Varanasi to Kolkata Downstream
Varanasi – Ghazipur – Buxar – Patna – Simaria – Munger – Sultanganj –
Bateshwarsthan – Murshidabad – Matiari – Kalna – Kolkata
19 nights / 20 days Cruise
30 to 18 Nov 2024 | 6 to 25 Nov 2025
Embark the ship at the Jetty in Varanasi.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast we visit the excavation site of Sarnath, the seat where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment in Bodhgaya. Return to the ship for lunch. Thereafter, visit the Ghats by walk to experience the activities and hustle-bustle in the by-lanes. Continue to the riverside and witness the evening “Ganga Aarti” ritual.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Today we sail full day towards Ghazipur enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard. Ghazipur was established by the British East India Company in 1820 as an opium factory. It still produces the drug for the global pharmaceutical industry. We anchor en route to Ghazipur.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
A further sailing in brings us to Ghazipur while we enjoy breakfast and lunch onboard. Post lunch visit to the Tomb of Lord Cornwallis, one of the major figures of Indian and British history.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Today we sail to Buxar a prominent town of western Bihar, bordering the State of Uttar Pradesh. Enjoy breakfast and lunch onboard. Upon arrival in Buxar visit the Ram Rekha Ghat. It is associated with a legend from the epic Ramayana that after killing the demoness Tadka, Lord Ram to cleanse himself from the sin of killing a woman, took a bath in the Ganges here. Also visit the Sita Ram Upadhyay Museum, named after a local resident who had donated his personal collection that include archaeological objects, coins and manuscripts.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Enjoying breakfast on board we sail towards Ghaghra Mod, the confluence where River Ghaghra meets River Ganges.
After lunch enjoy a walk in the riverbank village.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Sailing in the morning enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard we arrive in Patna, the capital of the State of Bihar. Patna is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world founded in 490 BCE as Pataliputra.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast proceed for a sightseeing tour visiting the Golghar and Patna Museum.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Today we sail full day downstream to Simaria enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard while viewing the riverine countryside.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast walk in the riverside village to see the daily activities of the local people. Return to the ship and sail full days towards Munger enjoying lunch onboard. Sailing under the great bridge at Mokameh Ghat we arrive in Munger by the evening.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast visit the Chandika Sthan Temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Shakti. It is one of the fifty-one Shakti Peethas, associated with the legend of Lord Vishnu who to save the world from Lord Shiva’s wrath, cut into pieces the corpse of Devi Sati that Shiva was carrying. Return to ship for lunch Thereafter visit Munger Fort and the local market popular for fruits, vegetables, textiles, and readymade garments.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Today we sail through the morning enjoying breakfast onboard to arrive in Sultanganj by afternoon. Post lunch excursion to Sultanganj, which is notable for two prominent granite rock islands in the river connected to the mainland by a causeway. On one of the islands is a mosque; on the other larger one is the Ajgaibinath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. We will visit the Shiva temple.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
We sail towards Bateshwarsthan today while enjoying breakfast onboard. Post lunch drive in cars to the archaeological site of Vikramshila University and walk around the ruins. Vikramshila University was an important Buddhist centre of learning under the rule of the Pala Dynasty. Subjects like theology, philosophy, grammar, metaphysics, and logic were taught here.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Today we sail full day towards Samtaghat. You will be fascinated by the passing landscape and the lively life on the river while enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard. We arrive by the evening at Samtaghat.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Today we sail full day towards Samtaghat. You will be fascinated by the passing landscape and the lively life on the river while enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard. We arrive by the evening at Samtaghat.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Enjoying breakfast onboard we sail in the morning to cross the historic Farakka Lock Gate. The travel through the Feeder Canal will give us a chance to see the different birds of the region. After crossing the Lock Gate, we cruise through the connecting canal to the Hooghly River, the lower Ganges. We continue sail towards Jangipur.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
We sail full day towards Murshidabad enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard. We arrive in Murshidabad by the evening. Murshidabad is a hidden architectural gem with dramatic whitewashed colonial era structures.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast ride the Toto (e-rickshaw) through the countryside to the Katra mosque, which has distinctive minarets. Thereafter visit the Hazarduari Palace, which dominates the waterfront. Built 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.
Return to the ship for lunch and sail towards the shore-side village of Matiari
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Early this morning walk in the village to see and experience the craftsmen at work. These master craftsmen utilize recycled copper to create exquisite pots, platters, and more from their workshops in the village. Return to ship for breakfast and sail onward to Kalna. We arrive in Kalna by the evening.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast ride e-rickshaws through the town of Kalna to visit the enchanting 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 depict themes of Hindu epics and various aspects of day-to-day life in the region. Return to the ship walking through the local vegetable market. Begin sail towards Kolkata and arrive by the evening. Enjoy cultural performance onboard.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
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. Thereafter Panoramic Tour of Dalhousie Square’s heritage buildings; St. John's Church, Victoria Memorial, and Mother Teresa’s Home.
Return to the ship for lunch. Thereafter 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.
- As per government restrictions, from Varanasi to Farakka, no liquor will be served on board.
- In Varanasi, due to the location on the holy river, non-vegetarian food is not served onboard.
- Satellite phones & drone cameras are not allowed in Varanasi, please ensure the same, while traveling to Varanasi.