Lower Ganges Cruise with Pandaw

Begin your holiday in relaxing style with included VIP airport lounge access before boarding your overnight flight to Kolkata, arriving on day two. 

On arrival, transfer to your hotel, the Oberoi Grand Kolkata, which features a luxury spa and three stunning restaurants and is just moments from the city's colonial-era landmarks, which you'll explore on an included full-day tour. Take in everything from ancient temples to bustling markets, even pausing to experience the traditions of adda, where friends meet for a coffee and to discuss the latest goings on, from local affairs to world politics. And, in the evenings, be sure to explore the city's dining scene, either choosing from one of your hotel's standout restaurants, or visiting a local's-favourite eatery to discover some traditional Kolkata dishes.

Stay: Oberoi Grand Kolkata (deluxe)

Enjoy breakfast before a late morning transfer to the stunning RV Kalaw Pandaw ship. You'll be greeted with a welcome drink – perhaps enjoy it on the sprawling sundeck or top deck bar, mingling with other guests, before you'll sail up river past the old Danish colony of Serampore, before arriving in Barrackpore. Take a walk through the cantonment before returning to the ship for the first of your included dinners, themed each night with specialities including local seafood, Asian and European delights. Afterwards, settle in to your sprawling stateroom, featuring French windows and private decks alongside gorgeous bathrooms with stone showers. 

Stay: RV Kalaw Pandaw

Enjoy breakfast on board with river views, as the ship sails north towards Kalna. On arrival into Kalna you’ll have the chance to cycle on rickshaws to the stunning terracotta temples found in this old city, visit the marble Shiva temple that's made up of 108 shrines arranged in a ring. Enjoy lunch back on board before continuing upriver towards Matiari.

Stay: RV Kalaw Pandaw

After breakfast, head ashore to the bustling village of Matiari where you'll see the entire brassworking process, a tradition that still remains central to this village. Then head further upstream to the battlefield of Plassey, where in 1757 Robert Clive, the Commander-in-Chief of British India, defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal, to change the course of Indian history.

Stay: RV Kalaw Pandaw

This morning will see you sail upstream to Khushbagh, home to a Mughul-style garden and the tomb of Siraj-ud-Daulah – the last independent Nawab of Bengal. Continue on towards Murshidabad, the home of the Nawab’s great Hazarduari Palace that dominates the harbourfront, with highlights including the spectacular Katra Mosque, resplendent Nashipara Palace and Georgian architecture of the Katgola Palace. 

Stay: RV Kalaw Pandaw

This morning your voyage will see you sail the sacred waterway of the Lower Ganges, winding through West Bengal's verdure and past towns dotted with temples and ancient palaces. Chug past sprawling mustard fields and mango orchards before stepping on land to the sleepy city of Baranagar, where miniature terracotta-roofed temples dot the sprawling fields. Before dinner tonight, enjoy complimentary evening canapés as a delicious prelude to your themed dinners.

Stay: RV Kalaw Pandaw

Today you'll explore the village of Mayapur, the headquarters of the Krishna consciousness movement and where a new temple was recently constructed that rivals the size of the vatican and was largely funded by the great grandson of car maker Henry Ford. Mingle with Krishna followers and explore an old pilgrims' bazaar, where you'll certainly find an interesting curio or two.

Stay: RV Kalaw Pandaw

Today you'll enjoy your final full day heading downstream along the famous lower Ganges river. You'll land at the imposing Imambara at Hooghly where verses from the Koran written on its walls is an opportunity to step back in time and relive a slice of Islamic history in Bengal. Continue past the old Dutch settlement of Chinsura to Chandernagore, which was in French possession until 1950. Finally you'll visit the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House of Governor-General of French India, before a final night on board the RV Kalaw Pandaw, moored near Kolkata.

Stay: RV Kalaw Pandaw

After breakfast, cruise under the Howrah Bridge to central Kolkata to disembark. On arrival, transfer to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK, arriving on day 11.