Departure Dates Deck Plan Prices
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Please SelectGG0010: 15-Mar-10 to 29-Mar-10 (Downstream)GG0011: 27-Sep-10 to 11-Oct-10 (Upstream)GG0012: 11-Oct-10 to 25-Oct-10 (Downstream)GG0013: 1-Nov-10 to 15-Nov-10 (Upstream)GG0014: 15-Nov-10 to 29-Nov-10 (Downstream)GG0015: 3-Jan-11 to 17-Jan-11 (Upstream)GG0016: 17-Jan-11 to 31-Jan-11 (Downstream)GG0017: 31-Jan-11 to 14-Feb-11 (Upstream)GG0019: 28-Feb-11 to 14-Mar-11 (Upstream)
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You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Passengers on flights arriving around or before noon will spend the afternoon exploring by foot the ghats, palaces and temples of this, one of the oldest cities in the world. Varanasi (Benares) was contemporary with 7th century BC Babylon, and is the cultural heart of Hindu India at its richest and most beautiful. In the evening there will be a boat trip to observe the spectacular ritual fire dances to Lord Shiva held on the ghats, followed by a welcome dinner.
After breakfast, we will visit the important Buddhist site at Sarnath and continue to board ship at Gazipur (2 hours) or Buxar (3 hours) depending on water levels.
With our on board naturalist we expect to see herds of blue bull and black buck antelope in addition to profuse bird life in this remote, uninhabited stretch of river.
The day will be spent aboard and we will stop at a village for a walk in Bihar State.
Patna, the fifth fastest growing city in India, is a large, industrial town but is not without interest. We see the monumental Golghar grain silo built in 1786 by Captain John Garstin and the State Museum, with a stupendous collection of Mauryan and Pala period Buddhist sculptures.
Drive four hours by coach to Bodh Gaya, place of Buddha’s enlightenment and a major centre of pilgrimage for Buddhists of all sects from all countries. In the early afternoon, we will drive a further two hours to see the ruins of the vast Buddhist university at Nalanda. Return journey from Nalanda to join the ship at Samaria is three hours. This will be a long, uncomfortable day but richly rewarded by visits to these world heritage sites.
At Munger we stop to visit the Bihar School of Yoga which lies within the 15th century Munger Fort. Near the fort is an 18th century British cemetery and an interesting Shivite shrine.
Cruise all day through Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary where we will be visited by the wardens who will come on board to guide us through the area. Here the river is 2km across and vast panoramas unfold. Visit the ancient Vikramshila University at Khalgaon. This 8th century AD university was built by the Pala dynasty and is one of the sacred sites of Buddhism.
Stop for a walk ashore and visit the Jami Masjid Mosque, constructed in 1592 by Raja Maan Singh.
Enter the Farraka Feeder Canal by lock at the Farraka Barrage and cruise to join the Hugli River. Now in lush semi-tropical West Bengal, we see a very different landscape. Overnight at Baranagar, famous for its lovely miniature temples.
We visit the vast Hazarduari Palace, built in 1837 by an English architect. Further visits to the Katra mosque and the late 18th century Katgola palace. Continue past the battlefield of Plassey, where Clive of India defeated the local rulers of Bengal in 1757, to stop in the evening at the fascinating brassworks at country village of Metiari.
Travelling by cycle rickshaw we tour these enchanting Bengali terracotta temples. The river here narrows and the now tropical Bengal countryside is lush and green.
At Bandel we visit the Imambara mosque, one of the most famous Shiya Muslim pilgrimage shrines in West Bengal. We rejoin the ship at Chandernagore – a French colony until 1950. Here we visit the house of Dupleix, a small museum and an 18th century church.
Morning disembark. Discover the architectural magnificence of Colonial Calcutta, arguably the greatest of the British Raj cities, with a stupendous architectural heritage that is still largely intact. Highlights include St John's Church, the Queen Victoria Monument and the neo-gothic law courts. After lunch, check in to your five star hotel. In the afternoon, relax in your hotel room or join a visit to the market. Farewell dinner.
After breakfast, transfer to Calcutta International Airport
Cruise Price Includes: 12 nights on board with main meals and and locally-made beer, spirits and soft drinks, 2 nights in 5-star hotels with meals as indicated in the itinerary, excursions as per itinerary, airport or hotel transfers at beginning and end of trip, English language guide services, port dues and Pandaw crew gratuities. Cruise Price Excludes: international or domestic flights or transportation beyond Calcutta or Varanasi, wine and imported beverages, personal laundry, all visa costs, gratuities to guide and naturalist, fuel surcharges (see terms and conditions), port dues, breakfast and lunch on day 1 at the hotel, lunch and dinner on day 15 at the hotel.
The rivers you will sail on are subject to seasonal rises and falls of water level, in some places as much as 30 metres. Water levels can change dramatically overnight and a sudden rise can impede our progress upstream considerably and even prevent us from passing under certain bridges. A sudden fall can result in our being unable to get into certain places or go as far upstream as we would hope. Groundings on sandbars are not infrequent and are part of the excitement of any Pandaw expedition. Published itineraries are indicational only and subject to sudden change. In such events alternative itineraries will be provided and we do our best to ensure that if a stop is missed we make up for it with another stop. Passengers are thus forewarned and expected to be flexible and patient. River cruising in Asia can be a dramatic and adventurous experience - not like cruising the controlled waterways of Europe or America. Note also that we operate in areas with little or no developed infrastructure and subject to the strictures of local officialdom. Be prepared for this and it is all more the fun!
