The Holy Ganges Cruise in Bengal for 4 days brought to you by Palace Tours

The Holy Ganges Cruise - Upstream (3 Nights / 4 Days)

Travel upstream on the Luxury River Cruiser M.V. Paramhamsa, the only one of its kind in Eastern India, for a 4-day heritage exploration on the River Ganges from Kolkata to Shantiniketan in West Bengal. This journey is studded with visits to places of great historical importance, beautiful temples and more on the banks of the Ganges, one of the holiest rivers in the world, where you can relax in luxury as the heritage unfurls around you.

Itinerary :

Day 1 - Your Ganges River cruise begins

Cities Covered : Calcutta / Kolkata , Chandannagar , River Ganges

Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal and was capital of British India until 1912. The urban agglomeration of Kolkata covers several municipal corporations, municipalities, city boards and villages and is the third largest urban agglomeration in India and the seventh largest in the world. Situated on the banks of the Hooghly River (a distributary of the Ganges), Kolkata was arguably second only to London in administrative importance in the British Empire. The city lost its past glory and economic importance in the years following Indian independence. The city is also noted for its revolutionary tradition, from the pre-independence era to the Naxalite movements. Home of luminaries like Rabindranath Tagore, Amartya Sen, Mother Teresa, and Satyajit Ray, the city is often referred to as the "cultural capital of India", while other sobriquets like "the city of processions" and "the city of joy" also adorn Kolkata. Once called a "dying city", Kolkata is now undergoing a process of economic uplift and revival.

Chandannagar, formerly known as Chandernagore is a small city and former French colony located 30 kilometers north of Kolkata, in West Bengal, India. It is head quarters of a subdivision in Hooghly District. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority. Situated along the banks of river Ganga, the city has been able to maintain a separate identity different from all other cities and abide by her own characteristics. The remains of French buildings at Chandannagar make for a good sight. Other tourist attractions include the Strand, Church, Museum, Rabindra Bhavan and Temples. The long forgotten French colonial aura can still be witnessed in the nook and corners of Chandannagar.

River Ganges is worshiped by the Hindus in India and is considered one of the holiest rivers in the world. Ganga or Ganges is considered the Mother of India and it is a belief that the water of the Ganges can get you rid of your sins. The Ganges runs over 1557 miles. The river has its origin at Gangotri glacier (southern slopes of the Himalayas). The mouth of the Ganges forms a vast delta (Sundarban delta), which is the largest delta in the world. Ganges has served as the lap of human civilization from the ancient times. It has been a practice for the Indians to depend on the river for psychological, physical and spiritual sustenance. River Ganga is rich in wildlife but the show-stealer is the dolphins, which can be seen swimming with only their beaks protruding out of the waters. The people of India make extensive use of the Ganges for agricultural and fishing purposes. The Ganges is also famous for transportation as India relies greatly on river transportation.

Check in at Kolkata's Millennium Park Jetty by 2:00 pm this afternoon and board M.V. Paramhamsa, which casts off shortly thereafter and sets sail to Chandannagar, a colony of the French until 1950. Visit the museum, church, French bakery and take a relaxing stroll along the Strand to admire and learn more about the French architecture.

Day 2 - Discover the artisans and temples of Kalna

Cities Covered : Chandannagar , Kalna , River Ganges

The town of Kalna is a subdivision in Bardhaman District, at West Bengal (India). Being on the western bank of the river Bhagirathi, the town is infested with historical monuments. The place is at a distance of 25 kilometers from Nabadwip and is 77 kilometers from Kolkata. The place is at 23.22° N 88.37°. Kalna is close to the pilgrimages of Mayapur and Nabadwip and is better known as 'Ambika Kalna', named after the famous deity of Goddess Kali, Ambika. The place once housed the Rajas of Bardhaman. Kalna is the meeting point of the Vaishnava and Shakta forms of worship. The temples here are made of bricks and displays detailed terracotta artworks.

Continue your exploration of the history and culture of colonial Bengal as you begin the day with a trip to a Portuguese church at Bandel. After breakfast, the cruiser sets sail to Chandannagar, a colony of the French until 1950. Visit the museum, church, French bakery and take a relaxing stroll along the Strand to admire and learn more about the French architecture. Take an excursion to the weavers colony at Kalna / Shantipur, creators of fine Bengal cotton known as TANT. The town of Kalna is famous for its ancient terracotta temples, and the Shiva temple with its concentric rings made up of 108 shrinelets demonstrates the enthralling workmanship of Bengal. You have time to explore the city before returning to the cruise ship for dinner.

Day 3 - Heritage and history of Murshidabad

Cities Covered : Murshidabad , Palashi , River Ganges

Murshidabad, the grand heritage of Bengal is distanced at 182 kilometers from Kolkata and just about 11 kilometers from Behrampore. A city of grand stature, Murshidabad, has been named after the Nawab Murshid Quli Khan, who was the Diwan of Bihar, Orissa, and Bengal, during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. One of the most prominent cities in Bengal, the place Murshidabad is of immense historical significance. It constitutes ancient monuments and forts that speak bold of the turmoil they have witnessed in the past. The Hazarduari Palace, built in 1837 by Duncan Macleod, in the European style of architecture, is a museum of thousand doors that pulls a good deal of visitors. Then there is the Nimak Haram Deohri or the Traitors Gate, the Khusbagh, the Garden of Happiness, which is a boat-ride over the river where Siraj is buried. The Katra Mosque stands in a market place. It is encompassed by an array of two-storied dome chambers. Among other attractions, the eminent ones are Moti Jhil - the Pearl Lake, the Great Imambara, and the Nasipur palace, Topkhana, Wasif Manzil, the Jain Parashnath Temples, the Bhavaniswar Temple, Syedabad and the Jafraganj Cemetery.

Palashi is a small hamlet on the Bhagirathi River, located approximately 50 kilometers south of the city of Krishnagar in the Nadia District of West Bengal, India. The nearest major town is Beldanga. Pâlashi achieved historical significance when, on 23 June 1757, the Battle of Plassey was fought between the forces of Siraj Ud Daulah, the last Nawab of Bengal (and his French support troops) and the troops of the British East India Company, led by Robert Clive. This event, part of the Seven Years War, ultimately led to the establishment of British rule in Bengal, and eventually, the whole Indian subcontinent.

As the vessel sails, rural Bengal unfolds itself in all its beauty, bounty and glory. After breakfast, disembark the cruiser for a full day tour of Murshidabad and Palashi. Murshidabad is one of the oldest cities in Bengal and boasts a rich heritage. Today’s tour encompasses several places of historic interest such as the Nizamat Kila (the Fortress of the Nawabs), also known as the Hazar Duari Palace (Palace of a Thousand Doors), built in the Italianate style by Duncan McLeod of the Bengal Engineers in 1837. Later, you may also visit the beautiful, horseshoe-shaped Moti Jheel (Pearl Lake) just to the south of the palace. Tour the Muradbagh Palace and the Khushbagh Cemetery, where the remains of Ali Vardi Khan and Siraj-ud-Daulah are interred.

Day 4 - Bengal’s cultural capital

Cities Covered : Calcutta / Kolkata , Shantiniketan

Shantiniketan is a famous university town in West Bengal and is world famous because of its association with Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, father of Rabindranath Tagore, bought a few acres of land and founded Shantiniketan. Later, in 1901, his son Rabindranath (1861-1941) founded a school here, starting with five students. Today the school is world renowned. The main attractions of Shantiniketan include the various buildings of the Visva-Bharati campus. It consists of several buildings, one of them is Bichitra Bhavan, which was designed by Rathindranth Tagore. Also known as the Rabindra Bhavan it houses a research institute and a museum.

An exciting day awaits you on this final leg of your journey. Check out of the cruiser after breakfast for a full day exploration of Shantiniketan, small town near Bolpur in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore built this town, whose vision became what is now a university town (Visva-Bharati University) attracting thousands of visitors each year. After lunch, continue on to Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary for a close encounter with animals such as black buck, spotted deer, jackals, foxes and a variety of water birds. Stop at the Tribal Village where you may have the opportunity to interact with the Santhal Tribal Community and discover their well preserved tribal culture and age old traditions from generations.

Travel back to Kolkata and arrive in evening where the tour ends.

Travel Tips & FAQ's

What are the passport/visa requirements for travel to India?

A passport with validity at least six months beyond your departure from India is required. Also, visas must be obtained prior to arrival in India. Please note that Palace Tours cannot provide visas. Please visit www.mea.gov.in, click on "Welcome" and then under "MEA Links" at the right, click on "Missions and Posts Abroad" and then click "Consulate Generals". You can then select your appropriate Consulate General office and link directly to its website, where detailed visa information and application forms can be found. Please budget at least 14 days to receive it from the consulate.

What is the best time of year to visit the area?

September to March. The region has a tropical climate with hot summers and cold winters. Maximum and minimum temperatures during the summer are 42°C and 37°C respectively. In winters, the maximum and minimum temperatures are 29°C and 9.2°C respectively.

What precautions should I take while on the tour?

Drink only purified water provided in the cruise, only consume food that is served in the cruise. Carry sunscreen, a hat, mosquito repellent, and don't forget your camera! Also do not forget to carry your personal medicines if you are on medication.

What kinds of clothing are recommended?

During the winter season (December, January and February) light woolens are required during the night. For the rest of the year, casual cotton outfits would be the most comfortable. Fully covered shoes with good traction are advisable. There is no official dress code on board the cruise ship.

What onboard facilities does the ship have?

The 4-decked luxury cruiser M.V. Paramhamsa was built in 2006. It has a gym, Ayurvedic massage parlor, steam room, activity room with satellite television, library, art gallery, conference rooms with internet connectivity and fax facilities, fully-stocked bar, sun deck, onboard entertainment and laundry service. There is a terrace coffee shop as well as a kebab corner for delicious snacks outside of mealtimes.

Please describe the rooms on board.

The 32 comfortable rooms of M.V. Paramhamsa are air-conditioned, spacious, are river-facing and possess attached baths for your convenience. The ship has 12 luxury rooms on the first deck and 20 deluxe rooms on the main deck. Luxury rooms measure 5.4m x 3m (approx. 162 sq. ft) while deluxe rooms are slightly smaller at 4.5m x 3m (approx. 135 sq. ft). All rooms are equipped with telephone, ample reading material, tea and coffee maker and even an emergency kit.

What kind of cuisine is served throughout the tour?

The ship's spacious restaurant, The Mangrove, offers a variety of delectable Oriental, continental and Indian dishes. Take your pick from the lunch buffet selections and the mouthwatering seafood section. Vegetarian options are always available, and special requests can be accommodated for; please inform Palace Tours upon booking and please advise upon boarding if you have allergies or dietary restrictions.

What kinds of electrical outlets are there on board?

The ship has 220-240 volt outlets.

What types of onboard cultural entertainment are planned?

The evening programs showcase rural Bengal through various folk songs and cultural activities.

Is it permissible to smoke on board?

Smoking in confined areas is prohibited. You may, however, smoke on the open decks of the vessel.

Is the tap water safe to drink?

Bottled water is provided complimentary throughout your tour, on board and on land excursions. We also recommend brushing your teeth with bottled water.

What is the recommended gratuity?

Tipping is a matter of individual preference. We advise that you do not tip the individual directly for services; separate boxes are kept for such a purpose. As a guideline, a tip of about 2,000 rupees for the 3-night tour would be appropriate.

Can the tour accommodate passengers with special needs?

Yes, if you require a wheelchair, one can be provided (please mention upon booking) and can fit through the passageways on board. If you have a medical condition that might put you at risk, discuss it with your doctor and inform us at the time of booking. And, whenever you travel, check to see what your health insurance covers. We do have some professionals to handle emergency situations and can arrange immediate medical facilities.

What is the recommended currency?

The local currency is the Indian Rupee. We recommend that you utilize currency exchange facilities in Kolkata before your tour, as some of the smaller towns may not be able to accommodate an exchange. On board accounts may be settled by major credit card or cash.

1 . Do I need a Visa for India?
All visitors to India need a Visa