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Peregrine Travel Centre

The Lower Ganges River Cruise (Downstream)

The Lower Ganges River Cruise (Downstream)

From USD $2,650

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Description

There can be no river in the world as sacred as the Ganges and an expedition on the Lower Ganges or 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. A rich and vibrant rural life abounds and there is never a dull moment as we sedately ply this pleasant waterway.

A decade ago, for the first time since colonial times, Pandaw pioneered river expeditions in India. Since then we have depended on modern style and often impractically designed partner ships. We are now able to offer an original Pandaw ship, vastly more suited to river expeditions in the tropics and far more comfortable too.

There can be no better vessel to explore this rich tapestry than the stately Orient Pandaw, built in Vietnam in 2012 and pride of the Pandaw fleet having seen service now in four countries. With thirty staterooms on two decks, all with personal verandah space, the ship boasts indoor dining, a deck bar, a movie / lecture theatre and spa.

Trip Name
The Lower Ganges River Cruise (Downstream)
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury River Cruising Passenger Capacity: 60 passengers Length: 180ft / 55m Built: 2008 ACCOMMODATION 20 upper deck, 10 main deck staterooms - 170 square feet, finished in teak and brass - Panoramic French window, leading to personal deck space - Central AC with individual control - Premium mattresses - 24h laundry service WINING & DINING Local master chef heading an experienced international culinary team - Semi-buffet breakfast, Semi-buffet lunch, and seated theme dinners - Daily lean & light menu options - Complimentary coffee, water, tea, soft drinks, local beer, local spirits, juices - Extensive wine list with premium wines - Series of cultural performances, educational talks, cooking classes, and ship tour - Welcome drink on arrival - Welcome cocktail - Farewell reception - Theme dinners - Spacious, air-conditioned saloon bar with nightly entertainment - Sundeck bar - 24hrs hospitality bar - Onboard bakery with daily freshly baked breads and rolls ON EXCURSIONS Admissions - Shoe cleaning after excursions - Bottled drinking water - We give away aluminium water bottles - Cold towel service after excursions - Refreshing drink following excursions - Full-size motor coach on all excursions - 1st aid trained assistant guide to follow all tours and excursions SAFETY & SECURITY All onboard crew is trained and certified as per international marine standards - Fire alarm system in all cabins, public areas and back areas - Fire fighting system in all ship areas - Expert marine superintendant - 24 hrs watch on duty ONBOARD STAFF Captain - River Pilot - First Officer - Chief Engineer - 1st Engineer - Electrician - Bosun & nautical crew - Ship manager - Housekeeping - Dining - Bar keeper - Chefs - Local tour guides PUBLIC SPACES Guest relation desk - Fair-trade shop - Lecture and meeting room with oversized flat screen TV, LSD projector and sound system - Art gallery featuring local art and artists - Library with contemporary and classic literature

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1 KOLKATA - FARAKKA
Journey approximately four hours by train journey from Kolkata to Farakka and then a short road transfer to the ship. This quiet, deserted place was once one of India’s great cities, first under the Hindus in the 12th century, then as the muslim capital of Eastern India from the 14th to the 16th century. There are plentiful remain of mosques, palaces and gateways.
Day 2 - DAY 2 BARANAGAR
This morning, set sail down the Lower Ganges, a charming waterway twisting and turning between banks lined with mustard fields and mango orchards. Moor at the delightful sleepy village of Baranagar with three gorgeous miniature terracotta temples to which you walk through the fields.
Day 3 - DAY 3 MURSHIDABAD
Continue on down past Azimganj, boasting some fine riverside mansions, to Murshidabad where the Nawab’s 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.
Day 4 - DAY 4 KHUSHBAGH - KATWA
Sail downstream a short distance then walk to the Khushbagh, a peaceful Mughul-style garden enclosing the tombs of Siraj-ud-Daulah – the last independent Nawab of Bengal – and his family. Return to the ship and continue downstream past the old British cantonment of Berhampur to a rural mooring close to the battlefield of Plassey where, in 1757, Robert Clive, the Commander-in-Chief of British India, defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, to change the course of Indian history. You can walk through the fields to the commemorative obelisk. Cruise on to a mooring near Katwa, a market town with narrow bustling bazaars.
Day 5 - DAY 5 MATIARI - MAYAPUR
Visit the brassworking village of Matiari where you can see the whole primitive process of beating out brass water pots and other vessels. Continue on through the countryside to Mayapur to visit the vast new ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) temple which dominates the skyline. As the headquarters of ISKCON or the Hare Krishna movement, the temple receives over a million singing and dancing devotees a year from around the world.
Day 6 - DAY 6 KALNA - KOLKATA
Continue on down to the country town of Kalna. Take cycle 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 shrinelets. Sail on, leaving fields behind and arrive at the outskirts of Kolkata. Land near Bandel to visit the imposing Imambara at Hooghly. With verses from the Koran written on its walls, the Imambara is an opportunity to step back in time and relive a slice of Islamic history in Bengal.
Day 7 - DAY 7 CHANDERNAGORE - BARRACKPORE
Sail downstream – past fine waterfront buildings and the old Dutch settlement at Chinsura – to land at Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950. Visit the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House, the erstwhile Governor-General of French India, before continuing down to Barrackpore. Land and take a walk through the cantonment – past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and Flagstaff House – to get a better understanding of India's journey to independence.
Day 8 - DAY 8 KOLKATA
Early this morning, cruise under the Howrah Bridge to central Kolkata to disembark. Transfer to Oberoi Grand Kolkata.
Day 9 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
14-07-201921-07-2019USD $2,650Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
14-07-201921-07-2019USD $2,950Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
11-08-201918-08-2019USD $2,650Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
11-08-201918-08-2019USD $2,950Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
08-09-201915-09-2019USD $2,650Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
08-09-201915-09-2019USD $2,950Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
06-10-201913-10-2019USD $2,650Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
06-10-201913-10-2019USD $2,950Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
03-11-201910-11-2019USD $2,650Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
03-11-201910-11-2019USD $2,950Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
17-11-201924-11-2019USD $2,650Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
17-11-201924-11-2019USD $2,950Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
01-12-201908-12-2019USD $2,650Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
01-12-201908-12-2019USD $2,950Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
29-12-201905-01-2020USD $2,650Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
29-12-201905-01-2020USD $2,950Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
12-01-202019-01-2020USD $3,100Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
12-01-202019-01-2020USD $3,400Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
26-01-202002-02-2020USD $3,100Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
26-01-202002-02-2020USD $3,400Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
03-02-202016-02-2020USD $3,100Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
03-02-202016-02-2020USD $3,400Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
23-02-202001-03-2020USD $3,100Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
23-02-202001-03-2020USD $3,400Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
08-03-202015-03-2020USD $3,100Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
08-03-202015-03-2020USD $3,400Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
22-03-202029-03-2020USD $3,100Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
22-03-202029-03-2020USD $3,400Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
05-04-202012-04-2020USD $3,100Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
05-04-202012-04-2020USD $3,400Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
19-04-202026-04-2020USD $3,100Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
19-04-202026-04-2020USD $3,400Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From

Inclusions

    • Sail up to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950. Visit the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House, the erstwhile Governor-General of French India
    • Take cycle 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
    • Visit the brass-working village of Matiari, a charming riverside village
    • Walk through the fields of the delightfully sleepy village of Baranagar to visit its three gorgeous miniature terracotta temples

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