Navigate the Ganges
Discover the villages, towns and temples in a little-known part of India avoiding congested roads.
Integral to shaping India’s history and revered by millions, the sacred Ganges River is the most profound. Ply these holy waters on board a comfortable cruise boat and explore this mighty river in style.
Discover the villages, towns and temples in a little-known part of India avoiding congested roads.
Spend time in the holy city of Varanasi to experience the most profound ceremonies seen in India.
The Pandaw and Assam Bengal Navigation ships offers large cabins and spacious saloons.
Join a cruise with small groups of like-minded travellers. Share experiences and company.
Return to India on an extensive river cruise itinerary which incorporates some of the most revered and remarkable sites from Kolkata all the way to Varanasi. Step onboard and off the beaten track. Cross from the Lower Ganges or Hooghly River to the Ganges itself through the Farraka canal and lock. Visit a variety of Hindu and Buddhist sites with particular focus on the UNESCO world heritage site of Bodhgaya, the birthplace of Buddha.
Day 1
Kolkata
Day 2
Kala
Day 3
Matiari
Day 4
Murshidabad
Day 5
Farakka
Day 6
Bateshwarsthan
Day 7
Sultanganj
Day 8
Munger and Mokama
Day 9
Nalanda and Bodhgaya
Day 10
Doriganj
Day 11
Buxar
Day 12
Ghazipur
Day 13-15
Varanasi
Day 1
Kolkata
Visit the thriving city of Kolkata and learn about its colonial past
Day 2
Kala
Take cycle rickshaws to see a group of some of Bengal’s most attractive terracotta temples.
Day 3
Matiari
Day 4
Murshidabad
Day 5
Farakka
Cross from the Lower Ganges or Hoogly River to the Ganges itself through the Farraka canal and lock, that was constructed 1963-75.
Day 6
Bateshwarsthan
Day 7
Sultanganj
Day 8
Munger and Mokama
Day 9
Nalanda and Bodhgaya
This is a global centre of pilgrimage for Buddhists of all denominations and it is fascinating to tour the many monasteries around all built-in various national styles.
Day 10
Doriganj
Day 11
Buxar
Day 12
Ghazipur
Stop at Ghjazipur, home to the world’s largest opium factory, and visit the imposing tomb of Lord Cornwallis (who lost Yorktown) and latterly governor of India, where he was to pass away in 1805.
Day 13-15
Varanasi
Varanasi is one of India’s holiest cities and religious rituals are performed on a daily basis on the edge of the River Ganges.
It is now possible to cruise between Kolkata and Varanasi covers 1000 miles of the River Ganges.
Varanasi is surely the goal of any ‘passage to India’ and at the other end of the holy river stands Kolkata, in all its Raj-like magnificence.
Between lies, several of the most important Buddhist sites including Sarnath, Nalanda and Bodh Gaya and cities great and small and between urban centres and great pilgrim sites are expanses of empty river teeming with birdlife, not to mention the Gangetic dolphin.
Ganges cruises can be taken separately or together to offer a choice of durations from three to 15 nights (by combining two itineraries).
Varanasi said to be the oldest inhabited city on the planet is the most sacred city of Hinduism and a place of overwhelming beauty at the same time poignantly moving with its cremation ghats. Visit Sarnath and the Deer Park where the Lord Buddha gave his first sermon with its archaeological museum. Take rowing boats for sunrise over the bathing ghats and after breakfast explore the old city by cycle rickshaw. Take evening walks along the ghats and witness the ‘Aarti’ rituals.
Spend a few days acclimatising to India in Delhi, exploring the changing architecture of the ruling dynasties over the years. At the end of the cruise, disembark the ship in Varanasi and check into the luxurious Taj Nadesar Palace. This is a glorious boutique heritage hideaway, offering an opulent and serene retreat a short distance from the old city. From Varanasi, it is also easy to access other parts of India such as the erotic temples at Khajuraho or the tiger reserves at Panna or Bandhavgarh.
Steppes work with river cruise operators who reflect our outlook and ethos. Both the Assam Bengal Navigation Company (ABN) and Pandaw offer the highest of operating standards, superb service and exceptional non-invasive expeditions. Both run a series of fixed date departures throughout the year offering a different focus. We can talk you through the cruises and help you choose the right one for you.
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