A unique and original cruise through rural India along the River Hoogly between Calcutta and English Bazaar
Day 1 - Flight
Day 2 - Kolkata
Day 3 - Farakka/Cruise Start
Day 4 - Gaur
Day 5 - Barangar/Murshidabad
Day 6 - Khushbagh/Katwa
Day 7 - Matiari/Mayapur
Day 8 - Kalna
Day 9 - Chandernagore/ Barrackpore
Day 10 - Kolkata
Day 11 - Return Flight
Much has been written about the British love affair with India, with books ranging from M.M. Kaye’s ‘The Far Pavilions’ to William Dalrymple’s ‘White Mughals’. This love affair manifests itself in many ways; the rhythm of tranquil days in rural communities, ancient temples and cities, medieval towns and palaces. All these and more can be found in this unique cruise of some 250 miles through rural countryside away from the tourist trail, affording the less common opportunity to observe Indian life from the comfort of a charming small river vessel.
The River Hoogly, once an artery for the jute trade and East India Company between Calcutta and the Ganges, had no long distance passenger vessels since 1850 with the advent of the railway but does reveal nowadays interesting local passenger and cargo vessels and ferries.
Discover monuments from the East India Company, the Mughals and one of India’s most romantic places – the ancient capital of the Nawabs of Bengal, Murshidabad, now a village, its mansions, mosques and tombs surrounded by rice paddies and mango orchards.
Culture & Riverscapes
Exclusive Sailing
(RV Sukapha)
Free Cabin Selection
Excursions Included
Guaranteed Departure
Group Size: 2 – 24
Day 1 Fly overnight from your chosen airport to Kolkata via Dubai.
Day 2 A busy waterway in Kolkata and India’s only major riverine port; it assumes an almost backwater feel the further it gets from the city, hemmed by rural life and rarely visited ruins. Visit the Jain temple, college street, book market and take a tram ride. Welcome drink, dinner and overnight at the 5-star heritage Oberoi Grand hotel with a fusion of classical Victorian and traditional Indian style architecture. (D)
Day 3 By train to Farakka (6 hrs). Embark on the RV Sukapha or RV Rajmahal for a seven-night cruise. (B, D)
Day 4 Full-day excursion to Gaur, close to the English Bazaar (now the town of Malda), once one of India’s great cities, which has many mosques and palace remains. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Sail down the Hoogly proper to Baranagar. Continue to Murshidabad to visit the Nawab’s Hazarduari Palace, Katra Mosque and the 18th century palaces of Nashipara and Katgola. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Walk to Khushbagh, a Moghul-style garden. Cruise to the battlefield of Plassey, where in 1757, Clive of India defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, to visit the obelisk. Moor near Katwa. (B, L, D)
Day 7 Visit the brass-working village of Matiari and the temples of Mayapur. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Sail to Kalna. Travel to the terracotta temples by rickshaws. Visit Imambara on the outskirts of Kolkata. (B, L, D)
Day 9 Sail to Chandernagore and visit its museum and sail past the Dutch settlement of Chinsura. At Barrackpore, walk through the cantonment past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and Flagstaff House. (B, L, D)
Day 10 Sail on under the Howrah Bridge to central Kolkata. Overnight in Kolkata. Drive around colonial Calcutta and visit Victoria Memorial, Dalhousie Square and St. John’s Church. (B)
Day 11 Return flight to your chosen airport via Dubai. (B)
Notes
The upstream itinerary operates in reverse and has an extra night in Kolkata.
A 5-star heritage hotel with a fusion of classical Victorian and traditional Indian style architecture. 209 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, TV and tea/coffee making facilities. Restaurants, bar, indoor pool, gym and WiFi (free).
Operated by Assam Bengal Navigation, the RV Rajmahal was built in Kolkata, is 164 ft. long, powered by three engines, with extra-shallow draught and a lower profile than conventional designs to enable it to cruise further upstream than most vessels. On board the crew are mainly Indian, the currency the Indian Rupee, the language English and WiFi (free/limited).
The décor is stylish and fresh, with touches of colonial elegance, and uses hand-blocked cotton fabrics of traditional Indian-inspired designs. The comfortable saloon, bar and dining room compliment the vast canopied sun deck. A small spa offers a range of treatments.
Food is a mixture of Assamese (milder than most Indian cuisine) and continental. Wines, beer and spirits are available. Tea, coffee and water are complimentary. Cold towel service, welcome drink and shoe cleaning are offered after each excursion.
22 Main and Upper Deck cabins with four Main Deck single cabins, all are air-conditioned with private facilities, hairdryer, safe and French balconies.
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Operated by Assam Bengal Navigation, the RV Sukapha is powered by twin engines. On board the crew are mainly Indian, the currency the Indian Rupee (Pounds, Euro and U.S. Dollar, Visa/Master cards accepted), the language English and WiFi (free/limited).
The spacious saloon has French windows opening on to a front balcony deck and the dining room has glass doors down each side. Bar (alcohol is available) and sitting area. Specially-commissioned furniture and locally-woven soft furnishings throughout, and the large sun deck offers the opportunity to relax on comfortable cane rattan chairs and sun-loungers.
Food is a mixture of Assamese (milder than most Indian cuisine) and continental. Wines, beer and spirits are available. Tea, coffee and water are complimentary. Cold towel service, welcome drink and shoe cleaning are offered after each excursion.
13 air-conditioned cabins with private facilities, hairdryer and safe. 12 spacious twin/double bedded cabins (203 sq. ft.) on the Upper Deck and a single cabin (169 sq. ft.) on the Main Deck.
Darjeeling Extension
Fly to Bagdgora and transfer to Darjeeling for two nights. A taste of Victorian England in the Himalayas. Final night spent in Delhi before return flight to London.
Day 1 Fly to Bagdogra and transfer to Darjeeling (3 hrs / 2,100m) for two nights at the 4-star Mayfair Hotel. (B, D)
Day 2 Visit to Tiger Hill for sunrise over the Himalayas and 'Toy Train' to Ghoom Monastery. Tour of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Himalayan zoo, Tibetan Refugee Centre and walk to Observatory hill and Bhutia Basti. (B, D)
Day 3 Return to Bagdogra for flight to Delhi. Overnight at the 4-star Novotel AeroCity. (B)
Day 4 Return flight to London, arriving later the same day. (B)
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A 4-star heritage hotel situated in the heart of Darjeeling town. Restaurants, bar, lounge area, gym and WiFi (free). Rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe tea/coffee making facilities and TV.
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A 4-star airport hotel with a restaurant, bar, gym and WiFi (free). 400 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
2019
Wednesday
per person in a twin room
Upper Deck cabin (RV Sukapha)
Emirates from Heathrow or Gatwick
| December 18 | £2595 |
2020
Wednesdays
per person in a twin room
Upper Deck cabin (RV Sukapha)
Emirates from Heathrow or Gatwick
2021
Wednesday
per person in a twin room
Main Deck cabin (RV Rajmahal)
Emirates from Heathrow or Gatwick
Wednesday
per person in a twin room
Upper Deck cabin (RV Sukapha)
Emirates from Heathrow or Gatwick
Wednesdays
per person in a twin room
Upper Deck cabin (RV Sukapha)
Emirates from Heathrow or Gatwick
Wednesday
per person in a twin room
Main Deck cabin (RV Rajmahal)
Emirates from Heathrow or Gatwick
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
Single supplement £495
Cabin Upgrades
Upper Deck £295 (RV Sukapha nil)
Double for sole use £995 (RV Sukapha)
Double for sole use £1290 (RV Rajmahal)
Flight Options
London/Kolkata/London
Emirates from Manchester, Birmingham or Glasgow nil
Emirates Business Class from £2095
Extension Options
Darjeeling Extension
2 nights £695
Single supplement £195
Independent Arrival
Save £600
Arrival transfer add £22
Departure transfer add £22
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, all port charges, transfers, 7-night cruise, 2/3 nights’ hotel, breakfast daily, 1 dinner, full board on cruise, excursions, cruise director, local guides and representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Not Included
Travel insurance, visa procurement, optional excursions, tipping, porterage, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
Please complete this form and a member of our sales department will contact you as soon as possible to confirm your booking and take payment. Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm and Saturdays 10am to 2pm
