Varanasi to Dibrugarh Epic Cruise
Varanasi – Patna – Kolkata – Dhaka – Guwahati –
Kaziranga – Nimati Ghat / Dibrugarh
49 nights / 50 days
Anytime
Embark the ship at the Jetty in Varanasi and enjoy lunch on board. Thereafter, visit the Ghats by walking 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
After breakfast, we will 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 and begin sail downstream towards the outskirts of Varanasi.
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 arrive by the evening.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast visit the Tomb of Lord Cornwallis, one of the major figures of Indian and British history. Return to the ship and sail full day towards Buxar a prominent town of western Bihar, bordering the State of Uttar Pradesh.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast 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 which includes archaeological objects, coins and manuscripts. Return to ship and sail towards Ghaghra Mod, the confluence where River Ghaghra meets River Ganges.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast enjoy a walk in the riverbank village. Thereafter sail full day towards 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 to visit the Golghar and Patna Museum. Return to ship for lunch and sail towards Simaria, anchoring en route.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Further sailing in the morning brings us to Simaria. After breakfast walk in the riverside village to see the daily activities of the local people. Return to the ship and continue our journey further downstream sailing under the great bridge at Mokameh Ghat and anchor en route to Munger.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Enjoying breakfast onboard, we arrive in Munger by afternoon. Post lunch we visit the Munger Fort and the local market popular for fruits, vegetables, textiles, and readymade garments.
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 and begin sail towards Sultanganj.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast 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. Return to the ship and sail towards Bateshwarsthan while enjoying lunch onboard.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast drive in cars to the 8-9th century excavation site of the 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. We return to the ship and sail towards Samtaghat. You will be fascinated by the passing landscape and the lively life on the river.
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 to 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. Return to the ship for lunch. 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.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
We sail full day towards the shore-side village of Matiari enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard. We arrive in Matiari by the evening.
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 the 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 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.
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. Enjoy cultural performance onboard.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast stroll around the historic Indentured Memorial Jetty, named in memory of the Indian indentured labourers who set sail from here for Suriname, which was then a Dutch colony in South America in 1873. Post-lunch Immigration formalities.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast visit the Indian Museum and the local market. Return to the ship for lunch and based on the tide situation we will sail towards Namkhana, anchoring en route. It is the gateway of the Sundarbans National Park, a World Heritage Site.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Enjoying breakfast onboard we arrive at Namkhana. We will visit Bhagabatpur Island which is known for its crocodile project that has a hatchery of the estuarine crocodiles. Return to ship for lunch and sail to Bali Island cruising through the creek. A typical Sundarban village, Bali’s inhabitants are engaged in farming, paddy husking, honey packing and fishing.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After an early breakfast ride in the country boat to the Dobanki Watchtower, enjoy a canopy walk at an elevation of 20 feet to reveal the riveting flora and fauna. Return to the ship for lunch. Thereafter enjoy a walk in the village of Bali and interact with the villagers engaged in creating handicrafts and witness a tribal dance.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
We sail to Hemnagar today enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard and viewing the wilderness of the mangrove forest. It is the southernmost habitation of the region and the check-post for customs formalities for crossing the international riverine border between India and Bangladesh.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Today, enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard, we sail through the core area of the Sundarbans down towards the Bangladeshi side to arrive in Antihara, which is the check post for the Immigration & Custom formalities of Bangladesh.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Sail towards Mongla town, while having breakfast onboard. Mongla is the gateway to the Sundarbans on the Bangladesh side. Post lunch visit to the Sixty Domed Mosque, a World Heritage Site. The mosque is locally known as the 'Shat Gombuj', which in Bangla literally means Sixty Domes.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Morning, we sail to Karamjol. After breakfast, we visit the Forest Reserve Centre, which protects a vast range of mammals, insects, bird species, reptiles, and fish. Return to the ship for lunch and sail towards Kaukhali.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
A further sail brings us to Kaukhali while we enjoy our breakfast onboard. Upon arrival walk in the village visiting a Kumar Pada (potters’ colony), the local market and a Hindu Vaishnavite temple with a cremation ground adjacent to it. Return to ship for lunch and sail to Barisal, which is fondly called the Venice of Bengal.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast visit a Floating Market, which is renowned for its fruits. Many farmers and wholesalers gather here every day to sell their produce. Return to ship for lunch. Thereafter visit the Oxford Epiphany Church, an Anglican church, which is one of the oldest in the region. Its structure reflects the Greek architectural style.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Today enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard, we sail full day to Dhaka viewing the picturesque countryside, shoreline of coconut palms, bananas, mango trees, small settlements, cargo freighters and, nouka ferrying passengers across the river. Arrive at the Mawa jetty, a busy ferry ghat near Dhaka, the Capital of Bangladesh.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast, a panoramic tour of Dhaka’s heritage buildings like Dhaka University, Curzon Hall, Old High Court, Parliament Building, and Dhakeshwari Temple. Lunch in the city, thereafter visit Sonargaon, the ‘Golden City’ which was the ancient capital of undivided Bengal.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Today while enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard, we sail full day upstream to the Aricha River port. Aricha is a prime spot for catching the renowned Hilsha fish and several trawlers can be seen in the vicinity. We will sail further upstream towards Tangail, anchoring en route.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
A further sail brings us to Tangail, an important handloom and cotton weaving centre, enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard. Post lunch we visit the Atia Mosque, a four-domed monument built during the reign of Mughal emperor Jahangir. In popular culture, it is dubbed as the 10 Taka Mosque when the Government of Bangladesh issued a 10 Taka banknote which had an image of the mosque in its obverse.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Today we sail towards Sirajganj, an important jute collection, processing, and trade centre whose jute mills were the first to be established in the Bengal area. Post lunch visit the Hatikumrul Navaratna Temple, a three-storied temple adorned with nine spires.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Today we sail full day further up the river towards the Indo-Bangladesh border that touches the north-eastern region of India. Enjoy breakfast and lunch onboard while viewing the riverine countryside.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Further sailing brings us to the Chilmari River port, located on a beautiful scenic bank of the Teesta and Jamuna rivers, close to the international border with India. Enjoy breakfast and lunch onboard. Post-lunch immigration & customs formalities of Bangladesh will be done.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast drive to Rangpur. Spend the day exploring this “City of Colour.” Visit the domineering Tajhat Palace and Museum, the Dimla Kali Temple, and the Carmichael College. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Return to the ship by evening.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Today, enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard, we sail upstream crossing the international riverine border to arrive at Dhubri in the State of Assam for Immigrations and Customs of India. Dhubri is an old town on the bank of the mighty Brahmaputra (as the Jamuna River is known on the Indian side).
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast explore Dhubri town visiting the Gurdwara (Sikh temple) of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib and the nearby pottery village notable for its traditional craft of terracotta. Return to the ship for lunch and sail onward to Goalpara.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast, we drive to visit Sri Surya Pahar, a significant but relatively unknown archaeological site, which has the distinction of possessing valuable cultural remains of three important religions of India: Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism as evident from the innumerable sculptures and other relics that were excavated here. Return to the ship for lunch and sail to Sualkuchi, a textile centre fondly called the "Manchester of Assam."
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast, we will visit the silk weaving village in Sualkuchi, which is renowned for the Muga silk, a glossy fabric with fine texture and durability. Return to ship for lunch and sail upstream to arrive at the Pandu Port in Guwahati, a major hub of river transport.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast proceed to visit the ancient Kamakhya Temple (from outside). Dedicated to the goddess Durga, it is an important pilgrimage destination, especially for tantric worshipers. Also, visit the Assam State Museum. Return to ship for lunch further upstream, anchoring near Mayong.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
We sail further upstream enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard and viewing the riverine countryside along the Brahmaputra River. We arrive by evening at Tezpur, a legendary town whose name translates to the ‘City of Blood,’ a somewhat macabre name, resulting from the legend of Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva waging an epic battle here.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast walk to visit the Cole Park, now called Chitralekha Udyan, a beautiful park established in 1906 by British Deputy Commissioner Mr. Cole. It features two massive ornamented stone pillars and other sculptural remnants of the 9th and 10th centuries. Return to the ship for lunch and sail onward to Silghat.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Spend the full day in Kaziranga National Park with morning and afternoon jeep safaris with breakfast and lunch at a local restaurant. A World Heritage Site, Kaziranga hosts two-thirds of the world's Indian rhinoceroses and is home to large breeding populations of elephants, wild water buffalo, swamp deer, and the royal Bengal tiger. It is also recognized as an important bird area for the conservation of avifaunal species.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Enjoying breakfast onboard we sail to Biswanath Ghat, popularly called Gupta Kashi due to the cluster of temples of different Gods, like modern-day Varanasi. Visit the Biswanath temple, located at the confluence of the rivers Bridhaganga and Brahmaputra. Return to the ship for lunch and sail onward to Dhansiri Mukh, the confluence of the rivers Dhansiri and Brahmaputra.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Today we sail full day upstream enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard and arrive at Majuli, a river island in the Brahmaputra. We arrive by the evening at Majuli, which is the abode of the Assamese neo-Vaishnavite culture.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast onboard, visit the two notable satras (monasteries) at Majuli. The Kamalabari Satra is a centre of art, culture, literature, and classical studies on the island; while the Auniati Satra has an extensive assortment of ancient Assamese artefacts, utensils, jewellery, and handicrafts preserved in a museum. Return to the ship for lunch and onward to Nimati Ghat.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast set out to explore Sibsagar, which was the capital of the Ahom Kingdom of Assam. The place gets its name from the Sibsagar tank, which translates to “Ocean of Shiv.” Visit the Shiva Dol temple, the Talatal Ghar palace and military base, and Rang Ghar, which was the royal sports pavilion. Return to ship for late lunch.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Following breakfast disembark the ship and transfer to the Dibrugarh airport (approx. 4-hrs drive) for 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 travelling.
- Bangladesh being an Islamic country, serving of liquor onboard is restricted.