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PANDAW COMBO RIVER CRUISE

THE LOWER GANGES & BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER

14 NIGHTS FROM US$6,369.30
SAVE UP TO 10% AND NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT ON SELECTED DATES

Free internal flights & transfers between ships

There can be no river in the world as sacred as the Ganges and an expedition on the Lower Ganges or Hooghly is one of the prettiest river journeys imaginable. The river wends its way through the lush countryside of West Bengal with its culturally significant towns crammed with temples and palaces. A rich and vibrant rural life abounds and there is never a dull moment as we sedately ply this pleasant waterway. Combine this with the mighty Brahmaputra river in Northern India which originates high in the Himalayas before flowing through the scenic Assam Valley where UNESCO protected national parks and remote rural communities provide the traveller with the most wonderful and authentic expedition.

CHECK AVAILABILITY & BOOK ONLINE

or call TOLL FREE 1-877-872-6329
represented by Sayang Holidays
14 NIGHTS FROM US$6,369.30
SAVE UP TO 10% AND NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT ON SELECTED DATES

Free internal flights & transfers between ships

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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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

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
Kolkata - Barrackpore
Kolkata - Barrackpore

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.

Matiari
Matiari

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.

Baranagar - Ajimganj
Baranagar - Ajimganj

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
Chandernagore - Hooghly
Chandernagore - Hooghly

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 stopping for some exercise in a village of market gardens.

Sailing
Sailing

DAY 10 TEZPUR

Exploring the town 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. There are excellent bird-watching opportunities here (look out for the great Hornbills) and, perhaps, the chance of sighting wild elephants. After lunch, take a village walk before returning to the ship. Continue upstream, passing below a seemingly endless new bridge across the vast width of the riverbed, to moor at Silghat.

Nameri National Park
Nameri National Park

DAY 12 KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK

Jeep safari to Kaziranga an area of approximately 430 sq kms, this UNESCO World Heritage is home to the world’s largest population of the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros as well as the Indian Wild Water Buffalo. It has the highest density of Royal Bengal Tigers withone every five sq. km. The park an incredibly rich biodiversity hotspot with its marshy swamps and thickets of elephant grass, this park 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.

More about Kaziranga National Park

DAY 13 TEA GARDENS

Return downstream to visit a tea estate and historic plantation house on the way. Learn about the tea production process from start to finish in this idyllic setting.

Tea Gardens
Tea Gardens

DAY 14 SUALKUCHI SILK VILLAGE

Sailing down past Guwhati moor here in the afternoon to see silk 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.

WHATS INCLUDED

Cruise Price Includes: Transfer between meeting point Kolkata, Ship and drop off point Kolkata, entrance fees, guide services (English language), gratuities to crew, main meals, local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes, 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 KOLKATA - BARRACKPORE

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

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 08.30. Transfer to Guwahati airport (15km / 30 min).

TESTIMONIALS

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