A journey of historic India. The adventure begins in Delhi, the capital, a compelling blend of different historical eras and religious influences.
Then onto the marvel at the exquisite Taj Mahal and wander among the imposing fortresses, palaces and old bazaars of Jaipur, before flying to Kolkata to begin your cruise.
01Arrive in Delhi and you will be meet your representative, before transferring to the hotel.
02 A busy day taking in the sights of Old and New Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb & Qutub Minar.
03Drive to Agra and visit the Taj Mahal and Ara fort.
04Drive to Jaipur. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the afternoon at your leisure.
05Visit the mesmerising city of Jaipur and see the Amber fort along with jewels of Jaipur.
06Transfer to Jaipur International Airport and fly to Kolkata, India’s second-largest city. End off the day with a cultural performance on board the Ganges Voyager.
07As incredible as it sounds, India is the birthplace of four of the world’s major religions (including Buddhism and Hinduism), and Kalna - India’s ‘Temple City’ - has some of the most magnificent examples of Hindu temples on the entire subcontinent. Kalna, once an important trade port on the river, is best known today for the magnificent Hindu temples built by the maharajas of Bardhaman in the late 18th and 19th centuries. They are your destination today.
08Observe master craftsmen at work in Matiari, an artisans’ village revered for its finely wrought brassware. There will also be time to shop for village-made goods. Back on board, roll up your sleeves for a mehndi demonstration and learn how to tie a sari and a turban.
09Curiosities abound in India, and that includes the country’s eclectic architectural styles. You’ll see a palace with a thousand doors, along with some famous terracotta carvings, the ruins of a mosque and yet another cultural curiosity - the game of cricket. Today’s adventures take you to a duo of Bengali towns - Murshidabad and Baranagar - each one boasting surprising and beautiful architectural monuments closely linked to the ruling families of the area.
10Today the ship heads back toward Kolkata, cruising past lush fields of rice and sugarcane. You still have some fascinating locations to visit and your stop is in Mayapur, sometimes called the spiritual capital of the world.
11Few places of worship exist like Mayapur, the centre of the international Hare Krishna movement and home to the new Temple of the Vedic Planetarium. You’ll visit a former French outpost today, as well as a famous Shia pilgrimage centre. You’ll continue to cruise toward Kolkata, stopping en route in Bandel and Chandannagar, a little piece of France that survived in India for a couple of centuries.
12The city of Kolkata is virtually synonymous with the enduring legacies of Mother Teresa - recently canonized as a Catholic saint - and the colonial-era British Raj, both of which you will get better acquainted with today. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner.
13Disembark the ship and transfer to the airport for your return flight onwards.