Ganga Vilas, 19 Night Varanasi to Kolkata Downstream Diwali River Cruise ex Varanasi to Kolkata

MV Ganga Vilas – Varanasi / Patna – Kolkata Downstream

Day 1:
Arrive Varanasi, Embarkation (D)
Embarkation: 04:00 PM

Meet and greet at the airport or hotel and transfer to the jetty in Varanasi for embarkation. Welcome followed by safety briefing.

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 2:
Varanasi (B/L/D)
Morning after breakfast, visit to the excavation site of Sarnath, the seat where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment in Bodhgaya. 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.

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 3:
Varanasi – en route to Ghazipur (B/L/D)
Today we sail full day towards Ghazipur enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard. Ghazipur was established by the British East India Company in 1820 as an opium factory. It still produces the drug for the global pharmaceutical industry. We anchor en route to Ghazipur.

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 4:
Arrive in Ghazipur (B/L/D)
A further sailing in brings us to Ghazipur while we enjoy breakfast and lunch onboard. Post lunch visit to the Tomb of Lord Cornwallis, one of the major figures of Indian and British history

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 5:
Ghazipur – Buxar (B/L/D)
Today we sail to Buxar enjoy breakfast and lunch onboard. Upon arrival 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.

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 6:
Buxar – Ghaghra Mod (B/L/D)
Enjoying breakfast on board we sail towards Ghaghra Mod, the confluence where River Ghaghra meets River Ganges. After lunch enjoy a walk in the riverbank village.

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 7:
Ghaghra Mod – Patna (B/L/D)
Sailing in the morning enjoying breakfast we arrive in Patna, the capital of the State of Bihar. Post lunch 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.

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 8:
Patna – Simaria (B/L/D)
We sail towards Simaria today enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard. In the late afternoon, walk in the riverside village to see the daily activities of the local people.

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 9:
Simaria – Munger (B/L/D)
Enjoying breakfast onboard we continue our journey further downstream to arrive in Munger. In the late afternoon visit the Munger Fort and the local market popular for fruits, vegetables, textiles, and readymade garments.

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 10:
Munger – Sultanganj (B/L/D)
After breakfast visit the Chandika Sthan Temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Shakti. Return to ship for lunch and begin sail towards Sultanganj.

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 11:
Sultanganj – Bateshwarsthan (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 Bateshwarsthan while enjoying lunch onboard.

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 12:
Bateshwarsthan – Samtaghat (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 Samtaghat.

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 13:
Samtaghat – Farakka – Jangipur (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 Hooghly River, the lower Ganges. We continue sail towards Jangipur.

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 14:
Jangipur – Murshidabad (B/L/D)
We sail full day towards Murshidabad enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard. We arrive in Murshidabad by the evening. Murshidabad is a hidden architectural gem with dramatic whitewashed colonial era structures.

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 15:
Murshidabad (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.

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 16:
Murshidabad – Matiari (B/L/D)
We sail full day towards the shore-side village of Matiari enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard. We arrive in Matiari by the evening.

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 17:
Matiari – Kalna (B/L/D)
Early this morning walks 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 onward to Kalna, arriving by the evening.

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 18:
Kalna – Kolkata (B/L/D)
After breakfast ride e-rickshaws to visit the enchanting Rajbari Temple complex. The Nabakailas Temple contains 108 eight-slope-roofed shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. Other temples in the complex feature diverse architecture. Return to the ship walking through the local vegetable market. Begin sail towards Kolkata and arrive by the evening.

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

Day 19:
Kolkata (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. Thereafter visit Mother Teresa’s Home and Tomb.

Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas

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

Disembarkation Time: 09:00 AM

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 Patna to Farakka, 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.