ANTARA BESPOKE JOURNEY · 3 NIGHTS / 4 DAYS
A Romantic Bespoke Journey
on the Hooghly
Aboard MV Nauka Vilas: Embark on an intimate exploration of Bengal’s living tapestry, unravelling French, Danish, and Portuguese enclaves, terracotta spires, and candlelit riverbank evenings.
- SACRED RIVER EXPEDITION
- EXCLUSIVE PRIVATE SUITES
FARES
FROM
$10,000
/ guest
VOYAGE CARTOGRAPHY & SANCTUARY NARRATIVE
Sailing the Timeless Hooghly
Experience an unforgettable 3 Nights / 4 Days luxury river cruise aboard MV Nauka Vilas, sailing from the sacred river confluence at Tribeni downstream to historic Kolkata. Discover Bengal’s rich heritage through historic temples, vibrant riverside promenades, and centuries of international diplomacy.
From the terracotta marvels of Hangseswari and Ananta Basudeba to the tranquil French riverbank boulevard of Chandannagore and Danish Serampore, this passage unveils the sacred and colonial heartlands of Bengal. As twilight descends, witness the mesmerising Deep-Daan ritual with floating diyas and immerse yourself in the soulful cadence of traditional Baul folk minstrelsy.
CARTOGRAPHIC STUDY
The Trajectory
Chandannagore
Chandannagore and Chandernagor (French),
is a city in the Hooghly district in the
Indian state of West Bengal. It is headquarter
of the Chandannagore subdivision and is a part
of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan
Development Authority (KMDA). wikipedia
Serampore
Shreerampore, Shrirampur or Shrirampore)
is a city
in Hooghly district of the Indian state of
West Bengal. It serves as the headquarters of the
Srirampore subdivision and is part of the area
covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development
Authority (KMDA)wikipedia
Kolkata
Kolkata, also known as Calcutta
(its official name until 2001), is the
capital and largest city of the Indian state of
West Bengal. It lies on the eastern bank of
the Hooghly River, 80 km (50 mi) west of the
border with Bangladesh. wikipedia
Bandel
Bandel is a city in the Hooghly district of the Indian
state of West Bengal. It was founded by Portuguese
settlers and falls under the jurisdiction of
Chandernagore Police Commissionerate. It is a
part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan
Development Authority (KMDA) wikipedia
Tribeni
Tribeni is believed to get its name from the
divergence of three rivers — Ganga, Jamuna
and Saraswati. The probable earlier names
were "Muktaveni", which distinguished it from
Prayagraj, known as Yuktaveni;[4] it also
featured in James Rennell's map of Bengal in
1781 where it was spelled as "Terbonee". wikipedia
THE ANTARA STANDARD
Inclusive Expedition Privileges
Every nuance of your passage is delicately orchestrated, allowing you to dwell fully within the unfolding landscapes.
Chef-Curated Fine Dining
GOURMET REPAST & SHORE DINNER
Curated Shore Excursions
VIP ACCESS · ZERO CROWDS
Dedicated Scholar Guide
TAILORED PACING & DEEP CONTEXT
Sacred River Rituals
Experience the romantic evening Deep-Daan diya ritual on the serene waters, paired with private sunset performances of soulful Bengali Baul minstrel traditions.
CULTURAL IMMERSION & BAUL MUSIC
HISTORIC PORTS OF CALL
Portraits of the Sacred Riverbank
Tribeni
SACRED CONFLUENCE
Bandel
PORTUGUESE & SHIYA HAVEN
Chandannagore
Established in 1673 as a vibrant French colony. Stroll along the scenic riverside Strand, admire Sacred Heart Church designed by Jacques Duchatz, and browse relics at Dupleix Museum.
FRENCH COLONIAL ENCLAVE
Serampore
The famed Danish trading hub featuring the 1786 Denmark Tavern, the historic St. Olav’s Church, and storied print house heritage celebrated down the riverfront.
DANISH HERITAGE POST
CHRONICLE OF PASSAGE
THE ITINERARY
Four unhurried days along sacred waters, designed with royal comfort, authentic riverboat pacing, and immersive daily shore landings.
DAY 1
Arrival Tribeni, Embarkation
Arrive at the historic riverside town of Tribeni located at the confluence of the three rivers Hooghly, Jamuna and Saraswati.
An hour’s drive through the bustling city of Kolkata takes you to Tribeni Jetty, where Nauka Vilas welcomes you with refreshments, followed by a safety briefing and a sumptuous lunch.
Post lunch, enjoy a leisurely walk to the tomb of Zafar Khan Ghazi, a General of Delhi in 1298 AD.
A historically significant shrine, this complex was built in 1315 and is considered the earliest surviving Islamic monument in Eastern India, constructed with materials taken from older Hindu temples.
In the afternoon, enjoy a short walk to the nearby local market before returning to the ship, followed by a specially curated dinner.
At night, enjoy a display of mesmerising play of lights (of lovingly lit earthen diyas), magically reflecting the waves of the river.
Overnight onboard Nauka Vilas.
- Lunch
- Dinner
DAY 2
Tribeni - Bandel - Chandernagore
Relish an enjoyable breakfast followed by a visit to the unique Hangseswari Temple.
Completed in 1814, the temple has a distinctive architecture, consisting of 13 minars, each built as a blooming lotus bud.
The inner structure of the building resembles a human body. The presiding deity of the temple, Hangseswari, is a form of Goddess Kali.
Located next to it is the terracotta temple of Ananta Basudeba which was built in 1679 and dedicated to Lord Krishna. This temple is noted for the exquisite terracotta works on its walls that depict stories from the great Indian epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata, as well as from the Leelas of Krishna.
Return to ship and sail upstream to Bandel, while enjoying Lunch onboard. Bandel, which means port in Bengali, was founded by Portuguese settlers around 1660.
In the afternoon, visit the Hooghly Imambara, one of the most famous Shiya pilgrimage centres in West Bengal which was built in 1841 by Haji Mohammad Mahasin. The structure contains an exquisite Victorian-era clock with a winding key weighing 20kg. Large Persian chandeliers and lamps light the Imambara’s stunning hallways and passages.
Return to the ship and continue sailing onward to Chandernagore, while sipping tea on the sundeck.
Experience the magic of a candlelight dinner on the shore (subject to river conditions)
Overnight onboard Nauka Vilas
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
DAY 3
Chandernagore - Serampore - Kolkata
Morning after breakfast explore Chandernagore, an erstwhile French colony that was established in 1673. View the French colonial buildings along the Promenade, including the former French governor’s residence (now converted to the Dupleix Museum, which remains closed on Thursdays and Saturdays).
A rare collection of French antiques such as cannons used in Anglo-French wars and wooden furniture of the 18th century is on display. Next, visit the Sacred Heart Church (designed by French Architect Jacques Duchatz), which was built in 1884, over two centuries ago & enjoy the beauty of the French architecture.
Visit the Chandernagore College Museum that pays homage to the revolutionaries and showcases the heritage of the city of Chandernagore.
We return to the ship and sail onward to Serampore, an erstwhile Danish colony.
Post lunch, enjoy a leisurely walk in the old quarters for a visit to the Danish Tavern, St. Olav’s Church and other Danish heritage monuments.
Serampore was a popular pit-stop for Danish and English traders. In 1786, a British innkeeper called James Parr opened the Denmark Tavern & Hotel, popularly known as the Danish Tavern, which became a favourite among Europeans. The St. Olav’s Church, locally known as the Danish Church, was constructed by the Danish Management between 1755 and 1845.
Return to the ship and sail downstream to Kolkata
At sunset, enjoy a musical performance of Bengali folk music popularly known as Baul.
Overnight onboard Nauka Vilas.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
DAY 4
Kolkata Disembarkation
- Breakfast
THE BOUTIQUE SANCTUARY
MV Nauka Vilas
Designed specifically for intimate bespoke river expeditions, MV Nauka Vilas combines colonial maritime romance with contemporary personalized hospitality. Featuring hand-carved teak accents, spacious panorama staterooms, and shaded observational lounges.
18.70 Meters
LENGTH OVERALL
1 Suites
MAX 2 GUESTS
Sun Deck
360-DEGREE SUNSET VIEWINGS
BESPOKE CHEF
ARTISANAL DINING
reservations
08048673776
UPCOMING DEPARTURES
Winter Cruises 2026–27
MV GANGES VOYAGER • 7N 8D
ARTISAN HERITAGE PASSAGE
Artisans of Bengal 2026–27
MV BENGAL GANGA • 3N 4D
PILGRIMAGE & SACRED SHRINES
Kolkata – Nabadwip
$10,000 USD
/ Guest
