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EXPLORE NORTH INDIA & THE GANGES
16 DAYS, DELHI TO KOLKATA

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.

 

 

IS THIS TOUR FOR ME?

TRAVEL STYLE: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC JOURNEYS

Greater exploration, insider access, and the freedom to roam – all without sacrificing comfort.

SERVICE LEVEL: UPGRADED

Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other G Adventures tours such as private transport (including internal flights on some tours) and more included meals and activities.

PHYSICAL RATING: LIGHT

Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.

TRIP TYPE: SMALL GROUP

Small group experience; Max 16, Avg 10

 

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

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  • Walk the backstreets of Delhi with a local guide

  • Experience local living with a heritage homestay in a rural village

  • Enjoy a rickshaw ride to view Mughal ruins

  • Take in the pace of life on the river

 

 

DAY 1 DELHI
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included through Women on Wheels, a G Adventures-supported project.

There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting, so check into to the hotel (check-in time is 12 noon) and enjoy the city.
Accommodation: Africa Avenue GK1 (or similar)

 

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.
Accommodation: Hotel Utkarsh Vilas (or similar)

 

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.

 

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).

 

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.

Consider treating yourself to a night at the cinema. Going to see a Bollywood film in India is much more than what we are accustomed to in the west. The atmosphere, energy, and pure fun (not to mention volume!) has to be experienced to be believed.

 

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.

The village is about 60km (37 mi) from Jaipur and has beautiful temples dedicated to different religions, including a unique sikh temple. The residents of the village are still involved in traditional commercial activities. You'll see pottery wheels, silversmiths, cobblers, traditional huts, old temples, and small stepwells.

 

DAY 7 SĀWARDA/DELHI
Drive back to bustling Delhi. Opt to join the CEO for a group dinner.

 

DAY 8 DELHI/KOLKATA
Fly to Kolkata and transfer to your hotel.

 

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.

Transfer from your hotel in the late morning and embark around midday.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

Moor near Murshidabad for the night.

 

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.

Moor on the riverbank across from town for the night.

 

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.

Enjoy the idyllic views today as the boat carries on up along canals, passing mustard fields and mango orchards, to the mooring for the night.

 

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.

 

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

 

 

 

INCLUDING:

  • Arrival transfer included through Women on Wheels.

  • Walking tour and project visit with a local guide in Delhi. Tour of Old Delhi.

  • VIsit the Taj Mahal, Baby Taj, and Agra Fort.

  • Excursion to Fatehpur Sikri and the Abhaneri step wells.

  • Explore Jaipur.

  • Talk with a local historian/scholar.

  • Visit the village of Sawarda and overnight in a heritage home.

  • 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.

 

NOT INCLUDING:
- Air tickets international (we will be holding a set number of flights - enquire for details)
- Insurance
- Personal expenses
- All drinks
- Visa fees and/or visa authorization
- Tips
- Porterage Fee
- Other expenses that not mentioned on the itinerary 

- SINGLE SUPPLEMENT ON REQUEST

 

10 Great reasons to join us...

  • You will be inspired like never before. We passionately believe that one of the best ways to inspire people about the natural world and to get them interested in conservation - is to take them into the natural world.

  • By joining this trip you will be helping us make a direct contribution to the vital work of the Katala foundation in their efforts to conserve the critically endangered Palawan forest turtle.

  • You will get back in touch with nature and learn wildlife tracking skills from the Batak tribe.

  • You will be able to learn all about Nigel Marven’s wildlife documentary making adventures from around the world 

  • Our trips have been known to change peoples lives….check out the feedback below

  • You need a holiday! But not all holidays are the same. Our trips are the perfect combination of wildlife viewing, exploration, relaxation & fun.

  • You will make lasting friendships…. that will most likely last a lifetime.

  • Wilderness is therapy. Absolutely nothing is better for the soul than getting out in the natural world. And exploring some of the most beautiful locations on the planet will leave you feeling more rejuvenated and alive than ever.

  • You don’t have to rough it. Who said you have to rough it on a wildlife tour anyway? Far from it, we have selected some really nice little hotels in some incredible locations. So that at the end of the day, you can relax in comfort.

  • Our wildlife trips are for pretty much everyone with a serious passion for wildlife and the natural world. You don’t have to be a biologist or researcher or a student - as long as you have a passion for wildlife and the natural world, then our trips are definitely for you.

 

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