Hooghly River Cruises | Lower Ganges River Cruises

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2023-24 Departures
2024-25 Departures

DAY 1 KOLKATA - BARRACKPORE

Transfer from your hotel or airport in Kolkata to embark and sail at noon. Sail past the old Danish colony of Serampore to Barrackpore to land and take a walk through the cantonment - past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and Flagstaff House.

DAY 2 KALNA

After breakfast sail upstream and land at the country town of Kalna and take rickshaws to see a group of some of Bengal’s most attractive terracotta temples, as well as the unique Shiva temple with concentric rings made up of 108 lesser shrines. Sail on through the night to a mooring near Matiari.

More about Kalna

DAY 3 MATIARI

Visit the brass-working village of Matiari, a charming riverside village. Interact with the locals of Matiari and witness the whole primitive process of beating out brass water pots and other vessels. Continue cruising upstream and time permitting visit the battlefield of Plassey where, in 1757, Robert Clive, the Commander-in-Chief of British India, defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal, to change the course of Indian history. Moor close to Murshidabad for the night.

DAY 4 MURSHIDABAD

This morning, walk to the Khushbagh, a peaceful Mughal-style garden that encloses the tombs of Siraj-ud-Daulah – the last independent Nawab of Bengal – and his family. Continue a little way upstream to where the great Hazarduari Palace dominates the waterfront. Built by an English architect in 1837, the palace hosts an extensive collection of pictures, china, weapons and other objects. Carry on to visit the great Katra Mosque and Nashipara Palace before driving out to see the Katgola Palace. Built in classical Georgian style by rich local merchants, Katgola Palace represents the other side of the coin of the 'White Mughal' period when English and Indian cultures came close to fusion. Moor overnight on the riverbank across from town.

More about Murshidabad

DAY 5 BARANAGAR - AJIMGANJ

Continue up the Hoogly which transforms into a charming waterway twisting and turning between banks lined with mustard fields and mango orchards. Morning walk through the fields of the delightfully sleepy village of Baranagar to visit its three gorgeous miniature terracotta temples. This is rural India at its most idyllic. Visit the Jain temples at Azimganj and continue downstream.

DAY 6 MAYAPUR

Explore the village of Mayapur, the headquarters of the ISKCON movement with a new temple comparable in size to the Vatican and largely funded by Alfred B. Ford, the great grandson of car maker Henry Ford. Meet Krishna followers and walk through the pilgrims’ bazaar.

More about Mayapur

DAY 7 CHANDERNAGORE - HOOGHLY

Continue sailing downstream before landing to visit the imposing Imambara at Hooghly. With verses from the Koran written on its walls, the Imambara is an opportunity to step back in time and relive a slice of Islamic history in Bengal. Sail past the old Dutch settlement of Chinsura to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950. Visit the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House, erstwhile Governor-General of French India. Sail into the night to a mooring near Kolkata.

More about Chandernagore

DAY 8 DISEMBARK KOLKATA

After breakfast, disembark and receive a group transfer to the disembarkation point hotel for your onward journey.

More about Kolkata

DAY 1 KOLKATA - BARRACKPORE

Transfer from your hotel or airport in Kolkata to embark and sail at noon. Sail past the old Danish colony of Serampore to Barrackpore to land and take a walk through the cantonment - past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and Flagstaff House.

More about Kolkata

DAY 2 CHANDENAGORE

Continue sailing upstream to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950. Visit the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House, erstwhile Governor-General of French India.

DAY 3 KALNA

After breakfast sail upstream and land at the country town of Kalna and take rickshaws to see a group of some of Bengal’s most attractive terracotta temples, as well as the unique Shiva temple with concentric rings made up of 108 lesser shrines. Sail on through the night to a mooring near Matiari.

More about Kalna

DAY 4 MAYAPUR

Explore the village of Mayapur, the headquarters of the ISKCON movement with a new temple comparable in size to the Vatican and largely funded by Alfred B. Ford, the great grandson of car maker Henry Ford. Meet Krishna followers and walk through the pilgrims’ bazaar.

More about Mayapur

DAY 5 MATIARI

Visit the brass-working village of Matiari, a charming riverside village. Interact with the locals of Matiari and witness the whole primitive process of beating out brass water pots and other vessels. Continue cruising upstream and time permitting visit the battlefield of Plassey where, in 1757, Robert Clive, the Commander-in-Chief of British India, defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal, to change the course of Indian history. Moor close to Murshidabad for the night.

DAY 6 MURSHIDABAD

This morning, walk to the Khushbagh, a peaceful Mughal-style garden that encloses the tombs of Siraj-ud-Daulah – the last independent Nawab of Bengal – and his family. Continue a little way upstream to where the great Hazarduari Palace dominates the waterfront. Built by an English architect in 1837, the palace hosts an extensive collection of pictures, china, weapons and other objects. Carry on to visit the great Katra Mosque and Nashipara Palace before driving out to see the Katgola Palace. Built in classical Georgian style by rich local merchants, Katgola Palace represents the other side of the coin of the 'White Mughal' period when English and Indian cultures came close to fusion. Moor overnight on the riverbank across from town.

More about Murshidabad

DAY 7 AJIMGANJ - FARAKKA

Continue up the Hoogly which transforms into a charming waterway twisting and turning between banks lined with mustard fields and mango orchards. Morning walk through the fields of the delightfully sleepy village of Baranagar to visit its three gorgeous miniature terracotta temples. This is rural India at its most idyllic. Visit the Jain temples at Azimganj before continuing on to the Farakka barrage.

DAY 8 DISEMBARK FARAKKA

After breakfast, disembark and receive a group transfer to your hotel or the train station in Farakka for your train journey back to Kolkata.

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Cruise Price Includes: Transfer between meeting point Kolkata, Ship and drop off point Kolkata, 1st class express train from Kolata to Farakka (24/25 Downstream), entrance fees, guide services (English language), gratuities to crew, main meals, local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes plus our India complimentary drinks package

Cruise Price Excludes: Flights, port dues (if levied), laundry, all visa costs, fuel surcharges (see terms and conditions), all beverages except local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes and tips to tour guides, local guides, bus drivers, boat operators and cyclo drivers.

Weather Condition Warning

River cruising on the Lower and Upper Ganges can be severely affected by fog during the months of December and January. This may impact the sailing schedules and the planned excursions. While every effort will be made to make up time and include all activities this is not always possible. Similarly temperatures can drop significantly overnight and in the early mornings, though during the day warmer temperatures can be expected. Winter temperatures can be below average with many destinations in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh experiencing long spells of cold.

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2023-24 Departures
2024-25 Departures

DAY 1 KOLKATA - BARRACKPORE

Transfer from your hotel or airport in Kolkata at 10:30am to the port by group transfer to embark cruise.

DAY 8 DISEMBARK KOLKATA

Disembark the ship at 08:00 and transfer from the port in Kolkata to the airport or hotel.

DAY 1 KOLKATA - BARRACKPORE

Transfer from your hotel or airport in Kolkata at 10:30am to the port by group transfer to embark cruise.

DAY 8 DISEMBARK FARAKKA

After breakfast, transfer to Farakka station for your train to Kolkata. On arrival transfer to any central Kolkata hotel.

A week of purer bliss - posted by Louella Archbold and Mary Arnold

I want to thank Pandaw and every Pandaw Staff Member on board for a memorable and fabulous cruise - posted by Donna Knight

Just to let you know the trip was great - posted by Helen Mell

I was very impressed with the boat, and the services and particularly the Crew - posted by Lorna

THE LOWER GANGES RIVER

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IMAGES

EXPEDITION MAP

YOUR SHIP

OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS

India's Golden Triangle 6 Nights Pre Tour

Ancient Kingdom of Bhutan & Kolkata Pre Tour 6 Nights

Kolkata Pre Tour 2 Nights

Private Dining

Free Flow Drinks & Wine Package (India)

ITINERARY

DAY 1 KOLKATA - BARRACKPORE

DAY 2 KALNA

DAY 3 MATIARI

DAY 4 MURSHIDABAD

DAY 5 BARANAGAR - AJIMGANJ

DAY 6 MAYAPUR

DAY 7 CHANDERNAGORE - HOOGHLY

DAY 8 DISEMBARK KOLKATA

DAY 1 KOLKATA - BARRACKPORE

DAY 2 CHANDENAGORE

DAY 3 KALNA

DAY 4 MAYAPUR

DAY 5 MATIARI

DAY 6 MURSHIDABAD

DAY 7 AJIMGANJ - FARAKKA

DAY 8 DISEMBARK FARAKKA

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WHATS INCLUDED

TRANSFERS & JOINING

DAY 1 KOLKATA - BARRACKPORE

DAY 8 DISEMBARK KOLKATA

DAY 1 KOLKATA - BARRACKPORE

DAY 8 DISEMBARK FARAKKA

TESTIMONIALS

TRAVEL BLOGS

Battlefield of Plassey - The Lower Ganges

Bengal's Proverbial 'Little Europe' - The Lower Ganges

The Ganges: A Celestial River

MEDIA MENTIONS

Exploring West Bengal with Pandaw Cruises

Pandaw Expands Cruise Offerings in India