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Slowly
on the Ganges
UPRIVER: KOLKATTA (Calcutta)
– VARANASI (Benares)
15 DAYS / 14 NIGHTS
CALCUTTA – BARRACKPORE – CHANDERNAGORE – KALNA – PLASSEY – KUSHBAGH
– FARRAKA BARRAGE – MUNGER – BODH GAYA- PATNA – SARNATH – VARANASI
(BENARES)
DAY 1: KOLKOTTA (CALCUTTA)
Arrive Calcutta (now called Kolkotta) and transfer from airport to
embark on the RV Bengal Pandaw moored in the Hugli River close to
the city centre. City orientation tour in afternoon; moor overnight
at the Outram Ghat.
DAY 2: BARRACKPORE
Further explorations of colonial Calcutta, arguably the greatest of
the British Raj cities with a stupendous architectural heritage. Still
largely intact, highlights include the Queen Victoria monument and
neo-gothic law courts. Cast off at midday and cruise the Hugli River
to Serampore a former Danish colony and Barrackpore cantonment where
the gardens of flagstaff house contain a collection of former British
statues removed from the streets of Calcutta.
DAY 3: CHANDERNAGORE
Chandernagore – a French colony until 1950, we visit the house of
Dupleix, a small museum, an 18th century church and then on by bus
to visit the Dutch cemetery at Chinsura and a Portugese church at
Bandel where we rejoin the ship.
DAY 4: KALNA
Kalna – cycle rickshaw tour of Bengali terracotta temples. The river
here narrows and the Bengal countryside lush and green.
DAY 5: PLASSEY
Visit the battlefield of Plassey where Clive of India defeated the
French in 1757 and the fascinating brassworks at country village of
Metiari.
DAY 6: KUSHBAGH
Kushbagh – with its Moghul gardens and tombs. Visit the vast Hazarduari
Palace built in 1837 by an English architect. Further visits to the
Katra mosque, and the late 18th century Nashipara and Katgola palaces.
Overnight at Baranagar famous for its lovely miniature temples.
DAY 7: FARRAKA BARRAGE
Cruise the Farraka Feeder Canal and enter the Ganges by lock at the
Farraka Barrage
DAY 8: MUNGER
Cruise up the Ganges. Here the river is 2km across and vast panoramas
unfold. The river is rich in activity with fishermen and country boats.
At Munger we stop to visit the Bihar School of Yoga which lies within
the 15th century Munger Fort. Near the fort is an 18th century British
cemetery.
DAY 9: BIHAR STATE
Cruising through the heart of Bihar state seeing a rural India remote
from the tourist track and rarely visited by foreigners. Stop for
a walk ashore.
DAY 10: BODH GAYA
Day trip to the ruins of the vast Buddhist university at Nalanda and
then on after lunch in a local hotel to Bodh Gaya place of the Buddha’s
enlightenment and a major centre of pilgrimage for Buddhists of all
sects from all countries.
DAY 11: PATNA
Patna – explore the town with its huge hemispherical Golghar grain
silo built in 1786 by Captain John Garstin, the State Museum with
its Mauryan and Pala period Buddhist sculptures, and if traffic permits,
the eclectic Jalan Museum where Napoleon’s bed is on display. Cast
off at mid day..
DAY 12: CRUISING
Cruise all day with a village stop for a walk.
DAY 13: SARNATH
Cruise all morning and afternoon coach trip to visit the important
Buddhist site at Sarnath.
DAY 14: VARANASI (BENARES)
Early morning moor off the Varanasi (Benares) Ghats. Explore on foot
the Ghats, palaces, temples and museums of this one of the oldest
cities in the world,. Varanasi contemporary with 7th century BC Babylon
and Nineveh is the cultural heart of Hindu India at its richest and
most beautiful. Evening boat trip to observe the spectacular ritual
fire dances to Lord Shiva held on the Ghats.
DAY 15: DISEMBARK
Disembark from the ship at Varanasi (Benares) and transfer to your
city location.
DOWNRIVER: VARANASI (Benares)
KOLKATTA (Calcutta)
15 DAYS / 14 NIGHTS
VARANASI (BENARES) - SARNATH
– PATNA- BODH GAYA – MUNGER - FARRAKA BARRAGE - KUSHBAGH – PLASSEY
– KALNA – CHANDERNAGORE - BARRACKPORE – CALCUTTA
DAY 1: VARANASI (BENARES)
Embark at the Varanasi (Benares) ghats. Explore by foot the ghats,
palaces, temples and museums of this one of the oldest cities in the
world. Varanasi was contemporary with 7th century BC Babylon, is the
cultural heart of Hindu India at its richest and most beautiful. Evening
boat trip to observe the spectacular ritual fire dances to Lord Shiva
held on the ghats.
DAY 2: SARNATH
Morning coach trip to visit the important Buddhist site at Sarnath.
Afternoon set sail slowly down the Ganges.
DAY 3: CRUISING
Cruise all day with a village stop for a walk ashore through the countryside
and a rural village.
DAY 4: PATNA
Patna – explore the town with its huge hemispherical Golghar grain
silo built in 1786 by Captain John Garstin, the State Museum with
its Mauryan and Pala period Buddhist sculptures and the eclectic Jalan
Museum where Napoleon’s bed is on display. Cast off at mid day.
DAY 5: BODH GAYA
Day trip to the ruins of the vast 10th century Buddhist university
at Nalanda and then on after lunch in a local hotel to Bodh Gaya place
of the Buddha’s enlightenment and a major centre of pilgrimage for
Buddhists of all sects from all countries.
DAY 6: BIHAR STATE
Cruising through the heart of Bihar State seeing a rural India remote
from the tourist track and rarely visited by foreigners. Stop for
a walk ashore to explore rural life.
DAY 7: MUNGER
At Munger we stop to visit the Bihar School of Yoga which lies within
the 15th century Munger Fort. Near the fort is an 18th century British
cemetery
DAY 8: CRUISING
Here the Ganges expands to 2km across and vast panoramas unfold. The
river is rich in activity with fishermen and country boats. Excursions
ashore to explore this little known area.
DAY 9: FARRAKA BARRAGE
Enter the Farraka Feeder Canal by lock at the Farraka Barrage and
cruise to join the Hugli River. Now in lush semi tropical West Bengal
we see a very different landscape.
DAY 10: KUSHBAGH
Kushbagh – with its Moghul gardens and tombs. Visit the vast Hazarduari
Palace built in 1837 by an English architect. Further visits to the
Katra mosque, and the late 18th century Nashipara and Katgola palaces.
Overnight at Baranagar famous for its lovely miniature temples.
DAY 11: PLASSEY
Visit the battlefield of Plassey where Clive of India defeated the
French in 1757 and the fascinating brassworks at country village of
Metiari.
DAY 12: KALNA
Kalna – cycle rickshaw tour of the delightful Bengali terracotta temples.
The river here narrows and the Bengal countryside lush and green.
DAY 13: CHANDERNAGORE
We visit the Dutch cemetery at Chinsura and a Portugese church at
Bandel and then by bus to rejoin the ship at Chandernagore – a French
colony until 1950. Here we visit the house of Dupleix, a small museum,
and an 18th century church. Afternoon stop at to Serampore a former
Danish colony and Barrackpore cantonment where the garden’s of flagstaff
house where the garden’s of flagstaff house contain a collection of
former British statues removed from the streets of Calcutta.
DAY 14: KOLKOTTA (CALCUTTA)
Discover the architectural magnificence of Colonial Calcutta, arguably
the greatest of the British Raj cities, This stupendous architectural
heritage is still largely intact, highlights include the Queen Victoria
monument and noe-gothic law courts. Moor overnight at the Outram Ghat.
DAY 15: DISEMBARK
Disembarkation and transfers to your local destination in Calcutta.
About the RV Bengal Pandaw
Bar: is open every day from 9:00 am
until late.
Cabin / Stateroom: with their own
air conditioning, mini-safe, luggage storage, wardrobe, writing desk
and amenities include hair drier, kimono, slippers. All upper and
main deck cabins have own deck space with own rattan chairs and table
outside the room.
Daily Schedule: A printed daily program
for the following day will be put in your cabin every evening.
Dress Code: The atmosphere on board
is informal and relaxed. During the day, comfortable & casual
attire is appropriate. The evenings are smart-casual.
Electricity: 230 volts three round
pin type as found in UK- we carry adapters for other types of plug
Excursions: When moored you are welcome
to come and go from the ship as much as you like. Group shore excursions
are organized by the Purser and you will be accompanied by a member
of the ship's company. Details of these are posted on the daily schedule.
Food Safety and Hygiene: Bottled water
is used for cooking and food preparation onboard. Off the vessel never
accept ice in drinks and avoid ice creams, crushed sugar cane, salads
and the skinned fruits.
Internet: A free wireless internet
connection is available in the ship’s bar on upper or sun deck only
while mooring in some port and later in other locations along the
route.
Laundry: A laundry bag is provided
for your laundry needs, and a laundry list is to be found in the rattan
folder by your bed. Laundry is collected each morning when your room
is made up and will be returned by the following day. Please leave
items in the bag provided and mark up the list. The charges will go
on your bill. If there is an item that you do not wish ironed please
advise us.
Library: There is a library on board.
Meals: Breakfasts and lunchs are cold
buffets and à la carte menu. Dinners are served at the tables
with a table d'hôte selection of dishes, offering a mixture
of Asian and Western cuisine and there are always vegetarian dishes
offered.
Medical: First aid equipment and some
medications are carried on board. All senior staff have attended first
aid courses. On the river one is never far from a local medical station.
Please check with your doctor that you are fit for travel and your
doctor should check with the relevant organization in your country
as to whether any prophylactic drugs or inoculations are required.
There are no facilities for disabled people or wheel chair access.
There are no stair lifts.
Mobile Phones: GSM phones work for
all parts of the cruise and have an excellent coverage.
Money Matters: The currency on board
the ship is the INR (Indian Rupees), and all transactions will be
in INR. The ship accepts INR in cash or credit card (Master or Visa
card). Traveler cheques are not accepted on board the ship.
River Conditions: There is much seasonal
change in water level. Though the river can be wide, channels may
be narrow and hard to follow. There is thus some risk of running aground
on submerged sand banks but the captain is experienced in these waters.
Schedule Changes: Schedule changes
may be possible due to technical complications or unpredictable incidents
and variable river conditions. The ship purser will immediately inform
you for changes regarding the excursions or make an announcement by
loud speakers. Please also keep an eye on the notice board for any
subsequent notice of any changes to planned timings.
Security: When in port a 24 hour watch
is kept on the gangplank controlling access to the ship but please
then keep your deck door locked when not in use and at night. All
cabins have a combination type safe.
Shop: There is a small boutique on
board with a collection of locally made handicrafts. Post cards, stamps,
books, hygiene & cosmetic articles are available as well.
Smoking: Smoking is permitted only
outside on the sun deck and promenade decks.
Water: The ship's water supply comes
from the river after passing through a sterilization plant. This water
is suitable for washing and brushing teeth but should not be drunk.
Bottled mineral water is provided for drinking, free of charge.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION: E-mail:
Deepak Singh, Spiritual Journeys, Inc., 101 Lexington Street, Belmont,
MA 02478, USA. Ph: 508-358-4267. |