These cruises, upstream or downstream with return journey by rail, take you along the intimate lower Ganges sidestream, the River Hooghly, which flows from Farakka on the main river down to Kolkata. As well as sightseeing of Kolkata itself and the European colonies just outside, the cruise takes in Murshidabad, capital of the Nawabs of Bengal, the battlefield of Plassey close by, and the many monuments of the medieval Islamic capital of Gaur. A highlight are several delightful and little known Bengali Terracotta temples. Cruises can be combined with Ganges cruises on most dates.
Wildlife - Birds, dolphins and langurs.
With an on board naturalist you will spot a wide variety of birds (More than 180 on the list) and, excitingly, you will get glimpses of the rare Gangetic dolphins that inhabit this part of the river. Langur monkeys hang around some of the towns and temples that we visit and we usually see squads of huge fruit bats flying along the river at dusk.
Added extra - Highlights
During the cruise we will have a demonstration of how to cook a good curry, how to dress is a Sari or Dhoti, a short concert from some local musicians and an exhibition of some traditional dancing.
• KOLKATA/CALCUTTA - Before/after the cruise you can/should enjoy the madness that is Kolkata. Noise, colour, movement, smells - everything is happening non-stop all the time. The City of Palaces, Calcutta was the capital of British India for around 150 years, and boasts much superb colonial architecture, fantastic markets and some great monuments and museums. It can also claim to be the intellectual capital of modern India, and is a thriving, bustling, colourful and up to date city, with some excellent shops. In the northern suburbs lie the old French, Dutch and Danish colonial enclaves, still retaining a distinctive flavour.
• KALNA - A pleasant agricultural centre, boasting some of Bengal’s finest terracotta temples.
• MURSHIDABAD - Capital of the Nawabs of Bengal, losers at Plassey, and a delightful backwater town full of abandoned mosques, tombs and surprisingly grand European style palaces. Nearby Baranagar boasts further examples of charming terracotta temples.
• FARAKKA BARRAGE - Where the Hooghly flows out from the Ganges, this great dam, opened in 1975, protects much of Bengal from flooding as well as generating electricity.
• Battlefield and village of Plassey - Pelassi
The site of Robert Clive's famous victory over the combined French and Indian forces that signalled the start of Britain's 2 century domination of India. The battlefield is marked by a small monument but the nearby village is a delight.
• Matiari village brass foundaries
The small village of Matiari is famous for its cottage industry of brass. You can watch the whole process from the smelting to the beating, shaping and patterning. Seeringly hard work in ih extreme heat.
• Baranagar & English lessons
We will visit the small village of Baranagar and the terracotta temples dotted around the village. We will also visit the English Academy in the village, heavily sponsored by the ship's owners, the academy teaches English to aspiring students and we get a chance to sit with them for 40 minutes to discuss our lives and families, football and cricket, and anything else that comes up in conversation.
- KOLKATA/CALCUTTA - The City of Palaces, Calcutta was the capital of British India for around 150 years, and boasts much superb colonial architecture. It can also claim to be the intellectual capital of modern India, and is a thriving, bustling, colourful and up to date city, with some excellent shops. In the northern suburbs lie the old French, Dutch and Danish colonial enclaves, still retaining a distinctive flavour.
• KALNA - A pleasant agricultural centre, boasting some of Bengal’s finest terracotta temples.
- MURSHIDABAD - Capital of the Nawabs of Bengal, losers at Plassey, and a delightful backwater town full of abandoned mosques, tombs and crumbling palaces. Nearby Baranagar boasts further examples of charming terracotta temples.
- FARAKKA BARRAGE - Where the Hooghly flows out from the Ganges, this great dam, opened in 1975, protects much of Bengal from flooding as well as generating electricity.
Availability is always subject to confirmation. Please check with us before booking flights
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
ABN Rajmahal
ABN Rajmahal, entered service on the Lower Ganges and the Ganges proper on schedule in mid-February 2014. Built in Kolkata, she is 50m long and powered by 3 engines; her extra-shallow draught and a lower profile than conventional designs allow her to cruise further upstream than any of her competitors.
ABN Rajmahal has 22 cabins: 14 spacious twin/double cabins on the upper deck; 4 twin/double cabins on the main deck; and 4 single cabins for which we charge no supplement. The décor is stylish and fresh with touches of colonial elegance, brought to life by traditional Indian-inspired designs on hand-blocked cotton fabrics. All cabins on ABN Rajmahal have French balconies.
As with the other ships in our fleet, there is a comfortable saloon and bar, dining room and a vast canopied sundeck. A small spa onboard offers a wide range of treatments. All cabins and public rooms on our ships are air-conditioned.
Food on board is a mixture of Assamese (milder than most Indian cuisine) and Continental cuisines. Wines, beer and spirits are available.
Onboard features
- Spacious cabins with individual climate control
- En suite shower/WC with Biotique toiletries
- Generous cupboard space and under-bed storage
- Hair drier in each cabin
- Minibar in each cabin
- In-room electronic safe
- Tea/coffee making facilities in cabins
- Intercommunication telephone in cabins
- High quality bathrobes and slippers in cabins
- Large sliding glass windows offering panoramic views of the river
- Vast sundeck both open and shaded, with sunloungers or steamer chairs
- Spacious air-conditioned saloon with library and recorded entertainment
- Spa with choice of treatments.
Services
- Shore excursion programme including all admissions
- Maximum 20 guests per guide on all excursions
- Naturalist onboard the vessel
- Cold towel service after excursions
- Welcome drink after excursions
- Shoe-cleaning after excursions
- Turndown service in all cabins
- Expertly trained culinary staff
- Single seating for buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Acclaimed combination of Indian & Western cuisines
- Wide choice of wines, spirits and beer
- Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water throughout
- Welcome reception
- Farewell reception
- Local on-board dance & song performances.
Ship details
- Vessel Type: River Boat
- Length: 50 meters
- Passenger Capacity: 40
Deck plans are for illustrative purposes only – The actual ship and cabin layout may differ.
Includes
- All accommodation onboard
- All excursions and entry fees as per the itinerary
- All transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
- Full board
- Service of an English-speaking guide onboard and during excursions
- Train transfer between Kolkata and Farakka as per itinerary Port charges
Excludes
GST (5%)
Drinks from the bar
Spa services
Tips
Camera fees
Insurance Items of a personal nature
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