Kolkata and Lower Ganges

(regional and premium class flights may be available on request)

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for your two night stay.

This evening, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers over a welcome dinner (D)

Set out on an exploration of Kolkata today during an unforgettable Signature Experience. Later, visit Kumartuli, the city’s traditional potters’ quarter. Here you can admire the potters’ incredible craftwork, spanning from clay pots to elaborate statues of gods and goddesses used for a myriad of festivals. This afternoon, enjoy another Signature Experience before free time this evening (B)

★Signature Experience★ - Heritage Tram Ride - Set out on a privately chartered heritage tram ride as you explore some of the most picturesque sights of the city.

★Signature Experience★ - Glenburn Penthouse - Indulge in a delectable high tea at the Glenburn Penthouse, which offers fantastic city views. Delight in a vast array of treats and teas and learn all about the city during a fascinating talk from a Kolkata local resident.

Transfer to the port to board Ganges Voyager for your seven night voyage (B,L,D)

Set out on an early morning walking tour featuring some of Kolkata’s best-preserved colonial buildings including the Writer’s Building, General Post Office, High Court and Raj Bhawan (Governor's House). Take a tour of St John’s Church, which was built in 1756, and features the tombs of several British generals who died in that year’s Siege of Kolkata.

After lunch on board, your ship will begin its journey upstream along the Hooghly River on the Lower Ganges. Later today, visit the 19th-century Hooghly Imambara, a prayer hall and famous pilgrimage centre in West Bengal. Admire the massive Victorian clock, between the twin towers, the makers of which also built London’s iconic Big Ben.

Return to your ship and sail on to Kalna (B,L,D)

After breakfast, it’s time to explore magnificent Kalna, known as the City of Temples. Enjoy a rickshaw ride through town to visit some of Bengal’s most distinct terracotta temples, including the Rajbari royal palace complex. You’ll also see the eye-catching Shiva temples. Later, stroll through the local market en route back to your ship.

Relax on board as you sail to the village of Matiari (B,L,D)

Begin the day with a morning walk through Matiari, where you’ll have the opportunity to peruse beautiful cooking and household items crafted from recycled copper and brass. Visit the small home factories that have been operating for generations and watch the masterful craftspeople at work.

Afterwards, continue cruising upstream near to the village of Plassey, the site of the Battle of Plassey. Learn how the British East India Company recorded a victory here in 1757, helping establish the company rule in Bengal and much of India. Sail on to the peaceful garden and cemetery of Khushbagh, and take a stroll passing by local farmers’ fields to the tomb of the last Nawab of Bengal, Siraj ud-Daula (B,L,D)

This morning you’ll cruise to the sleepy village of Baranagar where you’ll experience rural Indian life with a relaxing walk, admiring local sights including the beautiful terracotta Char Bangla Temples. Back on board, spend the afternoon at leisure as you glide along the beautiful Lower Ganges. As you approach Murshidabad, you’ll notice the Hazarduari Palace, which dominates the waterfront (B,L,D)

★Signature Experience★ - High Tea at Kathgola Palace - Delight in a delectable Indian high tea in the grounds of the four-storeyed Kathgola Palace. An awe-inspiring historical building, delight in the architecture and enchanting gardens of this property.

Enjoy a restful morning as life unfolds along the river before a visit to the village of Mayapur. Here you’ll learn about the Hari Krishna community and culture in a meeting with some of the movement’s dedicated followers. You’ll also view the final stages of construction for the enormous Temple of the Vedic Planetarium – Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir, the world headquarters of ISKCON (B,L,D)

Begin the day with a tranquil cruise to Chandannagar, which was established as a French colony in 1673. Stroll along the lively promenade as you marvel at the French architecture, then visit the 17th-century Sacred Heart Church and the Dupleix Museum, which is housed in the home of former French Governor Joseph François Dupleix.

This afternoon, continue cruising along the Ganges and soak in your final night on board (B,L,D)

Disembark the ship and transfer to the airport for your return flight to London

(regional and premium class flights may be available on request)