Luxury Sunderbans cruise, Bengal tiger safaris, Taj Mahal, Rajasthan village.
Introduction
Discover the Rajasthan, the dream city of Mumbai, the heritage town of Agra, the unspoiled sand dunes of Bikaner with camel safaris and tented accommodations, and the city of the cities with the Golden Triangle. India, a land of wonders, offers an incredible diversity of people, places, languages, customs, and cultures.
Your tour begins in the vibrant city of Mumbai and concludes in Delhi, India’s cultural center. Rich food and the Golden Triangle Tour are both included in the Rajasthan Tour from Mumbai. Visit the majestic turrets, city palaces, stunning lakes, and numerous historical sites to fully appreciate Rajasthan’s splendor. As you travel farther west into the undeveloped Thar Desert, the tour’s beauty increases. observing the sunset
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Country Region:- Northern India, Rajasthan
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Operated in:-English
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Departure/Return Location
New Delhi -
Departure Time
Please arrive by 9:15 AM for a departure at 9:30 AM -
Return Time
Approximately 8:30 PM -
Included
AccommodationGuideMealsTransport -
Not Included
FlightsInsurance
Tour Plan
17 Days Tour plans
Day 1 Arrive Kolkata
On arrival at the airport, be met and transferred to your hotel. Night stay is in Kolkata
Day 2 Embarkation on Luxury Cruise (Kolkata)
Late afternoon embark the ship in Kolkata (a city formerly known as Calcutta founded by the British Raj in 1773), the gateway to our journey along the world’s holiest river, the sacred Ganges. Welcomed on board with a refreshing beverage followed by a safety briefing.
This evening, delight in the Cruise Director’s Gala dinner and welcome reception.
Today you will be welcomed to the Big City of Kolkata, often regarded as the Cultural Capital of India.
Overnight onboard Ganga Voyager.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 3 In Kolkata
After a hearty breakfast you’ll take the country boat to explore the Botanical Gardens, the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden.
The gardens were founded in 1787 by Colonel Robert Kyd, an army officer of the British East India Company primarily for the purpose of identifying new plants of commercial value, such as teak, and growing spices for trade. The gardens exhibit a wide variety of rare plants and a total collection of over 12,000 specimens spread over 109 hectares.
The best-known landmark of the garden is The Great Banyan, an enormous banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) that is reckoned to be the largest tree in the world at more than 330 metres in circumference. The gardens are also famous for their enormous collections of orchids, bamboos, palms, and plants of the screw pine genus(Pandanus).
Returning to the ship with lunch onboard, in the afternoon you’ll enjoy a Panoramic Tour of Kolkata featuring a view of the well-preserved British colonial buildings in Kolkata: Writer's Building, General Post Office, High Court, Raj Bhawan (Governor's House), Town Hall, Council House, Treasury Building, Reserve Bank of India and Dalhousie Square. The day continues with a visit to St. John's Church, the oldest Anglican Church in Kolkata, built in 1756. The tour features the oldest functioning pipe organ in India, a painting of the Last Supper by German artist, Johann Zoffany, and several tombs of British Generals who died during theSiege of Kolkata by Nawab Shriaj Ud Daula in 1756. Then we visit the Victoria Memorial Museum, which houses the largest collection of British colonial historical artefacts in India.
The day is of Kolkata’s sightseeing famed Botanic Gardens and colonial heritage.
Be entertained onboard by Baul musicians, whose music represents a long heritage of preaching mysticism through songs in Bengal. Although Bauls constitute only a small fraction of the Bengali population, their influence on the culture of Bengal (Both in India & Bangladesh) is considerable. The Baul tradition has been included in the list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Overnight onboard Ganga Voyager.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4 Kolkata – Namkhana (Full Day Sailing)
Late night or early morning depending on tide timings, you set sail along the Hooghly River to reach the fishing port of Namkhana, the gateway of the Sundarbans National Park, a World Heritage Site. You cruise past the boat-building yard of Nurpur and the historic Diamond Harbour towards the Bay of Bengal. Sundarbans are the world’s largest delta mangrove forest and habitat of the famous Royal Bengal Tiger.
Post breakfast enjoy a talk and interaction with the Naturalist on the unique ecosystem of the Sundarbans. Visit the fishing port of Namkhana (time permitting) or sail forward towards Sundarbans to visit protected areas.
Today there will be a full day sailing viewing of historic sites and unique landscapes following the river to the Bay of Bengal and learning about the Sundarbans from the Naturalist.
Overnight onboard Ganga Voyager.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5 Namkhana – Bony Camp – Bali Island
Anchoring in the Western Sundarbans today is your first foray into this rich and unique mangrove ecosystem, scaling the Bony Camp Watchtower on an excursion to sight endangered crocodiles, terrapins and many species of migratory birds.
Sailing along the Matla River to the Hero Bhangra Islands, keep a keen eye out for Irrawaddy Dolphins and other marine life.
Disembark in a country boat after lunch to visit the serene Nethidopani Watchtower and experience the spectacular nature of the surroundings. Sail onward to Bali Island, a typical village whose inhabitants are engaged in farming, paddy husking, honey packing and fishing.
On the trip you will be visiting Bali Village & will have interaction with an NGO Interaction – The Bali Nature & Wildlife Conservation Society in collaboration with the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) helps support the communities living around the Tiger Reserve, and to encourage them to view wildlife and their environment as an asset rather than a threat. Enjoy a village walk and interact with the villagers engaged in creating handicrafts, visit a local home, and witness a tribal dance.
Overnight onboard Ganga Voyager.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6 Bali – Sudhanyakhali – Dobanki – Namkhana
With a gorgeous sunrise you’ll scale the Sudhanyakhali Watchtower, the most popular locale to spot the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger; this vast habitat endows invigorating possibilities of crocodiles, wild boars, axis deer and a wide range of migratory and local birds.
Thereafter you’ll take a small country boat through the narrow creeks to climb the Dobanki Watchtower and enjoy a canopy walk at an elevation of 20 feet from the ground and about half a kilometer in length, to reveal the riveting flora and fauna.
Return to the ship for a late lunch and sail to Namkhana. For more experience get interaction with Fishermen at work during creek ride
Overnight onboard Ganga Voyager
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7 Namkhana – Kolkata & Disembark - Get transferred to your hotel
Early this morning we sail back to Kolkata enjoying breakfast and lunch on board.
Disembark and proceed for overnight stay in Kolkata.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.
Day 8 Kolkata – Varanasi (By Air) - River Ganges
Morning checkout and get transferred to Kolkata airport to board your flight for Varanasi. On arrival at Varanasi get transferred, then check in at pre booked hotel.
Situated on the banks of the massive Ganges, the holy city of Varanasi, one of the ancient in India, symbolizes much of the mythos and culture of Hinduism and has been a center for the devotion of Shiva for over 1,200 years.
Many trusts that this is the site where the divine and significant worlds collide, offering it a mystical property that is heightened by the countless thousands of believers who voyage here to bathe in the sanctified waters of the River Ganges.
In the evening join a memorable aarti ceremony on the banks of the river Ganges. The stunning ceremony comprises rituals accomplished by numerous priests, to the sound of bells, drums, cymbals, and Sanskrit mantras. Your opinion on Hinduism and the worship of the River Ganges will be much richer after the ritual and it is not to be ignored.
Night stay is in Varanasi
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 Varanasi - River Ganges –Sarnath - New Delhi (By India’s Fastest Train)
A spectacular early morning boat ride along the holy Ganges past some of the numerous ghats that line the banks, involving some that are used exclusively for public cremations.
Return to your hotel for breakfast.
Later visit the Buddhist places at Sarnath where Buddha conveyed his first sermon after getting enlightenment.
In time you will be transferred to Varanasi railway station to board your day train journey for New Delhi. On arrival at New Delhi you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight stay is in New Delhi
Overnight stay is in New Delhi
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 Exploring Old & New Delhi
After breakfast take sightseeing tour of historic city visiting Old Delhi visiting the majestic Red Fort, a marvel in red sandstone, Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, both built by emperor Shah Jahan of Taj Mahal fame,
Later sightseeing continues to visit New Delhi include Rashtrapati Bhawan, one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys; the India Gate, a memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war; Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave Dynasty;
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 New Delhi – Agra (3.5 Hours drive)
Morning drive to Agra. On arrival enjoy a guided tour of the impressive Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Time permitting, opt to visit the Baby Taj.
Built by the emperor Shah Jahan to honour the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz, it is built of marble and decorated with the most delicate inlay work, the Taj Mahal needed the labours of 20,000 men and is assessed to have cost something in the region of 3 million rupees (at today’s prices that equates to around $70 million).
We then pay a break to the splendour of Agra Fort. Built by Emperor Akbar and then elaborated by his grandson, Shah Jahan, the fort was once a great city, with palaces, mosques and halls all lying behind the protective clinch of 20m high walls.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12 Agra – Fatehpur Sikri – Bharatpur – Ranthambhore
Today you will be taken by a private vehicle to FatehpurSikri ( Approx 1.5 Hours ). Constructed under the supremacy of Emperor Akbhar, it was deserted soon after his death due to scarcity of available water. The magnificent mosque, Jama Masjid, gives an attractive pose within the location, blending Persian and Hindu aesthetics.
See its stunning 54 – metre – high main entrance called Buland Darwaza ( Gate of Victory ) which memorialises Akbar’s great victory in Gujarat.
By road resume your drive to Bharatpur, and then by train reach SawaiMadhopur ( Ranthambhore National Park ) ( Approx two hours ) – the ‘Jungle Book’ brought to life!
Ranthambhore is secured haven for tigers, wildlife species, royal ruins of the majestic fort, its location makes it the best national parks of India.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 13 In Ranthambhore ( Morning & Afternoon Tiger Safaris )
Ranthambhore National Park was once a famed hunting ground for the Maharajas of Jaipur, and was one of the unique Project Tiger reserves. Discover the relics of the park’s 10th – century fort, and in morning & in evening, take a shared jeep safari in search of tigers and other wildlife.
Note:
Ranthambhore National Park is sealed between 1 July and 30 September each year. On those trips involved, we’ll visit adjoining Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary. Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary is situated approx. 16 km from Ranthambhore and is due to its hilly terrain isn’t disturbed by the monsoon. Tigers reside in these areas and spotting are more encouraging at this time of year as they move away from flooded areas of Ranthambhore.
Enjoy Ranthambhore tiger safaris where Royal Bengal tigers can be seen near cascading waterfall, marshy groves and near the lakes even during daytime or basking under the sun.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 14 Ranthambhore – Tordi
Morning get transferred to Tordi Garh. On arrival at Tordi Garh you will be check in to a heritage property which is located in the heart of Rajasthan. The Tordi village has everything that a discerning tourist expects in Rajasthan Proximity, Wilderness, Cultural experiences, unspoilt atmosphere, Hillocks, Dunes, Lakes, old step wells, Archageological sites, temples, Jeep, camel cart and horse rides are just to name a few.
On arrival at Tordi get some rest and then go for village jeep safari which includes visit to a 300 years old step well,a shepherd’s village, a farm Visit [ organic farming] , drive to the Tordi Sagar Dam, Sun set at the dam or sand dunes including Tea and Cookies.
Return to Tordi Garh - enjoy the dinner with a good night sleep
Meals: Breakfast
Day 15 Tordi – Jaipur
Today morning guest can go for hiking to 400 years old Tordi Fort for sunrise with hot tea and cookies. After breakfast you will go for 2 -3 hours village walk to experience the rural life of India.
Return back to hotel and then drive to pink city of India - Jaipur.
Evening is free for leisure and rest. Night stay is in Jaipur
Meals: Breakfast
Day 16 In Jaipur
Set on a hilltop overlooking Maota Lake, visit the Amber Fort, an excellent example of Rajput architecture. The Sheesh Mahal inside the fort is a must-see. As the walls are completely covered in little mirrors, the hall illuminates with the light of a single match. After the tour, you'll have further free time to spend as you wish.
Later carry on Jaipur's Royal City Palace or the observatory of Jantar Mantar to see a collection of intriguing astronomical instruments.
Then head out to explore Rajasthan’s capital which includes a visit to the market and the beehive-like Palace of the Winds (Hawa Mahal), built in 1799 so that women of the royal family could observe street festivities without being seen by the public.
Your evening is free, so perhaps ask to point out the best place to grab dal baati (dal served with wheat rolls).
Meals: Breakfast
Day 17 Jaipur – Delhi Depart
In time drive to Delhi and on arrival at New Delhi you will be dropped at New Delhi airport to board the flight for onwards journey. Tour Ends
Meals: Breakfast
Tour Location
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- 17 nights accommodation as per tour plan [ 5 Nights accommodation in luxury cruise & 11 nights accommodation in 4 star hotels ] All airport / cruise / railway stations arrival and departure transfers. Private car services in entire tour plan with driver at all places as per tour plan Daily Breakfasts at all the hotels Full board on luxury cruise as per tour plan starting from dinner on Day 2 and ending with lunch on Day 7 Train fare for all the sectors as per tour plan Evening boat ride during River Ganges prayer in Varanasi Morning boat ride on River Ganges – Varanasi Full board in Ranthambhore National park as per tpur plan starting with dinner on Day 12 and ending with breakfast on Day 14 2 shared jeep tiger safaris with naturalist in Ranthambhore National Park Camel Cart ride in Tordi Garh Sightseeing tours as per tour itinerary Heritage Rickshaw Tour in Jaipur as per tour plan All applicable taxes and service charges and All road taxes, government taxes and driver allowances.
- INCLUSIONS IN LUXURY CRUISE
- Luxury Honeycomb Spa Robes with Slippers All-Natural Spa-quality Bath Amenities In-room Electronic Safe & Individual Climate Control High Quality Linens with Duvet and Premium Mattresses Bottled Water Replenished Daily Welcome Flower Arrangement & Fresh Fruit Upon Arrival on Luxury Cruise Complimentary Wireless Internet in All Public Areas Make-up Mirror & Hair Dryer Alarm Clock & Multi-Configuration Plugs Generous Closet Space and Under-Bed Storage Flat Screen LCD Television with Movie System Mini Bar
- COMPLIMENTARY EXCURSION AMENITIES IN LUXURY CRUISE :
- Transfers to/from Jetty for embarkation/disembarkation. Shore Excursion Program Series including All Admissions Shoe Cleaning after Excursions Welcome Drink and Cold Towel Service following Excursions Individual VOX Listening Devices Throughout Cruise Shore Excursion Program Maximum 20-24 Guests Per Guide on All Excursions Private Motor Coach on All Excursions where applicable.
- INCLUDED DINING & ENTERTAINMENT IN LUXURY CRUISE:
- Expertly Trained Culinary Team providing Buffet Breakfast, Buffet Lunch & Seated Multiple Course Dinner. Special meal requests like vegan, gluten/lactose free etc. can be arranged with advance information. Complimentary Indian brand Mineral Water, Tea, Coffee, Fruit Juices & Soft Drinks Series of Cultural Performances, Educational Talks, Cooking Classes, Movie Shows and Ship Tour. Welcome & Farewell Receptions Spacious Air-conditioned Lounge. Indoor Board Games and Books to read in the Lounge Gym facilities