Brahmaputra cruises feature visits and attractions such as wildlife viewing, village walks, visits to tea gardens, exploring country towns in cycle rickshaws, barbecues on deserted river islands, dance performances, and visits to craft workshops.Between October and April, we offer a series of 4- to 10-night cruises, named after the Assam Despatch service, the daily mail and passenger service that once plied from Kolkata up the Brahmaputra to Dibrugarh. Cruises can be combined to create itineraries up to 14 nights.
Day 01 Arrive Kolkata By Flight / Kolkata – Barrackpore (By Ship RV Kalaw Pandaw)
Transfer from the meeting point to embark and sail at noon. Sail past the old Danish colony of Serampore to Barrackpore to land and take a walk through the cantonment – past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and Flagstaff House.
Day 02 Barrackpore – Kalna (B-L-D) (By Ship RV Kalaw Pandaw)
After breakfast sail upstream and land at the country town of Kalna and take 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 lesser shrines. Sail on through the night to a mooring near Matiari.
RV Kalaw Pandaw – Sister to the Kindat and identical in design the Kalaw was launched with her in 2014 Kalaw is named after the PS Kalaw launched in 1917 and sunk in 1942 in the War. Paul Strachan witnessed the salvaging of the Kalaw in 1998 and managed to acquire her name plate and bell, the former of which has been reused on her namesake. Again this ultra light ship combines one of the shallowest drafts on the river with one of the highest passenger space ratios afloat.
Day 03 Kalna – Matiari (B-L-D) (By Ship RV Kalaw Pandaw)
Visit the brass-working village of Matiari, 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. Continue cruising upstream and time permitting visit the battlefield of Plassey where, in 1757, Robert Clive, the Commander-in-Chief of British India, defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal, to change the course of Indian history. Moor close to Murshidabad for the night.
Day 04 Matiari – Murshidabad (B-L-D) (By Ship RV Kalaw Pandaw)
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. 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 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. Moor overnight on the riverbank across from town.
Day 05 Murshidabad – Baranagar (B-L-D) (By Ship RV Kalaw Pandaw)
Continue up the Hoogly which transforms into a charming waterway twisting and turning between banks lined with mustard fields and mango orchards. Morning walk through the fields of the delightfully sleepy village of Baranagar to visit its three gorgeous miniature terracotta temples. This is rural India at its most idyllic. Visit the Jain temples at Azimganj and continue downstream.
Day 06 Baranagar – Mayapur (B-L-D) (By Ship RV Kalaw Pandaw)
Explore the village of Mayapur, the headquarters of the ISKCON movement with a new temple comparable in size to the Vatican and largely funded by Alfred B. Ford, the great grandson of car maker Henry Ford. Meet Krishna followers and walk through the pilgrims’ bazaar.
Day 07 Chandernagore – Hooghly (B-L-D) (By Ship RV Kalaw Pandaw)
Continue sailing downstream 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 past the old Dutch settlement of Chinsura to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950. Visit the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House, erstwhile Governor-General of French India. Sail into the night to a mooring near Kolkata.
Day 08 Hooghly -Disembark Kolkata
After breakfast, disembark and receive a group transfer to the disembarkation point hotel for your onward journey.
• Welcome on arrival with fresh flower garlands.
• Meet to attend airports / hotels by our office representative.
• 07 nights in accommodation as per the program.
• Daily breakfast, Lunch and dinners.
• Transfers between meeting point Kolkata, Ship & drop off point Kolkata
• Guide Services ( English language )
• Entrance fees to the monuments.
• Local mineral water
• Jugged Coffee
• Teas & tisanes
• All taxes.
• International flights
• Laundry
• Port dues ( if Levied)
• Personal Expenses.
• Camera / Video Camera Fees.
• Medical Aid.
• Tipping for local guides, bus drivers, boat operators .
• Fuel surcharge
• All beverages except local mineral water
• Travel Insurance.
• Visa If any.
• Accommodation in good hotels.
• Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
• Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost. – Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
• A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
• If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
• Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
• In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
• In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
• While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
• Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
• In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.
