Kolkata, Varanasi and Lower Ganges Cruise

Welcome to Kolkata, the lively ‘City of Joy'. Once the capital of colonial India, Kolkata is a thriving hub of culture and history. Be transferred to your luxury accommodation and meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers over a welcome briefing and dinner. Stay Two Nights: Kolkata, Taj Bengal (D)

• Set out on a privately chartered heritage tram ride as you explore some of the most picturesque sights of the city.
• Indulge in a delectable high tea at the Glenburn Penthouse, which offers fantastic city views. Delight in a vast array of treats and teas and learn all about the city during a fascinating talk from a Kolkata local resident.

Choose your morning sightseeing before transferring to the pier to board the Ganges Voyager, your floating home for the next seven nights. Following lunch on board, head to the Victoria Memorial and its museum, which houses the nation's largest collection of British colonial artifacts.

Later, return to your ship and enjoy a fantastic performance by Baul musicians, whose spiritual customs have been an important cultural contribution in Bengal for hundreds of years, leading to the Baul tradition's inclusion on UNESCO's list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Stay Seven Nights: Ganges Voyager (B/L/D)

Freedom of Choice:

• Rise early this morning to set off for a stroll across Howrah Bridge to the kaleidoscopic Mallick Ghat Flower Market, which is among the largest in Asia. Explore a bustling world of spectacular colours and scents as you admire the action. Alternatively, you can admire the art at CIMA (Centre for International Modern Art) before stepping in to learn about Sasha, an NGO which works with local artisans across India to keep their crafting traditions alive.

Set out on an early morning walking tour featuring some of Kolkata's best-preserved colonial buildings including the Writer's Building, General Post Office, High Court and Raj Bhawan (Governer's House).

Next you'll take a tour of St John's Church, which was built in 1756 and features the tombs of several British generals who died in that year's Siege of Kolkata. After lunch on board, your ship will begin its journey upstream along the Hooghly River on the Lower Ganges.

Later today, visit the 19th-century Hooghly Imambara, a prayer hall and famous pilgrimage centre in West Bengal. Admire the massive Victorian clock, between the twin towers, the makers of which also built London's iconic Big Ben. Return to your ship and sail on to Kalna. (B/L/D)

After breakfast, it's time to explore magnificent Kalna, known as the City of Temples. On a guided cycle-rickshaw tour, you'll visit some of Bengal's most distinct terracotta temples, including the Rajbari royal palace complex. You'll also see the eye-catching Shiva temples.

Later, stroll through the local market en route back to your ship. Relax on board as you sail to the village of Matiari. (B/L/D)

Begin the day with a morning walk through Matiari, where you'll have the opportunity to peruse beautiful cooking and household items crafted from recycled copper and brass. Visit the small home factories that have been operating for generations and watch the masterful craftspeople at work.

Afterwards, continue cruising upstream near to the village of Plassey, the site of the Battle of Plassey. Learn how the British East India Company recorded a victory here in 1757, helping establish the company rule in Bengal and much of India. Sail on to the peaceful garden and cemetery of Khushbagh, and take a stroll passing through local farmers' fields to the tomb of the last Nawab of Bengal, Siraj ud-Daula. (B/L/D)

This morning you'll cruise to the sleepy village of Baranagar where you'll experience rural Indian life with a relaxing walk, admiring local sights including the beautiful terracotta Char Bangla Temples. Back on board, enjoy the afternoon at leisure as you glide along the beautiful Lower Ganges.

As you approach Murshidabad, you'll notice the Hazarduari Palace, which dominates the waterfront. Enjoy a tour of the impressive palace, which features more than 1000 doors, some of which were faked to deter thieves. After a Signature Experience, ride a toto (electric rickshaw) to the 18th-century Katra Mosque and learn about the Mohammedan rulers. (B/L/D)

Signature Experiences:

• Delight in a delectable Indian high tea in the pristine grounds of the four-storeyed Kathgola Palace.

Enjoy a restful morning as life unfolds along the river before a visit to the village of Mayapur. Here you'll learn about the Hari Krishna community and culture in a meeting with some of the movement's dedicated followers. You'll also view the final stages of construction for the enormous Temple of the Vedic Planetarium – Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir, the world headquarters of ISKCON. (B/L/D)

Begin the day with a tranquil cruise to Chandannagar, which was established as a French colony in 1673. Stroll along the lively promenade as you marvel at the French architecture, then visit the 17th-century Sacred Heart Church and the Dupleix Museum, which is housed in the home of former French Governor Joseph François Dupleix.

This afternoon, continue cruising along the Ganges and soak in your final night on board. (B/L/D)

• Tonight, be swept up in the mesmerising, age-old tradition of an aarti. Take your private seat and witness the ritual as priests and devotees present the Ganges with offerings of fire and mantric chants accompanied by music in the nightly display of respect and worship.

• Today you can choose to visit Sarnath, one of the most important holy sites of Buddhism – the location of Buddha's first sermon. Visit Deer Park where the sermon took place and reflect during a private session with a monk. Or you might like to take a guided walk through the city's maze-like old neighbourhoods including visits to the historic Kashi Vishwanath Temple – one of the holiest places of Hinduism – and the fascinating Tulsi Akhara fight club. Alternatively, visit the famous weavers of Varanasi and admire the skilled craftspeople in action.

• Take an early sunrise cruise along the Ganges aboard a decorated boat as the river bursts into life, accompanied by the classical ambience of the tabla and sitar.

Your adventure along the Ganges comes to an end today with a transfer to Varanasi's Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport for your onward journey. (B)