Explore North India & the Ganges
16 days
from Delhi to Kolkata
From
$ 3099
Duration16 days
Combine two incredible adventures – a highlights tour of India plus a cruise on the mighty Ganges River – in one extraordinary experience. Our unique 16-day itinerary takes in 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. From land to sea, immerse yourself in India and all its glory.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 16 daysService level: Upgraded
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Starts in: DelhiPhysical Grading: Light
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Ends in: KolkataAges: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Delhi
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting, so check into to the hotel and enjoy the city. We highly recommend booking a pre-night in Delhi to get over your jetlag and be ready for this very busy trip.
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included through Women on Wheels, a G Adventures-supported project.
Day 2: Delhi/Āgra
Enjoy a youth-led walk through Delhi as part of the G Adventures-supported City Walk project. Later, explore Old Delhi with your CEO before an afternoon drive to Agra.
Meals: B
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.
Meals: B
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).
Meals: B
Day 5: Jaipur
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.
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.
Meals: B
Day 6: Jaipur/Sāwarda
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.
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 locals and explore how urbanization affects village life, modernization and its benefits and disadvantages, as well as simple village customs and traditions.
Meals: B, D
Day 7: Sāwarda/Delhi
Drive back to bustling Delhi. Opt to join your CEO for a group dinner.
Meals: B
Day 8: Delhi/Kolkata
Fly to Kolkata and transfer to your hotel.
Meals: B
Day 9: Kolkata/Bārākpur
Transfer from your hotel in the late morning and embark around midday.
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.
Meals: B, D
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.
Meals: B, L, D
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.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: Matiari/Murshidābād
Moor near Murshidabad for the night.
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.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 13: Murshidābād
Moor on the riverbank across from town for the night.
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.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 14: Murshidābād/Farakka
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.
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.
Meals: B, L, D
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.
Meals: B, L, D
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.
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Meet a Local Historian, Jaipur Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Local Village Immersion, Sāwarda Your G for Good Moment: Women on Wheels Transfer, Indira Gandhi International Airport Your G for Good Moment: City Walk, 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
- 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
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Transport
Van, Bus, Rickshaw, Train, Walking, Plane, Riverboat -
Accommodation
Hotels (7 nts), Heritage hotel (1 nt), Riverboat (7 nts)