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
After breakfast, disembark and receive a group transfer to the airport for your onward journey to Guwahati to join The Brahmaputra cruise. Explore this pleasant Assami city visiting the Nilachai Hill temple and Commonwealth Graves. Late afternoon cast off upriver.
More about Guwahati
DAY 9 SAILING
Sail all day making headway against strong currents through the lush Assami countryside. Get acquainted with your crew and guide with onboard activities such as lectures and food demonstrations.
DAY 10 TEZPUR
Afternoon exploration of Tezpur by trishaw we visit the De Parbatia temple with its richly carved portals and Cole Park with its collection of medieval carvings collected from across the region.
DAY 11 NAMERI NATIONAL PARK
After an early breakfast, drive for some two hours to the Nameri National Park at the foot of the blue hills of Arunachal Pradesh, the old North East Frontier Agency. Here, we take a float trip of around two hours down the Jia-Bhoreli River through the park. Enjoy the breath-taking scenery and bring your binoculars for a chance to spot some birdlife. After lunch, take a village walk before returning to the ship. We are treated to a traditional Assamese folk dance before dinner and moor at Silghat for the night.
DAY 12 KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK
Jeep safari to Kaziranga, with an area of approximately 430 sq kms, this UNESCO World Heritage site is home to the world’s largest population of the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros as well as the Indian Wild Water Buffalo. It also has the highest density of Royal Bengal Tigers with one every five sq. km however these remain extremely illusive and are unlikely to be spotted. The park is an incredibly rich biodiversity hotspot with its marshy swamps and thickets of elephant grass which supports large populations of Indian elephants, Indian bison, swamp deer, and capped langurs.
Besides wildlife, Kaziranga National Park is also a birding paradise. A few of the bird species found here are the oriental honey buzzard, black-shouldered kite, white-tailed eagle, Himalayan griffon to mention a few. In the afternoon we set sail again downstream.
More about Kaziranga National Park
DAY 13 VILLAGE LIFE
As we sail along the vast Brahmaputra River downstream, riding the strong currents, we stop for a walk through a typical Assamese village and learn more about their simple lives.
DAY 14 TEA GARDEN & SILK VILLAGE
Early morning visit to Noonmati Tea Garden on the outskirts of Guwahati to witness the tea producing process. After lunch sail down past Guwhati to moor at Sualkuchi, a major centre for weaving in Assam. We learn about the entire silk making production from the cocoon, to spinning and weaving to make the typical saree worn by Assami women.
DAY 15 GUWAHATI
Disembark in the morning and transfer to airport.
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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.
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 11am.
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MEDIA MENTIONS
01 Feb 2024 - article by Luxuriate