Our Team 
Heroes and Heroines William Dalrymple is a highly acclaimed author of a series of books, notably Xanadu, City of Djinns, The Age of Kali and White Mughals. In his most ambitious and riveting book to date, The Anarchy, William Dalrymple tells the story of the East India Company as it has never been told before, unfolding a timely cautionary tale of the first global corporate power. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, the Royal Geographical Society and of the Royal Asiatic Society and is a founder and co-director of the Jaipur Literature Festival.
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Our Team Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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Our Tour Experts We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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Heroes and Heroines The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
India – Ganges River Cruise with William Dalrymple
| Start date | End date | Days | Prices from | Single Supplement | Tour Expert | Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23/02/22 | 05/03/22 | 11 days | £4,995 ex. flights | £4,995 | William Dalrymple | 52 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
Board the five-star Ganges Voyager on a 11-day river cruise into the heart of West Bengal. William Dalrymple, author and historian will join you onboard to share his knowledge of India and explore key regions mentioned in his latest book, The Anarchy.
Accompanied by specialist guides and our guest speaker William Dalrymple, you will participate in a combination of daily shore excursions, onboard lectures and discussions and experience a unique perspective and insight into Indian history.
The cruise slowly drifts alongside riverside communities on the Lower Ganges, punctuated by historic battlefields, temple complexes, historic mosques and impressive colonial architecture.
Start in the fascinating city of Kolkata before heading upstream to Kalna, renowned for having the highest concentration of temples in Bengal and home to the spectacular Nabakailas complex, comprising of an outer circumference of 74 temples and an inner ring of 34 temples.
Further up-river is home to India’s finest brass handicrafts at the shore side bazaar at Matiari, while for anybody with an interest in the history of the East India Company, the battlefield at Plassey will doubtless be a highlight.
For many, the jewel in the crown of this trip will be the afternoon spent at Murshidabad, home to Hazarduari Palace and its plethora of colonial antiques and the impressive Imambara, a Shia place of worship. By the end of the cruise, you will have been given a unique perspective on modern life along the Ganges, alongside a compelling insight into Indian history through the prism of the East India Company.
Introducing your expert
William Dalrymple
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
1William Dalrymple
Travel in the company of acclaimed author and historian, William Dalrymple.
2Private boat charter
Travel aboard the exclusively chartered, high-end river cruiser, Ganges Voyager I.
3A unique perspective
Reach fascinating parts of Bengal inaccessible by road, as featured in William Dalrymple’s latest book, The Anarchy.
4Discover Murshidabad
Reach Murshidabad, a hidden architectural gem with dramatic colonial-era structures.
Day 1
Arrive Kolkata
Day 2
Kolkata
Day 3
Set sail from Kolkata
Day 4
Kalna
Day 5
Matiari and the lower Ganges
Day 6
Murshidabad and Azimganj
Day 7
Cossimbazar
Day 8
Mayapur
Day 9
Mayapur to Chandernagore
Day 10
Chandernagore to Serampore
Day 11
Disembarkation in Kolkata
Day 1
Arrive Kolkata
The group are met on arrival from Kolkata Airport and transferred (shared) to the boat for a reception party and Gala dinner. Private transfers can be arranged separately at an additional cost. Overnight on the Ganges Voyager alongside in Kolkata.
Day 2
Kolkata
Begin the day by visiting Kolkata’s Flower Market, which is a feast for the eyes. The Flower Market is located below and adjacent to Howrah Bridge, a cantilever bridge suspended over the Hooghly River.
Day 3
Set sail from Kolkata
Begin your journey upstream passing below the cantilevered Howrah Bridge and seeing various colonial buildings along the Ganges river. With a suspended span over the Hooghly River, the Howrah Bridge was commissioned in 1943.
Day 4
Kalna
Disembark the Ganges Voyager this morning and enjoy a rickshaw ride through the town centre of Kalna en route to the enchanting Rajbari Temple Complex.
Day 5
Matiari and the lower Ganges
Enjoy an early morning walk to the shore-side village of Matiari, which is known for manufacturing beautiful handcrafted brass items. Continue your journey upstream, sailing past the battlefield of Plassey, where Robert Clive of British East India Company defeated the Mogul Nawabs in 1757.
Day 6
Murshidabad and Azimganj
Today, explore Murshidabad and its surroundings. Ride the local buggy (horse cart) to the Katra mosque. Continue your visit by buggy to the Hazarduari Palace which dominates the waterfront. You will also visit the nearby town of Azimganj, known for its Jain Temples and heritage merchant houses.
Day 7
Cossimbazar
Early this morning William disembarks the boat. The boat continues its journey back downstream to Cossimbazar. Explore the historic town of Cossimbazar (Kasim Bazar). The first European traders set up factories here, and it gained a position as the great trading centre of Bengal.
Day 8
Mayapur
Sail further downstream to Mayapur and explore the town. Mayapur is known as the birthplace of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486), also considered to be an incarnation of Lord Krishna.
Day 9
Mayapur to Chandernagore
Continue sailing towards Chandernagore, an erstwhile French colony that was established in 1673. Walk along the promenade and explore the French colonial buildings, including the former French governor’s residence, now converted into the Duplex Museum that features an exhibition of items that depict life during this period.
Day 10
Chandernagore to Serampore
This morning, sail to Serampore, a pre-colonial city on the west bank of the river which was part of Danish India from 1755 to 1845.
Day 11
Disembarkation in Kolkata
Following breakfast guests will disembark the vessel and transfer to the Kolkata Airport for their onward journey.
Ganges Explorer
The Ganges Explorer is a very comfortable, small passenger ship that has been cruising the river Ganges since 2015. She has been designed to carry 56 guests and offers a warm and relaxed experience. Steppes Travel has privately chartered the ship, which offers four different cabin categories to choose from. The Maharaja Suite, the highest category on board, is now BOOKED but there is still availability in the Viceroy, Colonial and Signature suites.
The ship has a large indoor lounge and outdoor deck area offering plenty of space to sit and relax. The indoor spaces feature large windows offering expansive views, and there is also a fitness room and spa.
Highlight
Kolkata
The journey begins in Kolkata, considered by many to be the country’s cultural hub. The former capital of the Raj, Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) still retains much of its dramatic colonial architecture. Its legacy lives on in the imperious Victoria Memorial in the heart of the city, today home to an impressive collection of British colonial historical artefacts, and the churches of St John and St Andrew.
At the end of the cruise, you will explore this fascinating city; stroll through the early morning flower market, pass the bookshops on College Street, watch the world come to life in the institutional coffee shops, sample Bengali cuisine and explore some of the colonial monuments.
Highlight
Kalna
The town of Kalna has the most extraordinary concentration of temples in the region. The Rajbari Temple Complex includes a diverse mix of temple architecture. Built-in 1809 by the Bardhaman Maharaja, the complex contains 108 slope-roofed temples, 74 in an outer circle and another 34 in the inner circle. Terracotta plaques depict themes of Hindu epics, the mythical lives of saints, gods and goddesses and various aspects of day to day life in the region. It’s a remarkable site to visit.
Highlight
Plassey
The cruise sails past the battlefields of Plassey, where the British East India Company, under the leadership of Robert Clive, had a decisive victory over the Nawab of Bengal and his French allies in June 1757. The battle helped the Company seize control of Bengal. Over the next hundred years, they seized control of the entire Indian subcontinent and Myanmar.
Highlight
Murshidabad
The ship continues along the Lower Ganges, twisting and turning between banks lined with mustard fields and mango orchards to arrive at Murshidabad, a hidden architectural gem with dramatic whitewashed colonial-era structures.
During your visit to Murshidabad, visit the Katra mosque. Built by the first Nawab of Murshidabad – Murshid Quli Khan in 1724-25, this mosque has distinctive minarets from which the muezzin calls the faithful to Friday prayers. Continue to the Hazarduari Palace which dominates the waterfront, built during the reign of Nawab Nazim Humayun Jah (1824-1838 AD) by an English architect, Duncan McLeod, in the Greek “Doric” style. The palace has more than a thousand real and false doors in the vast corridors and is filled with colonial-era antiques, artwork and manuscripts.
Why travel with Steppes on this Ganges River Cruise?
Steppes has privately chartered one of the most comfortable boats on the Ganges to follow a completely bespoke, one-off itinerary that explores the history of the East India Company, as outlined in William Dalrymple’s new book, The Anarchy. Not only this, the great author himself will be on board the boat with you.
How much time will I get with William Dalrymple?
William will be on board the boat for the first five days of the cruise. He will give daily presentations in the early evening and will join the daily excursions onshore.
What happens on a typical day?
Each evening the boat manager will outline the following day’s programme. Every morning there will be sunrise yoga (for those early risers) followed by breakfast between 7 am and 8.30 am. Each day will offer a short excursion, either in the morning or afternoon. Lunch and Dinner are both served on board in the Dining Room. Each evening between 6 – 7.30 there is the opportunity to enjoy pre-dinner drinks, a presentation by an expert and short talk by the boat manager.
Is February a good time to travel to India?
Yes, February is a beautiful time to visit this region of India, particularly during the daytime. The climate is warm and dry with day time temperatures in the mid-20s. Night-time temperatures can drop considerably to around 12 to 16 degrees so you will require warmer clothes for early mornings and evenings on deck.
Do I need to be physically fit to enjoy this trip?
The Ganges River cruise program is active. While there will be plenty of time to relax, there is much to see and do. Many included excursions require an extensive amount of walking over uneven terrain, and many sites have numerous steps that may be steeper and more narrow than is common in Western countries. For your safety and enjoyment, we recommend that all guests be in good physical condition and able to walk unaided.
Will there be a doctor on board?
While staff on board are trained in basic first aid, there are no nurses or doctors on board. While international medical facilities are available in Kolkata, and we have a list of physicians who can be contacted during the cruise, medical facilities are not easily accessible at all stops.
Is this trip available for solo travellers?
This is the perfect trip for solo travellers however cabins are charged at the full cost of a cabin regardless of whether it is occupied by one or two people. If you are willing to share, we will always do our best to match you up with another solo traveller of the same sex so that you can share the cost of a cabin with another person.
What is the accommodation like?
The hotel in Kolkata is one of our favourites. Centrally located and full of character, this is a very comfortable hotel. The Ganges Voyager is considered to be one of the best boats on the river. It is an all-suite boat, each cabin offering ample space with large picture windows and ensuite bathrooms. The communal areas are large enough to offer guests plenty of room to find a quiet corner.
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Includes / Excludes
Important Information
Activity Level
Light ActivitySingle Supplement
Travelling on your own? Our group tours are perfect for solo travellers, as travelling as part of an organised group in faraway places provides security and peace of mind. We handle all of the arrangements for you and there will be a local tour guide on hand throughout to provide advice and help if needed, as well as the expertise of a Tour expert.
Flexibility
To allow flexibility, our group tours do not include international flights as standard. We can arrange international flights on your behalf, please get in touch with our travel experts for a quote. All international flights from the UK are ATOL protected.
What is included
- Accompanied by William Dalrymple for five days
- Bed and breakfast accommodation in Kolkata for one night
- Shared group transfer on arrival - airport to hotel
- Two shared group transfers by deluxe AC coach - hotel to port and port to airport
- Welcome meal on first night in Kolkata
- Accommodation aboard the Ganges Voyager
- Full board meals on the boat include mineral water, tea/coffee
- Services of three English speaking guides (one per 15-20 passengers) for shore excursions during cruise
- Gratuities for local guides, drivers, porters, crew
- All shore excursions during cruise
- £25 to help fund the communities, conservation agencies and NGOs that we work with
- £25 contribution to ‘Trees and Science’ in mitigation of your carbon emissions
- 24-hour assistance while travelling
- Wi-Fi access while on board the boat
What is excluded
- International flights
- Drinks on board (other than mineral water, tea and coffee)
- Travel Insurance
- Visa Fees
Why a Steppes expert-led group tour
1.Experience matters
We have been running insightful and groundbreaking group tours since our inception in 1989. We have worked with institutions such as the British Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum and run wildlife tours in conjunction with conservation agencies such as Fauna & Flora International, Wildlife Conservation Society, the Orangutan Foundation, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and the Jane Goodall Institute.
2.Like-minded travellers
Steppes Travellers are like-minded people; interesting, interested and curious. Our group tours, usually consisting of eight to ten travellers, aim to create an easy and informal atmosphere – we have a lot of fun on our tours and many friendships have been formed.
4.Peace of mind
When you travel on one of our group tours, you will be looked after by our local agents and your tour expert with the back-up of our 24-hour emergency number and duty manager. All our holidays are fully bonded and protected – our ATOL number is ATOL 6495.
3.It’s about who you know
We have developed an enviable pool of expertise from which to choose our tour experts, who we carefully select based on their knowledge, companionship and personality. Often, these experts can use their influence to facilitate private access to sites not typically open to the public.
Our future tour dates
For further information about any of these tours please call 01285 880 980
| Start date | End date | Days | Prices from | Single Supplement | Tour Expert | Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23/02/22 | 05/03/22 | 11 days | £4,995 ex. flights | £4,995 | William Dalrymple | 52 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
Reserve your place on this group tour
Our travel experts have a wealth of first-hand knowledge, so if you have any questions about this expert-led group tour, please get in touch. They would love to help. We hope you can join us on this tour.
01285 880 980Send us an enquiry
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Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
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