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Artisans of Bengal | The Holi Cruise

MV GANGES VOYAGER
Kolkata - Bandel - Kalna - Mayapur - Guptipara - Fulia - Chandernagore - Kolkata

7 nights / 8 days Cruise
21 to 28 Mar 2024
TARIFF
Day 1
EMBARKATION: 12:00 PM
THU, 21 MAR 2024 ARRIVE KOLKATA, EMBARKATION (L/D)

Arrive in Kolkata and transfer to the jetty to embark on the ship. Lunch onboard. Thereafter a Panoramic Tour of Dalhousie Square’s heritage buildings; St. John's Church and the Victoria Memorial.

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganges Voyager

Day 2
FRI, 22 MAR 2024 KOLKATA TOUR – BALLY BRIDGE (B/L/D)

After breakfast, visit the Flower Market, where you can see artists creating a variety of garlands, ornaments, and other items made of flowers and leaves for temples, weddings, and other uses. Thereafter, visit Kumartuli, a traditional potters’ quarter renowned for its sculpting prowess. Return to ship for lunch. Return to the ship for lunch and begin sail upstream passing below the Howrah Bridge and seeing various colonial buildings along the Ganges River to Bally Bridge.

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganges Voyager

Day 3
SAT, 23 MAR 2024 BALLY BRIDGE – BANDEL (B/L/D)

We sail further upstream to Bandel while enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard. Post lunch we visit the Hooghly Imambara, a famous Shiya pilgrimage center that provides housing for pilgrims as well as classrooms.

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganges Voyager

Day 4
SUN, 24 MAR 2024 BANDEL – KALNA (DOL-JATRA) (B/L/D)

We sail to Kalna enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard. Upon arrival ride e-rickshaws to visit the Rajbari temple complex. The Nabakailas temple contains 108 eight-slope-roofed shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. Other temples in the complex feature diverse architecture and terracotta plaques depicting themes of Hindu epics and day-to-day life. Return to the ship walking through the local vegetable market. You may get a chance to witness the Dol-Jatra procession in which the idols of Krishna and Radha are paraded on highly decorated palanquins and the folks sing and playfully spray gulal (dry colours).

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganges Voyager

Day 5
MON, 25 MAR 2024 KALNA – NABADWIP – MAYAPUR (HOLI) (B/L/D)

Today sail to Nabadwip while having breakfast and lunch. Celebrate the Holi festival onboard with colourful gulal, music, festive sweets, and savouries. Upon arrival, walk in the riverbank village known for its handloom weaving (weavers may not be working due to the Holi festival). Ride the country boat across the river to Mayapur, the headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Stroll in the pilgrim’s bazaar, meet Krishna followers, and visit the temple, which is comparable in size to the Vatican. 

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganges Voyager

Day 6
TUE, 26 MAR 2024 MAYAPUR – GUPTIPARA – FULIA (B/L/D)

This morning a short sail brings us to Guptipara. After breakfast explore the town visiting the Vaishnav temples that contain some fantastic terracotta works. Also, visit a potter’s home to see and interact with the artisans creating various clay items. Return to ship for lunch. Thereafter sail to the opposite bank and visit the weaving village of Fulia which specializes in a combination of jacquard and jamdani saree weaving. 

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganges Voyager

Day 7
WED, 27 MAR 2024 FULIA – CHANDERNAGORE – SERAMPORE – KOLKATA (B/L/D)

Enjoying breakfast onboard sail to Chandernagore which was established as a French colony. Upon arrival explore the colonial buildings along the promenade, including the former French governor's residence, now converted into a museum that features items depicting life during that period. Also, visit the Sacred Heart Church. Return to the ship and sail to Serampore. Post lunch walk in the old quarters to see the Danish Tavern, St. Olav's Church, and other Danish heritage monuments. Continue sail to Kolkata, arriving by the evening.

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganges Voyager

Day 8
DISEMBARKATION: 09:00 AM
THU, 28 MAR 2024 KOLKATA DISEMBARK (B)

Following breakfast disembark the ship and transfer for your onward journey.

Important Note:

  • The itinerary may be readjusted due to local conditions and days of the week, to avoid closure of monuments/museums. Last-minute sailing adjustments may also occur. The onboard tour staff will announce or post the exact time for each activity. 
  • The letters in parentheses indicate the included meal of the day B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner.
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FAQ

One of our hallmark voyages down the Ganges explores the superb crafts produced by
artisans nurtured by the river’s embrace. The itinerary is suffused with unique
experiences that celebrate creative endeavors, devotion, and tradition. Along with all the
history and sightseeing, this voyage offers an opportunity to celebrate ‘Holi’, the vibrant
and joyous festival of colors on board.

The cruise dates are from 21 to 28 March 2024. It will sail from and back to Kolkata. The
embarking and disembarking point is Botanical Garden Jetty.

To book space on this special cruise, please write to sales@exoticheritagegroup.com

A chance to witness the Dol-Jatra procession, celebrating the reunion of Krishna and
Radha, parading their idols in highly decorated palanquins. Celebrate the Holi festival
onboard with colorful gulal, music, festive sweets, and savories.

All three meals along with Water, Tea, Coffee, Fruit Juices, and soft Drinks are included.