If India’s long been on your bucket list, a new adventure from Pandaw Cruises might be all the motivation you need to explore this remarkable destination.
Sailing between Kolkata and Farraka, the seven-night The Lower Ganges itinerary aboard the Orient Pandaw is a unique opportunity to explore the final foray of one of Asia’s greatest waterways. Debuting this December, with weekly departures until April 2019, recommencing in July, this breathtaking adventure of the Lower Ganges or Hooghly winds its way through the lush countryside of West Bengal, with stops at some of the region’s most vibrant and historic riverside settlements.
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Catering to just 60 guests across 30 private staterooms, the Orient Pandaw is the perfect base from which to explore this corner of India; you’ll visit the old Danish colony of Serampore and the former French possession of Chandernagore, explore terracotta temples by cycle rickshaw, and seek enlightenment at the new International Society for Krishna Consciousness temple in Mayapur, a shrine that receives more than a million devotees each year.
There will also be chances to discover the art of the brass-smiths of Matiari, before visiting the battlefield of Plassey where, in 1757, Robert Clive, the Commander-in-Chief of British India, defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal, to change the course of Indian history.
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There’s even time to delve into the great Hazarduari Palace, built by an English architect in 1837, and to explore Gaur, once one of India’s great cities, first under the Hindus in 12th century, then as the Muslim capital of Eastern India from the 14th to the 16th century before passing through the fascinating Farakka lock gate to complete the cruise upstream.
Priced from US$1,890 per person, twin share, including seven nights’ accommodation aboard the Orient Pandaw, local transfers, all excursions, meals, and local beer and spirits.
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