Sunderban Cruises, Ganges Cruises, Brahmaputra River Cruises, Cruises in Sunderban West Bengal

Tour Duration : 9 Nights / 10 Days

Destinations Covered: Kolkata - Farakka - Raj Mahal - Bateshwar Sthan - Sultanganj - Simaria - Rajgir - Varanasi

Package Highlights:

• Cruise on Ganges (one of the holiest rivers in India & Sub Continent)

• Stay on board "RV Bengal Ganga"

• Explore the sights & sounds, the avian life and culture of the people who have settled around the banks of River Ganges

• Buddhist sites of Bihar

• Visit to Varanasi one of the oldest cities in World

• Evening Prayer ceremony on the banks of River Ganges

Package Inclusions:

• Hotel accommodation and all meals as indicated by the programs

• Indian Brand Mineral Water at the time of meals

• Sightseeing as described in the Itinerary

• English Speaking Guide

• All Entrance Fees

• Transfers by car/minivan/coach as per programs

• Camera fees (still)

• Local assistance

• Government Service Tax

• Fuel surcharges if applicable (*)

Package Exclusions:

• International or domestic flights

• Wine and Spirits or Beverages

• Personal laundry

• All visa costs

• Gratuities to staff

• All items of a personal nature

• Health, accident, baggage or travel protection plan outside the ship's boundaries

DAY 1 ARRIVE AT KOLKATA
Arrive Kolkata and transfer to hotel Taj Bengal. Meals included: Dinner Overnight : Taj Bengal

DAY 2 KOLKATA - FARAKKA
After an early morning breakfast, transfer to Howrah Junction Train Station for your express train to Farakka Kanchenjunga Express - dep. Howrah at 06:35 hrs and arr. Farakka at 12:52 hrs Assistance on arrival and transfer to RV Bengal for lunch Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Overnight - on board ship

DAY 3 FARAKKA - RAJ MAHAL
In the morning we enter the lock gate and through the connecting canal to the Ganges revealing vast Panoramas. We can see the Farakka barrage which regulates the Ganges water into Bangladesh and India. Sail past Raj Mahal, once known as Akbarnagar, founded by the Mogul Emperor Akbar as capital of Bengal in 1592. Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal, spent a part of his youth here. After arrival we walk around and explore ruins of palaces and the mosques, we also walk through the areas where China Clay is mined. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Overnight - on board ship

DAY 4 RAJ MAHAL - BATESHWARSTHAN
Full day cruising; time permitting, explore some of the local villages and towns situated near the banks of the Ganges. This area is rich in bird life. Large flocks of water birds including Common Cranes can be seen here. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Overnight - on board ship

DAY 5 BATESHWARSTHAN - SULTANGANJ
This morning visit the Vikramshila University. Established by King Dharampala in late 8th or early 9th Century A.D. Vikramshila University was one of the two most important centres of Buddhist learning in India during the reign of the Pala dynasty along with Nalanda University. Vikramashila was one of the largest Buddhist universities having more than one hundred teachers and about one thousand students. Subjects like theology, philosophy, grammar, metaphysics and logic were taught here. . Later cruise through the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin sanctuary, established for the protection and conservation of the Ganges River Dolphins. The area also supports a rich diversity of other wildlife, many of which are threatened with extinction. These species include the Indian smooth-coated Otter, several species of hard, and soft, shell turtles, and an astounding variety of migratory and resident migratory birds. Sail past Sultanganj conspicuous for two great rocks of granite, one of which on the river bank is crowned by a mosque. The second and larger one is occupied by a temple of Ghaibinath Siva. During the rule of the Mauryas, Guptas and Palas many works of art and architecture were raised at Sultanganj. Excavation near Sultanpur has yielded ancient relics like stupas, seals, coins, terra cotta and Hindu and Buddha images. Many carvings can still be seen in the Sultanganj hills. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Overnight - on board ship

DAY 6 SULTANGANJ - MUNGER - SIMARIA
This morning visit Munger. Munger has remnants of a Mogul fort, as well as an 18 century British Cemetery. Visit Bihar School of Yoga: Established in 1963 by Swami Niranjanananda Bihar School of Yoga in order to preserve and regenerate the total scope of yogic science by combining academic and scien¬tific methodology with a spiritual vision. Later sail for Simaria. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Overnight on board the Ship

DAY 7 SIMARIA - NALANDA - RAJGIR
Today visit Nalanda & Rajgir. Nalanda perhaps is the oldest seat of learning in India. It treasures a glorious past, rich spiritual herit¬age and some extraordinary architectural ruins believed to be established in 5th century by the Gupta Kings. Continue to Rajgir, the first capital of the Magadha Empire. Buddha not only spent many years in Rajgir, but also delivered important sermons here. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Overnight on board the Ship

DAY 8 PATNA - VARANASI VIA BODH GAYA
We have an early start for Varanasi en-route visiting Bodhgaya, one of the most important and sacred Buddhist pilgrimage centre for the Buddhists. It was here, under a banyan tree, “the Bodhi Tree” Gautama attained supreme knowledge to become “Buddha”, the Enlightened One. We continue to Varanasi, upon arrival check in at the The Gateway (Taj) Ganges Hotel. Evening we visit the Ghats to view the Aarti on the Ganges. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Overnight on board the Ship

DAY 9 VARANASI
After breakfast - Visit the ruins and Museum at Sarnath. The city is famous as the seat where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment in Bodh Gaya. Archeological Museum of Sarnath contains a large collection of sculptures that stand testimony to the fervent artistic and religious activity for more than a thousand years. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Overnight: Gateway hotel on Ganges

DAY 10 DEPART VARANASI
After breakfast, transfer to airport for your flight to onward destination. Meals included: Breakfast

End Of Services

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