THE UPPER GANGES RIVER
Kolkata - Varanasi
Overview
For the first time Pandaw guests will be able to explore the diverse and beautiful Ganges River between Varanasi and Farakka on our new 7 night itinerary. Sailing through the state of Bihar, this splendid journey takes travellers along one of the prettiest sections of the Ganges where Gangeatic dolphins and a host of birdlife and wildlife roam.
Explore the many villages, pilgrimage sites and handicraft havens along the banks of the Upper Ganges as you sail gently aboard Pandaw's specially crafted river vessels. with train tickets included between Kolkata and Farakka as well as Patna to Varanasi, said to be one of the oldest inhabited cities on the planet, there is no better way to explore the wonders of India than with Pandaw.
Please Note: This itinerary passes through the state of Bihar. In this state it is illegal to serve any drinks containing alcohol. For this reason we will not be able to serve alcohol onboard the ship.
Expedition Route
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represented by Sayang Holidays
7 NIGHTS
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Your Journey
FARAKKA - ARRIVAL
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 Rajmahal no earlier than 3pm. Be welcomed aboard your Pandaw by our crew and enjoy evening entertainment onboard before cocktails and dinner.
SAILING
We sail up the mighty Ganges river toward the confluence with the Koshi river. Stop along the way for a short village walk and enjoy our onboard entertainment.
BHAGLAPUR – SULTANGANJ
We sail early morning toward Bhaglapur, a hub of silk production. We witness the silk weaving and explore this small town before returning to the ship for lunch. In the afternoon we visit Sultanganj with its pair of great granite rocks, one crowned with a mosque and the other a small temple dating from the 16th century.
MUNGER
Munger is now a large and industrialised city but has an interesting history. In 1762, Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal, shifted his capital from Murshidabad to Munger, and established a firearms manufacturing centre here. Explore the Mughal fort, East India Company cemetery and step inside the Bihar School of Yoga founded in 1964 by Satyananda Saraswati. One of the leading yoga schools in the country. The institution has developed yogic techniques through a synthesis of traditional yogic, vedantic and tantric practices and contemporary health science.
MOKAMA
Stop at Mokama, once home to Jim Corbett the naturalist and protector of the Indian tigers. Surrounded by farmlands, Mokama has the second hightest production of lentils in the country. Learn about the freedom fighters from Mokama such as Lalldin Saheb, whose during the freedom struggle was sentenced to jail during the British rule.
BARH
Explore Barh, a town famous for Hindu ritual cremation at Urmanath and the Alakhnath Temple.
PATNA
Enjoy a city tour of Patna, capital of Bihar state including a visit to The Golghar, a large stupa styled granary built in 1786. Farewell dinner with your crew.
PATNA TO VARANASI
Disembark your Pandaw vessel ready and transfer to Patna station for your 1st class train to Varanasi. Upon arrival to Varanasi, transfer to your hotel or the airport.Please note if you have not booked a post cruise extension with Pandaw all services will end upon transfer to your hotel in Varanasi or Patna. If you have booked a post cruise extension with Pandaw your flight will be booked from Patna and not Varanasi unless specifically requested.
Available
Extensions
What's Included
Included in Your Journey
Cruise Price Includes: Transfer from hotel in Kolkata to train station and 1-way train (best available class) from Kolkata to Farakka (Upstream) or transfer from hotel in Varanasi to train station and 1-way train (best available class) from Varanasi to Patna (Downstream), entrance fees, guide services (English language), gratuities to crew, main meals, local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes, 1-way train (best available class) from Patna to Varanasi with transfer from Varanasi train station to hotel or airport (Upstream) or 1-way train (best available class) from Farakka to Kolkata (Downstream).
Not Included
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.
Important Note
Please Note: This itinerary passes through the state of Bihar. In this state it is illegal to serve any drinks containing alcohol. For this reason we will not be able to serve alcohol onboard the ship. Entry to the Bihar School of Yoga is subject to approval and may not always be possible. We suggest to change money at a bank at the international airport before exiting (currently there is shortage of new money bills in India). 1st Class train tickets are subject to availability. Weather Condition Warning River cruising on the Lower and Upper Ganges can be severely affected by fog during the months of December and January. This may impact the sailing schedules and the planned excursions. While every effort will be made to make up time and include all activities this is not always possible. Similarly temperatures can drop significantly overnight and in the early mornings, though during the day warmer temperatures can be expected. Winter temperatures can be below average with many destinations in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh experiencing long spells of cold.
Joining & Transfers
Embarkation & Disembarkation
Day 1 — Embarkation
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 — Disembarkation
Check out after breakfast. Transfer to Patna Train Station. Train to Varanasi & transfer to your hotel or the airport for your onward flight.
Please note if you have not booked a post cruise extension with Pandaw all services will end upon transfer to your hotel in Varanasi or Patna. If you have booked a post cruise extension with Pandaw your flight will be booked from Patna and not Varanasi unless specifically requested.
More Information
Visa Information
Click here for full visa information.
Share Your Experience
"Overall though it was agreat experience. We have new friends and a lot of memories"
Now that we have returned home I just thought I would send you an update. After an interesting vist in Varanasi and the frustrations of the early part of the cruise the Boat Manager and his crew did a tremendous job of getting things back on schedule. Though from what I hear this resulted in the need for what sounds like expensive repairs to the boat's propulsion system.
The extra excursions that the Boat Manager added went down very well.
The arrival of the new executive chef on the fifth day greatly improved the quality of the food. His willingness to engage with the passengers and listen to and act on their requests resulted in happier meal times.
The crew as always was great, very friendly and helpful. Sunil and Aman, the two boys who run the dining room are amazing personalities, are in tune with the passengers and do their jobs well. It's a shame that they don't get the opportuinity to see the places the passengers visit on their excursions as that would provide them with further topics for conversation.
Ram, the Housekeeping Supervisor, is perhaps the outstanding crew member. Always immaculate in his appearance he did so much more than his job title suggests. Yes, he made beds and cleaned cabins but also served drinks in the dining room, accompanied us and looked after us on excursions. Very importantly on this trip he was very concerned for the welfare of those passengers who came down with sickness, providing food and drink suggestions to ease their discomfort. He even turned his hand to entertainment with his Mehendi and Saree and Dhoti demonstrations.
Yes, there is room for improvement and I am sure Brett will brief you on the discussions he had with us all. The problems with the river, its lack of water and shifting sands, together with the issue of the pontoons are perhaps more difficult to solve.
Overall though it was agreat experience. We have new friends and a lot of memories.
Regards
Steve
Check Availability & Book Online
or call TOLL FREE 1-877-872-6329
represented by Sayang Holidays
7 NIGHTS
CHECK AVAILABILITY & BOOK ONLINE