2017- TM India

22 – www.travelmarvel.com.au – Day 1. Arrive Patna, Embark Lower Ganges Cruise. On arrival at the airport, be met and transferred to your river ship. After settling in, enjoy a Welcome Dinner on board as you get to know your fellow travellers and your Cruise Director. Stay (12 Nights): the RV Rajmahal. D Day 2. Patna, Barh. Tour intriguing Patna, visiting the extraordinary 18th-century Gola Ghar granary, the great Sikh temple and the State Museum. Back on board, your ship will pass near the old East India Company opium warehouses, mooring at Barh. BLD Day 3. Nalanda, Mokameh. Take an excursion to the excavated great Buddhist monastery and stupa at Nalanda and visit the adjoining museum. Then head to the picturesque Pawapuri Jain temple. Return to your ship in the evening, now moored at the great bridge at Mokameh, where naturalist Jim Corbett spent his working life overseeing the ferry crossing. BLD Day 4. Monghyr, Sultanganj. Arrive in Monghyr and see its Mughal fort, as well as an East India Company cemetery. You'll also visit the Pirpahar Hill, crowned by a fine old mansion as well as the Sitakund hot springs. Continue cruising and anchor near Jahangira Island at Sultanganj, a place of pilgrimage. BLD Day 5. Bhagalpur, Bateshwar. Cruise to Bhagalpur to visit the 18th-century mansion built by Augustus Cleveland, as well as a silk-weaving village. Cruise on, passing close to the island shrine at Colganj with its Buddhist The former capital of British India, Kolkata presents a true feast for the senses and Hindu cave temples. Visit Bateshwar and see the 6th-century Hindu carvings, as well as the nearby ruins of an 8th-century Buddhist stupa and monastery at Vikramshila. BLD Day 6. Rajmahal, Farakka Barrage. Cruise to the charming, little-known town of Rajmahal, where Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal, spent much of his youth. Explore the remains of palaces, forts and mosques before continuing on through the locks of Farakka Barrage. BLD Day 7. Jangipur OR Gaur. Disembark in Jangipur, where you have the afternoon free to explore. Alternatively, enjoy a full day excursion by road to Gaur. Here, there are numerous historic ruins of mosques and palaces to visit before rejoining the ship in the evening near Jangipur. BLD Day 8. Baranagar, Murshidabad. Today you'll stop in Baranagar and walk through the fields to three miniature terracotta temples. Then continue past Azimganj to Murshidabad, one of the oldest cities in West Bengal. Here, walk to the Khushbagh, a peaceful Mughal-style garden. You'll also visit Katra Mosque and drive out to two 18th-century buildings, Nashipara Palace and Kathgola Palace. BLD Day 9. Murshidabad, Katwa. Like a Local – on the Murshidabad waterfront, explore the Hazarduari Palace and its collection of art, china and weapons. Cruise to the battlefield of Plassey where Robert Clive's defeat of Siraj-ud-Daulah changed the course of Indian history. Moor tonight in Katwa. BLD YOUR HOLIDAY PRICE INCLUDES § 13 days cruising the Lower Ganges § Services of a Travelmarvel Tour Director, Cruise Director and expert local guides § Transfers, port charges and tipping § 38 fine meals – 13 full breakfasts (B), 12 lunches (L) and 13 dinners (D) § All meals, plus local soft drinks, beers and spirits are included during your cruise, and regional wines are available with lunch and dinner on board § All sightseeing and entertainment aboard the RV Rajmahal INSIDER EXPERIENCES Unlock the secrets of Murshidabad's mysterious Hazarduari Palace Visit the ancient brass-working village of Matiari in West Bengal Gain an insight into Kalna during a cycle rickshaw tour Enjoy an indulgent stay at Taj Bengal in Kolkata Discover Kolkata on a private tram ride CRUISING HIGHLIGHTS § Visit the great Buddhist monastery and stupa at Nalanda § Visit the Pirpahar Hill with its grand mansion and Sitakund hot springs Authentic India – Lower Ganges Cruise 14 Days | Patna | Lower Ganges River Cruise | Kolkata

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