email
menu

The Upper Ganges River - India River Cruise

Find the perfect trip

Home Search Trips The Upper Ganges River - India River Cruise
Print a pdf of this cruise
print
13 days from

Contact us

* Current p/p indicative rate.

Overview
Highlights
Dates & Prices
Itinerary
Map
Ships

Highlights

  • Sail 1000 miles along the Ganges from Kolkata to Varanasi, covering the best of the river's colonial splendor, cultural treasures, and pristine bird and wildlife.
  • Experience the enchanting rural arcadia of West Bengal along the Hoogly and witness the transformation of the river due to multi-million dollar government investment in dredging and buoying channels.
  • Discover the oldest inhabited city on the planet, Varanasi, the most sacred city of Hinduism with its cremation ghats, and explore the fascinating cities and Buddhist sites that lie in between.
  • Enjoy the ultra shallow draft Pandaw K class ships, which are perfectly suited for navigating the Ganges' shallow waters and providing a comfortable and authentic river cruise experience.
  • Witness the teeming birdlife and the endangered Ganges River Dolphin as you journey along the holy river.

Highlights

  • Sail 1000 miles along the Ganges from Kolkata to Varanasi, covering the best of the river's colonial splendor, cultural treasures, and pristine bird and wildlife.
  • Experience the enchanting rural arcadia of West Bengal along the Hoogly and witness the transformation of the river due to multi-million dollar government investment in dredging and buoying channels.
  • Discover the oldest inhabited city on the planet, Varanasi, the most sacred city of Hinduism with its cremation ghats, and explore the fascinating cities and Buddhist sites that lie in between.
  • Enjoy the ultra shallow draft Pandaw K class ships, which are perfectly suited for navigating the Ganges' shallow waters and providing a comfortable and authentic river cruise experience.
  • Witness the teeming birdlife and the endangered Ganges River Dolphin as you journey along the holy river.
Ship Kalaw Pandaw
Capacity: 36
Feture image for The Upper Ganges River - India River Cruise

In 2019 we inaugurated an 'all Ganges' voyage of one thousand miles from Kolkata to Varanasi. Due to the challenges of navigation and the obstruction of numerous pontoon bridges it has been decided to sail as far as Patna and then overland to Varanasi.

The sailing does though cover the best of the Ganges from the colonial splendours of Kolkotta, through the enchanting rural arcadia of West Bengal along the Hoogly and the great expanse of the Ganga itself with its pristine bird and wildlife and cultural treasures dotted along the banks. Though in the days of the British Raj paddle steamers plied this route on a regular basis, with the advent of the railways in India river navigation was abandoned and the rivers were allowed to silt up. Now thanks to a multi-million dollar investment from the Indian Government channels have been dredged and buoyed and hi tech GPS based aids installed enabling seasonal navigation.

Varanasi, said to be the oldest inhabited city on the planet is the most sacred city of Hinduism and a place of overwhelming beauty at the same time poignantly moving with its cremation ghats. Varanasi is surely the goal of any 'passage to India' and at the other end of the holy river stands Kolkata, in all its Raj-like magnificence. Between lies several of the most important Buddhist sites in the country, fascinating cities great and small as well as expanses of empty river teeming with bird life, not to mention the Gangeatic dolphin.

No vessel could be more appropriate for a voyage on 'All the Ganges' than our ultra shallow draft Pandaw K class ships.

Important Notice:

The cruise schedule includes the latest information regarding your program, but last minute adjustments may occur. The schedule may shift due to the weather or to take advantage of unexpected opportunities. The exact time for each activity will be announced or posted by the onboard tour staff.

Please Note::

This itinerary passes through the state of Bihar. In this state it is illegal to serve any drinks containing alcohol. For this reason we will not be able to serve alcohol onboard the ship while in the state of Bihar. This will affect the Upstream itinerary from day 6 until arrival in Varanasi and for the Downstream itinerary upon arrival to Patna until the afternoon of day 6.

  • Sail 1000 miles along the Ganges from Kolkata to Varanasi, covering the best of the river's colonial splendor, cultural treasures, and pristine bird and wildlife.
  • Experience the enchanting rural arcadia of West Bengal along the Hoogly and witness the transformation of the river due to multi-million dollar government investment in dredging and buoying channels.
  • Discover the oldest inhabited city on the planet, Varanasi, the most sacred city of Hinduism with its cremation ghats, and explore the fascinating cities and Buddhist sites that lie in between.
  • Enjoy the ultra shallow draft Pandaw K class ships, which are perfectly suited for navigating the Ganges' shallow waters and providing a comfortable and authentic river cruise experience.
  • Witness the teeming birdlife and the endangered Ganges River Dolphin as you journey along the holy river.

There are no future departures for this trip at this stage.

show reverse itinerary
DAY 1 KOLKATA
Transfer from your hotel or airport in Kolkata to embark on your Pandaw ship. Set sail down the Hooghly River, an important distributory of the Ganga to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950. Stroll along the riverside promenade, visit the 18th century church and Dupleix's House, the erstwhile Governor-General of French India. Return to the ship and continue upstream past the old Dutch settlement of Chinsura and the Portuguese settlement of Bandel.
DAY 2 KALNA
Land at the country town of Kalna and 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. On the way back to the ship explore the colourful local market full of fruit sellers and fish mongers. Continue sailing towards Mayapur to explore 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 3 MATIARI
Set off to discover the brass-working village of Matiari. Interact with the local artisans learn how these skilled craftsmen all specialise in a different process – from beating the metal, to etching the designs. Witness the whole process involved to create brass water pots, trays and other vessels Later, cruise on past 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.
DAY 4 MURSHIDABAD
Take an early 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 cruising towards Murshidabad to where the great Hazarduari Palace dominates the waterfront. Explore the city, a hidden architectural gem along the river with dramatic, whitewashed, colonial-era structures including Katra Mosque and Katgola palaces.
DAY 5 FARAKKA
Cross from the Lower Ganges or Hooghly River to the Ganges itself through the Farraka canal and lock, that was constructed 1963-75. Passing into the great river the great Farraka barrage will be visible just downstream. This effectively dams the Ganges and strategically controls the flow of water into neighbouring Bangaladesh. Enter a section of river rich in bird life, before stopping at Samtaghat, otherwise known as Raj Mahal.
DAY 6 BATESHWARSTHAN
Passing the confluence of the Kosi river that flows down from Nepal, moor at the pretty town of Bateshwarsthan to uncover the 8th century Buddhist site of Vikramshila, one of the two most important centres of learning in India during the Pala Empire, along with Nalanda.
DAY 7 BHAGLAPUR
Sailing along this stretch of the river provides an opportunity to spot the rare Gangeatic dolphins. Land at Bhaglapur, a centre of silk production, and visit the 18th century mansion of the Collector, Augustus Cleveland.
DAY 8 SULTANGANJ
Contunue to Jahanigra Island, a place of pilgrimage with many rock carvings in high relief dating from the eighth century depicting aspects of Siva and Vishnu. In the evening moor off Sultanganj, with its pair of great granite rocks, one crowned with a mosque and the other a small temple dating from the 16th century.
DAY 9 MUNGER
Munger is now a large and industrialised city but has an interesting history. In 1762, Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal, shifted his capital from Murshidabad to Munger, and established a firearms manufacturing centre here. Explore the Mughal fort, East India Company cemetery and step inside the Bihar School of Yoga founded in 1964 by Satyananda Saraswati. One of the leading yoga schools in the country. The institution has developed yogic techniques through a synthesis of traditional yogic, vedantic and tantric practices and contemporary health science.
DAY 10 MOKAMA
Stop at Mokama, once home to Jim Corbett the naturalist and protector of the Indian tigers. Surrounded by farmlands, Mokama has the second hightest production of lentils in the country. Learn about the freedom fighters from Mokama such as Lalldin Saheb, whose during the freedom struggle was sentenced to jail during the British rule.
DAY 11 BARH
Explore Barh, a town famous for Hindu ritual cremation at Urmanath and the Alakhnath Temple.
DAY 12 PATNA
Enjoy a city tour of Patna, capital of Bihar state including a visit to The Golghar, a large stupa styled granary built in 1786. Farewell dinner with your crew.
DAY 13 PATNA TO VARANASI
Disembark your Pandaw vessel ready and transfer to Patna station for your 1st class train to Varanasi. Upon arrival to Varanasi, transfer to your hotel or the airport.
Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.
Kalaw Pandaw
Vessel Type: River Boat Length: 57 metres Passenger Capacity: 36 Built / refurbished: 2014 Kalaw Pandaw is a K-class ship. The K-class dated back to the 1880s and were comprised of stern whe…

Kalaw Pandaw

Vessel Type: River Boat

Length: 57 metres

Passenger Capacity: 36

Built / refurbished: 2014

Kalaw Pandaw is a K-class ship. The K-class dated back to the 1880s and were comprised of stern wheelers designed to reduce draft, their boilers placed in the bow to improve trim. Smaller than the great line steamers of the age, the K-class ships were used on the Chindwin and upper reaches of the Irrawaddy. Where possible we have reused the old IFC names and many of these original K-class ships had fascinating histories, through times of war and peace.

ACCOMMODATION

8 upper deck, 10 main deck - 170 square feet, finished in teak and brass - AC with individual control - Premium mattresses

WINING & DINING

Bistro style dining room with outside seating and air-conditioning inside - 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, local soft drinks, local beer, local spirits - 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 - 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 - 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 - Library with contemporary and classic literature

keyboard_arrow_left
keyboard_arrow_right
Overview
Highlights
Dates & Prices
Itinerary
Map
Ship

13 days from Contact us

Find your favorite region
Similar Trips
The Mighty Brahmaputra River
The mighty Brahmaputra river in Northern India originates high in the Himalayas before flowing through the scenic Assam Valley wh…
read more
The Hooghly India River Cruise
We are pleased to announce an exciting new expedition on the Hooghly River, that connects Kolkata with the Ganges, starting Octob…
read more