Ganga Vilas, 10 Night Kolkata to Patna Christmas Upstream River Cruise ex Kolkata to Patna

Day 1: Arrive Kolkata, Embarkation (L/D)
Arrival in Kolkata in the morning and transfer to the jetty for embarking MV Ganga Vilas. Welcome onboard followed by safety briefing and lunch. Post lunch, proceed for a Panoramic Tour of Kolkata of Dalhousie Square’s heritage buildings, St. John’s Church and Victoria Memorial.

Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas

Day 2: Kolkata – Kalna (B/L/D)
After breakfast, visit the Flower Market and the potters’ quarter Kumartuli which is renowned sculpting prowess. Return to the ship and begin sailing upstream to Kalna, passing below the Howrah Bridge, and seeing various colonial buildings along the Ganges River.

Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas

Day 3: Kalna – Matiari (B/L/D)
After breakfast ride e-rickshaws through the town of Kalna to visit the enchanting Rajbari Temple complex. Temples in the complex feature diverse architecture and terracotta plaques depict themes of Hindu epics and various aspects of day-to-day life in the region. Return to the ship walking through the local vegetable market. Begin sail towards the shore-side village of Matiari, while having lunch onboard.

Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas

Day 4: Matiari – Murshidabad (B/L/D)
Early this morning walk in the village to see and experience the craftsmen at work. These master craftsmen utilize recycled copper to create exquisite pots, platters, and more from their workshops in the village. Return to ship for breakfast and sail full day towards Murshidabad, a hidden architectural gem with dramatic whitewashed colonial era structures. Lunch onboard.

Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas

Day 5: Murshidabad – Jangipur (B/L/D)
After breakfast ride the Toto (e-rickshaw) through the countryside to the Katra mosque, which has distinctive minarets. Thereafter visit the Hazarduari Palace, which dominates the waterfront. Built in the Greek “Doric” style, the palace has more than a thousand real and false doors in the vast corridors and is filled with colonial-era antiques. Return to the ship for lunch and sail towards Jangipur.

Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas

Day 6: Jangipur – Farakka – Samtaghat (B/L/D)
Enjoying breakfast onboard we sail in the morning to cross the historic Farakka Lock Gate. The travel through the Feeder Canal will give us a chance to see the different birds of the region. After crossing the Lock Gate, we cruise through the connecting canal to the Ganges and continue to sail towards Samtaghat.

Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas

Day 7: River day Samtaghat – Bateshwarsthan (B/L/D)
Today we sail a full day towards Bateshwarsthan enjoying breakfast and lunch. You will be fascinated by the passing landscape and the lively life on the river. We will arrive in Bateshwarsthan by evening.

Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas

Day 8: Bateshwarsthan – Munger (B/L/D)
After breakfast drive in cars to the 8-9th century excavation site of the Vikramshila University. Spend the day walk around the archaeological ruins. Vikramshila University was an important Buddhist centre of learning where subjects like theology, philosophy, grammar, metaphysics, and logic were taught. We return to the ship and sail towards Munger, anchoring en route. Lunch onboard.

Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas

Day 9: Munger – Simaria (B/L/D)
Arrive in Munger. After breakfast visit the Chandika Sthan Temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Shakti. It is one of the fifty-one Shakti Peethas, associated with the legend of Lord Vishnu who to save the world from Lord Shiva’s wrath, cut into pieces the corpse of Devi Sati that Shiva was carrying. Return to ship and sail towards Simaria while enjoying lunch onboard.

Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas

Day 10: Simaria –– Patna (B/L/D)
Morning walks in the riverside village of Simaria to see the daily activities of the local people. Return to the ship and sail through the wonderful countryside to Patna, enjoying breakfast and lunch. Patna is the capital of the State of Bihar and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world founded in 490 BCE as Pataliputra.

Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas

Day 11: Disembark Patna (B)
Disembark after breakfast and proceed to visit Golghar, the 18th century beehive-shaped granary that was built for the prevention of famine in 1784 by Warren Hastings, the British Governor General of India. Then visit the Takht Sri Patna Sahib Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) that was built to commemorate the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs in 1666.

Thereafter continue on your onward journey.

Important Notes:
The itinerary may be readjusted due to local conditions and days of the week, to avoid closure of monuments/museums. Last-minute sailing adjustments may also occur.

Antara Ganga Vilas is a celebration of India’s post-independence design and a tribute to its innovations. Each room is inspired by Josef Albers’ paintings which are experiments in the perception of color as well as tantra and its quest to perceive the many parts of the universe in its wholeness. Pioneered by Mr. Raj Singh, Antara Luxury River Cruises is a rapidly growing boutique cruise brand that is bringing travelers to India’s majestic waterways and have them sail in luxury to find adventure and pleasure. Charting the legendary waters of the Ganga and Brahmaputra, Raj Singh built for the first time in India, a fleet of luxurious river ships that offer plush accommodations while also bringing regenerative experiences to both travelers and local communities.

Operating successfully since 2009, the Antara Fleet has sailed the Indo-Bangladesh protocol route, touched the ghats of holy Varanasi, meandered through the sleepy towns of Bengal and explored the gorgeous Sunderbans among its many destinations.

Ganga Vilas, resplendent in its design, sails the ancient river, glowing through day and night. Guests sail and watching people on the banks gaze back at the slow movement of its crisp and radiant colours. The changing light reflects on the water and plays into the suites. The jewel tones of Varanasi’s Himalayan Buddhist Gyasar textiles, the soft curves of mid-century Indian teak furniture, original contemporary art, handmade tiles, wooden hallways and staircases – the ship is altogether chic, meditative and sumptuous. Each day brings with it a hand-crafted food and beverage menu, showcasing the specialties of the land. Each day also allows the guests to explore off shore experiences with an in-house expert guide taking them through the stories of India on and off board.

This unique ship and its immersive itinerary is designed to engage the intellect and the senses as one experiences the many imaginations of India in the comfort of a luxurious cruise.

Antara River Cruises has introduced luxury river cruising across India with an exceptional attention to detail. An invitation to take you to untouched destinations bringing unmatched hospitality and immerse yourself in unforgettable experiences.

Encompassing luxury in every nook and corner, the river cruises by Antara are designed to make sure you have the most enthralling journey on our rivers. From comfortable suite accommodation to high-end amenities, the cruises are equipped with everything you might need while sailing. Come on board and have a memorable journey.

Select the Deck to view detail.

Ganga Vilas - Main Deck

Ganga Vilas - Upper Deck

Ganga Vilas - Sun Deck

Select the Cabin to view detail.

Main Deck Front Suite

Main Deck Front Suite. 255 SQ FT/ 24 SQ M.

Main Deck Suite

Main Deck Suite. 255 SQ FT/ 24 SQ M.

Upper Deck Front Suite

Upper Deck Front Suites. 255 SQ FT/ 24 SQ M.

Upper Deck Suite

Upper Deck Suites. 255 SQ FT/ 24 SQ M.