Arrival in Kolkata

We recommend that you arrive in Kolkata a day or two before your river cruise commences.
Transportation from your Kolkata Hotel to the rail station, then by train to Farakka is included in the price.
We can arrange accommodation in a range of hotels, please do ask us.

Day 1

This morning, around midday, included in your tour is a transfer from your hotel to the rail station for the approx. 4 hr train journey from Kolkata to Farakka.  You will receive pre-booked seats in air-conditioned carriages.  A packed lunch is provided.  On arrival in Farakka, a short transfer by road (10–15 minutes) will take you from the train to a warm welcome onboard the ship, in time for dinner – first there will be a short briefing to introduce you to the crew and safety procedures.
Customers joining independently at Farakka may board from midday onwards.

Day 2

Today, enjoy a full day excursion by road to Gaur, near the town of Malda, or English Bazar. This quiet, deserted place was once one of India’s great cities, first under the Hindus in 12th century, then as the muslim capital of Eastern India from the 14th to the 16th century. There are plentiful remains of mosques, palaces and gateways and you visit a number of the most interesting before rejoining the ship in the evening near Jangipur.

Day 3

In the morning, set sail down the Hooghly (Hugli) proper, a charming waterway twisting and turning between banks lined with mustard fields and mango orchards. Moor at the delightful sleepy village of Baranagar with three gorgeous miniature terracotta temples to which you walk through the fields. This is rural India at its most idyllic.

Continue on down past Azimganj with some fine riverside mansions to Murshidabad where the Nawab’s great Hazarduari Palace, built by an English architect in 1837, dominates the waterfront. Inside are an extensive collection of pictures, china, weapons and other objects. Visit also the great Katra Mosque and drive out to two amazing buildings of the late 18th century, the Nashipara Palace and the Katgola Palace. Both were built in classical Georgian style by rich local merchants and represent the other side of the coin of the “White Moghul” period when English and Indian cultures came close to fusion.

Day 4

Sail downstream a short distance then walk to the Khushbagh, a peaceful Moghul-style garden enclosing the tombs of Siraj-ud-Daulah and his family. Returning to the ship continue downstream past the old British cantonment of Berhampur to a rural mooring close to the battlefield of Plassey where in 1757 Clive’s defeat of Siraj-ud-Daulah changed the course of Indian history – you can walk through the fields to the commemorative obelisk.
Cruise on to a mooring near Katwa, a market town with narrow bustling bazaars.

Day 5

In the morning, visit the brass-working village of Matiari where you can see the whole primitive process of beating out brass water pots and other vessels. Later we reach Mayapur, its skyline dominated by the vast new ISKCON temple which we are able to visit. .

Day 6

Continue on down to the country town of Kalna. Here we take cycle 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 shrinelets. Sail on, leaving fields behind and arrive at the outskirts of Kolkata. Land near Bandel to visit the imposing Imambara.

Day 7

Sailing on downstream past fine waterfront buildings and the old Dutch settlement at Chinsura you land at Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950, and visit the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House containing a small museum. Continue down to Barrackpore, land and take a walk through the cantonment past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame, and Flagstaff House, its garden housing many of the British statues removed from central Kolkata. Sail on up to Bali Bridge

Day 8

Early morning cruise under the Howrah Bridge to central Calcutta to disembark. Transfer to central Kolkata or airport.

Historic Lower Ganges River Cruise – ABN Rajmahal – Features

ABN Rajmahal, entered service on the Lower Ganges and the Ganges proper on schedule in mid-February 2014. Built in Kolkata, her length is 51m and breadth is 10.40m and is powered by 3 engines; her extra-shallow draught and a lower profile than conventional designs allow her to cruise further upstream than any of her competitors.  ABN Rajmahal has 22 cabins: 14 spacious twin/double cabins on the upper deck; 4 twin/double cabins on the main deck; and 4 single cabins for which we charge no supplement. The décor is stylish and fresh with touches of colonial elegance, brought to life by traditional Indian-inspired designs on hand-blocked cotton fabrics. All cabins on ABN Rajmahal have French balconies. As with the other ships in our fleet, there is a comfortable saloon and bar, dining room and a vast canopied sundeck and a crew of 30 to look after you. A small spa onboard offers a wide range of treatments. All cabins and public rooms on our ships are air-conditioned.

• Spacious cabins with individual climate control.
• En suite shower/WC with boutique toiletries.
• Generous cupboard space and under-bed storage.
• High quality linens.
• Hair dryer in each cabin.
• Minibar in each cabin.
• In-room electronic safe.
• Tea/coffee making facilities in cabins.
• Intercommunication telephone in cabins.
• High quality bathrobes and slippers.
• Large sliding glass windows with French balconies to provide panoramic river views.
• Vast sundeck both open & shaded, with sun loungers or steamer chairs.
• Spacious air-conditioned saloon with library and recorded entertainment.
• Spa with choice of treatment.
• Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water throughout.
• Naturalist on board the vessel.
• Single seating for buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Acclaimed combination of Indian & Western cuisines
• Maximum 20 guests per guide on all excursions.
• Cold towel service after excursions.
• Welcome drink after excursions.
• Shoe-cleaning after excursions.
• Turndown service in all cabins.
• Expertly trained culinary staff.
• Wide choice of wines, spirits and beer (pay locally).
• Welcome reception
• Farewell reception

Historic Lower Ganges River Cruise – ABN Rajmahal – Photogallery

Historic Lower Ganges River Cruise – ABN Rajmahal – Deck Plan

click to enlarge