix Museum, housed in the former home of French Governor Joseph François Dupleix. This afternoon, continue cruising the Ganges and enjoy your final night aboard.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ganges Voyager)
Included Activities
- Cruise to Chandannagar
- Promenade stroll
- Visit Sacred Heart Church
- Visit Dupleix Museum
- Evening cruise on Ganges
Landmarks Sacred Heart Church Dupleix Museum - Day 17
Chandannagar to Varanasi
After an early breakfast, leave your ship for the last time and travel to the airport for your flight to Varanasi, one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities. Check in at your hotel and have lunch before experiencing an aarti ceremony at sunset, a mesmerizing ritual with priests and devotees offering fire and mantric chants to the Ganges accompanied by music.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Signature Experience - Aarti ceremony dinner with offerings of fire and mantric chants)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Varanasi)
Included Activities
- Breakfast on board
- Flight to Varanasi
- Lunch
- Signature Experience - Aarti ceremony at sunset
Landmarks Ganges River Ghat - Day 18
Varanasi
Rise early for a sunrise cruise on a decorated boat along the Ganges with tabla and sitar music. Return for breakfast, then select from three morning options: visit Sarnath, a major Buddhist holy site with Deer Park where Buddha gave his first sermon, explore the Silk Weaver Village to see how traditional Banarasi sarees are made, or take a guided walk through the old city's maze-like neighborhoods including Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Tulsi Akhara fight club. Spend the afternoon at leisure before a farewell dinner featuring a Satvik Thali of contemporary Indian cuisine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner with Satvik Thali showcasing contemporary Indian cuisine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Varanasi)
Included Activities
- Signature Experience - Sunrise cruise on decorated Ganges boat with tabla and sitar
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Freedom of Choice - Visit Sarnath with Deer Park tour and private monk session
- Freedom of Choice - Silk Weaver Village visit to see Banarasi saree creation
- Freedom of Choice - Guided walking tour of old city including Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Tulsi Akhara fight club
Landmarks Sarnath Deer Park Kashi Vishwanath Temple Tulsi Akhara - Day 19
Varanasi Departure
Your journey ends today. Transfer to Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport for your onward flight.
