Upstream Calcutta to Varanasi (Provisional Itinerary)
28 September 2009: Embark Calcutta
Transfer from airport (included) 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
29 September 2009: Colonial Calcutta
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 garden’s of flagstaff house contain a collection of former British statues removed from the streets of Calcutta.
30 September 2009: 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 Portuguese church at Bandel where we rejoin the ship.
Cycle rickshaw tour of Bengali terracotta temples. The river here narrows and the tropical Bengal countryside lush and green.
We visit the battlefield where Clive of India defeated the French in 1757 and the fascinating brassworks at country village of Metiari
We explore the delightful Moghul gardens and tombs. Then we 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.
We cruise the narrow Farraka Feeder Canal and enter the Ganges by lock at the Farraka Barrage. Continue up the Ganges entering Bihar State.
Morning cruise continuing 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.
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.
7 October 2009: Nalanda and 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.
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.
9 October 2009: Uttar Pradesh
Cruise all day with a village stop for a walk in this very different landscape
Cruise all morning and short afternoon coach trip to visit the important site at Sarnath where the Buddha was enlightened with its Gupta monuments and stupendous musem of Gupta period sculptures
11 October 2009: 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.
12 October 2009: Disembarkation
Disembark from ship at Varanasi (Benares) and transfer (included) to airport or railway station.
Delhi (with 5 star Taj Mahal Hotel)
Includes all transfers, Hotel with Breakfast, 3 Dinners, 2 Lunches, Entrance Fees, Train to Agra, Flight fromVaranasi
12 October 2009: VARANASI - DELHI
Take flight from Varanasi to Delhi by 9W-724 dep 1440/arr 1600 hrs (Check-in Time is 2 hours before departure)
On arrival at airport in Delhi, you will be met and transferred to the hotel.
Check-in at hotel Taj Mahal. Dinner at hotel
13 October 2009: AGRA - Full Day
Early morning transfer to New Delhi railway station to board Bhopal Shatabdi in Air condition Chair Car (dep 0615 hrs / arr 0815 hrs- same day) for Agra. Breakfast on train
Arrival at Agra at 0815 hrs. Proceed for sightseeing tour of Agra & Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri: Deserted by the Emperor Akbar, literally means 'The City of Victory. "The audience halls, Palaces, and the mosques are still in a state of perfection as are the tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti, Panchmahal and the Buland Darwaza.
Lunch at local restaurant
Agra Fort: Built by Emperor Akbar, the maze of courtyards, mosques and private chambers of the fort echo the story of the Mughal Empire. Construction of massive Agra Fort begun by Emperor Akbar in 1565, and additions were made until the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan. While in Akbar's time, the fort was principally a military structure, by Shah Jahan's time the fort had become partially a palace.
Sunset visit to Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal: One of the wonders of the world, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved consort Mumtaz Mahal, this beautiful musoleum is pure white marble and an architectural marvel. Construction of Taj begun in 1631 and a total 20000 people worked on the building. The Taj Mahal is considered as the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Tukish, Indian and Islamic architectural styles. While the white domed marble mausoleum is most familiar, Taj Mahal is an integrated complex of structures and was completed around 1648. Ustad Ahmad Lahauri is generally considered as the principal designer of Taj Mahal.
(Taj Mahal is closed on Friday)
Early dinner at local restaurant or packed box dinner
On time transfer to Agra Cantt. railway station to board NDLS Shatabdi in Air condition Chair Car (dep 2030 hrs / arr 2230 hrs- same day) for Delhi
On arrival in Delhi, you will be met and transferred to the hotel.
14 October 2009: Delhi - International Departures
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Delhi.
Visit Old Delhi, with thronged bazaars laced by a maze of narrow lanes which twist and turn between tall, leaning houses full of the sights, sounds and aromas of the Indian sub-continent. In Old Delhi drive past Red Fort surrounded by shops, and bazaars (built by the Emperor Shah Jahan - the builder of Taj Mahal), the Jama mosque with its tapering minarets and wonderful marble domes, Chandni Chowk (Old Delhi's business center) and the Raj Ghat (cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi)
Lunch at local restaurant
New Delhi: It is a city of wide boulevards which offers ever changing perspectives of Lutyen's landscaped city. It is a city rich with formal parks, Parliament Building and the Rashtrapati Bhawan (the official residence of the President of India in the 330 acres of land designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens), once the awe-inspiring residence of the British Viceroys, India Gate (a majestic 42 mts high arch, built as a memorial to the Indian Soldiers killed in World War I), Qutub Minar (the 72.5 mts high tower dating back to 13th century and one of the greatest bequests of Islamic Culture).
Return to the hotel. Dinner at hotel.(Room for late check-out up to 21.00 hrs)
On time transfer to International airport for onward flight back home. (Check-In time is 3 hours before departure)
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