India The Lower Ganges River Cruise No Single Supplement & Kids Cruise Free on select sailings from
USD$4,050
per personVarious departures available
India - The Lower Ganges River Cruise with Pandaw
This journey offers a fantastic new way to see regional India on a small ship with a maximum of 10 guests
DAY 1 KOLKATA - BARRACKPORE
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.
DAY 2 KALNA
After breakfast sail upstream and land at the country town of Kalna where you will 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.
DAY 3 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.
DAY 4 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.
DAY 5 BARANAGAR - AJIMGANJ
Continue up the Hoogly which transforms into a charming waterway twisting and turning between banks lined with mustard fields and mango orchards. Morning walk through the fields of the delightfully sleepy village of Baranagar to visit its three gorgeous miniature terracotta temples. This is rural India at its most idyllic. Visit the Jain temples at Azimganj and continue downstream.
DAY 6 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.
DAY 7 CHANDERNAGORE - HOOGHLY
Continue sailing downstream before landing 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. Sail past the old Dutch settlement of Chinsura to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950. Visit the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House, erstwhile Governor-General of French India. Sail into the night to a mooring near Kolkata.
DAY 8 DISEMBARK KOLKATA
After breakfast, disembark and receive a group transfer to the disembarkation point hotel for your onward journey.
What is included on a Pandaw Cruise?
The Pandaw ships are small scale, hand crafted in brass and Teak and the experience is all about exploring remote and often hard to navigate rivers, in a friendly and informal atmosphere.
Fabulous value and inclusions, check out the extensive list below.
- Welcome cocktail party
- Signature hors d’oeuvres at cocktails each evening
- Afternoon tea with cakes or cookies when cruising
- Celebration cake and champagne on birthdays and anniversaries
- Cookery demonstrations and classes using local produce
- All scheduled excursions
- At least two cultural performances per cruise
- Tour of the engine rooms, galley and working parts of the ship
- Film presentations on local culture and history
- Local mineral water
- Cold towels on deck all day
- Jugged coffee, tea and tisanes on deck from sunrise till sunset
- Crew gratuities are included in your cruise program price
This cruise is operated by the RV Kalaw Pandaw
Maximum 10 guests with a crew of 9
Ship Information
SPECIAL OFFERS
Departure Dates, while space lasts
26 Dec 2024 & 11 Jan 2025
Kids Go Free on Select departures
10% Discovery Discount on Select Departures
Indicative Prices, please talk to our team for current availability and pricing
Main Deck from
US$4,050 per person twin share
Upper Deck from
US$5,062.50 per person twin share
Port Taxes
US$65 per person
Extra Discounts may apply for past passengers of Pandaw, please advise your Pandaw club membership at time of booking
Pandaw also offer The Lower Ganges & Brahmaputra itineraries in India
Ask us for details on The Mighty Brahmaputra River and The Lower Ganges River with Brahmaputra
>More River Cruises
Don't forget to download the House of Travel App to view your itinerary from your mobile phone!
Terms and Conditions
Offer is subject to availability and capacity controlled. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotional offers and cannot be backdated. Prices are inclusive of gratuities, port & handling taxes. Offer is subject to change and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. All cruise packages are based on Twin share, inside cabin and costs are per person. Details are not live, speak to one of our consultants for current availability and pricing. Space is strictly limited and is subject to availability at time of booking. All passengers are bound by the individual cruise lines terms & conditions, please ask your consultant for a full copy. Current Deals must be paid in full at time of booking or as shown. All passengers must have a valid passport with more than 6 months validity at the end of their holiday. Travel insurance should be taken out at time of booking to cover in the event of any unforeseen cancellation. ESTA Visas are required for Itineraries visiting USA, Canada, India, China, Vietnam & Sri Lanka. Visa costs are not included. If travelling on a non NZ passport other visas + NZ re-entry permits may also be required, please check with applicable embassy.
