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KOLKATA TO GUWHATI VIA DHAKA

BENGAL TO ASSAM AND THE SUNDARBANS

21 NIGHTS FROM US$13,800.00
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT ON SELECTED DATES

A 21 night reconnaissance expedition on the Kindat Pandaw through India and Bangladesh, between Kolkata to Guwhati via Dhaka

The eighteen cabin Kindat Pandaw will reposition between West Bengal to Assam. Departing between the magnificent former capital of Kolkata (Calcutta), with is outstandingly splendid colonial architecture, the ship crosses Bangladesh in a two-country reconnaissance expedition that explores the Sundarbans, one of the most ecologically diverse regions in the planet and known for its swimming tigers. It is here that the Ganges and Brahmaputra outflow into the Bay of Bengal and has 10,000 square miles of mangrove, the world's largest mangrove forest. Visits will be made to national parks with trips by tender deep into the back waters. The expedition will also explore the wealth of Islamic art and architecture in Bangladesh's delta towns and the rich traditions of weaving and other crafts in the riverine communities of this vast delta that teems with human life and activity. Dhaka with its colonial buildings and excellent museums will be a highlight. Then leaving the delta the expedition will continue up the great Brahmaputra to re-enter India and continue through Assam to the colourful city of Guwhati with its Hindu temples, the country side around filled with tea gardens and plantation houses. Our new downstream departure will travel in the opposite direction.

CHECK AVAILABILITY & BOOK ONLINE

or call TOLL FREE 1-877-872-6329
represented by Sayang Holidays
21 NIGHTS FROM US$13,800.00
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT ON SELECTED DATES

IMAGES

EXPEDITION MAP

YOUR SHIP

OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS

PRE CRUISE EXTENSIONS

India's Golden Triangle 6 Nights Pre Tour

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Delhi & Taj Mahal & Kolkata 4 Nights Pre Tour

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Ancient Kingdom of Bhutan & Kolkata Pre Tour 6 Nights

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Kolkata Pre Tour 2 Nights

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POST CRUISE EXTENSIONS

Delhi & Taj Mahal 3 Night Post Tour

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OPTIONAL PACKAGE ADDONS

Private Dining

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Pre-Bookable House Wine Package (India)

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Free Flow Drinks & Wine Package (India)

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Free Flow Drinks (India)

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ITINERARY

Upstream      Downstream

DAY 1 KOLKATA - ARRIVALS

Embark on the RV Kindat Pandaw. After lunch visit the splendid of the Victoria Memorial in the maidan and then St John’s Anglican church, with its splendid 18th century memorials, Zoffany’s Last Supper and Job Charnock’s mausoleum (1690).

Kolkata - Arrivals
Kolkata - Arrivals

DAY 2 KOLKATA

Visit the National Museum, the largest and oldest museum in India with a cross section of art and archaeology from different eras of Indian history (over 1 million items are in the collection!). After lunch on the ship, visit the house and tomb of the canonized Mother Teresa and learn more about the work of her still active foundation. Then a short walk the the "Sishu Bhawan", a children’s home run by the sisters of Mother Teresa’s order.

DAY 3 HOOGLIE RIVER AND THE SUNDERBANS: KOLKATA - NAMKHANA - BHAGABATPUR

In the morning sail down the Hooglie to the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forests on earth, habitat of the famous royal bengal tiger and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fishing port of Namkhana is considered the gateway to the Sundarbans. Depending on the tide, crossing the Hatania Doania River and anchoring near Bhagabatpur.

Hooglie River and the Sunderbans: Kolkata - Namkhana - Bhagabatpur
Hooglie River and the Sunderbans: Kolkata - Namkhana - Bhagabatpur

DAY 4 BHAGABATPUR - BANGAR ISLAND

Early in the morning visit the "Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project", a breeding and protection area of the estuary crocodiles. Continue to Bangar Island.

DAY 5 BANGAR ISLAND - HEMNAGAR - ANTIHARA – BORDER CROSSING

Continue through the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans towards the Bangladeshi border. After completing customs formalities in Hemnagar on the India side, proceed downstream to Antihara on the Bangladeshi side of the Sundarbans for further immigration and customs formalities.

Bangar Island - Hemnagar - Antihara – Border Crossing
Bangar Island - Hemnagar - Antihara – Border Crossing

DAY 6 ANTIHARA - MONGLA

Drive to Mongla and visit the Sixty Dome Mosque in Bagerhat (UNESCO World Heritage Site). It is the largest Sultanate-era mosque in Bangladesh and one of the most impressive Muslim monuments in the entire Indian subcontinent. After, visit the museum in Bagerhat.

DAY 7 KOTKA - HARBARIA

Canoe ride in the mangrove forests. Here you can experience the flora and fauna up close and enjoy the peace and beauty of the sea beach of Kotka Jamtola. Deer and other native animals can be found in the Kotka forest area.

Kotka - Harbaria
Kotka - Harbaria

DAY 8 HARBARIA - MORRELGANJ

Early morning rowing boat ride through the narrow rivers and canals of Harbaria. Return to the ship and during breakfast continue towards Morrelganj.

DAY 9 MORRELGANJ - BARISAL

Sail to Barisal and visit the Anglican Oxford Mission Church. It is said to be the second largest church in Asia and one of the oldest.

Morrelganj - Barisal
Morrelganj - Barisal

DAY 10 BARISAL - MEGHNA GHAT (DHAKA)

In the morning visit the floating market in Barisal. Continue to Dhaka via Chandpur. Afternoon fishing by local boat for hilsha.

DAY 11 DHAKA

Panoramic tour of the capital of Bangladesh with its sights and monuments such as Dhaka University and Curzon Hall, the National Assembly and the Old High Court. You will also visit the Dhakeswari Temple, which is considered the center of the Hindu faith and the National Museum.

Dhaka
Dhaka

DAY 12 PAGLA TO SONARGAON

Visit the lost city of Sonargaon exploring Goaldi mosque then on to the Painam merchant village, with its museum and bamboo school. Lunch at a local restaurant then drive to Jamdhani village to see weaving, visiting houses, interacting with the artisans and visiting the Murapara Zaminder’s house.

DAY 13 RIVER DAY TO ARICHA

Full day sailing upstream on this bustling waterway to Aricha Port which is a major river port.

River day to Aricha
River day to Aricha

DAY 14 ARICHA - TANGAIL – SIRAJGANJ ON THE BRAHMAPUTRA

Sail to Sirajganj. En route visit the 17th century Atia Mosque in Tangail. The mosque features architectural elements from the pre-Mughal and Mughal eras.

DAY 15 SIRAJGANJ

Explore Sirajganj, a city known for hand weaving and the Bangabandhu Bridge (Jamuna Bridge) the longest bridge in Bangladesh. Visit the unique Hatikumrul Navatna Temple with its nine towers in Navaratnapara village. After will visit the weaving villages and learn about the production of traditional Bangladeshi clothing such as gamchas (cotton scarves), lungis for men and saris.

Sirajganj
Sirajganj

DAY 16 RIVER DAY SIRAJGANJ - CHILMARI

River trip along beautiful shore landscapes to Chilmari to do the customs and border formalities in Bangladesh. Chilmari is a major river port near the border with India and is also known for its mid-river sandbars (chars) where many Bengalis farm peanuts on this fertile ground.

DAY 17 CHILMARI TO DHUBRI AND BORDER CROSSING BACK INTO INDIA

Sail upstream to the Indian border. Stop at Dhubri for Indian customs and immigration formalities. Dhubri has long been a centre of the jute trade with connections to Dundee. In the afternoon explore the city and visit the Gurdwara Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Temple and the marble statue of Queen Victoria on a walk through the Victoria Park of the same name. Then visit the village of Asharikandi, where traditional terracotta and ceramics are made.

Chilmari to Dhubri  and border crossing back into India
Chilmari to Dhubri  and border crossing back into India

DAY 18 DHUBRI - GOALPARA

Boat trip to Goalpara at the foot of the Garo hills. Visit Sri Surya Pahar, an important archaeological site with valuable cultural remains from Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism. The archaeological finds confirm the long-standing assumption that a thriving civilization existed around Sri Surya Pahar several centuries ago.

DAY 19 GOALPARA - SALKUCHI

Sail on to Sualkuchi known for its silk weavings, particularly muga silk, pat silk and eri silk, which have a lustrous and delicate texture and are used to make traditional Assamese dresses and sarees.

Goalpara - Salkuchi
Goalpara - Salkuchi

DAY 20 SALKUCHI - PANDU PORT

Continue upstream to Pandu Port in Guwahati. Late afternoon visit Pandunath Temple.

DAY 21 PANDU PORT - GUWAHATI

Morning excursion to Nilachal Hill and visit to Kamakhya Temple, a Hindu temple in Guwahati dedicated to the mother goddess Shakti. Afternoon boat trip to Peacock Island in the Brahmaputra River, a tranquil place whose Umananda Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati.

Pandu Port - Guwahati
Pandu Port - Guwahati

DAY 22 DEPARTURES

Transfer to Guwhati airport for flights to Kolkotta or Delhi.

WHATS INCLUDED

Cruise Price Includes: Transfer to/from/between Ship, entrance fees, guide services (English language), gratuities to crew, main meals, local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes.

Price Excludes: International flights, laundry, all visa costs, fuel surcharges (see terms and conditions), all beverages except local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes, tipping for guide and drivers.

TRANSFERS & JOINING

DAY 1 KOLKATA - ARRIVALS

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

DAY 22 DEPARTURES

After breakfast transfer to your central hotel or airport for your onward journey.

VISA INFORMATION

Please note that for this itinerary, guests will need to apply for a paper version multiple entry visa for India prior to their travels. E-visa for India will not be accepted at the river borders. For Bangladesh, a visa on arrival will be arranged onboard by our crew.

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