National Geographic Journeys: India River Cruise: The Holy Ganges (AHLKNG)

Countries Visited: India
Trip Style: Information Not available
Service Level: Upgraded
  • All the adventure you want, with a softer landing
  • Handpicked, character-rich accommodations with upgraded amenities services
  • Upgraded and private transport, including flights to maximize time
  • More included meals, activities and transfers
    Physical Demands Rating: 2 - There'll be some light walking and hiking. Suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
    Group Size: Max 24.
    Meals Included: 12 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
    Accommodations: Not Availaible

    Highlights
    Visit beautiful temples and local villages, meet with a monk at a Buddhist pilgrimage site, enjoy a lecture at the Ghats of the Ganges by a research scholar, visit the G Adventures-supported Open Hand for breakfast, enjoy the pace of life on the river

    Description
    Cruise the storied waters of the Ganges River on a 12-day adventure. By riverboat and on land, soak up the immense power of this vital waterway as you sail to picturesque local villages and see stunning temples and palaces. Cap off the experience with a four-day land excursion to the city of Varanasi, considered by many to be the spiritual capital of India.
  • Call (800) 468-2359 for more information or to book today! Mention code 13270767

    Tour Operator
    G Adventures
    Duration
    12 Days
    Escorted
    Escorted - Yes
    DayDestinationDescription
    Day 1KolkataDay 1 Kolkata (1B)
    There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting, so check into to the hotel and enjoy the city. Included Activities: Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting Transport: Arrival Airport Transfer
    Day 2FarakkaDay 2 Kolkata/Farakka (1B, 1D)
    Catch a train from Kolkata to Farakka and embark on the riverboat this afternoon. Transport: Local train (6.00 hour(s))
    Day 3Manihari GhatDay 3 Farakka/Manihari Ghat (1B, 1L, 1D)
    Leave Farakka and sail out into the river, almost sea-like here just above the great Farakka Barrage. Anchor at Rajmahal, beneath the Rajmahal Hills. Once known as Akbarnagar, the town was founded by the Mughal Emperor Akbar as his eastern capital. Shah Jehan, builder of the Taj Mahal, spent much of his youth here. Included Activities: Rajmahal Town and Sights Visit Transport: Varuna Riverboat Varuna Riverboat
    Day 4KahalgaonDay 4 Manihari Ghat/Kahalgaon (1B, 1L, 1D)
    Take in views of an island shrine complete with Buddhist and Hindu cave temples today as we sail near the shore. This area was once a centre of the murderous Thug sect. Included Activities: Bateshwar and Vikramshila Ruins Visit Transport: Varuna Riverboat Varuna Riverboat
    Day 5SultanganjDay 5 Kahalgaon/Sultanganj (1B, 1L, 1D)
    Keep an eye out for South Asian river dolphins this morning as you sail to Bhagalpur, a centre of silk production. Visit a mansion and silk-weaving village. Continue on to Jehangira Island and enjoy an excursion to view ancient Hindu rock carvings. Included Activities: Mansion and Silk-Weaving Village Visit Jehangira Island Excursion & Hindu Rock Carvings Visit Transport: Varuna Riverboat Varuna Riverboat
    Day 6Sita KundDay 6 Sultanganj/Sita Kund (1B, 1L, 1D)
    Sail to Munger and take a rickshaw ride through the town to view the remnants of a Mughal fort and an East India Company cemetery. Visit the local bazaar, Pirpahar Hill, and Sitakund hot springs. Walk through the village and fields before getting back on board. Included Activities: Rickshaw Ride and Mughal Fort Visit Munger Village and Sitakund Hot Spring Visit Transport: Varuna Riverboat Varuna Riverboat
    Day 7BarhDay 7 Sita Kund/Barh (1B, 1L, 1D)
    This morning pass under the great bridge at Mokama, where the naturalist Jim Corbett spent his working life overseeing the ferry crossing. Stop to visit a bankside village and stretch your legs. Cruise on to Barh and moor for the evening. Transport: Varuna Riverboat
    Day 8PatnaDay 8 Barh/Patna (1B, 1L, 1D)
    Enjoy a full day excursion to Nalanda. Visit an excavated Buddhist monastery and stupa, and the picturesque Jain temple at Pawapuri. Continue to Patna and reboard the boat for the night. Included Activities: Buddhist Monastery and Stupa Visit Pawapuri Jain Temple Visit Transport: Varuna Riverboat Private Vehicle
    Day 9Bodh GayaDay 9 Patna/Bodh Gaya (1B)
    Disembark and discover Patna on a morning tour visiting the Golghar granary, the great Sikh temple, and the State Museum. Afterwards, transfer to the small town of Bodh Gaya to explore the Mahabodhi Temple Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Meet with a monk to discuss the history of the area and visit the spot where the Buddha found enlightenment. Included Activities: Golghar Granary Visit Sikh Temple Visit State Museum Visit Explore Mahabodhi Temple Complex and Meet with a Monk Transport: Private Vehicle
    Day 10VaranasiDay 10 Bodh Gaya/Varanasi (1B)
    Drive to Varanasi, the quintessential Indian holy city. This afternoon, enjoy a lecture at the Ghats of the Ganges by a Research Scholar from Benaras Hindu University, and talk about the rivers significance spiritually, socially, economically and politically. After, embark on a boat trip on the sacred Ganges at sunset. Enjoy a candle and flower ceremony accompanied by sitar and tabla playing, and observe an evening aarti (prayer) ceremony. Included Activities: Ganges River Talk Evening Ganges Boat Tour Transport: Private Vehicle
    Day 11VaranasiDay 11 Varanasi (1B)
    Rise early for a sunrise boat ride along the Ganges to observe the dawn rituals of bathing and burial. After, have breakfast at Open Hand, a vocational training cafe and one of G Adventures grassroots partners. Learn about this social enterprise whose mission is to provide dignified and meaningful job opportunities to underprivileged people in India. This afternoon take an excursion to Sarnath, a pilgrimage site where it is said the Buddha preached his first sermon. Included Activities: Morning Ganges Boat Tour Breakfast at Open Hand Project Sarnath Visit
    Day 12VaranasiDay 12 Varanasi (1B)
    Depart at any time. Included Activities: Departure Day
    Disclaimer

    Local Flights: N/A

    Dossier Disclaimer:The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

    VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

    Itinerary Disclaimer: While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

    Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
      
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