Luxury Ganges Cruise: Varanasi, Delhi, Agra, Jaipur Odyssey with Cultural Charm.

On arrival at the airport, be met and transferred to your hotel. Night stay is in Kolkata

In the morning enjoy a rickshaw ride through the town centre of Kalna to visit the enchanting Rajbari Temple Complex, which has the highest concentration of temples in the region.

Visit the Nabakailas Temple, built in 1809 by the Bardhaman Maharaja, which contains 108 eight slope-roofed shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. Other temples in the complex feature diverse architecture and terra cotta plaques depict themes of Hindu epics, mythical life of Sree Chaitanya, images of Durga, and various aspects of day-to-day life in the region.

We also visit a local Weaver’s home to see the traditional Weaving of Muslin Cloth. Muslin or “malmal” is a cotton fabric of plain weave made in a wide range of weights from delicate sheers to coarse sheeting. Early muslin was handwoven of uncommonly delicate hand-spun yarn.

Return to the ship walking through the local market and sail onward to arrive at the shore-side village of Matiari.

The day is to admire the terracotta art and temple architecture of the region and get an insight into the weaving heritage of Bengal.

Overnight onboard.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Early this morning enjoy a walk in the village to see and experience the craftsmen at work. The village is known for manufacturing beautiful handcrafted brass items, utilizing traditional methods passed down for generations. These master craftsmen utilize recycled copper to create exquisite pots, platters and more

from their workshops in the village.

Sail onward to the village of Plassey, which was the site of the famous battlefield, where Robert Clive of British East India Company defeated the Mogul Nawabs in 1757. The rulers of Bengal and their French allies established the company rule in India, which spread through much of South Asia for the next 190 years.

Early evening we visit Khushbagh, a charming riverside village surrounded by scenic fields. Walk through the farmland to visit the peaceful Khush Bagh, the Moghul-style garden built by Nawab Ali- Wardi-Khan. The complex houses his family's private mosque and the tomb of the last Nawab of Bengal

Siraj-ud-Daula who was defeated by the British East India Company at the Battle of Plassey.

Overnight onboard.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today we sail to the sleepy village of Baranagar where we take a walk to experience rural India at its most idyllic. A lovely example of life in rural India, this village is home to several temples dating from the 18th century (1714-1793). Interact with villagers in Baranagar.

Built by Rani Bhabani, the landlady of Natore (now in Bangladesh), the Char Bangla temple here is considered to be among the best examples of Bengal terra cotta art.

Once you're back on board, enjoy the afternoon to unwind as the ship glides along the Ganges, twisting and turning between banks lined with mustard fields and mango orchards to arrive at Murshidabad, a hidden architectural gem with dramatic whitewashed colonial era structures.

We visit the Hazarduari Palace (closed on Fridays), which dominates the waterfront, built during the reign of Nawab Nazim Humayun Jah (1824-1838 AD) by an English architect, McLeod Duncan, in the Greek “Doric” style. The palace has more than a thousand real and false doors in the vast corridors, and is filled

with colonial era antiques, artwork and manuscripts.

Opposite to the Palace is a vast Imambara – built by the Nawab for worship. Ride the local buggy (horse cart) to the Katra mosque. Built by the first Nawab of Murshidabad – Murshid Quli Khan in the 1724-25, this mosque has distinctive minarets from which the muezzin calls the faithful to Friday prayers.

Overnight onboard

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After a restful morning, observing the local life along the riverbanks, we stop in the village of Mayapur.

Known as the birthplace of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486) and considered an incarnation of Lord Krishna. Mayapur is also the headquarters of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) movement with a new temple comparable in size to the Vatican and largely funded by Alfred B. Ford, the great grandson of car maker Henry Ford.

Meet Krishna followers and walk through the pilgrim’s bazaar.

Overnight onboard

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Morning sail to Chandernagore, established as a French colony in 1673. The French obtained permission from Ibrahim Khan, the Nawab of Bengal to establish a trading post on the riverbanks of this city, which became a permanent French settlement in 1688.

Explore the French colonial buildings along the promenade, including the former French governor's residence, now converted into the Dupleix Museum (closed on Thursdays & Saturdays) that features an exhibition of items that depict life during

this period. Also visit the Sacred Heart Church, designed by French Architect Jacques Duchatz. The church was inaugurated in 1884 and stands for over two centuries to mark the beauty of the architecture during the French period.

We then return to the ship and continue our journey to Kolkata.

Overnight onboard

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After enjoying breakfast disembark and proceed for overnight stay in Kolkata.

Meals: Breakfast.

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

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

Meals: Breakfast

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.

Continue to Jaipur for your overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast

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