Ganga Vilas, 19 Night Varanasi to Kolkata Downstream River Cruise ex Varanasi to Kolkata

MV Ganga Vilas - Varanasi / Patna – Kolkata Downstream

Day 1: Arrival Varanasi (L/D)
Upon arrival in Varanasi, meet and greet at the airport and transfer to the hotel for check-in and lunch.

Varanasi is a major religious hub in India, and is considered the holiest city in Hinduism and Jainism. It also played an important role in the development of Buddhism. It is also an important industrial centre, famous for its muslin and silk fabrics, perfumes, ivory works, and sculpture.

Dinner & Overnight at Hotel Taj Ganges or similar.

Day 2: Varanasi (B/L/D)
After breakfast we visit the excavation site of Sarnath where, circa 528 BCE, at 35 years of age, Gautama Buddha taught his first sermon after attaining enlightenment at Bodhgaya. The Dhamek Stupa here marks the precise location where Buddha preached his first discourse to his first five disciples, and where all five eventually became fully liberated. It is also where the Buddhist Sangha first came into existence as a result of the enlightenment of his first five disciples. It is also one of the eight stupas where Buddha’s ashes after his cremation were divided and buried. The Archaeological Museum (closed on Fridays) at Sarnath contains a large collection of sculptures that stand testimony to the fervent artistic and religious activity for more than a thousand years.

Return to hotel for lunch.

The city is known worldwide for its many Ghats, which are embankments made in steps of stone slabs along the river bank where pilgrims perform ritual ablutions. Post lunch we enjoy a walk on these Ghats to experience the activities and hustle-bustle in the by-lanes. Continue to the riverside at the Dashashwamedh Ghat to see the “Ganga Aarti” ritual, performed by a group of priests lined up on the riverbank chanting mantras and performing the prayer ritual with lamps, incense, bells and traditional Hindu instruments to honour the river. Thousands of devotees throng the riverbank to participate in the ceremony every evening.

Dinner & Overnight at Hotel Taj Ganges or similar.

Day 3: Varanasi (B/L/D)
At early dawn enjoy a Sunrise Boat Tour to witness the incredible scenes along the Holy River. Return to hotel for breakfast. Morning is at leisure with breakfast and lunch at the hotel. Post lunch time free for shopping and other activities.

Dinner & Overnight at Hotel Taj Ganges or similar.

Day 4: Drive Varanasi – Patna, Embark (B/L/D)
After an early breakfast at the hotel, check-out and drive to Patna (approx. 5 – 6 hrs drive, depending upon road traffic conditions). Upon arrival in Patna, transfer to the jetty and embark MV Ganga Vilas.

Patna is the capital of the State of Bihar and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world founded in 490 BCE as Pataliputra. Welcome onboard followed by safety briefing and lunch.
Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas

Day 5: Patna City Tour (B/L/D)
Breakfast onboard and day free for rest. Post lunch proceed to visit the Golghar and the Bihar Museum. The 18th century Golghar, literally meaning "Round house", is a large beehive-shaped granary that was built "for the perpetual prevention of famine in these provinces" in 1784 by Warren Hastings, the British Governor General of India. Designed by Captain John Garstin of the Bengal Engineers, part of the East India Company’s Bengal Army, this pillar-less building has a height of 29m. One can climb at the top of the Golghar through the spiral stairway around it. The spiral staircase was designed to facilitate the passage of the workers, who had to carry grain-bags up one flight, deliver their load through a hole at the top, and descend the other stairs. The top of the Golghar presents a wonderful panoramic view of the city and the Ganges.

The modern day, Bihar Museum has several galleries of curated exhibitions like the Orientation gallery, the children gallery, the regional gallery, the contemporary gallery, the historical art galleries, the Bihari Diaspora gallery, and the visible storage gallery. The exhibits range from artefacts from the Harappan Civilization from the 4th century BCE, the Gupta Dynasty (4th-6th centuries CE) to crafts, folk culture and traditions of Bihar. Apart from the galleries, there is publication and education section, sales counter, and a cafeteria.

Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas

Day 6: Patna – Maner Shrine Excursion (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we embark on an excursion to Maner Shrine (approx. one-hour drive). It is renowned for the tombs of the 13th century Sufi saints Makhdoom Yahya Maneri and Makhdoom Shah Daulat, known as Bari Dargah (the great shrine) and Chhoti Dargah (the small shrine), respectively. The Bari Dargah stands within a walled garden on top of a mound that according to some archaeologists conceals an old Buddhist site. It also has a small mosque dating back thirteenth century with the graves of Shaikh Maneri’s disciples and descendants. Choti Dargah it is built in the Mughal style with extensive Chunar sandstone. With its central dome and four cupolas on the four corners the two-storied Choti Dargah is constructed within a large walled courtyard and garden. Emperor Jahangir added gateway on the north of the mausoleum and the three-bay mosque on the west.

Return to ship for Lunch. Thereafter visit the Gurudwara. the Takht Sri Patna Sahib Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) was built to commemorate the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs in 1666. It was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the first Maharaja of the Sikh Empire. The current shrine was built in the 1950s.

Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas

Day 7: River Day, Patna – Barh (B/L/D)
Today we sail full day through wonderful countryside enjoying breakfast and lunch to Barh, a historic town located on the southern banks of the Ganges. We celebrate New Year’s Eve today.

Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas

Day 8: Barh – Nalanda Excursion (B/L/D)
After breakfast, embark on a full day excursion to archaeological ruins of Nalanda (approx. one-hour’s drive). A World Heritage Site Nalanda was a renowned Mahavihara (Buddhist monastic university) in ancient Magadha. It is considered by historians to be the world's first residential university and among the greatest centers of learning in the ancient world. Operating from 427 until 1197 CE, it played a vital role in promoting the patronage of arts and academics. It was supported by numerous Indian and Javanese patrons, both Buddhists and non-Buddhists. It taught six major Buddhist schools and philosophies as well as subjects such as Vedas, grammar, medicine, logic and mathematics. It was perhaps the oldest seat of learning in India and treasures a glorious past, rich spiritual heritage and some extraordinary architectural ruins.

We continue to nearby Rajgir for lunch at a local restaurant. Return to the ship by evening.

Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas

Day 9: Barh – Munger (B/L/D)
In the morning after breakfast walk in the riverside village of Barh to see the daily activities of the local people. Enjoying our breakfast and lunch onboard, we continue our journey further downstream to arrive at Munger.

Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas

Day 10: Munger (B/L/D)
After breakfast visit the Chandika Sthan Temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Shakti. It is one of the fifty-one Shakti Peethas, associated with the legend of Lord Vishnu who to save the world from Lord Shiva’s wrath, cut into pieces the corpse of Devi Sati that Shiva was carrying.
Return to ship for lunch. Thereafter visit the Munger Fort and enjoy a walking tour and the local market popular for fruits, vegetables, textiles, and readymade garments.

Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas

Day 11: Munger – Sultanganj – Bateshwarsthan (B/L/D)
+Today we sail through the morning enjoying breakfast onboard to arrive in Sultanganj. Excursion to Sultanganj, which is notable for two prominent granite rock islands in the river connected to the mainland by a causeway. On one of the islands is a mosque; on the other larger one is the Ajgaibinath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. We will visit the Shiva temple.

Return to the ship and sail towards Bateshwarsthan. We arrive by the evening. Time permitting, enjoy a walk on the Ghats (embankments).

Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas

Day 12: Bateshwarsthan – Sahibganj (B/L/D)
After breakfast drive in cars to the 8-9th century excavation site of the Vikramshila University. Spend the day walk around the archaeological ruins. Vikramshila University was an important Buddhist centre of learning under the rule of the Pala Dynasty. Subjects like theology, philosophy, grammar, metaphysics, and logic were taught here.

Return to ship and sail further downstream towards Sahibganj. Sahibganj is a scenic town and a port city on the banks of Ganges. Literally meaning a place (ganj) of masters (sahebs or sahibs) as several English and other European people lived and worked in and around the railway station during the British Raj.

Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas

Day 13: Sahibganj – Farakka - Jangipur (B/L/D)
Enjoy a Village Walk in the morning. Thereafter sail to Farakka and cross the historic Lock Gate. The travel through the Feeder Canal will give us a chance to see the different birds of the region.
After crossing the Lock Gate, we cruise through the connecting canal to the Hooghly River, the lower Ganges. We continue sail towards Jangipur.

Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas

Day 14: River Day, Jangipur – Murshidabad (B/L/D)
We sail full day towards Murshidabad enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard. We arrive in Murshidabad by the evening. Murshidabad is a hidden architectural gem with dramatic whitewashed colonial era structures.

Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas

Day 15: Murshidabad (B/L/D)
After breakfast ride the Toto (e-rickshaw) through the countryside to the Katra mosque, which has distinctive minarets. Thereafter visit the Hazarduari Palace, which dominates the waterfront. Built by an English architect, McLeod Duncan, 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.

Return to the ship for lunch and sail towards the shore-side village of Matiari.

Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas

Day 166: River Day, Murshidabad – Matiari (B/L/D)
Breakfast on board and sail full day downstream to Matiari, sailing past the village of Plassey, which was the site of the famous battlefield, where Robert Clive of British East India Company defeated the Mogul Nawabs in 1757. The rulers of Bengal and their French allies established the company rule in India, which spread through much of South Asia for the next 190 years.

Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas+

Day 17: Matiari – Kalna (B/L/D)
Early this morning walk in the village to see and experience the craftsmen at work. These master craftsmen utilize recycled copper to create exquisite pots, platters, and more from their workshops in the village.

Return to ship for breakfast and sail onward to Kalna. We arrive in Kalna by the evening.

Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas

Day 18: Kalna – Kolkata (B/L/D)
After breakfast ride e-rickshaws through the town of Kalna to visit the enchanting Rajbari Temple complex. The Nabakailas Temple contains 108 eight-slope-roofed shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. Other temples in the complex feature diverse architecture and terracotta plaques depict themes of Hindu epics and various aspects of day-to-day life in the region. Return to the ship walking through the local market and sail onward to Kolkata and arrive by the evening seeing various colonial buildings along the Ganges River and passing below the iconic Howrah Bridge.

Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas

Day 19: Kolkata City Tour (B/L/D)
After breakfast, visit the Flower Market, where you can see artists creating a variety of garlands, ornaments, and other items made of flowers and leaves for temples, weddings, and other uses. Thereafter, visit Kumartuli, a traditional potters’ quarter renowned for its sculpting prowess.

Return to the ship for lunch Thereafter we visit Mother Teresa’s Home and Tomb. Mother Teresa started the Missionary of Charity in 1952, then lived and worked here until her death in 1997. The permanent exhibition includes a visit to her personal room, we learn her life story, and see her charity that is still active.

Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas

Day 20: Kolkata Departure (B)
Early breakfast onboard the ship and transfer to the airport for outbound flight

Important Notes:
- The itinerary may be readjusted due to local conditions and days of the week, to avoid closure of monuments/museums. Last-minute sailing adjustments may also occur. The onboard tour staff will announce or post the exact time for each activity.
- The letters in parentheses indicate the included meal of the day B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner.
- As per government restrictions, from Patna to Farakka, no liquor will be served on board.
- Satellite phones & drone cameras are not allowed in Varanasi, please ensure the same, while traveling to Varanasi.

Antara Ganga Vilas is a celebration of India’s post-independence design and a tribute to its innovations. Each room is inspired by Josef Albers’ paintings which are experiments in the perception of color as well as tantra and its quest to perceive the many parts of the universe in its wholeness. Pioneered by Mr. Raj Singh, Antara Luxury River Cruises is a rapidly growing boutique cruise brand that is bringing travelers to India’s majestic waterways and have them sail in luxury to find adventure and pleasure. Charting the legendary waters of the Ganga and Brahmaputra, Raj Singh built for the first time in India, a fleet of luxurious river ships that offer plush accommodations while also bringing regenerative experiences to both travelers and local communities.

Operating successfully since 2009, the Antara Fleet has sailed the Indo-Bangladesh protocol route, touched the ghats of holy Varanasi, meandered through the sleepy towns of Bengal and explored the gorgeous Sunderbans among its many destinations.

Ganga Vilas, resplendent in its design, sails the ancient river, glowing through day and night. Guests sail and watching people on the banks gaze back at the slow movement of its crisp and radiant colours. The changing light reflects on the water and plays into the suites. The jewel tones of Varanasi’s Himalayan Buddhist Gyasar textiles, the soft curves of mid-century Indian teak furniture, original contemporary art, handmade tiles, wooden hallways and staircases – the ship is altogether chic, meditative and sumptuous. Each day brings with it a hand-crafted food and beverage menu, showcasing the specialties of the land. Each day also allows the guests to explore off shore experiences with an in-house expert guide taking them through the stories of India on and off board.

This unique ship and its immersive itinerary is designed to engage the intellect and the senses as one experiences the many imaginations of India in the comfort of a luxurious cruise.

Antara River Cruises has introduced luxury river cruising across India with an exceptional attention to detail. An invitation to take you to untouched destinations bringing unmatched hospitality and immerse yourself in unforgettable experiences.

Encompassing luxury in every nook and corner, the river cruises by Antara are designed to make sure you have the most enthralling journey on our rivers. From comfortable suite accommodation to high-end amenities, the cruises are equipped with everything you might need while sailing. Come on board and have a memorable journey.