Imagine the rare opportunity to experience India’s greatest highlights and cruise the mighty Ganges River in one extraordinary adventure. This unique 16-day itinerary covers the lively rush of Delhi, the tranquility of the Taj Mahal, the character of rural villages, and the pure serenity of sailing the river from temple to palace and everything in between. This once-in-a-lifetime journey on water and land will have you wanting to return to the glory of India sooner than later.

ITINERARY

DAY 1 DELHI

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included through Women on Wheels, a G Adventures-supported project.

DAY 2 DELHI/ĀGRA

Walk through the backstreets of Delhi with a young adult taking part in the G Adventures-supported New Delhi Streetkids Project. Later, explore Old Delhi with your CEO before an afternoon drive to Agra.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Guided Walking Tour with New Delhi Streetkids Project

Meals included:

Breakfast

DAY 3 ĀGRA

Spend the day visiting the highlights of the walled city of Agra including the famed Taj Mahal, Baby Taj, and Agra Fort.

Meals included:

Breakfast

DAY 4 ĀGRA/JAIPUR

Drive to Jaipur, visiting the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri and the village of Abhaneri, which has one of India’s deepest and largest stepwells (tank gardens).

Meals included:

Breakfast

DAY 5 JAIPUR

Explore the “Pink City,” known also as Jaipur, including the Amber Fort, City Palace, and the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds). Listen to a local historian/scholar discuss the spirituality, social fabric, customs and traditions of India.

Exclusive Inclusions:

National Geographic Journeys Exclusives Meet a Local Historian

Meals included:

Breakfast

DAY 6 JAIPUR/SĀWARDA

Drive to the rural village of Sawarda where we stay in a heritage home. Exploring this traditional village is like stepping back in time. Walk and meet with elders, teachers and elected representatives of the village governing council, called the Panchayat. Topics of discussion include: how urbanization affects village life, information technology and modernization and its benefits and disadvantages, as well as simple village customs and traditions.

Exclusive Inclusions:

National Geographic Journeys Exclusives Local Village Immersion

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

DAY 7 SĀWARDA/DELHI

Drive back to bustling Delhi. Opt to join the CEO for a group dinner.

Meals included:

Breakfast

DAY 8 DELHI/KOLKATA

Fly to Kolkata and transfer to your hotel.

Meals included:

Breakfast

DAY 9 KOLKATA/BĀRĀKPUR

Transfer to the boat and once on board, explore the riverboat and settle in. As the trip gets underway, sail up past the old Danish colony of Serampore, and head out to explore Barrackpore.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

DAY 10 BĀRĀKPUR/KĀLNA

Sail to Chandannagar, a former French possession, to explore. Continue to Chinsurah, to visit the historic Dutch cemetery and the Imambara before reboarding the vessel. Moor near Kalna for the night.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 11 KĀLNA/MATIARI

Land at the country town of Kalna and take cycle rickshaws to see the terracotta temples, as well as the unique Shiva temple. Later, explore Mayapur, with its skyline dominated by the vast ISKCON temple. Sail on through the night to a mooring near Matiari.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 12 MATIARI/MURSHIDĀBĀD

Start the day with a visit to the brassworking village of Matiari to witness their ancient techniques. Continue on the river to a rural mooring near the battlefield of Plassey and opt to walk to the commemorative obelisk.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 13 MURSHIDĀBĀD

Explore the Khushbagh this morning, a peaceful Moghul-style garden housing several tombs. Continue a little way upstream to Murshidabad to visit Hazarduari Palace and Katra Mosque before driving to two 18th-century buildings – the Nashipara Palace and the Katgola Palace.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 14 MURSHIDĀBĀD/FARAKKA

Explore the rural village of Baranagar and walk through farmers’ fields to visit three miniature terracotta temples. Continue up the river and take in the scenery as you cruise to a mooring near the Farakka Barrage.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 15 FARAKKA

Enjoy a full day excursion by road to Gaur, near the town of Malda (English Bazaar). Visit a number of sights from the 12th-century Hindus and 14th-century Muslims, including mosques and palaces. Rejoin the boat in the evening.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 16 FARAKKA/KOLKATA

Transfer to Farakka station at dawn to catch the morning train and journey back to Kolkata. Tour ends on arrival in Kolkata.

Meals included:

Breakfast

SALE PRICE

  • priced from
  • $2,375CAD
  • Includes taxes
  • International airfare not included
  • Departure Dates
  • Call for availability
  • Questions? Contact Us!

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What’s Included

  • National Geographic Journeys Exclusives: Local Village Immersion, Sāwarda
  • National Geographic Journeys Exclusives: Meet a Local Historian, Jaipur
  • Guided Walking Tour with New Delhi Streetkids Project, Delhi
  • Arrival transfer included through the Women on Wheels project
  • Tour of Old Delhi
  • VIsit the Taj Mahal, Baby Taj, and Agra Fort
  • Excursion to Fatehpur Sikri and the Abhaneri step wells
  • Explore Jaipur
  • Explore Barrackpore
  • Visit Chandernagore and the imambara at Hooghly
  • Excursion to Kalna by cycle-rickshaws
  • Visit Mayapur
  • Excursion to the brass-working village of Matiari
  • Entrance to Khushbagh Mughal-style gardens and Hazarduari Palace
  • Visit the Katra Mosque, Nashipara Palace, and Katgola Palace
  • Internal flights
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

ACCOMMODATIONS

Hotels (7 nts), heritage hotel (1 nt), riverboat (7 nts)

MEALS

15 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 8 dinners
Allow USD225-295 for meals not included. Drinks and tips on board not included.

TRANSPORTATION

Van, bus, rickshaw, train, walking, plane, riverboat.

STAFF & EXPERTS

Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides