Indo-Bangladesh Cruise

Cruise Itinerary

A 1,725 kms voyage on the Brahmaputra – Jamna – Padma (Ganga)-Meghna-Hooghly (Lower Ganga) Rivers with few short drives to see Assam-Bangladesh-West Bengal for pristine wildlife, birdlife and mangrove flora through 5 UNESCO WORLD NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE SITES OF Kaziranga and Manas and Sundarbans-of-two-nations national parks; for forest walks, morning, evening, night boat safaris, tribal performances, Baul Singing, otter-fishing, lives of honey-hunters, crocodile and deer eco-farms, single horned rhino adventures and the tigerlands of the Royal Bengal Tiger territories: along with confluence of the Ganga and Jamna and the colossal water upsurges at convergence of the Padma and Meghna and the open coastal sea through the Sunderban mangrove jungles (the largest in the world); for Hilsa fishing with cotton, jamdhani and silk weavers, honey-hunters, tea-planters, pottery and terracotta artisans, bell metal and brass craftsmen and urban set-ups of Kolkata, Guwahati, Dhaka and Narayanganj with amazing movement of colourful country boats, ferries, floating markets and sand barrages in the comfort of 23 Cabin Mahabaahu.

Enjoy gourmet experiences of regional recipes onboard and at home hosted lunches and dinners
and comforting continental and oriental cuisines.

This is a river and coastal sea cruise on the world’s longest waterways where you find Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian and Tribal Cultures! A true melting pot of natural and cultural wonders
– a once in life time voyage of immense diversity!

Day 1: ARRIVE KOLKATA
After clearing immigration and customs, step into the receiving area where our representative will meet you and escort you to your hotel. Kolkata, the city of joy as it is called is also commonly considered as the ‘Paris of the East’ as there’s a happy amalgamation of different cultures, styles and moods, coupled along with numerous forms of industries and commerce and politics.

Overnight at the hotel
Meals: None

Day 2: KOLKATA
After breakfast, proceed for the city tour of Kolkata and start with the old British Calcutta. During the British colonial era from 1700 – 1912, Kolkata witnessed a spate of building in the city largely influenced by the conscious intermingling of neo-gothic, baroque, neo-classical and Oriental and Islamic schools of design. Unlike many minimalist north Indian cities, the architectural variety in Kolkata owes its origins to European Style imported by the British. Continue to Victoria Memorial, a landmark of Kolkata dedicated to UK’s Queen Victoria and now serves as a royal museum of British Rule in India.

Lunch in a local restaurant, then visit the Kumartuli – the Colony of Potters, you would find almost 400 sculptors etching through clay brought from the nearby River Ganges to create some of the most fascinating idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. A whole army of sculptors, potters, frame decorators and dressers work in harmony with heaps of straw, clay, cheap gold foils, bamboo, beads and mundane things to create art pieces so vivid, stylised and grand that it evokes a lifetime awe.

Return to the hotel and dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel (B, L, D)

Day 3: KOLKATA – GUWAHATI FLY & BOARD MV MAHABAAHU
Post breakfat, check-out and transfer to Kolkata airport to connect with flight to Guwahati. We will be met at the Guwahati airport and proceed to visit the Kamakhya temple and then visit the local bazaar area. Board MV Mahabaahu and lunch onboard before we visit Peacock Island, the smallest inhabited river island of the world. We enjoy an evening stroll and watch the locals through their rituals at the Umananda Temple. Enjoy the sunset sail towards the Saraighat Bridge. We anchor in the Brahmaputra for the night.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 4: SUALKUCHI WEAVING VILLAGE
After Yoga and a relaxed breakfast we visit Sualkuchi, the silk hub of Assam to understand the detailed Muga, Eri and Paat silk production. Muga is the cherished golden silk of Assam, Paat the white wonder and eri a warm non-violent silk. The Bodo tribals welcome us to the arena of silk with their cultural performances. We walk through Sualkuchi village and indulge in a shopping spree in the local shops and return to the ship for lunch. The ship sails downstream to Gualpara. High Tea today is followed by a talk on Wildlife in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kaziranga and Manas National Parks and in India.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 5: MANAS NATIONAL PARK
An early morning, two and a half hour drive to Manas National Park with packed breakfast takes us for an elephant safari and a Jeep Safari. Lunch will be in a resort at Manas. This day with the wild, calls for a relaxed dinner evening.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 6: DHUBRI
Yoga, breakfast and a talk on Sikh traditions and Hiramati culture. We attend the prayer ceremony (Ardas) at Dam-dama Sahib Gurudwara. The Gurudwara is a Sikh temple; serves lunch to all. We will experience the concept of langar (community eating) here. The concept of eating together was started by Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru. Thereafter, we visit Asharekandi village famous for its traditional crafts, Terracotta and Pottery. We try our hand at clay pottery with Communities of Hiras and Kumhars who use the Hiramati soil to shape pots and idols. We see the art of terracotta of this region of Assam.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)
Special Note: We go through the Custom Clearance formalities at Dhubri to enter into Bangladesh.

Day 7: CUSTOM CLEARANCE/IMMIGRATION/CHILMARI TO BAHADURABAD
The ship sails away from the Indian land border at Dhubri and enters the water stretch of India. We have Yoga on the Sundeck and a relaxed breakfast. We reach Shishumara where the Indian Border Security Forces give us the clearance and we sail out of Indian waters and into the no-man stretch. We seek custom clearance at Shahber Agla from the Border Guards of Bangladesh and enter the Bangladesh waters. We reach Chilmari (Pilot Change) and go through the immigration formalities to enter Bangladesh on River Jamuna. This evening we enjoy Assamese Laal Cha tradition with local snack and enjoy the Assamese theme dinner. We sail towards Bahadurabad (Chandan Boisha for Pilot Change) and dock for the evening.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 8: BAHADURABAD TO SIRAJGANJ
Yoga, Breakfast and a talk on Bangladesh as a country, its monuments culture and commercial enterprises as the ship sails towards Sirajganj. We enjoy a full day sail from Bahadurabad to Sirajgunj. This morning and afternoon we have an option to pamper ourselves at the Health Facilities for SPA/Steam/Sauna/Jacuzzi/Massages In the evening we learn how to tie a Sari in and Indian style and this is worn throughout the length and breadth of India and Bangladesh.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 9: SIRAJGANJ TO ARICHA
Yoga, Breakfast, an orientation on Sirajganj and we take our tenders to visit Sirajganj area. We visit Pachalia village for cotton weaving for colourful gamchas, lungis and saris. After a hand at bargaining in the village we drive to Hati Kamrul Navratna Temple. We enjoy a cultural performance of the local artists in Sirajganj. Lunch is at a roadside restaurant to enjoy local cuisine. We return to the ship in our tenders to enjoy a relaxed evening. We sail towards Aricha and anchor at Aricha.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 10: ARICHA TO MAWA – MARY ANDERSON VIP JETTY, NARAYANGANJ
Yoga, Breakfast and a talk on the Confluence of Rivers, Bangabandhu Bridge, Jamdhani weaving and Sonargaon, the old capital city of Bengal. A day to enjoy the River-life along the river, the confluence of Jamuna and Ganga, now the river becomes Padma with the two waters, mosques, shipbuilding, commercial enterprises and the Bangabandhu Bridge are on offer. Country boats, sand barrages, tugs, dredgers, fisherman, colourful ferries, life on water embraced by the Bangladeshis are intriguing. Enjoy the Swimming Pool and SPA/massages/steam/sauna/Jacuzzi or a laid back afternoon. This evening we go for a Riverside-walk on the banks of Padma to see what the local shops cater for.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 11: SONARGAON – JAMDHANI
Early breakfast and leave for Sonargaon, a 13th century City of Panam. We visit Goaldi Mosque and walk through the ruins of Panam City to imagine its glory. We visit the Folklore museum and onwards to Nawapara for Jamdhani weaving and to purchase these beautiful saris /fabric and lunch with the Jamdhani entrepreneur to taste homecooked authentic Bangla food. This day we
enter the hustle-bustle of Narayanganj. A formal Bangladeshi welcome with folkartists is in the offing when we board our vessel.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 12: VISIT CRAFT VILLAGES
After breakfast, drive towards the Dhamrai Metal Craft village , en-route stop at National Martyr’s Monument to pay respect to the martyrs who laid their lives during the Liberation War in 1971. Then move to the Metal Craft village to meet the Craftsman & his products from lost wax method.
We enjoy lunch at a local Restaurant. Post lunch visit Kakran Pottery village to see the Potters clinging to their ancestral profession. We drive to MV Mahabaahu, and on the way, we stop to see the National Parliament Building from outside. We have a relaxed evening in the Lounge. This evening we enjoy a Bangladesh theme dinner with women in Bangladeshi style saris and men in Bangla lungis.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 13: DHAKA
After an early breakfast, we drive to visit Dhakeshwari Temple and then move on to the National Language Monument. We take a cycle rickshaw ride on the streets of Dhaka to reach the Dhaka University Building. We visit the Lal Bagh Fort and the tomb of Bibi Pari, the daughter of the Mughal General, Shahista Khan and onwards to Ahsan Manzil, also called the Pink Palace. We take cycle rickshaws and go on a shopping spree at the Shakhari Bazaar, return to the ship to freshen up. We drive this evening and enjoy a home hosted dinner with a local family.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 14: DHAKA – CHANDPUR – BARISAL
We sail out of Dhaka Port and begin cruising to reach Barisal by the end of the Day. We treat ourselves to Yoga on the sundeck and a leisurely breakfast as we cruise into the waters of Padma (Ganga and Jamuna) and Meghna. After breakfast we have an orientation on the visit for the day and the next day.

The volume and quantity of water at the confluence is immense and one can see the locals, very skilled fishermen ride the waves in these waters. The fishermen of this area are known for Hilsa fishing. Hilsa is a delicacy of Bangladesh. We arrive at a Hilsa fishing village and engage with the locals for Hilsa, prawns and shrimps. We also enjoy a fresh catch of prawns. This afternoon we enjoy an authentic Bangladeshi style fish curry and rice. At Barisal we walk through the thriving village market for fresh vegetables and local fruits as well as spices. We visit one of the Bangladeshi ferries to see it’s lay out on the inside. This evening our fresh vegetables show up at our table.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 15: FLOATING MARKET VISIT AND CRUISE TOWARDS SUNDARBANS
We leave the ship at 04:30 hrs with packed breakfast and we drive (29 kms – 1 hourr) to the floating vegetable market. We enjoy the pristine beauty of the countryside and the shopping habitat of the growers, seasonal vegetables and fruits, paddy, rice saplings, timber, furniture and boats selling tea and local breakfast varieties in one of the inlet waterways of a village. This is a unique experience and one can see that everything that needs to be transported is done on the river. It is a very engrossing site and one must be quick with cameras as the boats fly by. We snack on the local tidbits and buy the local vegetables and fruits and are back on the ship by 0900 hrs. We sail for about 8 to 9 hours to reach the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE OF SUNDARBANS in the Kotka Forest Area. We spend time in the lounge and enjoy dinner on board. After dinner we go for a night safari.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 16: SUNDARBANS – KOTKA WILDLIFE SANCTURARY
An early morning wake up for an exciting boat safari. This day we sail in our tenders along the shores of Sundarbans, in the canals and creeks near The Kotka Wildlife Sanctuary for an hour and a half to catch wildlife (spotted deer, monkeys, wild boar, water monitor and birds) as it wakes up among the aerial roots of the mangrove mudflats. We return to MV Mahabaahu for breakfast as the ship sails through the estuary waters and reaches Jamtola Beach in the Bay of Bengal. We walk through the mangrove vegetation where the tiger plays hide and seek as it leaves behind fresh pugmarks. For those of us who are water enthusiasts you can indulge in taking a dip in the waters of Bay of Bengal (Carry swim wear on this day). We return to the ship for lunch and the ship sails towards Chandpai Dolphin Sanctuary. After dinner we enjoy a night safari in the Chandpai water
inlets close to the mangrove shores. This is a very exciting and different experience in these water laden animal sanctuaries.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 17: HARBARIA FOREST STATION & KARAMJAL CROCODILE FARM
An early morning boat safari towards the Harbaria Forest Station. We return for a quick breakfast and enjoy a three hour morning forest walk at the Harbaria Forest Station to study the mangrove fauna and flora. We continue in our tenders to the Karamjal Eco Tourism Center and then onwards to the Karamjal Crocodile Farm. We embark the ship for lunch as it sails to Daingmari Dolphin
Sanctuary. After lunch we take our tenders to sail in the Daingmari waters for not just dolphins but also to watch the techniques of otter fishing undertaken by the fishing community of fishermen in the area. The ship sails towards Mongla Port and we take a drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bagerhat, a sixty domed mosque and tomb of Khan Jahan, the architect of the mosque. We return to the ship for a cultural performance on the Sundarban communities through ‘Poter Gaan’.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 18: CUSTOM CLEARANCES – SAIL INTO INDIAN WATERS
This is a complete day for sailing from Mongla Port to Hemnagar and getting through custom clearance formalities. It is a laid back relaxing day but with a lot of official activity on board both for custom and immigration clearance. The ship moves through the last of Bangladesh waters and we reach Shekhbaria for custom clearance on the Bangladesh side. The Bangladesh Border Guards clear the ship and the guests for immigration formalities. From here we sail on towards Aungtihara to leave the Bangladesh waters and sail into the no-man’s waters till Hemnagar. We use this day to pamper ourselves in the SPA or enjoy a dip in the pool. At Hemnagar, the Indian Border Security force does a check and the customs personnel clear us through immigration to enter West Bengal, India. This evening we wear clothes/saris/lungis that we bought in Bangladesh. We get together in the lounge for beverages and enjoy a sit-down dinner in these newly shopped outfits.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 19: SUNDARBANS – SAJNEKHALI
We explore the waters of the Indian Sunderbans in a comfortable local ferry with comfortable seating. We enjoy tea/coffee and cookies as we look for wild life. We return to the ship for a quick breakfast and then enjoy Purulia cultural performance in one of the villages. We also listen to the baul singers, they are the mystic minstrels of Bengal. We visit the Mangrove Interpretation Centre at Sajnekhali. Here we walk to see wild life. After lunch we go in for another boat safari in Sajnekhali to look in the narrow water inlets for some more wild life.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 20: KOLKATA – CHANDAN NAGAR
After Immigration formalities MV Mahabaahu starts sailing down the Howrah Bridge, past Belur Math and the old Danish Colony of Serampore. We take a walk through the cantonment, past
the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and the Flagstaff House.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 21: CHANDAN NAGAR – MAYAPUR
This day starts with a visit to Bandel-the erstwhile Portuguese colony. You will visit Bandel Church, the oldest Christian Church in West Bengal, built around 1660 by the Portuguese and is dedicated to Nossa Senhora di Rozario. Later, board the cruise and sail up to Kalna. We take rickshaws to see a group of some of Bengal’s most attractive terracotta temples, as well as the unique Nava Kailash Temple of Shiva with concentric rings made up of 108 lesser shrines. Sail on through the night to a mooring near Matiari.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 22: MAYAPUR – MATIARI – MURSHIDABAD
We visit the Weavers colony at Phulia/ Shantipur, famous Tant, the famous Bengal cotton. Here you can buy fine cotton stoles, saris and dhoti from the Cooperative stores. Visit the brass-working village of Matiari, a charming riverside village. Interact with the Kansari artisans and witness the whole primitive process of beating out brass water pots and other vessels. Continue cruising upstream and time permitting visit the battlefield of Plassey where, in 1757, Robert Clive, the Commander-in-Chief of British India, defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal, to change the course of Indian history. Later, sail towards Mayapur. Today, guests will be taken to Mayapur- the headquarters of ISKCON.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 23: MURSHIDABAD
We start early and are scheduled for a full day tour of Murshidabad. One of the oldest cities in West Bengal, Murshidabad stands as a testimony to the rich heritage of Nawabs of Bengal. Later, visit Katra mosque and Katgola Gardens. Katgola is the erstwhile palace garden of Raja Dhanpar Singh Dugar and Lakshmipat Singh Dugar. Besides, you will visit the famous Adinath Temple, built in 1873, by Harreck Chand. Besides, there is Khushbaag Cemetery, which houses the remains of Ali Vardi Khan and Siraj Ud Daulah. We return to the ship for late lunch and sail back towards Kolkata with the tide.

Overnight onboard MV Mahabaahu (B, L, D)

Day 24: KOLKATA & DEPARTURE
We will reach Kolkata today. Post lunch deboard and transfer to Kolkata airport to connect with flight to onward destination.

(B, L)

Cruise – for an “Experiential Journey” – on the Brahmaputra, one of the greatest rivers of Asia, on board our prestigious river cruise vessel, M.V. Mahabaahu.

The Brahmaputra in Assam spans from 3 to 40 kilometers across (2-25 miles), flowing under the shadows of the eastern Himalayas with mountains reaching a height of over 7400 meters (24,278 feet). The area along the river is a true natural history paradise. Here you find over 850 different species of birds, fresh water dolphins, and four national parks with abundant elephants, single-horned rhinos, and wild buffalo.

Perhaps most fascinating to the visitor, are the over 40 different tribal cultures found in the region. A true opportunity to “Experience the Living Cultures of India” for which Far Horizon India is famous.

Two tenders ferry guests safely to and from the vessel with embarkation and disembarkation supervised by a senior officer. At least one guide escorts all excursions ashore. There is nightly entertainment in the form of local tribal dances or guest lectures held in the theatre. Recreational facilities on board include a swimming pool, sports room, spa, hair salon, sundeck, well stocked library with magazines, internet cafe and various board games.

All cruising takes place between 6am and 6pm to take full advantage of the spectacular scenery.

In the evenings there are local tribal dances or guest lectures.

Recreational facilities onboard include:
A well-stocked library
Various board games
Swimming pool on the first deck
Spa and Salon on the lower deck
Sun deck

Other attractions are Buddhist monasteries and Hindu Gurukuls, teaching in an education style of over 5,000 years. The architecture of the temples of Assam, built in traditional Indian and Thai styles, showcases the artistic talents of the local people. The brilliant greens of the terraced rice paddies and the lush tea plantations will have you marveling at this little-known paradise.

When you are in India, you need to explore places that India is proud to put on the map! The luxury cruises along the beautiful, holy and historic Brahmaputra River and Kerala Backwaters offer you a chance to discover the enchanting countryside, the villages, the exotic wildlife and the famous Indian Dolphins of Brahmaputra River. The exotic river life found on the beds of the Brahmaputra will leave you in awe.

To get to really know Kerala, one must first understand her waterways – the lifeline of the entire region. There’s no better way to enrich oneself than to truly comprehend the life of the people of the land. And what better way to visit them at close quarters than in awe-inspiring river cruise boats – it’s like having a moving home on the water!

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Mahabaahu - Lower Deck

Mahabaahu - Main Deck

Mahabaahu - Deck One

Mahabaahu - Deck Two

Mahabaahu - Sun Deck

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Suite

2 Suites with balcony.

283.2 sq ft (includes the cabin, bathroom and the balcony)

CABIN FEATURES: All cabins incorporate satellite TV, personal safe, mini bar, in-house telephone and attached bathrooms. Cabins are fully air-conditioned.

Luxury Balcony Cabin

2 Luxury Balcony Cabins. 230 square feet. CABIN FEATURES: All cabins incorporate satellite TV, personal safe, mini bar, in-house telephone and attached bathrooms. Cabins are fully air-conditioned.

Deluxe Balcony Cabin

7 Deluxe Balcony Cabins. 206 square feet.

CABIN FEATURES: All cabins incorporate satellite TV, personal safe, mini bar, in-house telephone and attached bathrooms. Cabins are fully air-conditioned.

Superior Cabin

12 Superior Cabins. 150 square feet.

CABIN FEATURES: All cabins incorporate satellite TV, personal safe, mini bar, in-house telephone and attached bathrooms. Cabins are fully air-conditioned.