Overview
India —
profoundly mysterious and gloriously exotic. Complex and beguiling, India is a
country unlike any other. Wondrous sights rich in romance and intrigue come
alive in the “Golden Triangle”—Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. Delhi’s immense red
sandstone marble tomb, commissioned by Emperor Humayun’s grief - stricken wife,
will capture your heart, while Raj Ghat, a black granite memorial to the
“Father of the Nation,” Mahatma Gandhi, will stir your soul. Jaipur’s Pink City
and Agra’s Taj Mahal, a grand tribute to love, will leave you forever
mesmerized. This adventure by land and river will touch all of your senses,
from Kolkata, where Mother Teresa’s humble home and tomb provide a place of
pilgrimage, to the Rajbari Temples devoted to the Hindu god Shiva. Your Ganges
voyage delves deeply into India’s fascinating historical and religious
heritage, working its charm in myriad ways and leaving you with memories that
will forever endure. Once onboard, travel to villages lining the Ganges River
that only a few people get to see each year and experience our new Wellness
Program, centered around the destination’s ancient tradition and practice of
yoga. Available on every sailing, the complimentary Wellness Program – led by a
certified and resident yogi – will celebrate the holistic health benefits of
yoga with daily sessions introducing the different types of yoga, group
lectures and classes as well as individualized meetings, so that guests at
every stage of their practice can participate in this culturally immersive
program comfortably. An accompanying “Nutrition and Wellness Food” menu has
also been developed especially for this program. Featuring organic items and guidelines
for eating healthy, the menu will be available daily during breakfast, lunch
and dinner service.
Highlights
- Set your sights on the Taj Mahal at sunrise and sunset
- See villages lining the Ganges River that few get to see
- Try your hand at the traditions and practices of yoga
- Delve into culture and explore the Hindu temples
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive
Delhi
Day 02:
Delhi
Day 03: Delhi
– Agra
Day 04: Agra
– Jaipur
Day 05:
Jaipur
Day 06:
Jaipur – Kolkata & cruising to the Ganges River
Day 07: In
and around Kalna
Day 08:
Matiari
Day 09: In
and around Murshidabad & Baranagar
Day 10: The
Ganges
Day 11: In
and around Mayapur & Chandannagar
Day 12:
Kolkata
Day 13:
Kolkata / Departure
Day 01: Arrive
Delhi
Arrive at
New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport. Upon arrival you will be greeted
by our representative and transferred to your pre-booked hotel.
Day 02:
Delhi
India’s
sprawling capital city is colorful, confounding and captivating. Your expertly
led city tour provides an ideal first foray into this fascinating land. To cap
your day taking in the sights of scenic New Delhi, relax this evening at
leisure. Night stay at hotel.
Excursions included: India’s capital city
with rickshaw ride to Old Delhi
Day 03: New
Delhi, Transfer to Agra, approx 4.5 hrs drive
This morning
you will check out of your New Delhi hotel and head south via motor coach to
Agra, the site of Shah Jahan’s best-known building project, the exquisite Taj
Mahal. You’ll visit the Taj Mahal this afternoon and stay for sunset, as the
monument’s changing colors draw comparisons to the shifting mood of the late Emperor’s
wife.
Excursions included: Majesty and grace—the Taj Mahal at sundown
Day 04:
Agra, Transfer to Jaipur, approx 05 hrs drive.
Is the Taj
Mahal best seen at sunset or sunrise? It’s an impossible question to answer, so
our guests have the rare pleasure of experiencing both. Wake up early this
morning to see the white marble monument aglow with the rosy tinge of dawn.
Later in the
afternoon drive to Jaipur.
Excursions included: - Early morning at the
Taj Mahal
Day 05:
Jaipur
Pink is the
color of hospitality in Rajasthan, which gives you an idea of what to expect in
the “Pink City” of Jaipur. Enjoy the visit to the local city bazaar. Take the
afternoon to explore on your own—shuttles will be available to carry you to and
from the hotel to the city’s shopping district.
Excursions included: - Jaipur—Rajasthan’s
princely city and Amber Fort
Day 06:
Jaipur, Fly to Kolkata (Embark), Cruising the Ganges River
Settle into
your beautifully appointed room aboard the Ganges Voyager II in Kolkata.
Day 07: In
and around Kalna
Kalna, once
an important trade port on the river, is best known today for the magnificent
Hindu temples built by the maharajas of Bardhaman— which you’ll experience
today. After marveling at the astonishing Rajbari temple complex, you may opt
to walk with your guide through the colorful local market.
Excursions included:- India’s “Temple
City”
Day 08:
Matiari
Your ship
serves as a time machine today, transporting you hundreds of years into the
past, as we travel to the authentic artisan village of Matiari.
Excursions included: - Matiari master
craftsmen with an introduction to brass
Day 09: In
and around Murshidabad, Baranagar
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.
Excursions included:- Visit to Murshidabad
City, ride by buggy to Katra Mosque and visit to Baranagar village
Day 10: The
Ganges
One of the
world’s most sacred bodies of water, the Ganges River flows through a myriad of
small villages and highly populated cities throughout India and Bangladesh.
Take in the remarkable scenery as you sail and be on the lookout for a rare
sighting of the endangered Ganges river dolphin.
Day 11: In
and around Mayapur, Chandannagar
Few places
of worship exist on such a head-spinning scale as what you will witness today
in Mayapur, the center of the international Hare Krishna movement and home to
the new Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, still under construction. Most
students of history know a thing or two about the British colonial powers in
India, but few are aware that the French had colonies here as well. You’ll
visit this former French outpost today
Excursions included:- Hare Krishna complex
and Temple of the Vedic Planetarium
- India’s French colonial heritage
Day 12:
Kolkata
The city of
Kolkata is synonymous with the enduring legacies of Mother Teresa and the
colonial-era British Raj, both of which you will get better acquainted with
today.
Excursions included:- Kolkata city
tour—visit the Flower Market, colonial sites and Kumartulli
Day 13:
Kolkata (Disembark)
Your
incredible journey to India ends early this morning, as you disembark and
transfer to the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport for your
flight home or extend your journey with an optional extension to Varanasi.
Note: This is just a suggested itinerary
indicative of what could be possible. We tailor holidays for your specific
needs. Contact us if you want modifications so that we could tailor a holiday
to suit your need for an unforgettable India tour.
Inclusions/Exclusions
WHAT'S
INCLUDED:
- Accommodation on bed & breakfast basis based on double/twin occupancy.
- Excursions and touring as specified in itinerary, all on private basis.
- All airport and ground transportation on private basis.
- Driver allowance and all presently applicable taxes.
*Not included: gratuities, visas (if applicable), international or internal flights, meals and drinks not described, items of a personal nature.
