In late 2019 Pandaw Cruises will begin cruising the Ganges, a thousand miles from Calcutta  to Varanasi, a route which has been barely navigable for decades.

After two nights in Calcutta, begin a two-week journey along one of the world's great rivers, all the way as far are the holy city of Varanasi.

There can be no river in the world as sacred as the Ganges and an expedition on the Lower Ganges (or the Hooghly) is one of the prettiest river journeys imaginable.

The river wends its way through the lush countryside of West Bengal with its culturally significant towns crammed with temples and palaces.

The Hooghly joins the Upper Ganges at Farraka and the cruise continues to Varanasi, said to be the oldest inhabited city on the planet and the most sacred city of Hinduism.

Between lie several of the most important Buddhist sites in the world, including Sarnath, Nalanda and Bodh Gaya.

Between these great pilgrimage sites are expanses of empty river teeming with bird life, not to mention the Gangeatic dolphin.

Your cruise vessel for this remarkable journey will be the RV Kalaw Pandaw, a boutique river cruiser built in 2014. Refitted for expedition sailings in India, there are just 18 cabins with an enlarged indoor saloon / dining area as winter cruising in India can be chilly first thing in the mornings.

All of our Ganges River Cruise holidays are totally tailor made around the cruise itinerary and can be tailored to your interests, with pre and post cruise accommodation, touring or other extensions added to your requirements.

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

Today enjoy a full day tour of Calcutta.

In the morning, join the Heritage Tram Ride across the Old Town to witness the bygone era of charming Bengali colonies, chic cafes and traditional houses.

Visit the sacred Hooghly Riverside to see Howrah Bridge, 1906 Howrah Junction Railway Station, St John's Church, the Old Court House and the Colonial Secretariat Buildings.

The next stop is the riverside located Mullik Ghat to explore some of India’s most colourful Flower Bazaar Markets.

Continue to the Victoria Memorial, a landmark of Calcutta and now serving as a royal museum of British Rule in India. From here, visit the iconic Eden Garden Cricket Stadium.

Visit Mother Teresa’s Mission and House and afterwards discover the curious lanes of Kumartuli. The tour ends at Calcutta's New Market area to enjoy some street shopping and bargaining with the locals.

Overnight Calcutta. Breakfast included.

Day 4: Calcutta - Cruise

Transfer from your hotel or airport in Kolkata to embark and sail at noon. Sail past the old Danish colony of Serampore to Barrackpore to land and take a walk through the cantonment - past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and Flagstaff House.

Overnight On Board. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 5: Chandenagore

Continue sailing upstream to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950. Visit the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House, erstwhile Governor-General of French India.

Overnight on board. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 6: Kalna

After breakfast sail upstream and land at the country town of Kalna and 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. Sail on through the night to a mooring near Matiari.

Overnight on board. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 8: 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 9: Matiari

Visit 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. Continue cruising upstream and time permitting 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. Moor close to Murshidabad for the night.

Overnight on board. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 10: Murshidabad

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. Carry on to visit 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. Moor overnight on the riverbank across from town.

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.