Enjoy the ultimate India River Cruising experience with back to back Ganges and Brahmaputra River Cruises with Pandaw.

Cruise up the Lower Ganges from Calcutta through the lush, West Bengal countryside, visiting temples, palaces and local villages en route.

Return to Calcutta for a night before flying to Assam to explore one of the least visited but most exotic regions of India on a Pandaw Cruise along the Brahmaputra River.

The mighty Brahmaputra River in Northern India originates high in the Himalayas before flowing through the scenic Assam Valley where UNESCO protected national parks and remote rural communities provide the traveller with the most wonderful and authentic expedition.

Enjoy exploratory safaris by small boat, jeep and even elephant in search of the Greater One-Horned Indian Rhinoceros and Indian tiger.

With fascinating visits to ‘Mishing’ people who live on the world’s largest river island, tea plantations and many exotic Satras to explore, this Assam adventure will leave lifetime-lasting memories.

This itinerary can be tailored to fit your requirements, with any number of pre and post cruise explorations, including northern or southern India tours, visits to the Sunderbans, Bhutan or Sikkhim tours or beach extensions in Kerala or South East Asia.

Day 1: Depart the UK

Fly from UK to Calcutta.

Day 2: Calcutta

Arrive Calcutta and transfer to  hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight Calcutta. Breakfast included.

Day 3: Calcutta - Cruise

Join your Pandaw ship in the afternoon following your train journey from Kolkata. For those arriving of their own accord, please arrive to the ship docked at Bamuha no earlier than 2pm. Be welcomed aboard your Pandaw by our crew and enjoy evening entertainment onboard before cocktails and dinner.

Overnight On Board. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 4: Murshidabad

After breakfast, take a walk through the fields of the delightfully sleepy village of Baranagar to visit its three gorgeous miniature terracotta temples. This is rural India at its most idyllic. Visit the Jain temples at Azimganj before continuing our voyage downstream.

In the afternoon we enjoy a city tour of Murshidabad, visiting the great Katra Mosque and Nashipara Palace before driving out to see the Katgola Palace. Built in classical Georgian style by rich local merchants, Katgola Palace represents the other side of the coin of the 'White Mughal' period when English and Indian cultures came close to fusion.

Overnight on board. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 5: Kushbagh

This morning, walk to the Khushbagh, a peaceful Mughal-style garden that encloses the tombs of Siraj-ud-Daulah – the last independent Nawab of Bengal – and his family. Continue a little way upstream to where the great Hazarduari Palace dominates the waterfront.

Built by an English architect in 1837, the palace hosts an extensive collection of pictures, china, weapons and other objects.

Continue sailing downstream in the afternoon with onboard activities and wildlife watching on the sun deck.

Overnight on board. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 6: Matiari

In the morning we visit 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.

After lunch we continue downstream to the brass-working village of Matiari, a charming riverside village. Interact with the locals of Matiari and witness the whole primitive process of beating out brass water pots and other vessels.

Overnight on board. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 7: Mayapur

Explore the village of Mayapur, the headquarters of the ISKCON movement with a new temple comparable in size to the Vatican and largely funded by Alfred B. Ford, the great grandson of car maker Henry Ford. Meet Krishna followers and walk through the pilgrims’ bazaar.

Overnight on board. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 8: Kalna

After breakfast visit the country town of Kalna. Take rickshaws to see a group of some of Bengal’s most attractive terracotta temples, as well as the unique Shiva temple with concentric rings made up of 108 lesser shrines.

Overnight on board. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 9: Chandenagore

Continue sailing upstream to Chandenagore, a French possession until 1950. Visit the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House, erstwhile Governor-General of French India. In the afternoon we sail toward Barrackpore and take a walk through the cantonment - past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and Flagstaff House.

Enjoy a farewell dinner with your crew as we moor in Mayapur for the night.

Overnight on board. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Life on Board Pandaw

Life on board a river cruise is quite different from ocean cruising. Things are very much more informal, with no ‘Captain’s Table' or dressing up for dinner.

Unlike ocean cruising, all excursions and most other things are included in the price, such as drinks and tips for the crew.

With one member of crew per two passengers, the service on board is incredibly high and very personal.

Things are very relaxed on board a Pandaw River Cruise - with no unnecessary and wearisome PA announcements and no disturbing TV’s from neighbouring cabins.

Pandaw Club Members

Cruised with Pandaw before?

Then make sure you sign up as a Pandaw Club Member with us to receive further discounts and benefits on your next Pandaw Cruise holiday with Jasmine Holidays.

Benefits include:

• Exclusive Members Club Cruise Discount
• Unlimited in-house wine package worth up to $220
• Free Laundry Service worth $50
• Pre-post Expedition Discount

Remember that we guarantee a better price than booking direct and your holiday can be completely tailor made and will always be ATOL Protected if your holiday is flight inclusive.