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Katha Pandaw

A pioneering vessel of Mekong and Irrawaddy expeditions now exploring India's mighty River Ganges.

Overview

The pioneering 28-guest RV Katha Pandaw is a trailblazing vessel of Asian river exploration. Built in 2011 in Saigon and having already previously embarked on both Mekong cruises across Vietnam and Cambodia and Irrawaddy voyages through Myanmar, she now sails India’s mighty Ganges as part of epic overland-plus-cruise expeditions exploring the riches of one of the world’s most remarkable and sacred rivers.

Originally an ‘all Ganges’ voyage sailing one thousand miles from Kolkata all the way to Varanasi, and despite her ultra shallow draft, due to navigational challenges and the obstruction of numerous pontoon bridges, the itinerary now only sails on the great Mother Ganga’s upper stretches as far as Patna, from where guests will travel overland to Gaya for a night and then on to Varanasi for two nights.

Astonishing Itineraries

This means that during your 15-day journey you’ll spend three nights in the best available hotels but will still get to sail and spend eleven nights on board the Katha Pandaw, covering the best of the Ganges through the enchanting rural arcadia of West Bengal along the Hooghly River and the great expanse of the Ganga itself with its pristine wildlife and cultural treasures dotted along its banks and beyond.

Be immersed in the local way of life as you venture downstream from Varanasi—the most sacred city of Hinduism and oldest inhabited city on the planet, a place of overwhelming beauty at the same time poignantly moving with its cremation ghats—to the other end of the holy river, Kolkata and all its colonial splendors and Raj-like magnificence, or vice-versa on the upstream version of the itinerary.

Ride on rickshaws, witness terracotta temples, and dine alongside Gangetic dolphins en route as you explore over 20 towns and villages, the sacred Buddhist sites of Sarnath, Nalanda and Bodh Gaya, battlefields, workshops, the famous Bihar School of Yoga, the world’s largest opium factory, and so much more.

Guests should note that due to unforeseen seasonal weather conditions—or indeed to take advantage of unexpected opportunities—last minute schedule shifts and slight itinerary alterations may occur. In the event this does happen, the helpful crew will be on hand to keep you apprised of any changes to excursion logistics.

A Remarkable Vessel

Previously without an indoor dining room and once catering to 36 guests, upon her September 2019 move to India where winter cruising can be chilly first thing, a refit altered the Upper Deck to create an enlarged indoor saloon/dining area, and reduced the number of staterooms aboard from sixteen to fourteen (four on the Upper deck, ten on the Lower Deck), thereby providing guests aboard the Katha Pandaw one of the largest space per guest ratios available on the Ganges.

Her identical, air-conditioned staterooms all measure 170 square feet, delightfully finished in teak and brass, feature desks and safes, and come fitted with panoramic French windows which lead out onto the walk-around decks. Bathrooms have good showers, with bathrobes, hair dryers, and slippers provided. Thoughtfully there is 24 hour laundry service and the crew will even clean your shoes after excursions.

Passengers are able to spend leisure time on the aft part of the covered Upper Deck where they can take in the sights from teak loungers and wicker furniture whilst enjoying a drink from the bar, or in the cozy comforts of the new lounge where complimentary soft drinks are served, guide briefings held, and evening cultural performances, educational talks, and cooking classes take place. An open-bridge policy allows access to the wheelhouse for those inquisitive about the boat’s navigation, and there is also a small on board shop selling fair trade products.

Meals are prepared by a local master chef who heads an experienced international culinary team, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and served bistro-style both indoor and outdoor on the Upper Deck. Breakfast and lunch are buffet-style, with sit-down multi-course, themed dinners. Combined with the complimentary evening canapés and daily freshly baked breads from the onboard bakery, the cuisine on board your cruise—in conjunction with the exciting and authentic excursions—really does encompass the Indian lifestyle completely.

A World Away From Convential Cruising

Embark on a Ganges river cruise aboard the much-loved Katha Pandaw—great for adventurous explorers, intrepid families and daring single travelers—and experience a world away from conventional cruising exploring this extraordinary, chaotic, and charming country, a veritable melange of color and culture, in a way that you’d never imagined.

Please note that the Katha Pandaw itineraries pass through the state of Bihar in which it is illegal to serve any alcoholic drinks. For this reason alcohol cannot be served on the Upstream itinerary from day 6 until the afternoon of day 12, and for the Downstream itinerary from day 3 until the afternoon of day 9 while in the state of Bihar.

Itineraries & Prices

All itineraries are subject to change due to seasonal weather conditions (and resultant variations in river and tributary water levels) affecting accessibility to locations. Thus navigation routes, times and excursions may need to be modified at the cruise captain’s or your guide's discretion.

1 / 6
8-Day A
8-Day B
8-Day C
8-Day D
15-Day E
15-Day F

8 Day - The Lower Ganges River: Kolkata - Farakka

itinerary map

Embarkation

AM & PM: Transfer from your hotel or airport in Kolkata 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.

Katha Pandaw - The Lower Ganges River: Kolkata - Farakka - Day 1
Location
Kolkata
Day
1 / 8

Chandernagore

AM & PM: Continue sailing upstream to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950. Visit the 18th-century church and Dupleix’s House, erstwhile Governor-General of French India.

Katha Pandaw - The Lower Ganges River: Kolkata - Farakka - Day 2
Location
Chandernagore
Day
2 / 8

Kalna

AM: 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.

PM: Sail on through the night to a mooring near Matiari.

Katha Pandaw - The Lower Ganges River: Kolkata - Farakka - Day 3
Location
Kalna
Day
3 / 8

Mayapur

AM & PM: 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.

Katha Pandaw - The Lower Ganges River: Kolkata - Farakka - Day 4
Location
Mayapur
Day
4 / 8

Matiari

AM & PM: 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.

Katha Pandaw - The Lower Ganges River: Kolkata - Farakka - Day 5
Location
Matiari
Day
5 / 8

Murshidabad

AM: 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 visiting 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.

PM: Moor overnight on the riverbank across from town.

Katha Pandaw - The Lower Ganges River: Kolkata - Farakka - Day 6
Location
Murshidabad
Day
6 / 8

Ajimganj-Farakkka

AM & PM: 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 before continuing on to the Farakka barrage.

Katha Pandaw - The Lower Ganges River: Kolkata - Farakka - Day 7
Location
Katgola Palace
Day
7 / 8

Disembarkation

AM: After breakfast, disembark and receive a group transfer to your hotel or the train station in Farakka for your train journey back to Kolkata.

Katha Pandaw - The Lower Ganges River: Kolkata - Farakka - Day 8
Location
Farakka
Day
8 / 8
1 / 8

8 Day - The Lower Ganges River : Farakka - Kolkata

itinerary map

Embarkation

AM & PM: Join your Pandaw ship in the afternoon following your train journey from Kolkata. For those arriving of their own accord, please arrive to the ship docked at Bamuha no earlier than 2 pm. Be welcomed aboard your Pandaw by our crew and enjoy evening entertainment onboard before cocktails and dinner.

Katha Pandaw - The Lower Ganges River : Farakka - Kolkata - Day 1
Location
Farakka
Day
1 / 8

Murshidabad

AM: After breakfast, take a 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 before continuing our voyage downstream.

PM: In the afternoon, we enjoy a city tour of Murshidabad, visiting 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.

Katha Pandaw - The Lower Ganges River : Farakka - Kolkata - Day 2
Location
Katgola Palace
Day
2 / 8

Khushbagh

AM: 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.

PM: Continue sailing downstream in the afternoon with onboard activities and wildlife watching on the sun deck.

Katha Pandaw - The Lower Ganges River : Farakka - Kolkata - Day 3
Location
Baranagar
Day
3 / 8

Matiari

AM: In the morning we 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.

PM: After lunch, we continue downstream to 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.

Katha Pandaw - The Lower Ganges River : Farakka - Kolkata - Day 4
Location
Matiari
Day
4 / 8

Mayapur

AM & PM: 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.

Katha Pandaw - The Lower Ganges River : Farakka - Kolkata - Day 5
Location
Mayapur
Day
5 / 8

Kalna

AM & PM: After breakfast visit the country town of Kalna. 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.

Katha Pandaw - The Lower Ganges River : Farakka - Kolkata - Day 6
Location
Kalna
Day
6 / 8

Chandernagore

AM: Continue sailing upstream to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950. Visit the 18th-century church and Dupleix’s House, erstwhile Governor-General of French India. In the afternoon we sail toward Barrackpore and take a walk through the cantonment - past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame, and Flagstaff House.

PM: Enjoy a farewell dinner with your crew as we moor in Mayapur for the night.

Katha Pandaw - The Lower Ganges River : Farakka - Kolkata - Day 7
Location
Chandernagore
Day
7 / 8

Disembarkation

AM: After breakfast transfer to your hotel or airport for your onward journey.

Katha Pandaw - The Lower Ganges River : Farakka - Kolkata - Day 8
Location
Kolkata
Day
8 / 8
1 / 8

8 Day - The Upper Ganges River: Farakka-Varanasi

itinerary map

Embarkation

PM: Join your ship in the afternoon following your train journey from Kolkata. For those arriving of their own accord, please arrive to the ship docked at Rajmahal no earlier than 3pm. Be welcomed aboard your Pandaw by our crew and enjoy evening entertainment onboard before cocktails and dinner.

Katha Pandaw - The Upper Ganges River: Farakka-Varanasi - Day 1
Location
Farakka
Day
1 / 8

Sailling

AM & PM: We sail up the mighty Ganges River toward the confluence with the Koshi river. Stop along the way for a short village walk and enjoy our onboard entertainment.

Katha Pandaw - The Upper Ganges River: Farakka-Varanasi - Day 2
Location
Bodhgaya
Day
2 / 8

Bhaglapur - Sultanganj

AM: We sail early morning toward Bhaglapur, a hub of silk production. We witness the silk weaving and explore this small town before returning to the ship for lunch.

PM: In the afternoon we visit Sultanganj with its pair of great granite rocks, one crowned with a mosque and the other a small temple dating from the 16th century.

Katha Pandaw - The Upper Ganges River: Farakka-Varanasi - Day 3
Location
Baranagar
Day
3 / 8

Munger

AM & PM: Munger is now a large and industrialized city but has an interesting history. In 1762, Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal, shifted his capital from Murshidabad to Munger and established a firearms manufacturing center here. Explore the Mughal fort, and East India Company cemetery and step inside the Bihar School of Yoga founded in 1964 by Satyananda Saraswati. One of the leading yoga schools in the country. The institution has developed yogic techniques through a synthesis of traditional yogic, Vedantic, and tantric practices and contemporary health science.

Katha Pandaw - The Upper Ganges River: Farakka-Varanasi - Day 4
Location
Gaur
Day
4 / 8

Mokama

AM & PM: Stop at Mokama, once home to Jim Corbett the naturalist and protector of the Indian tigers. Surrounded by farmlands, Mokama has the second hightest production of lentils in the country. Learn about the freedom fighters from Mokama such as Lalldin Saheb, whose during the freedom struggle was sentenced to jail during the British rule.

Katha Pandaw - The Upper Ganges River: Farakka-Varanasi - Day 5
Location
Ghazipur
Day
5 / 8

Barh

AM & PM: Explore Barh, a town famous for Hindu ritual cremation at Urmanath and the Alakhnath Temple.

Katha Pandaw - The Upper Ganges River: Farakka-Varanasi - Day 6
Location
Barh
Day
6 / 8

Patna

AM: Enjoy a city tour of Patna, capital of Bihar state including a visit to The Golghar, a large stupa styled granary built in 1786.

PM: Farewell dinner with your crew.

Katha Pandaw - The Upper Ganges River: Farakka-Varanasi - Day 7
Location
Katgola Palace
Day
7 / 8

Disembarkation

AM: Disembark your vessel ready and transfer to Patna station for your 1st class train to Varanasi. Upon arrival to Varanasi, transfer to your hotel or the airport.

Katha Pandaw - The Upper Ganges River: Farakka-Varanasi - Day 8
Location
Varanasi
Day
8 / 8
1 / 8

8 Day - The Upper Ganges River: Varanasi-Farakka

itinerary map

Embarkation

AM & PM: Depart Varanasi in the morning and head to the train station for your journey to Patna where we meet your vessel. Relax onboard and meet your crew and fellow passengers for the next 7 nights.

Katha Pandaw - The Upper Ganges River: Varanasi-Farakka - Day 1
Location
Varanasi
Day
1 / 8

Barh

AM: Morning city tour of Patna including a visit to The Golghar, a large stupa styled granary built in 1786.

PM: Sail downstream during lunch before arriving to Barh, a town famous for Hindu ritual cremation at Urmanath and the Alakhnath Temple.

Katha Pandaw - The Upper Ganges River: Varanasi-Farakka - Day 2
Location
Barh
Day
2 / 8

Mokama

AM & PM: Stop at Mokama, once home to Jim Corbett the naturalist and protector of the Indian tigers. Surrounded by farmlands, Mokama has the second hightest production of lentils in the country. Learn about the freedom fighters from Mokama such as Lalldin Saheb, whose during the freedom struggle was sentenced to jail during the British rule.

Katha Pandaw - The Upper Ganges River: Varanasi-Farakka - Day 3
Location
Ghazipur
Day
3 / 8

Munger

AM & PM: Munger is now a large and industrialised city but has an interesting history. In 1762, Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal, shifted his capital from Murshidabad to Munger, and established a firearms manufacturing centre here. Explore the Mughal fort, East India Company cemetery and step inside the Bihar School of Yoga founded in 1964 by Satyananda Saraswati. One of the leading yoga schools in the country. The institution has developed yogic techniques through a synthesis of traditional yogic, vedantic and tantric practices and contemporary health science.

Katha Pandaw - The Upper Ganges River: Varanasi-Farakka - Day 4
Location
Gaur
Day
4 / 8

Sultanganj

AM: Continue to Jahanigra Island, a place of pilgrimage with many rock carvings in high relief dating from the eighth century depicting aspects of Siva and Vishnu. In the evening moor off Sultanganj, with its pair of great granite rocks, one crowned with a mosque and the other a small temple dating from the 16th century.

PM: In the afternoon land at Bhaglapur, a centre of silk production, and visit the 18th century mansion of the Collector, Augustus Cleveland.

Katha Pandaw - The Upper Ganges River: Varanasi-Farakka - Day 5
Location
Bhaglapur
Day
5 / 8

Bateshwarsthan

AM & PM: Passing the confluence of the Kosi river that flows down from Nepal, moor at the pretty town of Bateshwarsthan to uncover the 8th century Buddhist site of Vikramshila, one of the two most important centres of learning in India during the Pala Empire, along with Nalanda.

Katha Pandaw - The Upper Ganges River: Varanasi-Farakka - Day 6
Location
Nalanda
Day
6 / 8

Farakka

AM & PM: Continue sailing along the Ganges before stopping at Rajmahal, a quaint town on the banks of the Ganges for an afternoon walk.

Katha Pandaw - The Upper Ganges River: Varanasi-Farakka - Day 7
Location
Farakka
Day
7 / 8

Disembarkation

AM: After breakfast, depart your Pandaw and transfer to Farakka to your hotel or train journey to Kolkata.

Katha Pandaw - The Upper Ganges River: Varanasi-Farakka - Day 8
Location
Kolkata
Day
8 / 8
1 / 8

15 Day - The All Ganges River : Kolkata-Varanasi

itinerary map

Embarkation

AM & PM: Transfer from your hotel or airport in Kolkata 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.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Kolkata-Varanasi - Day 1
Location
Kolkata
Day
1 / 15

Chandernagore

AM & PM: Continue sailing upstream to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950. Visit the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House, erstwhile Governor-General of French India.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Kolkata-Varanasi - Day 2
Location
Chandernagore
Day
2 / 15

Kalna

AM: 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.

PM: Sail on through the night to a mooring near Matiari.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Kolkata-Varanasi - Day 3
Location
Kalna
Day
3 / 15

Mayapur

AM & PM: 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.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Kolkata-Varanasi - Day 4
Location
Mayapur
Day
4 / 15

Matiari

AM: 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.

PM: Moor close to Murshidabad for the night.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Kolkata-Varanasi - Day 5
Location
Matiari
Day
5 / 15

Murshidabad

AM: 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.

PM: Moor overnight on the riverbank across from town.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Kolkata-Varanasi - Day 6
Location
Katgola Palace
Day
6 / 15

Ajimganj-Farakkka

AM & PM: 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 before continuing on to the Farakka Barrage.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Kolkata-Varanasi - Day 7
Location
Baranagar
Day
7 / 15

Farakka - Rajmahal

AM & PM: Today pass through the Farraka Barrage onto the Ganges proper. In the afternoon we explore the quaint town of Rajmahal.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Kolkata-Varanasi - Day 8
Location
Farakka
Day
8 / 15

Sailing

AM &PM: We sail up the mighty Ganges River toward the confluence with the Koshi river. Stop along the way for a short village walk and enjoy our onboard entertainment.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Kolkata-Varanasi - Day 9
Location
Rajmahal
Day
9 / 15

Bhagalpur - Sultanganj

AM: We sail early morning toward Bhaglapur, a hub of silk production. We witness the silk weaving and explore this small town before returning to the ship for lunch.

PM: In the afternoon we visit Sultanganj with its pair of great granite rocks, one crowned with a mosque and the other a small temple dating from the 16th century.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Kolkata-Varanasi - Day 10
Location
Bhaglapur
Day
10 / 15

Munger

AM & PM: Munger is now a large and industrialised city but has an interesting history. In 1762, Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal, shifted his capital from Murshidabad to Munger, and established a firearms manufacturing centre here. Explore the Mughal fort, East India Company cemetery and step inside the Bihar School of Yoga founded in 1964 by Satyananda Saraswati. One of the leading yoga schools in the country. The institution has developed yogic techniques through a synthesis of traditional yogic, vedantic and tantric practices and contemporary health science.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Kolkata-Varanasi - Day 11
Location
Moghul Tomb
Day
11 / 15

Mokama

AM & PM: Stop at Mokama, once home to Jim Corbett the naturalist and protector of the Indian tigers. Surrounded by farmlands, Mokama has the second hightest production of lentils in the country. Learn about the freedom fighters from Mokama such as Lalldin Saheb, whose during the freedom struggle was sentenced to jail during the British rule.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Kolkata-Varanasi - Day 12
Location
Mokama
Day
12 / 15

Barh

AM & PM: Explore Barh, a town famous for Hindu ritual cremation at Urmanath and the Alakhnath Temple.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Kolkata-Varanasi - Day 13
Location
Barh
Day
13 / 15

Patna

AM: Enjoy a city tour of Patna, capital of Bihar state including a visit to The Golghar, a large stupa styled granary built in 1786.

PM: Farewell dinner with your crew.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Kolkata-Varanasi - Day 14
Location
Patna
Day
14 / 15

Disembarkation

AM: Disembark your vessel ready and transfer to Patna station for your 1st class train to Varanasi. Upon arrival to Varanasi, transfer to your hotel or the airport.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Kolkata-Varanasi - Day 15
Location
Varanasi
Day
15 / 15
1 / 15

15 Day - The All Ganges River : Varanasi-Kolkata

itinerary map

Embarkation

AM & PM: Depart Varanasi in the morning and head to the train station for your journey to Patna where we meet your vessel. Relax onboard and meet your crew and fellow passengers for the next 14 nights.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Varanasi-Kolkata - Day 1
Location
Varanasi
Day
1 / 15

Barh

AM: Morning city tour of Patna including a visit to The Golghar, a large stupa styled granary built in 1786.

PM: Sail downstream during lunch before arriving to Barh, a town famous for Hindu ritual cremation at Urmanath and the Alakhnath Temple.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Varanasi-Kolkata - Day 2
Location
Barh
Day
2 / 15

Mokama

AM & PM: Stop at Mokama, once home to Jim Corbett the naturalist and protector of the Indian tigers. Surrounded by farmlands, Mokama has the second hightest production of lentils in the country. Learn about the freedom fighters from Mokama such as Lalldin Saheb, whose during the freedom struggle was sentenced to jail during the British rule.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Varanasi-Kolkata - Day 3
Location
Mokama
Day
3 / 15

Munger

AM & PM: Munger is now a large and industrialised city but has an interesting history. In 1762, Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal, shifted his capital from Murshidabad to Munger, and established a firearms manufacturing centre here. Explore the Mughal fort, East India Company cemetery and step inside the Bihar School of Yoga founded in 1964 by Satyananda Saraswati. One of the leading yoga schools in the country. The institution has developed yogic techniques through a synthesis of traditional yogic, vedantic and tantric practices and contemporary health science.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Varanasi-Kolkata - Day 4
Location
Moghul Tomb
Day
4 / 15

Sultanganj

AM & PM: Continue to Jahanigra Island, a place of pilgrimage with many rock carvings in high relief dating from the eighth century depicting aspects of Siva and Vishnu. In the evening moor off Sultanganj, with its pair of great granite rocks, one crowned with a mosque and the other a small temple dating from the 16th century. In the afternoon land at Bhaglapur, a centre of silk production, and visit the 18th century mansion of the Collector, Augustus Cleveland.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Varanasi-Kolkata - Day 5
Location
Bhaglapur
Day
5 / 15

Bateshwarsthan

AM & PM: Passing the confluence of the Kosi river that flows down from Nepal, moor at the pretty town of Bateshwarsthan to uncover the 8th century Buddhist site of Vikramshila, one of the two most important centres of learning in India during the Pala Empire, along with Nalanda.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Varanasi-Kolkata - Day 6
Location
Nalanda
Day
6 / 15

Farakka

AM & PM: Continue sailing along the Ganges before stopping at Rajmahal, a quaint town on the banks of the Ganges for an afternoon walk.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Varanasi-Kolkata - Day 7
Location
Farakka
Day
7 / 15

Farakka Barrage

AM & PM: Depart Rajmahal and sail down to cross the Farakka barrage, entering the Hooghly River. In the afternoon take a gentle walk through a local village.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Varanasi-Kolkata - Day 8
Location
Rajgir
Day
8 / 15

Murshidabad

AM: After breakfast, take a 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 before continuing our voyage downstream.

PM: In the afternoon we enjoy a city tour of Murshidabad, visiting 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.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Varanasi-Kolkata - Day 9
Location
Baranagar
Day
9 / 15

Kushbag

AM: 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.

PM: Continue sailing downstream in the afternoon with onboard activities and wildlife watching on the sun deck.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Varanasi-Kolkata - Day 10
Location
Katgola Palace
Day
10 / 15

Matiari

AM: In the morning we 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.

PM: After lunch we continue downstream to 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.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Varanasi-Kolkata - Day 11
Location
Matiari
Day
11 / 15

Mayapur

AM & PM: 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.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Varanasi-Kolkata - Day 12
Location
Mayapur
Day
12 / 15

Kalna

AM & PM: After breakfast visit the country town of Kalna. 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.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Varanasi-Kolkata - Day 13
Location
Kalna
Day
13 / 15

Chandernagore

AM: Continue sailing upstream to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950. Visit the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House, erstwhile Governor-General of French India.

PM: In the afternoon we sail toward Barrackpore and take a walk through the cantonment - past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and Flagstaff House. Enjoy a farewell dinner with your crew as we moor in Kolkata for the night.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Varanasi-Kolkata - Day 14
Location
Chandernagore
Day
14 / 15

Disembarkation

AM: After breakfast transfer to your hotel or airport for your onward journey.

Katha Pandaw - The All Ganges River : Varanasi-Kolkata - Day 15
Location
Kolkata
Day
15 / 15
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Accommodations

Social Areas

Breakfast
Recreation Area
Buffet
Front Deck
Relax
Local Performance
Dining
Kitchen
Indian Food

Suites & Cabins

Katha Pandaw - Main Deck - Stateroom 1 Katha Pandaw - Main Deck - Stateroom 2
10 Cabins

Main Deck Stateroom

Guests
2
Size
16 m² / 170 ft²
Beds
Double / Twin

These ample-sized rooms feature various amenities to ensure guests have a comfortable stay. The room also comes with a private ensuite bathroom, spa-branded amenities, and a hairdryer to ensure guests stay refreshed.

Katha Pandaw - Upper Deck - Stateroom 1 Katha Pandaw - Upper Deck - Stateroom 2
4 Cabins

Upper Deck Stateroom

Guests
2
Size
16 m² / 170 ft²
Beds
Double / Twin

These ample-sized rooms feature various amenities to ensure guests have a comfortable stay. The rooms also feature unlimited mineral water for guests to stay dehydrated at all times, kimonos, slippers, a hairdryer, and spa-branded amenities with a private ensuite bathroom.

Technical Information

Deck Plan

Features

  • Air conditioning
  • Lecture room
  • WIFI available
  • Kosher Meals
  • Medical staff
  • Souvenir shop
  • Hot showers
  • All inclusive
  • Charging areas for electronic equipment

Equipment

  • Bicycles
  • Yoga mats
  • Flash lights
  • Water canteen/bottle
  • Insect repellent
** Use of certain equipment at additional cost, ask for details
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