Following the river’s course upstream from the Hooghly in Kolkata through several tributaries to reach the holy city of Varanasi. A journey traversing through historical, archaeological, and cultural sites.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Arrival in Kolkata and transfer to the jetty for embarkation. Welcome onboard followed by safety briefing and lunch. Thereafter enjoy a Panoramic Tour of Dalhousie Square’s heritage buildings; St. John's Church and Victoria Memorial.
Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast, visit the Flower Market and Kumartuli, a traditional potters’ quarter renowned for its sculpting prowess. Return to the ship for lunch and start sailing upstream, passing below the Howrah Bridge, and seeing various colonial buildings along the Ganges River.
Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast ride e-rickshaws through the town of Kalna to visit the enchanting Rajbari Temple complex. 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 the shore-side village of Matiari, while having lunch onboard.
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 ship for breakfast and sail full day towards Murshidabad with lunch onboard.
Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast ride the Toto (e-rickshaw) through the countryside to the Katra mosque, which has distinctive minarets. Thereafter visit the Hazarduari Palace, which dominates the waterfront. Built 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. Return to the ship for lunch and sail towards Jangipur.
Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Enjoying breakfast onboard we sail in the morning to cross the historic Farakka Lock Gate. After crossing the Lock Gate, we cruise through the connecting canal to the Ganges and continue to sail towards Samtaghat.
Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Today we sail full day towards Bateshwarsthan enjoying breakfast and lunch. You will be fascinated by the passing landscape and the lively life on the river. We will arrive in Bateshwarsthan by evening.
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. We return to the ship and sail towards Sultanganj while enjoying lunch onboard.
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 island is a mosque and on the other is the Ajgaibinath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. We will visit the Shiva temple. Return to the ship and sail towards Munger.
Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast visit the Chandika Sthan Temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Shakti. Return to ship for lunch. Thereafter visit the Munger Fort and the local market popular for fruits, vegetables, textiles, and readymade garments.
Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Enjoying our breakfast and lunch onboard, we continue our journey upstream to arrive in Simaria by late afternoon. In the evening walk in the riverside village of Simaria to see the daily activities of the local people.
Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Today we sail full day through wonderful countryside to Patna, enjoying breakfast and lunch. Patna is the capital of the State of Bihar and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world founded in 490 BCE as Pataliputra.
Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast proceed to visit the Golghar (from outside as remains closed on Mondays), a beehive-shaped granary built in 1784 by Warren Hastings, the British Governor General of India. Also visit the Patna Sahib Gurudwara that commemorates the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs in 1666.
Return to ship and sail towards Ghaghra Mod, the confluence where River Ghaghra meets River Ganges.
Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast enjoy a walk in the riverbank village. Thereafter sail full day towards Buxar, anchoring en route. Buxar is one of the most prominent towns of western Bihar, bordering the State of Uttar Pradesh.
Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
We arrive into Buxar by late morning while enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard. Post lunch visit the Ram Rekha Ghat that is associated with a legend from the epic Ramayana that after killing the demoness Tadka, Lord Ram took a bath in the Ganges here to cleanse himself from the sin of killing a woman. Also visit the Sita Ram Upadhyay Museum.
Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Today we sail full day towards Ghazipur enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard. Post lunch visit to the Tomb of Lord Cornwallis, one of the major figures of Indian and British history.
Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Today we sail full day further upstream towards Varanasi enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard. We will moor for the night before Varanasi, subject to river tide conditions.
Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
We sail further upstream through the day to arrive in Varanasi by late afternoon. Considered the holiest city in Hinduism and Jainism, it also played an important role in the development of Buddhism.
Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast we 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. Thereafter, visit the Ghats by walk to experience the activities and hustle-bustle in the by-lanes. Continue to the riverside and witness the evening “Ganga Aarti” ritual.
Following breakfast disembark the ship and transfer for your onward journey.
Disembarkation: 09:00 Hrs
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Ganga Vilas
Ganga Vilas is an 18-suite ship that sails on the longest, most picturesque river cruise in the world. Over 51 days across 2 countries, 5 states and 27 river systems, Ganga Vilas sails from Varanasi to Dibrugarh via Dhaka.
Ganga Vilas is a celebration of post-independence Indian design innovation. It features elegant mid-century furniture, enhanced by Varanasi’s Gyasar textiles and contemporary meditative art.
Each suite on Ganga Vilas is inspired by Josef Albers’ paintings. Bright, spacious and contemporary in styling, the rooms have every modern comfort including large picture windows, seating areas, built in wardrobes, flat screen TV with preloaded movies, and a minibar with soft beverages. Bathrooms have superior amenities and luxurious, all-natural bath products.