INCREDIBLY ON GANGES
KOLKATA – BENARAS
12 DAYS
All the nooks and corners of India are steeped in rich culture and experiences. This journey from Kolkata to Varanasi is destined to familiarise you with the ethnicity of the country and why it needs to be discovered. This 12-Day voyage, complemented with our luxurious accommodation will become a memorable travel experience for you to remember for a lifetime.
ANTARA DESTINATION DISCOVERIES
From active or relaxing to adventurous or enriching, our inclusive and optional Destination Discoveries offer you a world of choice. Plus, Crystal is the only river cruise line that allows you to select your shoreside experiences in advance, before you arrive to the ship.
KOLKATA EMBARKATION
DAY 1
After the morning arrival in Kolkata, relax, and proceed to the various colonial monuments of the city post lunch. It is followed by a visit to the Writer’s Building and Treasury Building, accompanied by a photo walk at St. John’s Church and the Victoria Memorial. Sail to Kalna.
KALNA – MATIARI
DAY 2
The next morning starts with a cycle rickshaw ride to the enchanting Rajbari Temple Complex in Kalna. Here we observe Bengal’s temple architecture and themes of Hindu epics and mythical lives of saints, gods & goddesses. Sail to Matiari.
SAIL MATIARI – MURSHIDABAD
DAY 3
The third day starts with an early morning visit to the village of Matiari to observe the process of brass making. After that, we return to the ship, cast off and cruise towards Murshidabad, sailing past Plassey.
SAIL MURSHIDABAD – JANGIPUR
DAY 4
The morning starts with a visit to the historic town of Murshidabad and a tonga ride to witness the oldest mosque in town, Katra Mosque. It is then followed by a visit to the Hazarduari Palace Museum, built during the reign of Nawab Nazim Humayun Jah (1824-1838 AD).
SAIL JANGIPUR - FARAKKA – SAMTAGHAT
DAY 5
On the fifth day we explore the historic Farakka Lock Gate. After exploring the Feeder Canal, we sail through the Farakka barrage at a distance, which regulates the water of the Ganges in Bangladesh and India. Reach Samtaghat.
SAIL BATESHWARSTHAN
DAY 6
We set on sail to Bateshwarsthan in the morning. After arrival we ride in jeeps/cars (about 15 minutes) to the excavation site of the Vikramshila University, one of the largest Buddhist universities in the past, with more than one hundred teachers and about one thousand students.
SAIL BATESHWARSTHAN – SULTANGANJ
DAY 7
The morning starts by sailing towards the rocky island Sultanganj, which is known for two great rocks of granite and an important pilgrim centre. It is known as Jahngira, which means ‘the hill of Jahnu’.
SAIL TO MUNGER
DAY 8
The eighth day starts with a sail towards Munger, one of the largest cities and most industrialized in the state of Bihar. Its history can be traced back to the mythological era of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Post lunch, we visit the Bihar School of Yoga, founded in 1964 by Satyananda Saraswati and his spiritual successor Niranjanananda Saraswati.
DISEMBARK AT MUNGER & DRIVE TO NALANDA AND BODHGAYA
DAY 9
This day starts with the ship disembarking at 0700 hrs to visit Nalanda. It treasures a glorious past of academia in India and extraordinary architectural ruins. During late afternoon, we visit the Mahabodhi temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
DRIVE TO BODHGAYA AND VARANASI
DAY 10
This day starts with the ship disembarking at 0700 hrs to visit Nalanda. It treasures a glorious past of academia in India and extraordinary architectural ruins. During late afternoon, we visit the Mahabodhi temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
VARANASI CITY TOUR
DAY 11
Start the day with a sunrise Boat Tour to witness the incredible scenes along the Holy River. Post lunch, we visit Sarnath, where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. The Archeological Museum at Sarnath houses a large collection of sculptures from the glorious Indian past.
DEPARTURE FROM VARANASI
DAY 12
On the last day, bid farewell to the beautiful Ganges by departing for the airport or to your desired destination.
