Assam to Bengal via Bangladesh

We will reach Kolkata today. Post lunch deboard and transfer to Kolkata airport to connect with flight to onward destination. (B, L) 

 We start early and are scheduled for a full day tour of Murshidabad. One of the oldest cities in West Bengal, Murshidabad stands as a testimony to the rich heritage of Nawabs of Bengal. Later, visit Katra mosque and Katgola Gardens. Katgola is the erstwhile palace garden of Raja Dhanpar Singh Dugar and Lakshmipat Singh Dugar. Besides, you will visit the famous Adinath Temple, built in 1873, by Harreck Chand. Besides, there is Khushbaag Cemetery, which houses the remains of Ali Vardi Khan and Siraj Ud Daulah. We return to the ship for late lunch and sailback towards Kolkata with the tide. Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D) 

We visit the Weavers colony at Phulia/ Shantipur, famous Tant, the famous Bengal cotton. Here you can buy fine cotton stoles, saris and dhoti from the Cooperative stores. Visit the brass-working village of Matiari, a charming riverside village. Interact with the Kansari artisans 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 was, 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. Later, sail towards Mayapur. Today, guests will be taken to Mayapur- the headquarters of ISKCON. Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D) 

 This day starts with a visit to Bandel-the erstwhile Portuguese colony. You will visit Bandel Church, the oldest Christian Church in West Bengal, built around 1660 by the Portuguese and is dedicated to Nossa Senhora di Rozario. Later, board the cruise and sail up to Kalna. We take rickshaws to see a group of some of Bengal’s most attractive terracotta temples, as well as the unique Nava Kailash Temple of Shiva with concentric rings made up of 108 lesser shrines. Sail on through the night to a mooring near Matiari. Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D) 

After Immigration formalities MV Mahabaahu starts sailing down the Howrah Bridge, past Belur Math and the old Danish Colony of Serampore. We take a walk through the cantonment- past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and the Flagstaff House. Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D) 

 Sundarbans - Sajnekhali We explore the waters of the Indian Sunderbans in a comfortable local ferry with comfortable seating. We enjoy tea/coffee and cookies as we look for wildlife. We return to the ship for a quick breakfast and then enjoy Purulia cultural performance in one of the villages. We also listen to the baul singers—they are the mystic minstrels of Bengal. We visit the Mangrove Interpretation Centre at Sajnekhali. Here we walk to see wildlife. After lunch we go in for another boat safari in Sajnekhali to look in the narrow water inlets for some more wildlife. Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D) 

 This is a complete day for sailing from Mongla Port to Hemnagar and getting through custom clearance formalities. It is a laid-back relaxing day but with a lot of official activity on board both for custom and immigration clearance. The ship moves through the last of Bangladesh waters and we reach Shekhbaria for custom clearance on the Bangladesh side. The Bangladesh Border Guards clear the ship and the guests for immigration formalities. From here we sail on towards Aungtihara to leave the Bangladesh waters and sail into the no-man’s waters till Hemnagar. We use this day to pamper ourselves in the SPA or enjoy a dip in the pool. At Hemnagar, the Indian Border Security force does a check, and the customs personnel clear us through immigration to enter West Bengal, India. This evening we wear clothes/saris/lungis that we bought in Bangladesh. We get together in the lounge for beverages and enjoy a sit-down dinner in these newly shopped outfits.  Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D) 

 Harbaria forest station & Karamjal Crocodile farm An early morning boat safari towards the Harbaria Forest Station. We return for a quick breakfast and enjoy a three hour morning forest walk at the Harbaria Forest Station to study the mangrove fauna and flora. We continue in our tenders to the Karamjal Eco Tourism Centre and then onwards to the Karamjal Crocodile Farm. We embark the ship for lunch as it sails to Daingmari Dolphin Sanctuary. After lunch we take our tenders to sail in the Daingmari waters for not just dolphins but also to watch the techniques of otter fishing undertaken by the fishing community of fishermen in the area. The ship sails towards Mongla Port and we take a drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bagerhat. A sixty domed mosque and tomb of Khan Jahan, the architect of the mosque. We return to the ship for a cultural performance on the Sundarban communities through ‘Poter Gaan’. Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)   

 An early morning wake up for an exciting boat safari. This day we sail in our tenders along the shores of Sundarbans, in the canals and creeks near The Kotka Wildlife Sanctuary for an hour and a half to catch wildlife (spotted deer, monkeys, wild boar, water monitor and birds) as it wakes up among the aerial roots of the mangrove mudflats. We return to MV Mahabaahu for breakfast as the ship sails through the estuary waters and reaches Jamtola Beach in the Bay of Bengal. We walk through the mangrove vegetation where the tiger plays hide and seek as it leaves behind ‘fresh pugmarks’. For those of us who are water enthusiasts can indulge in taking a dip in the waters of Bay of Bengal (Carry swim wear on this day). We return to the ship for lunch and the ship sails towards Chandpai Dolphin Sanctuary. After dinner we enjoy a night safari in the Chandpai water inlets close to the mangrove shores. This is a very exciting and different experience in these water laden animal sanctuaries. Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D) 

 We leave the ship at 04:30 hrs with packed breakfast and we drive (29 kms/ 1 hr) to the floating vegetable market. We enjoy the pristine beauty of the countryside and the shopping habitat of the growers—seasonal vegetables and fruits, paddy, rice saplings, timber, furniture and boats selling tea and local breakfast varieties in one of the inlets waterways of a village. This is a unique experience, and one can see that everything that needs to be transported is done on the river. It is a very engrossing site, and one must be quick with cameras as the boats fly by. We snack on the local titbits and buy the local vegetables and fruits and are back on the ship by 0900 hrs. We sail for about 8 to 9 hours to reach the UNESCO world heritage site of Sundarbans in the Kotka Forest Area. We spend time in the lounge and enjoy dinner on board. After dinner we go for a night safari. Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D) 

 Dhaka - Chandpur - Barisal We sail out of Dhaka Port and begin cruising to reach Barisal by the end of the Day. We treat ourselves to Yoga on the sundeck and a leisurely breakfast as we cruise into the waters of Padma (Ganga and Jamuna) and Meghna. After breakfast we have an orientation on the visit for the day and the next day. The volume and quantity of water at the confluence is immense and one can see the locals, very skilled fishermen ride the waves in these waters. The fishermen of this area are known for Hilsa fishing. Hilsa is a delicacy of Bangladesh. We arrive at a Hilsa fishing village and engage with the locals for Hilsa, prawns and shrimps. We also enjoy a fresh catch of prawns. This afternoon we enjoy an authentic Bangladeshi style fish curry and rice. At Barisal we walk through the thriving village market for fresh vegetables and local fruits as well as spices. We visit one of the Bangladeshi ferries to see it’s lay out on the inside. This evening our fresh vegetables show up at our table. Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D) 

 After an early breakfast, we drive to visit Dhakeshwari Temple and then move on to the National Language Monument. We take a cycle rickshaw ride on the streets of Dhaka to reach the Dhaka University Building. We visit the Lal Bagh Fort and the tomb of BibiPari, the daughter of the Mughal General, Shahista Khan and onwards to Ahsan Manzil, also called the Pink Palace. We take cycle rickshaws and go on a shopping spree at the Shakhari Bazaar, return to the ship to freshen up. We drive this evening and enjoy a home hosted dinner with a local family. Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D) 

 After breakfast, drive towards the Dhamrai Metal Craft village, en-route stop at National Martyr’s Monument to pay respect to the martyrs who laid their lives during the Liberation War in 1971. Then move to the Metal Craft village to meet the Craftsman & his Products from lost wax method. We enjoy lunch at a local Restaurant. Post lunch visit Kakran Pottery village to see the Potters clinging to their ancestral profession. We drive to MV Mahabaahu, and on the way, we stop to see the National Parliament Building from outside. We have a relaxed evening in the Lounge. This evening we enjoy a Bangladesh theme dinner with women in Bangladeshi style saris and men in Bangla lungis. Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D) 

Early Breakfast and leave for Sonargaon, a 13th century City of Panam. We visit Goaldi Mosque and walk through the ruins of Panam City to imagine its glory. We visit the Folklore museum and onwards to Nawapara for Jamdhani weaving and to purchase these beautiful saris /fabric and lunch with the Jamdhani entrepreneur to taste home- cooked authentic Bangla food. This day we enter the hustle-bustle of Narayanganj. A formal Bangladeshi welcome with folk- artists is in the offing when we board our vessel. Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D) 

 Yoga, Breakfast and a talk on the “Confluence of Rivers, Bangabandhu Bridge, Jamdhani weaving and Sonargaon, the old capital city of Bengal”. A day to enjoy the river-life along the river, the confluence of Jamuna and Ganga, now the river becomes Padma with the two waters mosques, shipbuilding, commercial enterprises and the Bangabandhu Bridge, are on offer. Country boats, sand barrages, tugs, dredgers, fisherman, colourful ferries, life on water embraced by the Bangladeshis are intriguing. Enjoy  a laid-back afternoon. This evening we go for a riverside-walk on the banks of Padma to see what the local shops cater for. Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D) 

Yoga, Breakfast, ‘an orientation on Sirajganj’ and we take our tenders to visit Sirajganj area.We visit Pachalia village for cotton weaving for colourful gamchas, lungis and saris. After a hand at bargaining in the village we drive to Hati Kamrul Navratna Temple. We enjoy acultural performance of the local artists in Sirajganj. Lunch is at a roadside restaurant to enjoy local cuisine. We return to the ship in our tenders to enjoy a relaxed evening. We sail towards Aricha and anchor at Aricha. Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D Yoga, Breakfast, ‘an orientation on Sirajganj’ and we take our tenders to visit Sirajganj area.We visit Pachalia village for cotton weaving for colourful gamchas, lungis and saris. After a hand at bargaining in the village we drive to Hati Kamrul Navratna Temple. We enjoy acultural performance of the local artists in Sirajganj. Lunch is at a roadside restaurant to enjoy local cuisine. We return to the ship in our tenders to enjoy a relaxed evening. We sail towards Aricha and anchor at Aricha. Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D

 Yoga, Breakfast and a talk on “Bangladesh as a country, its monuments culture and commercial enterprises” as the ship sails towards Sirajganj. We enjoy a full day sail from Bahadurabad to Sirajgunj. This morning and afternoon we have an option to pamper ourselves at the Health Facilities for SPA/Steam/Sauna/Jacuzzi/Massages In the evening we learn how to tie a Sari in and Indian style and this is worn throughout the length and breadth of India and Bangladesh. Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D) 

 The ship sails away from the Indian land border at Dhubri and enters the water stretch of India. We have Yoga on the Sundeck and a relaxed breakfast. We reach Shishumara where the Indian Border Security Forces give us the clearance and we sail out of Indian waters and into the no-man stretch. We seek custom clearance at Shahber Agla from the Border Guards of Bangladesh and enter the Bangladesh waters. We reach Chilmari (Pilot Change) and go through the immigration formalities to enter Bangladesh on River Jamuna. This evening we enjoy Assamese Laal Cha tradition with local snack and enjoy the Assamese theme dinner. We sail towards Bahadurabad (Chandan Boisha for Pilot Change) and dock for the evening. Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D) 

Yoga, breakfast and a talk on “Sikh traditions and Hiramati culture”. We attend the prayer ceremony (Ardas) at Dam-dama Sahib Gurudwara. The Gurudwara is a Sikh temple; serves lunch to all. We will experience the concept of langar (community eating) here. The concept of eating together was started by Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru. Thereafter, we visit Asharekandi village famous for its traditional crafts, Terracotta and Pottery. We try our hand at clay pottery with Communities of Hiras and Kumhars who use the Hiramati soil to shape pots and idols. We see the art of terracotta of this region of Assam. Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D) Special Note: We go through the Custom Clearance formalities at Dhubri to enter into Bangladesh. 

 An early morning, two-and-a-half-hour drive to Manas National Park with packed breakfast takes us for an elephant safari and a Jeep Safari. Lunch will be in a resort at Manas. A day with the wild, calls for a relaxed dinner evening. Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D) 

After Yoga and a relaxed breakfast, we visit Sualkuch, the silk hub of Assam to understand the detailed Muga, Eri and Paat silk production. Muga is the cherished golden silk of Assam, Paat the white wonder and eri a warm non-violent silk. The Bodo tribals welcome us to the arena of silk with their cultural performances. We walk through Sualkuchi village and indulge in a shopping spree in the local shops and return to the ship for lunch. The ship sails downstream to Gualpara. High Tea today is followed by a talk on “Wildlife in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kaziranga and Manas National Parks and in India”. Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)   

 Post breakfast, check-out and transfer to Kolkata airport to connect with flight to Guwahati. We will be met at the Guwahati airport and proceed to visit the Kamakhya temple and then visit the local bazaar area. Board MV Mahabaahu and lunch onboard before we visit Peacock Island, the smallest inhabited river island of the world. We enjoy an evening stroll and watch the locals through their rituals at the Umananda Temple. Enjoy the sunset sail towards the Saraighat Bridge. We anchor in the Brahmaputra for the night. Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D) 

 After breakfast, proceed for the city tour of Kolkata and start with the old British Calcutta. During the British colonial era from 1700 – 1912, Kolkata witnessed a spate of building in the city largely influenced by the conscious intermingling of neo-gothic, baroque, neo-classical and Oriental and Islamic schools of design. Unlike many minimalists north Indian cities, the architectural variety in Kolkata owes its origins to European Style imported by the British. Continue to Victoria Memorial, a landmark of Kolkata dedicated to UK’s Queen Victoria and now serves as a royal museum of British Rule in India. Lunch in a local restaurant, then visit the Kumartuli – the Colony of Potters, you would find almost 400 sculptors etching through clay brought from the nearby River Ganges to create some of the most fascinating idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. A whole army of sculptors, potters, frame decorators and dressers work in harmony with heaps of straw, clay, cheap gold foils, bamboo, beads and mundane things to create art pieces so vivid, stylised and grand that it evokes a lifetime awe. Return to the hotel and dinner at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel (B, L, D) 

A representative will meet you and escort you to your hotel. Kolkata, the city of joy as it is called is also commonly considered as the 'Paris of the East' as there's a happy amalgamation of different cultures, styles and moods, coupled along with numerous forms of industries and commerce and politics. Overnight at the hotel Meals: None