Bengal Ganga, 7 Night Artisans of Bengal Christmas River Cruise ex Kolkata return

Day 1: Kolkata Embarkation (L/D)
Embarkation: 12:00 PM
Arrive Kolkata in the morning and transfer to the jetty to embark the ship. Lunch onboard. Post lunch, proceed for a Panoramic Tour of Kolkata, featuring a view of the well preserved British colonial buildings in Kolkata: Writer's Building, General Post Office, High Court, Raj Bhawan (Governor's House), Town Hall, Council House, Treasury Building, Reserve Bank of India and Dalhousie Square. We proceed to visit St. John's Church, the oldest Anglican Church in Kolkata, built in 1756. The tour features the oldest functioning pipe organ in India, a painting of the Last Supper by German artist, Johann Zoffany, and several tombs of British Generals who died during the Siege of Kolkata by Nawab Shriaj Ud Daula in 1756. Then we visit the grand Victoria Memorial Museum, which houses the largest collection of British colonial historical artefacts.

Day 2: Kolkata Tour – Bally Bridge (B/L/D)
Morning after breakfast, visit Kolkata’s Flower Market, a feast for the eyes. Located below and adjacent to the cantilevered Howrah Bridge that spans the sacred river Ganges, the market is bustling from the wee hours of the morning. Countless vendors and buyers exchange money for flowers and countless locals carry bales of flowers that are at least twice their weight. There are several stalls where you can see artists creating a variety of garlands, ornaments and other items made of flowers and leaves for temples, weddings, and other usage.
Thereafter visit Kumartuli, a traditional potters’ quarter in northern Kolkata, renowned for its sculpting prowess, which not only manufactures clay idols for various festivals but also regularly exports them. The potters here fashioned the clay from the river beside their home into pots to be sold at the local market. Gradually they took to making the images of gods and goddesses, worshipped in large numbers in the mansions all around and later at community pujas in the city and beyond.

Return to the ship for lunch and start sail upstream passing below the iconic Howrah Bridge and seeing various colonial buildings along the Ganges River. We moor for the night on the outskirts of Kolkata city near the Bally Bridge.

Day 3: Bally Bridge – Chandernagore (B/L/D)
This morning we set sail upstream to Chandernagore, which was established as a French colony in 1673. In the afternoon, explore the French colonial buildings walking along the promenade, including the former French governor's residence, now converted to a museum (Closed on Thursdays & Saturdays) that features an exhibition of items that depict life during this period. Also visit the Sacred Heart Church, designed by French Architect Jacques Duchatz. The church was inaugurated in 1884 and stands for over two centuries to mark the beauty of the architecture during the French period.

Day 4: Chandernagore – Kalna (B/L/D)
Today we sail further upstream to the temple town of Kalna. Ride electric rickshaws to the enchanting Rajbari Temple Complex, which has the highest concentration of temples in the region. Visit the Nabakailas Temple, built in 1809 by the Bardhaman Maharaja, which contains 108 eight slope-roofed shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. Other temples in the complex feature diverse architecture and terra cotta plaques depict themes of Hindu epics, mythical life of Sree Chaitanya, images of Durga, and various aspects of day-to-day life in the region. Return to the ship walking through the local market selling different kinds of seasonal vegetable and fruits.

Day 5: Kalna – Nabadwip – Mayapur (B/L/D)
Early morning, we sail towards Nabadwip. Literally meaning New (Nab) Island (Dwip), it is the birthplace and abode of Saint Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the founder of the Hindu Vaishnav religion and a great social reformer. Once the capital of the Sena Dynasty under King Lakshman Sena who ruled during the 12th century, the town was an important center of education, religion and culture. Post breakfast we will explore the riverbank village by walk to see the local people engaged in Handloom Weaving of Cotton fabric, mainly saris and stole/scarves and other activities.

Ride the country boat across the river to visit Mayapur, the headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The new temple built to commemorate the Jubilee year of ISKCON in 2016 and largely funded by Alfred B. Ford, the great grandson of car-maker Henry Ford, can be compared to the Vatican. It also contains a 75- foot domed planetarium. Meet Krishna followers and walk through the pilgrim’s bazaar.

Day 6: Mayapur – Guptipara – Fulia (B/L/D)
This morning a short sail brings us to Guptipara, a rural town, renowned for its paddy fields and the Himsagar mango. Explore the town visiting the Vaishnav temples that contain some fantastic terracotta works. All the structures bear characteristics of the Bengal school of architecture, with carvings depicting scenes from the Hindu epics. Visit a Potter’s home to see and interact with the artisans creating various clay items.

In the afternoon, we sail across to the opposite riverbank and visit the weaving village of Fulia. After the partition of India and the division of Bengal into West Bengal (in India) and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), many skilled weavers from Bangladesh, came and settled here and the region become a renowned centre for hand-woven fabrics. Fulia specializes in a combination of Jacquard and Jamdani Saree Weaving. Jamdani is typically handloom woven fabric using a mixture of cotton and gold thread. It is one of the most time and labor-intensive forms of handloom weaving, and the most artistic textile rich in motifs.

Day 7: Fulia – Bandel – Serampore – Kolkata (B/L/D)
This morning we sail further downstream to Bandel, meaning port in Bengali was founded by Portuguese settlers who built the Church and a Monastery around 1660. We visit the Hooghly Imambara, one of the famous Shiya pilgrimage centres in West Bengal, built in 1841 by Haji Mohammad Mahasin. The two-story building and surrounding rooms provide housing for pilgrims as well as classrooms, or Madrasa that teach the Koran. The structure contains a Victorian-era clock with a winding key weighing 20kg. Large Persian chandeliers and lamps light the Imambara's stunning hallways and passages.

Return to the ship and continue our journey back to Kolkata en route we halt to visit Serampore, an erstwhile Danish colony. Enjoy a 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 favourite among Europeans. You’ll also visit St. Olav’s Church, locally known as the Danish Church, that was constructed by the Danish Management between 1755 and 1845. The church is not particularly Scandinavian, but reflects the designs of contemporary churches in British India. Continue sail to Kolkata and moor for the night. Evening farewell dinner.

Day 8: Kolkata Disembarkation (B)
Following breakfast guests will disembark and transfer for their onward journey.
Disembarkation Time: 09:00 AM

Important Notes:
• The itinerary maybe readjusted due to local conditions and days of the week, in order to avoid closure of monuments/museums. Last minute sailing adjustments may also occur. The schedule may shift due to the weather or to take advantage of unexpected opportunities. The exact time for each activity will be announced or posted by the onboard tour staff.
• The letters in parentheses indicate the included meal of the day B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner

Set yourself on a journey to explore the cultural background of India with Bengal Ganga. The river cruise ship was built in 2004, and the design is reminiscent of the colonial ships used by the Viceroys of British India. Keeping the royal essence preserved, the cruise will transport you into another world, not just physically but also spiritually.

It has been designed as an aesthetic replica of the colonial styled ‘Clyde’ steamers that trudged through swamps and far flung deltas of the Indian subcontinent that ruled the seas at the height of the British Empire. The ship has 28 state rooms that exude premium luxury in design and interiors, along with recreational areas and a dining room.

With the highest staff-to-guest ratio and personalised butler service, experience true Indian hospitality. Warm and friendly service which sets the stage for an unforgettable journey.

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.