A pioneering small ship cruise between Varanasi and Patna on India’s sacred river, combined with a visit to the colonial capital of Calcutta staying at 5-star hotels
(limited dates/availability)
Day 1 - Flight
Days 2 & 3 - Kolkata
Day 4 - Patna/Start of Cruise
Day 5 - Maner/Goghra
Day 6 - Buxar
Day 7 - Ghazipur
Day 8 - Varanasi/Sarnath
Day 9 - Chunar/Ramnagar
Day 10 - Varanasi
Day 11 - Delhi
Day 12 - Return Flight
Travellers familiar with India will know that cruising is the perfect way to enjoy this magical country. Far away from the frenetic roads, life on board offers a grandeur of scenery and a tranquillity that is unique. So, a cruise on India’s most famous river presents an opportunity not to be missed, viewing this great river from the water. At holy Varanasi visit the various Ghats where the living seek purification and the dead salvation. Our cruising partner, Assam Bengal Navigation, has now successfully pioneered this cruise between Varanasi and Patna, quiet and remote parts of the river contrasting with hectic Varanasi. Cruises operate only during August and September when water levels are at their best for cruising. In 2017 they successfully cruised through Varanasi up to Chunar, the only passenger vessel to do so.
Culture & Riverscapes
Free Cabin Selection
Small Ship Sailing
Excursions Included
No Single Supplement
Guaranteed Departure
Group Size: 2 – 24
Day 1 Fly overnight from Heathrow to Kolkata via Mumbai.
Day 2 India’s capital under the British Raj, Kolkata (Calcutta) is known for its colonialera avenues, grand Victoria Memorial, markets, temples and cricket ground! Two nights at the 5-star Oberoi Grand. Welcome drink and dinner. (D)
Day 3 Cruise on the Hoogly River. Visit the flower and book market, Jain temple, Victoria Memorial, Dalhousie Square, St. John’s Church and a panoramic drive around colonial Calcutta. (B)
Day 4 Fly to Patna and embark on the RV Rajmahal for seven nights. (B, D)
Day 5 Cruise upstream to Maner to visit a small Moghul tomb. Pass the confluence with the River Sone to the port of Doriganj. Moor near the River Goghra. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Sail towards Buxar, famous for the battle in 1764, which together with Plassey, laid the foundations of the British Raj. Visit the memorial on the battlefield and the old East India Company cemetery. Rickshaw ride to the ghats of Buxar. (B, L, D)
Day 7 Cruise to Ghazipur, centre for legal opium production. Visit the imposing tomb of Lord Cornwallis. (B, L, D)
Day 8 In the morning set sail for Varanasi. Boisterous, flamboyant, frenetic, relentless and many more adjectives are used to catch the essence of Varanasi. Lining the Ganges with a collision of colours and an assault on all the senses, this is one of the seven Hindu holy cities with two thousand temples jostling for space in its tangle of ancient streets. Visit Sarnath, where Buddha preached and the archaeological museum with the ‘Ashokan Lion’, inspiration for the Indiasn flag. (B, L, D)
Day 9 Sail to Chunar to visit the Mughal fort, the old British cemetery and Mughal tombs. Enjoy a carpet weaving and Chunar pottery demonstration before calling at Ramnagar for the Maharaja’s palace and museum in the Durbar Hall. (B, L, D)
Day 10 Morning boat ride on the Ganges to see the colourful bathing ghats, a place of pilgrimage for spiritual cleansing and funeral rites in the sacred river. Walking tour of Varanasi. Evening Aarti ceremony on the Ganges. (B, L, D)
Day 11 Disembark and fly to Delhi for overnight at the 5-star ITC Maurya. (B)
Day 12 Return flight to Heathrow, arriving later the same day. (B)
Notes
Alcohol is not available between Patna and Buxar due to local state regulations.
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).
A 5-star hotel named after the famous 'Mauryan' dynasty. Restaurants, bar, gym, pool, spa and WiFi (chargeable). 438 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, satellite and tea/coffee making facilities.
Extensions are available pre or post tour from Delhi including Udaipur, Indian Wildlife, Shimla, Darjeeling, Cochin & Kerala Backwaters, Tigers & Ganges, Goa, Amritsar and Nepal.
Pre/post tour extra nights and transfers are available.
Click here for India extension options.
Operated by Assam Bengal Navigation, the RV Rajmahal was built in Kolkata, is 164 ft. long, powered by 3 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 with 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 sundeck. 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 air-conditioned cabins with private facilities, hairdryer, safe and French balconies. 14 spacious twin/ double cabins (203 sq. ft) on the Upper Deck, four twin/ double cabins (203 sq. ft) on the Main Deck and four single cabins (170 sq. ft) on the Main Deck.
Tuesdays
per person in a twin room/Main Deck cabin
Jet Airways from Heathrow
(limited dates/availability)
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Limited availability on all dates
Single supplement £645 (Aug 13 £445)
Cabin Upgrades
Upper Deck £295
Upper Deck double for sole use £995
(Aug 13 £795)
Flight Options
Jet Airways Première Class from £1550
Extension Options
Extensions are available pre or post tour from Delhi including Udaipur, Indian Wildlife, Shimla, Darjeeling, Cochin & Kerala Backwaters, Tigers & Ganges, Goa, Amritsar and Nepal.
Pre/post tour extra nights and transfers are available.
Click here for India extension options.
Independent Arrival
Save £700
Arrival transfer add £22
Departure transfer add £22
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, all port charges, transfers, 7-night cruise, 3 nights' hotel, breakfast daily, full board on cruise, local expert 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
