DAY 1 EMBARK FARAKKA
Join your Pandaw ship in the afternoon following your train journey from Kolkata. For those arriving of their own accord, please arrive to the ship docked at Bamuha no earlier than 2pm. Be welcomed aboard your Pandaw by our crew and enjoy evening entertainment onboard before cocktails and dinner.
DAY 2 MURSHIDABAD
After breakfast, take a 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 our voyage downstream. In the afternoon we enjoy a city tour of Murshidabad, visiting 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.
More about Murshidabad
DAY 3 KUSHBAGH
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. Continue sailing downstream in the afternoon with onboard activities and wildlife watching on the sun deck.
DAY 4 MATIARI
In the morning we 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. After lunch we continue downstream to 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.
DAY 5 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 6 KALNA
After breakfast visit the country town of Kalna. 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.
More about Kalna
DAY 7 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. In the afternoon we sail toward Barrackpore and take a walk through the cantonment - past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and Flagstaff House. Enjoy a farewell dinner with your crew as we moor in Mayapur for the night.
DAY 8 KOLKATA - GUWAHATI
Disembark the ship at 08:00 and transfer to the airport for your flight to Guwahati. On arrival transfer to ship and meet your crew for the next 7-nights and set sail upstream onto the Mighty Brahmaputra River./p>
More about Guwahati
DAY 9 SUTARGAON RIVER VILLAGE
Today we stop at a local village consisting of migrant populations that have settled and been provided with official status by the government. Their charming village is the perfect place to learn about life along such a dramatically changeable river.
DAY 10 SILGHAT AND SAFARI
Setting sail early morning we reach Silghat, at the doorstep of Kaziranga National Park. We make our first venture into this park in the afternoon in search of the reserve’s most famous inhabitant, the Royal Bengal Tigers for which the park boasts the highest density of any place in the world. Tiger spotting is extremely rare but chances to see Kaziranga’s other famous inhabitants are abundant.
DAY 11 KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK
We leave the ship in the early morning for our second Jeep safari into Kaziranga National Park. Mornings are the perfect time to spot the Indian One-Horned Rhinos, Buffalos, Elephants plus a host of birdlife, including hornbills and kingfishers. Following your safari, we visit a typical Assamese tea garden and learn about the process from bush to cup. After lunch onboard we sail downstream toward Tezpur and if time permits, visit Bamuni Hills, a 9th century temple complex that lies in ruins overlooking the town.
DAY 12 NAMERI NATIONAL PARK
After an early breakfast we head ashore and drive north toward the state of Arunachal Pradesh to explore our second national Park – Nameri National Park. Here we take a float trip down the Jia – Bhoreli River of around 2 hours and enjoy the abundant birdlife and breathtaking scenery backdropped by the Blue Hills in the Eastern Himalayan range. We return for lunch onboard and set sail downstream.
More about Kaziranga National Park
DAY 13 MYSTICAL MAYANG
Stepping ashore in Mayang, a sizeable village along the shores of the Brahmaputra, we learn about the history of magic and sorcery that was prevalent in the region. We visit the fascinating Mayang museum which explains how various mantras were used for anything from curing ailments to identifying a thief. We are then welcomed into the home of a local Mayang resident for a discussion and perhaps demonstration of some tricks.
DAY 14 SUALKUCHI SILK WEAVING VILLAGE
Sualkuchi is a major centre for weaving in Assam. Here we learn about the entire silk making production from the cocoon, to spinning and weaving to make the typical saree worn by local women. There is a chance to buy some local silken souvenirs and experience a traditional folk dance before we return to the ship by electric rickshaw.
DAY 15 GUWAHATI
After breakfast, disembark the ship and transfer to city hotel or Guwahati airport for your onward journey.
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WHATS INCLUDED
Cruise Price Includes: Transfer between meeting point Kolkata, Ship and drop off point Kolkata, 1st class express train from Kolata to Farakka (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, domestic flight Kolkata – Guwahati incl 20kg check-in luggage.
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.
What to Note
- We suggest to change money at a bank or withdraw cash from an ATM at the international airport before exiting.
- The weather in Assam can be unpredictable and can be cool of an evening. Between December and February it can be particularly cold and we advise bringing warm weather attire for sailings during these months.
- The Brahmaputra River is a fast flowing and changeable river. Navigable channels can change overnight meaning amendments to excursions, sailing times and mooring locations can occur with little warning. We will endeavour to fulfil all stated excursions or suitable replacements where possible, but a flexible approach is required for sailing on the Brahmaputra.
- Comprehensive health insurance, including cancellation insurance is strongly recommended for all Pandaw expeditions.
TRANSFERS & JOINING
DAY 1 EMBARK FARAKKA
Transfer in the morning from any central Kolkata hotel to catch your train from Kolkata to Farakka. On arrival transfer to the ship in time for lunch.
DAY 8 KOLKATA - GUWAHATI
Disembark the ship at 08:00 and transfer to Kolkata airport for your onward flight to Guwahati.
Please note that due to water levels, religious festivals, and other situations beyond our control, it is occasionally necessary to change our embarkation / disembarkation jetty. This may result in a longer transfer times and may also require access to / from the ship via a smaller 'country boat'.
DAY 15 GUWAHATI
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to your hotel or Guwahati airport (15km / 30 min). Transfers can be arranged as per your flight details with the latest departure from the ship at 10am.
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MEDIA MENTIONS
01 Feb 2024 - article by Luxuriate