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The Lower Ganges River
The most sacred river in the world The Ganges River and an expedition on the Lower Ganges or Hooghly is one of the prettiest river journeys going. The river snakes through the verdant countryside of West Bengal with its culturally important towns crammed with temples and palaces. A rural life rich and vibrant surrounds and there is never a dull moment as we sedately work our way along this agreeable artery.
You will begin or terminate our newly updated 7 night itinerary either in the former colonial capital of Kolkata or Farakka where you can visit the famed Farakka Barrage where the sacred Ganges merges with the river Hoogly. Including a one-way first class train ticket between Farakka and Kolkata this is a wonderful opportunity to discover West Bengal in true comfort and style.
Itinerary Details
Private transfer from your hotel or airport in Kolkata to embark with a sail at noon. Sailing past the old Danish colony of Serampore to Barrackpore, alight, and walk through the cantonment — passing by Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and Flagstaff House.
Sail upstream to Chandernagore, which was a French settlement until 1950. Stop at the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House, one-time Governor-General of French India.
After breakfast sail upstream and dock at the country town of Kalna and take rickshaws to view a cluster of some of Bengal’s loveliest terracotta temples, as well as the distinctive Shiva temple, with concentric rings comprising 108 lesser shrines. Sail on overnight to a mooring near Matiari.
Visit the village of Mayapur, home to the ISKCON movement’s headquarters and a new temple that rivals the size of the Vatican and has been largely financed by Henry Ford’s great grandson, Alfred B. Ford. Meet followers of Krishna and walk through the pilgrims’ bazaar.
Explore the brass-working township of Matiari, a quaint riverside village. Meet the ancient inhabitants of Matiari, and learn the entire process of beating out brass water pots and additional vessel. Continuing your cruise upwards, if time permits, you can stop by the battlefield of Plassey, the site of the 1757 battle at which Robert Clive (Commander-in-Chief of British India) defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal to change the course of Indian history. Moor for the night near Murshidabad.
This morning, walk to the Khushbagh, an elegant, Mughal-style garden that contains the tombs of Siraj-ud-Daulah — the last independent Nawab of Bengal — and his family. Follow a little farther upstream to where the imposing Hazarduari Palace overlooks the waterfront. The palace, built by an English architect in 1837, contains a vast collection of pictures, china, weaponry and more. Continue to visit the majestic Katra Mosque and Nashipara Palace, and afterwards drive out to visit Katgola Palace. Constructed in classical Georgian style by wealthy local merchants, the Katgola Palace can be seen as the other side of the coin of the ”White Mughal” era when English and Indian cultures were on the verge of fusion. Moor for the night on the opposite riverbank from town.
Continue up the Hoogly which becomes a magical waterway curling like an eel through banks of mustard fields and mango orchards. Morning walk through fields of the wonderfully sleepy village of Baranagar to visit its three stunning miniature terracotta temples. This is rural India at its idealistic best. The Jain temples at Azimganj before a drive on to the Farakka barrage.
Break your fast after which you disembark and will receive a group transfer to your hotel or the train station in Farakka for your train ride back to Kolkata.