Secrets of the Sacred Ganges - Ganges Voyager

Day 5: Namkhana, Kolkata & Chandernagore
Today we sail upstream past the city of Kolkata and its iconic bridges. Enjoy the Grand Dinner onboard this evening.

Day 6: Chandernagore to Bansberia
You’ll be amazed this morning to breakfast overlooking striking Chanderganore, a French colony established in 1673 & still retaining a Francophone flavour.  After breakfast you'll walk along the Promenade to see the French heritage monuments and enjoy the local ambience.

Back onboard, as we sail you’ll witness ever increasing meanders and rolling fields of crops and local industries as you sail to Bansberia, a quaint village said to have derived its name from the legend that a fort was built by the Landlord’s son after clearing a Bamboo (locally called Bans) grove.

Late afternoon enjoy a short walk to visit the Haneswari Temple, known for its unique Ratna architectural style of 12 minars or Ratnas, each shaped like a lotus bud, and the inner layout following human anatomy. You’ll also see in the complex the Ananta Basudeb temple, a terracotta
(burnt brick) temple constructed in the traditional Ekaratna style with curved cornices and richly carved terracotta panels depicting gods and goddesses. In the late afternoon you’ll have the opportunity to witness a traditional Hindu Deepdan ceremony celebration.

Day 7: Bansberia, Bandel, Serampore & Bally Bridge
Sailing from a French enclave to a Portuguese settlement you’ll enjoy breakfast as we traverse the landscape to Bandel, meaning wharf in Bengali, where you’ll visit the Hooghly Imambara, one of the famous Shiya pilgrimage centers in West Bengal built in 1841. The two-story building and surrounding rooms provide housing for pilgrims as well as classrooms. The structure contains a Victorian-era clock with a winding key weighing 20kg, along with large Persian chandeliers and lamps light the Imambara's stunning hallways and passages.

Next, you’ll sail to an erstwhile Danish colony, Serampore, where you’ll enjoy a late afternoon walk in the old quarters to see the Danish Tavern, St. Olav's Church and other Danish heritage monuments. With Serampore being a popular pit-stop for Danish and English traders in 1786 a British innkeeper called James Parr opened the Denmark Tavern & Hotel, popularly called the Danish Tavern, which became a favorite among Europeans. You’ll also visit St. Olav’s Church, locally known as the Danish Church, one of the 100 buildings that were constructed by the Danish Management between 1755 and 1845. Enjoy dinner onboard as we sail towards Bally Bridge.

Day 8: Bally Bridge, Belur Math, Disembark and Fly to Varanasi
After an early breakfast you'll disembark & continue to visit Belur Math, a significant institution in Kolkata; founded by Swami Vivekananda, a monk who was a key figure in the introduction of the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world and is credited with raising interfaith awareness, bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion during the late 19th century. The monument is notable for its architecture that fuses Hindu, Christian and Islamic motifs as a symbol of unity of all religions.

You’ll disembark with a packed lunch for Kolkata airport for an early afternoon flight to Varanasi. Situated on the banks of the Ganges River, Varanasi is a pilgrimage site for Hindus, a center for learning and famous for its silk-weaving and brocades.

On arrival in Varanasi transfer to your hotel for check-in. Late afternoon visit the Ghats (riverbanks) by cycle rickshaw ride and witness the evening “Aarti” ritual on the Ganges from an exclusive boat.