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Day 1
Kolkotta (Calcutta)
Arrive Calcutta (now called Kolkotta) and transfer from airport to
embark on the RV Bengal Pandaw moored in the Hugli River close to the
city centre. City orientation tour in afternoon; moor overnight at the
Outram Ghat.
Day 2
Barrackpore
Further explorations of colonial Calcutta, arguably the greatest of the
British Raj cities with a stupendous architectural heritage. Still
largely intact, highlights include the Queen Victoria monument and
neo-gothic law courts. Cast off at midday and cruise the Hugli River to
Serampore a former Danish colony and Barrackpore cantonment where the
gardens of flagstaff house contain a collection of former British
statues removed from the streets of Calcutta.
Day 3
Chandernagore
Chandernagore – a French colony until 1950, we visit the house of
Dupleix, a small museum, an 18th century church and then on by bus to
visit the Dutch cemetery at Chinsura and a Portugese church at Bandel
where we rejoin the ship.
Day
4
Kalna
Kalna – cycle rickshaw tour of Bengali terracotta temples. The river
here narrows and the Bengal countryside lush and green.
Day 5
Plassey
Visit the battlefield of Plassey where Clive of India defeated the
French in 1757 and the fascinating brassworks at country village of
Metiari.
Day 6
Kushbagh
Kushbagh – with its Moghul gardens and tombs. Visit the vast
Hazarduari Palace built in 1837 by an English architect. Further visits
to the Katra mosque, and the late 18th century Nashipara and Katgola
palaces. Overnight at Baranagar famous for its lovely miniature temples.
Day 7
Farraka Barrage
Cruise the Farraka Feeder Canal and enter the Ganges by lock at the
Farraka Barrage
Day 8
Munger
Cruise up the Ganges. Here the river is 2km across and vast
panoramas unfold. The river is rich in activity with fishermen and
country boats. At Munger we stop to visit the Bihar School of Yoga which
lies within the 15th century Munger Fort. Near the fort is an 18th
century British cemetery.
Day 9
Bihar State
Cruising through the heart of Bihar state seeing a rural India
remote from the tourist track and rarely visited by foreigners. Stop for
a walk ashore.
Day 10
Bodh Gaya
Day trip to the ruins of the vast Buddhist university at Nalanda and
then on after lunch in a local hotel to Bodh Gaya place of the Buddha’s
enlightenment and a major centre of pilgrimage for Buddhists of all
sects from all countries.
Day 11
Patan
Patna – explore the town with its huge hemispherical Golghar grain
silo built in 1786 by Captain John Garstin, the State Museum with its
Mauryan and Pala period Buddhist sculptures, and if traffic permits, the
eclectic Jalan Museum where Napoleon’s bed is on display. Cast off at
mid day.
Day 12
Cruising
Cruise all day with a village stop for a walk.
Day 13
Sarnath
Cruise all morning and afternoon coach trip to visit the important
Buddhist site at Sarnath.
Day 14
Varanasi
Early morning moor off the Varanasi (Benares) Ghats. Explore on foot
the Ghats, palaces, temples and museums of this one of the oldest cities
in the world,. Varanasi contemporary with 7th century BC Babylon and
Nineveh is the cultural heart of Hindu India at its richest and most
beautiful. Evening boat trip to observe the spectacular ritual fire
dances to Lord Shiva held on the Ghats.
Day
15
Varanasi
Disembark from ship at Varanasi (Benares) and transfer (included) to
airport or railway station. |
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