A Journey On the Ganges

Overview

At the break of dawn, as mist gently settles above the waters, the horizon fuses with an azure-blue sky above. In the distance, you’ll see people performing their morning ablutions; ladies washing clothes as they have for centuries, their saris draped on rocks to dry. In many respects, daily life along this great waterway remains unchanged for centuries.

This is the Ganges, a name redolent of Indian exoticism and spirituality, a river all of us know but very few have actually discovered – until now. Our ship, the RV Bengal Ganga is based on a traditional 19th-century design, blending beautifully with the timeless landscape. Recent navigational improvements coupled with 21st-century technology enable us to explore this extraordinary river on a truly unforgettable small-group journey.

On board, your every need is attended to by a charming crew who represent the best of Indian hospitality. Our cruise explores the lower Ganges, known as the Hooghly River, which very few ships can access. We will pass regions fought over for generations, occupied by French, Dutch, Portuguese and even Danish outposts, until 1757 when Britain finally cemented its hold over Bengal and the entire Indian sub-continent.

Our cruise and subsequent land tour includes four sublime cities: Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Calcutta. Witness the jewel in the crown, the Taj Mahal, in the rosy glow of the early morning at its most astonishing. See the grand monuments of the British Raj in Delhi and Calcutta, as well as India’s holiest city, Varanasi, spectacularly located on the Ganges.