Ganga Vilas, 19 Night Kolkata to Varanasi Upstream River Cruise ex Kolkata to Varanasi

MV Ganga Vilas / Kolkata – Varanasi Upstream

Day 1:
Arrive Kolkata, Embarkation (L/D)
Arrival in Kolkata and transfer to the jetty for embarkation. Welcome onboard followed by safety briefing and lunch. Thereafter visit Mother Teresa’s Home and Tomb.

Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

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

Overnight onboard 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. 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.

Overnight onboard 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 with lunch onboard.

Overnight onboard 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.

Overnight onboard 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. After crossing the Lock Gate, we cruise through the connecting canal to the Ganges and continue to sail towards Samtaghat.

Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 7:
Samtaghat – Bateshwarsthan (B/L/D)
Today we sail 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.

Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 8:
Bateshwarsthan – Sultanganj (B/L/D)
After breakfast drive in cars to the 8-9th century excavation site of the Vikramshila University and walk around the ruins. Vikramshila University was an important Buddhist centre of learning. We return to the ship and sail towards Sultanganj while enjoying lunch onboard.

Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 9:
Sultanganj – Munger (B/L/D)
After breakfast excursion to Sultanganj, which is notable for two prominent granite rock islands in the river connected to the mainland by a causeway. On one island is a mosque and on the other is the Ajgaibinath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. We will visit the Shiva temple. Return to the ship and sail towards Munger.

Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 10:
Munger (B/L/D)
After breakfast visit the Chandika Sthan Temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Shakti. Return to ship for lunch. Thereafter visit the Munger Fort and the local market popular for fruits, vegetables, textiles, and readymade garments.

Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 11:
Munger – Simaria (B/L/D)
Enjoying our breakfast and lunch onboard, we continue our journey upstream to arrive in Simaria by late afternoon. In the evening walk in the riverside village of Simaria to see the daily activities of the local people.

Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 12:
Simaria – Patna (B/L/D)
Today we sail full day through 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.

Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 13:
Patna – Ghaghra Mod (B/L/D)
After breakfast proceed to visit the Golghar (from outside as remains closed on Mondays), a beehive-shaped granary built in 1784 by Warren Hastings, the British Governor General of India. Also visit the Patna Sahib Gurudwara that commemorates the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs in 1666.

Return to ship and sail towards Ghaghra Mod, the confluence where River Ghaghra meets River Ganges.

Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 14:
Ghaghra Mod – En Route to Buxar (B/L/D)
After breakfast enjoy a walk in the riverbank village. Thereafter sail full day towards Buxar, anchoring en route. Buxar is one of the most prominent towns of western Bihar, bordering the State of Uttar Pradesh.

Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 15:
Arrival in Buxar (B/L/D)
We arrive into Buxar by late morning while enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard. Post lunch visit the Ram Rekha Ghat that is associated with a legend from the epic Ramayana that after killing the demoness Tadka, Lord Ram took a bath in the Ganges here to cleanse himself from the sin of killing a woman. Also visit the Sita Ram Upadhyay Museum.

Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 16:
Buxar – Ghazipur (B/L/D)
Today we sail full day towards Ghazipur enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard. Post lunch visit to the Tomb of Lord Cornwallis, one of the major figures of Indian and British history.

Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 17:
Ghazipur – En Route to Varanasi (B/L/D)
Today we sail full day further upstream towards Varanasi enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard. We will moor for the night before Varanasi, subject to river tide conditions.

Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 18:
Arrival in Varanasi (B/L/D)
We sail further upstream through the day to arrive in Varanasi by late afternoon. Considered the holiest city in Hinduism and Jainism, it also played an important role in the development of Buddhism.

Overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 19:
Varanasi (B/L/D)
After breakfast we visit the excavation site of Sarnath, the seat where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment in Bodhgaya. Return to the ship for lunch. Thereafter, visit the Ghats by walk to experience the activities and hustle-bustle in the by-lanes. Continue to the riverside and witness the evening “Ganga Aarti” ritual.

Day 20:
Varanasi Disembark (B)
Following breakfast disembark the ship and transfer for your onward journey.

Disembarkation: 09:00 Hrs

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. The onboard tour staff will announce or post the exact time for each activity.
– The letters in parentheses indicate the included meal of the day B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner.
– As per government restrictions, from Farakka to Patna, no liquor will be served on board.
– Satellite phones & drone cameras are not allowed in Varanasi, please ensure the same, while traveling to Varanasi.

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.