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Luxury small ship river cruises in Asia

EXPLORE THE GANGES RIVER

THE LOWER GANGES RIVER

7 NIGHTS KOLKATA TO FARAKKA FROM US$1,701 - MEMBERS FROM US$1,512
SAVE UP TO 10% AND NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT ON SELECTED DATES

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.

A decade ago, for the first time since colonial times, Pandaw pioneered river expeditions in India. Since then we have depended on modern style and often impractically designed partner ships. We are now able to offer an original Pandaw ship, vastly more suited to river expeditions in the tropics and far more comfortable too.

There can be no better vessel to explore this rich tapestry than the stately Orient Pandaw, built in Vietnam in 2012 and pride of the Pandaw fleet having seen service now in four countries. With thirty staterooms on two decks, all with personal verandah space, the ship boasts indoor dining, a deck bar, a movie / lecture theatre and spa.

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Please Note: Prices shown are per person in USD$ and include all discounts. Member pricing & benefits are available to previous clients who have travelled with Pandaw before and are part of our Members Club.

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IMAGES

EXPEDITION MAP

YOUR SHIP

RV ORIENT PANDAW

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EXTENSIONS

PRE CRUISE EXTENSIONS

Exploring Kolkata 2 Nights Pre Tour

India's Golden Triangle 6 Nights Pre Tour

Delhi & Taj Mahal & Kolkata 4 Nights Pre Tour

Ancient Kingdom of Bhutan & Kolkata Pre Tour 6 Nights

Maharajas' Express - Luxury Train Journeys (on selected Ganges dates)

POST CRUISE EXTENSIONS

Exploring Kolkata 2 Nights Post Tour

India's Golden Triangle 6 Nights Post Tour

Delhi & Taj Mahal 3 Nights Post Tour

Kolkata & Ancient Kingdom of Bhutan 6 nights Post Tour

OPTIONAL PACKAGE ADDONS

Private Dining

Pre-Bookable House Wine Package (India)

ITINERARY

Upstream Downstream

DAY 1 KOLKATA - BARRACKPORE

Transfer from your hotel to embark and sail at noon. Sail past the old Danish colony of Serampore to Barrackpore to land and 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 CHANDERNAGORE - HOOGHLY

Sail up to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950. Visit the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House, the erstwhile Governor-General of French India. Sail upstream past the old Dutch settlement of Chinsura 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 into the night to a mooring near Kalna.

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DAY 3 KALNA

Sail upstream and, after breakfast, land at the country town of Kalna and take cycle 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. Continue on through the countryside to Mayapur to visit the vast new ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) temple which dominates the skyline. As the headquarters of ISKCON or the Hare Krishna movement, the temple receives over a million singing and dancing devotees a year from around the world. Sail on through the night to a mooring near Matiari.

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DAY 4 MATIARI

This morning 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. Later, cruise on and 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 5 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.

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DAY 6 BARANAGAR

This 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. Continue up the lower Ganges (or the Hooghly), which transforms into a charming waterway twisting and turning between banks lined with mustard fields and mango orchards. Carry on up a long canal section to a mooring close to the Farakka Barrage.

DAY 7 GAUR

During breakfast, we cruise to a mooring by the Farakka lock. Disembark and go on a full-day excursion by road to Gaur, near the town of Malda, or English Bazar. This quiet, deserted place was once one of India’s great cities, first under the Hindus in 12th century, then as the Muslim capital of Eastern India from the 14th to the 16th century. There are plentiful remains of mosques, palaces and gateways and you visit a number of the most interesting before rejoining the ship in the evening above the Farakka lock gate to continue your cruise upstream.

More about Gaur

DAY 8 FARAKKA - KOLKATA

Journey approximately four hours by train from Farakka to Kolkota and transfer to Oberoi Grand Kolkata.

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WHATS INCLUDED

Cruise Price Includes: Transfer between meeting point Kolkata, Ship and drop off point Kolkata, train ticket Farakka – Kolkata or v.v., entrance fees, guide services (English language), gratuities to crew, main meals, locally made soft drinks, local beer and local spirits, jugged coffee and selection of teas and tisanes, mineral water.

Cruise Price Excludes: Flights, port dues (if levied), laundry, all visa costs, fuel surcharges (see terms and conditions), imported beverages, wines, premium spirits and liqueurs, fancy soft drinks like Perrier, espressos and cappuccinos at bar and tips to tour guides, local guides, bus drivers, boat operators and cyclo drivers.

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TRANSFERS & JOINING

DAY 1 KOLKATA - BARRACKPORE

Transfer from the Oberoi Grand in Kolkata to the port by coach to embark cruise.

Registration Details
Oberoi Grand Kolkata
Registration is at 10.00
15, Jawaharlal Nehru Road
Kolkata - 700 013
India
Tel: +91 33 2249 2323
HOTEL WEBSITE

Please arrive at meeting point no later than 10.00. Transfer will depart 10.30.

DAY 8 FARAKKA - KOLKATA

Early morning coach transfer to Farakka train station.

Shatabdi Express from Farakka 09.23 to Kolkata Howrah Station 13.35 (train times are subject to change). Transfer by coach from train station to Oberoi Grand Kolkata. Estimated arrival time 14.30-15.00.

TESTIMONIALS

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