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India

Exploration cruise on the sacred Ganges and experience the ghats and alleyways of Varanasi.

Ghats Tour - 11 Night Itinerary

Explore Kolkata, cruise to Farakka and experience Varanasi.

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Travel Highlights

  • Explore colonial Kolkata, the former capital of the British Raj.
  • Cruise for 7 nights from Kolkata to Farakka on the Lower Ganges aboard the R/V Rajmahal on a full board basis including daily shore excursions.
  • Visit Kalna and take rickshaws to see a group of some of Bengal’s most attractive terracotta temples.
  • Visit the battlefield of Plassey where, in 1757, British India defeated the last independent Nawab of Bengal.
  • Take an excursion to the great Hazarduari Palace, built by an English architect in 1837. 
  • Experience sleepy rural villages; rural India at its most idyllic.
  • Discover the mosques, palaces and gateways at Gaur.
  • Experience the holy city of Varanasi on the Ganges and enjoy a boat ride observing the famous and eerie ghats.   

Tour Route

This itinerary can be tailored to your preferences by our specialist advisors, who can provide a guaranteed price based on your choice of departure date, route, duration, flights, cabin, hotels, transport and excursions.

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Map of Ghats

Tour Itinerary

Victoria Memorial
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Friday, 13 June 2025

Fly from the UK to Kolkata

Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Kolkata.


Saturday, 14 June 2025

Arrive in Kolkata

Arrive in Kolkata where you will be met by the Veloso Tours local guide and transferred to your chosen hotel for a 3 night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. Your guide will give you a short orientation tour of your local area. The rest of the day is at leisure.


Sunday, 15 June 2025

Guided tour of Kolkata

Kolkata the city of joy as it is called is also commonly considered as the 'Paris of the East' as there's a happy amalgamation of different cultures, styles and moods, coupled along with numerous forms of industries and commerce and politics. Kolkata mainly gained importance in the times of British rule as it had been the capital of India till the year 1912. At present, although it is no more the capital of India, it is the capital of West Bengal and is one of the most important places of cultural workshop and industrial centre.

After breakfast, visit the Victoria Memorial. This marble-white monument is one of the most fascinating landmarks of Kolkata. Here, come face to face with miniature paintings and images of Queen Mary, King George V and Queen Victoria. Of special importance are the Queen's dresses, the famous Rosewood piano, the Whispering Gallery in the dome and numerous artillery weapons used in the Battle of Plassey.

We also visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, built in the Indo-Gothic style of architecture, and was built in the year 1847 by Major W.N. Forbes of the East India Company. The height of the Cathedral is 201 ft. This Cathedral has the rare distinction of being the first Episcopal Church built in this part of the world.  The peak of St. Paul's Cathedral has been designed as a replica of the famous Canterbury Cathedral's Henry Tower.

We continue to Mother Teresa’s House, called ‘Nirmal Hriday,’ and also visit Shishu Bhawan, located near her house. Mother Teresa’s great work of caring for abandoned children on the streets of Kolkata is carried out at this center.  Watch the children’s face light up with just one smile of yours.

Kolkata 01
East India - Tourist Hotel

Peerless Inn Kolkata

Located at centre of Kolkata, The Peerless Inn, Kolkata is only 15 minutes walking distance from Eden Gardens or the Victoria Memorial.

The hotel has 168 spacious rooms and suites, furnished either with king or twin beds, two plush armchair and a glass top coffee table, a study table and chair and a 32 inch LED…

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Kolkata Facade Hotel Attractions 820X400
East India - Luxury Hotel

The LaLiT Great Eastern Kolkata

The LaLiT Great Eastern Kolkata was built in 1841 as the “Auckland Hotel” and is in fact the longest continuously operating luxury hotel in Asia. The architecture is a combination of Victorian, Edwardian and contemporary styles. The LaLiT Great Eastern Kolkata is centrally located in close proximity to key commercial and and sightseeing attractions.

The hotel…

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View Of Hotel
East India - Deluxe Hotel

The Oberoi Grand, Kolkata

Fondly referred to as the Grand Dame of Chowringhee, The Oberoi Grand has been an icon on the landscape of Kolkata for more than a century; with a reputation for taking care of its guests like no other. The sense of calm that pervades the outdoor space is carried into the classically appointed rooms and…

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20140301 103805 DSC8744 1
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Monday, 16 June 2025

Embark the Rajmahal in Kolkata

Morning at leisure in Kolkata. In the afternoon, embark the R/V Rajmahal for your 7 night cruise on a full board basis. Sail past the old Danish colony of Serampore to Barrackpore. Land and take a walk through the cantonment – past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and Flagstaff House – to get a better understanding of India's journey to independence. Sail up to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950.


Tuesday, 17 June 2025

Sailing the Hooghly

Visit the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House, the erstwhile Governor-General of French India. Sail upstream past the old Dutch settlement of Chinsura before landing to visit the imposing Imambara at Hooghly. With verses from the Koran written on its walls, the Imambara is an opportunity to step back in time and relive a slice of Islamic history in Bengal. Sail into the night to a mooring near Kalna.


Wednesday, 18 June 2025

Explore Kalna

After breakfast, land at the country town of Kalna and take rickshaws to see a group of some of Bengal’s most attractive terracotta temples, the unique Shiva temple with concentric rings made up of 108 shrinelets, and a muslin-weaving centre. Continue on through the countryside to Mayapur to visit the vast new ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) temple which dominates the skyline. As the headquarters of ISKCON or the Hare Krishna movement, the temple receives over a million singing and dancing devotees a year from around the world. Sail on through the night to a mooring near Matiari.


Thursday, 19 June 2025

Matiari

This morning visit the brass-working village of Matiari, a charming riverside village. Interact with the locals of Matiari and witness the whole primitive process of beating out brass water pots and other vessels. Later, cruise on and visit 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. Moor close to Khushbagh for the night.


Friday, 20 June 2025

Katra Mosque

This morning, walk to the Khushbagh, a peaceful Mughal-style garden that encloses the tombs of Siraj-ud-Daulah – the last independent Nawab of Bengal – and his family. Continue a little way upstream to where the great Hazarduari Palace dominates the waterfront. Built by an English architect in 1837, the palace hosts an extensive collection of pictures, china, weapons and other objects. Carry on to visit the great Katra Mosque before driving out to see the Katgola Palace. Built in classical Georgian style by rich local merchants, Katgola Palace represents the other side of the coin of the 'White Mughal' period when English and Indian cultures came close to fusion. Moor overnight on the riverbank across from town at Baranagar. 


Saturday, 21 June 2025

Baranagar

This morning, walk through the fields of the delightfully sleepy village of Baranagar to visit its three gorgeous miniature terracotta temples. This is rural India at its most idyllic. Continue up the lower Ganges (or the Hooghly), which transforms into a charming waterway twisting and turning between banks lined with mustard fields and mango orchards. Carry on up a long canal section to a mooring close to the Farakka Barrage.


Sunday, 22 June 2025

Excursion to Gaur

Disembark and go on a full-day excursion by road to Gaur, near the town of Malda, or English Bazar. This quiet, deserted place was 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. There are plentiful remains of mosques, palaces and gateways and you visit a number of the most interesting before rejoining the ship in the evening.

ABN Rajmahal Ship Near Hazarduari Palace
River Cruises in India - First Cruise Vessel

ABN Rajmahal

The ABN Rajmahal entered service on the Lower Ganges and the Ganges in 2014. Built in Kolkata, she is 50m long and powered by 3 engines; her extra-shallow draught and a lower profile than conventional designs allow her to cruise further upstream than other ships on the Ganges.

ABN Rajmahal has 22 cabins: 14 spacious twin/double…

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Varanasi
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Monday, 23 June 2025

Fly to Varanasi.

This morning, we take the train back to Kolkata and transfer to the airport for a flight to Varanasi. On arrival, you will be met by your Veloso Tours guide and transferred to your chosen hotel for a 2 night stay on a bed and breakfast basis.


Tuesday, 24 June 2025

Guided tour of Varanasi

Rise early this morning and take a boat ride on the Ganga past the ghats. Here, pilgrims gather on the steps that lead down to the river to bathe in the waters of the sacred river, as the city begins to come alive, in the magical misty light of dawn. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

In the afternoon visit Sarnath, this is one of four holy Buddhist sites and an exceedingly tranquil place. It is the place where the enlightened Buddha gave his first sermon. Visit the Dhamek Stupa- built in 500 CE to commemorate the Buddha's activities in this location.

Pool And Hotel
Varanasi - Deluxe Hotel

Taj Ganges, Varanasi

The Taj Ganges is located in the centre of Varanasi within walking distance to the famous Ghats. The hotel is set in 12 acres of landscaped gardens providing a place of peace from the business of the city and riverlife.

There are 130 contemporary rooms and suites, each air-conditioned with private bathroom, FREE wi-Fi, tv, safe,…

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Shv Home
Varanasi - First Hotel

Amritara Suryauday Haveli, Varanasi

Suryauday Haveli (a local term for townhouse) on Shivala Ghats is a reflection of the spirit of the holy city of Varanasi. The Haveli traces its history back to the early 20th century; it was built by the Royal Family of Nepal as a retreat for the aged. Its now been painstakingly restored as a…

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View Of Hotel
Varanasi - Luxury Hotel

Taj Nadesar Palace, Varanasi

The Taj Nadesar Palace Hotel was built by the British East India company and as such retains an exclusive air of elegance and colonial style; a quiet oasis away from the busy streets and ghats of Varanasi.

The hotel has lavishly furnished rooms, all air-conditioned with private bathroom, DVD player, FREE Wi-Fi, hair dryer and even…

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Wednesday, 25 June 2025

Fly back to the UK

Transfer to Varanasi airport and fly back to the UK.

Price Guidelines

Season High Season
Travel Dates October - March
Room Arrangement First
Multiple Travellers - Twin Rooms £3,649
Single Traveller - Own Room £5,154

Prices are a guideline per person, for travel within the next year and booking early and are subject to availability. Please see below what is included and request a detailed quotation with a guaranteed price for your specific departure date and for Special Events, Summer, Christmas, New Year's Eve & Easter.

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What's Included

  • Guidelines prices are per person based on 2 people sharing a twin room
  • 13 Days / 12 Nights
  • International flights (1 overnight) 
  • 12 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners
  • 7 night cruise on the Rajmahal on a full board basis
  • Transfers to and from airports
  • Transport throughout the itinerary
  • Excursions listed, all with expert, English-speaking guides
  • Entrance fees 

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020 8762 0616

Contact Email

travel@veloso.com

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Closed Sunday & Public Holidays

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