Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival / Kolkata / Cruise Journey Begins
Danish colony of Serampore to Barrackpore
Land and take a walk through the cantonment – past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and Flagstaff House – to get a better understanding of India's journey to independence.
This morning, you will be collected from your hotel to embark your ship by midday. Sail past the old Danish colony of Serampore to Barrackpore.
Overnight at the Cruise
Day 2 : Chandernagore / Chinsura/ Kalna
erstwhile Governor-General of French India
Sail upstream past the old Dutch settlement of Chinsura before landing to visit the imposing Imambara at Hooghly. With verses from the Koran written on its walls, the Imambara is an opportunity to step back in time and relive a slice of Islamic history in Bengal. Sail into the night to a mooring near Kalna.
Sail up to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950. Visit the 18th-century church and Dupleix’s House, the erstwhile Governor-General of French India.
Overnight at the Cruise
Day 3 : Kalna / Mayapur / Matiari
cycle rickshaws
Now these are 3-wheel cycles with a sofa seat at the back. The Rickshawalla (Rickshaw driver) sits on a small cushion in the front and two passengers on the sofa seat behind. This is a remarkable way to explore and picture the hustle and bustle as well as the colour of the narrow winding streets bursting with people and pavement shops selling wares of all description - including a laughing set of dentures. The ride would be accompanied by peals of laughter both from the passengers as well as the onlookers.
attractive terracotta temples
Continue on through the countryside to Mayapur to visit the vast new ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) temple which dominates the skyline. As the headquarters of ISKCON or the Hare Krishna movement, the temple receives over a million singing and dancing devotees a year from around the world. Sail on through the night to a mooring near Matiari.
Sail upstream and, after breakfast, land at the country town of Kalna and 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.
Overnight at the Cruise
Day 4 : Matiari / Murshidabad
a charming riverside village
Interact with the locals of Matiari and witness the whole primitive process of beating out brass water pots and other vessels. Later, cruise on and visit the battlefield of Plassey where, in 1757, Robert Clive, the Commander-in-Chief of British India, defeated Siraj-udDaulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal, to change the course of Indian history. Moor close to Murshidabad for the night.
This morning visit the brass-working village of Matiari, a charming riverside village.
Overnight at the Cruise
Day 5 : Murshidabad
last independent Nawab of Bengal
Continue a little way upstream to where the great Hazarduari Palace dominates the waterfront. Built by an English architect in 1837, the palace hosts an extensive collection of pictures, China, weapons and other objects. Carry on to visit the great Katra Mosque and Nashipara Palace before driving out to see the Katgola Palace. Built in the classical Georgian style by rich local merchants, Katgola Palace represents the other side of the coin of the 'White Mughal' period when English and Indian cultures came close to fusion.
This morning, walk to the Khushbagh, a peaceful Mughal-style garden that encloses the tombs of Siraj-Ud-Daulah – the last independent Nawab of Bengal – and his family.
Overnight at the Cruise
