Luxury river expedition company Pandaw has announced its new 16-night ‘The Holy Ganges and The Hooghly Rivers’ programme in partnership with RV Rajmahal. The one-off itinerary on 27th October 2015 will offer Pandaw guests an in-depth exploration of the region, from the famous Ghats at Varanasi to Kolkata.
Guests will visit the holy Dasaswamedh Ghat steps at sunset for the Varanasi Ganga Aarti spiritual ceremony and explore the city’s intoxicating street life. After a three-night land programme, guests will board the MV Rajmahal at Sujata Kuti, going ashore along the banks of the Ganges to discover Sikh temples and Buddhist monasteries along the way. Pandaw guests will also visit the famous bridge at Mokameh before sailing onto the scenic Rajmahal Hills, the childhood home of Shah Jehan, builder of the Taj Mahal.
As the RV Rajmahal enters the Hooghly River, daily excursions will take in the great Katra Mosque and stunning Nashipara and Katgola Palaces, built in 18th century Georgian style. In Kalna, cycle rickshaws will take guests to see some of Bengal’s most attractive terracotta temples, as well as the unique Shiva temple with concentric rings before travelling onto the historic city of Kolkata.
Pandaw guests will enjoy a ‘yacht-like’ feel onboard the 22-suite RV Rajmahal as well as attentive service and a crew to passenger ratio of 2:1.
In addition to the 16-night itinerary, Pandaw offers pre and post-expedition extensions in Delhi (including a day trip to the Taj Mahal) and Kolkata.
Hugh Clayson, Pandaw’s Commercial Director, said: “Pandaw was one of the founders of river cruising in India and we are pleased to once again offer cruises on one of the most fascinating and historically-interesting rivers in the world.”
16-night Holy Ganges and Hooghly River
Join RV Rajmahal (www.pandaw.com) on a 16-night Holy Ganges and Hooghly tour and cruise from USD 5’100.- per person (based on two people sharing an upper deck stateroom). This price represents a saving of 15% – available for bookings up to 31st January 2015.
The price includes a two-night stay at the Taj Gateway Hotel, Varanasi, a one-night stay at Hotel Royal Residency in Bodh Goya and a 13-night full board cruise from Patna to Kolkata. Also included are airport transfers, excursions, crew gratuities and on board lectures.
SOURCE Pandaw River Expeditions