HISTORIC HOOGHLY
DAY 1
This morning, you will be collected from your hotel to embark your ship by midday. 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.
DAY 2
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.
DAY 3
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.
DAY 4
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.
DAY 5
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.
DAY 6
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.
DAY 7
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.
DAY 8
For those taking only Bengal Despatch 1, transfer to Farakka station in the morning for a 4 hr (approx.) train journey to Kolkata. Our representatives will meet you on arrival and transfer you to a central Kolkata hotel.
For those taking both Bengal Despatch 1 and 2 cruises, an excursion by road takes you to Pandua where you will visit the great 14th century Adina Mosque before returning to Farakka where your ship will have passed through the lock at the barrage.
GUWAHATI TO SILGHAT
MAY 1
Meet at Guwahati airport and transfer to our cruise at Pandu port, Enjoy lunch while crusing downstream to Sualkuchi. PM walk through Sualkuchi, a bustling little town that is the centre of Assamese silk production, to visit weaving workshops. Witness the whole process of silk manufacture, from cocoon and spinning to dyeing and hand-weaving into exquisite mekhela chadars (a two-piece sari, the traditional attire of an Assamese woman). We then sail up to dock close to the great Saraighat bridge
DAY 2
This morning, drive up Nilachal Hill to see the holy Kamakhya temple. With its tantric rites and animal sacrifice, the more squeamish among us may prefer to content themselves with the exteriors. Visit the poignant Commonwealth War Graves cemetery before embarking on your cruise vessel at Uzan Bazaar. We set sail and cruise pass Kurua on the north bank.
DAY 3
AM cruise up and visit a river side village, with its lush green fields of vegetables. The day is spent mostly cruising upstream with jungle-covered hills rising on either side, often battling against strong currents to reach Jotiabari. Enjoy Indian cooking demonstration onboard.
DAY 4
This morning, cruise on to reach Tezpur where, after lunch, we will visit the 6th century Da Parbatia temple ruins with its beautifully carved portal. Later, explore the town by cycle rickshaw, stopping at Cole Park with its medieval stone carvings saved from sites all over the region. Enjoy free time in local market. Our ship will be waiting at the town’s waterfront for us to reboard.
DAY 5
After an early breakfast, drive for some two hours to the Nameri National Park at the foot of the blue hills of Arunachal Pradesh, the old North East Frontier Agency. Here, we take a float trip of around two hours down the Jia-Bhoreli River through the park. There are excellent bird-watching opportunities here (look out for the great Hornbills) and, perhaps, the chance of sighting wild elephants. After lunch, take a village walk before returning to the ship. Continue upstream, passing below a seemingly endless new bridge across the vast width of the riverbed, to moor at Silghat.
DAY 6
Today, drive to Kaziranga’s Central Range for a morning jeep safari. Enjoy lunch at DRL. Afterwards take another jeep safari in the little visited Burapahar Range before returning to the boat.
Covering an area of approximately 430 sq kms, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kaziranga National Park is home to the world’s largest population of the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros as well as the Indian Wild Water Buffalo. It has also earned the distinction of having the highest density of Royal Bengal Tigers (one every five sq. km.) making this park an incredibly rich biodiversity hotspot. With its marshy swamps and thickets of elephant grass, this park supports large populations of Indian elephants, Indian bison, swamp deer, and Capped Langurs.
Besides wildlife, Kaziranga National Park is also a birding paradise. A few of the bird species found here are the Oriental Honey Buzzard, Black-shouldered Kite, White-tailed Eagle, Himalayan Griffon and so on.
Kaziranga National Park also frequently draws comparisons to the Serengeti in Africa due to the park's abundance of wildlife and birds.
DAY 7
This morning, go on a visit to a local tea garden and weekly market of Uloni. In the afternoon, drive to Kaziranga’s Western range (Bagori Range) for jeep safari.
DAY 8
Rise early for a 4-hour drive back to Guwahati airport. Alternatively, we can arrange a 40-minute transfer to Tezpur airport or a 2 ½ hr transfer to Jorhat airport.
Guests can also choose to stay onboard and join Assam Despatch Cruise 3: River Island Cruise.
Kaziranga National Park has low-lying grassland, which may not be visitable when the river is at or near flood level.
This itinerary, including the cruise and approximate driving durations, is subject to river and weather conditions.
KOLKATA TO KOLKATA
DAY 1
This morning, you will be collected from your hotel to embark the ship by 11 am. 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. After the visit, reboard your cruise and start sailing, leaving urban sprawl behind.
DAY 2
Sail upstream and, after breakfast, land at the country town of Kalna and take cycle rickshaws to see a group of some of Bengal’s most attractive terracotta temples, as well as the unique Shiva temple with concentric rings made up of 108 shrinelets. 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 downstream as dusk falls to a mooring near Kalna.
DAY 3
This morning, sail downstream and visit a saree-weaving village before continuing on to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950, to visit the 18th century church as well as Dupleix’s House, the erstwhile Governor-General of French India. Later, sail on down to Kolkata.
DAY 4
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to airport or hotel at Central Kolkata.
This itinerary, including the cruise and approximate driving durations, is subject to river and weather conditions.
MV RUDRA SINGHA 1 & 11
Our second houseboat is modelled off the original M.V. Rudra Singha, and it's designed to suit 5 adults.
There are 2 x twin-bedded rooms (please note: it's not possible to join the beds) and a living room (that can be closed off) with a sofa bed. There are also two private bathrooms with showers & W.C. next to the rooms (please note: these are not en suites)
Your private cruise aboard M.V. Rudra Singha II on the Brahmaputra river includes:
premium accommodation in an air-conditioned wooden houseboat;
personalised service from a captain and guide/naturalist;
delicious meals and snacks – showcasing the best of regional cuisine – prepared by our chef;
endless cups of tea and coffee;
daily housekeeping;
Wi-Fi.
The décor reflects Assamese influences adorned with handlooms & handicrafts from Northeast India and furniture made by local craftsmen. There are also 4 bicycles on board for guests to use on shore whenever they fancy a ride.
You can experience a range of other activities on your cruise:
Village walks
Wildlife safaris
Cycling
Tea-tasting
Cultural performances
Local market visit
Champagne sunset on a deserted sandbank
Cooking classes
Weaving classes
Textiles village visit
Fishing
