Sacred India Cruise from Calcutta to Benares

Boat: Rajmahal
Duration: 14 Days / 13 Nights
Tags: Discovery

The price includes

• Paris/Calcutta and Delhi/Paris flights on regular economy class flights with stopovers (Air India, Emirates, Qatar or KLM)
• Air taxes (€390 to date)
• Domestic flights Calcutta/Varanasi and Varanasi/Delhi in economy class (Indigo, Air India, SpiceJet)
• All transfers mentioned in the program
• The train ride from Farraka to Calcutta in an air-conditioned carriage
• Accommodation on board the R/V Rajmahal during the cruise (7 nights) in the chosen category
• Accommodation in a double room with breakfast in a 4* hotel (local standards) in Calcutta (3 nights), in a 5* hotel (local standards) in Varanasi (1 night) and in a 4* hotel (local standards) in Delhi (1 night)
• Full board from dinner on day 2 to breakfast on day 14 (depending on flight times)
• Drinks on board the R/V Rajmahal: water, tea, coffee
• Drinks during meals in Calcutta, Varanasi and Delhi: mineral water (50 cl), tea or coffee
• All visits and entries to the sites mentioned in the program with a local French-speaking guide
• A show on board according to the program
• The services of a French-speaking cruise director throughout the trip

The price does not include

• The cost of obtaining the Indian e-visa (€85 to date for French nationals)
• Drinks other than those mentioned
• Customary gratuities for crew, guides and drivers (USD 12 per day per person recommended)
• Travel insurance
• Possibility of business class flights: contact us

Minimum number of participants

Optional excursions

City tour in Kolkata (group of 40 people maximum)
Visit to the Mother Teresa house (group of 40 people maximum)
Walk in the flower market and visit to a Jain temple (group of 40 people maximum)
Discovery of Kumartuli (group of 40 people maximum)
Visit to the Indian Museum (group of 40 people maximum)
Serampore Walking Tour (Group of 40 people maximum)
Visit to the Ramakrishna Mission International Center (group of 40 people maximum)
Serampore Walking Tour (Group of 40 people maximum)
Guided walk in Chandernagor (group of 40 people maximum)
Visit to the colonial museum and discovery of the Sacré Coeur church (group of 40 people maximum)
Visit to the Imambara (group of 40 people maximum)
Kalna tour and rickshaw ride to discover the Rajbari complex (group of 40 people maximum)
Discovery of ISKCON (group of 40 people maximum)
Walk in the village of Matiari (group of 40 people maximum)
Discovery of the Plassey memorial (group of 40 people maximum)
Discovery of Khushbagh (group of 40 people maximum)
Visit to the Hazarduari Palace (group of 40 people maximum)
Discovery of the Katra Mosque and the Kathgola Palace (group of 40 people maximum)
Discovery on foot of the village of Baranagar (group of 40 people maximum)
Discovery of the city of Gaur (group of 40 people maximum)
Visit to the Hindu Birla Temple in Kolkata (group of 40 people maximum)
Walk in Benares to discover the banks of the sacred river (group of 40 people maximum)
Local boat trip (group of 40 people maximum)
Visit to Kashu Vishwanath Temple (group of 40 people maximum)
Visit to the Sarnath site (group of 40 people maximum)

Excursions/visits provided by local French-speaking guides

Possible extensions

The cities of the Golden Triangle in Rajasthan

Formalities

Passport valid for 6 months after the return date and Indian visa

Health formalities

Up-to-date DTP recommended

The boat

Ideally suited to travel up the Hooghly River, a tributary of the Ganges, the R/V Rajmahal can accommodate up to 40 passengers. Built in 2014, its small size and appearance blend in perfectly with the river's landscapes

Boat characteristics

• Length: 51 m
• Width: 10.4 m
• Draft: 1.35 m
• Cabins: 22 spread over 2 decks
• Passengers: 40
• Crew members: 30 Current: 220 v
• Currency on board: Indian rupee and bank cards
• Construction: 2014

Important note

Depending on the water level, the program may be subject to changes. Only the captain is authorized to make the necessary decisions for navigation. The program may also be modified due to local cultural events or technical requirements. Information concerning flights: As the flight schedules are not known at the time of publication of this brochure, it is possible that for departures from Brussels, flights are scheduled from and/or to Paris. In this case, a transfer between Brussels and Paris (round trip) is planned.

Accommodation

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Highlights

A unique itinerary off the beaten track to discover authentic India
The discovery of the mythical cities of Calcutta,
Benares and the treasures of colonial India
The experience of the Ganges, a great sacred river and cradle of the greatest spiritual currents of India
Possibility to discover Rajasthan (optional)