Trip Summary
Discover the lifeblood of Eastern India as you sail the storied Ganges River aboard the deluxe Ganges Voyager. Cruising round-trip from Kolkata, the City of Palaces, anchor at small ports where you can experience village life, meet local people and learn about art, culture and religion. In this part of the world, at an intersection of three iconic faiths, tour holy buildings and pilgrimage sites for Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Stroll through bazaars and flower markets; observe potters, weavers and other artisans crafting their wares. Ride in rickshaws, sample unforgettable cuisine and delight in the music and dance of the region. Tour villages and towns, taking in breathtaking architecture and beautiful river views along the way. Augment your experience with the Golden Triangle and Varanasi Pre-Tour Extension.
Event Itinerary
Day 1: Depart Home City
Day 2: Kolkata, India
Day 3: Kolkata/Embark Ganges Voyager
Day 4: Kolkata/Bally Bridge
Day 5: Bally Bridge/Bandel
Day 6: Bandel/Kalna
Day 7: Kalna/ Nabadwip/Mayapur
Day 8: Mayapur/Guptipara/Fulia
Day 9: Fulia/Chandannagar/Serampore/Kolkata
Day 10: Kolkata/Disembark boat/Return to Home City
Day 11: Arrive in Home City
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Journey round-trip from Kolkata aboard Ganges Voyager, an exclusively chartered, deluxe river boat, with a night at Taj Bengal, Kolkata.
- Cruise the Ganges River to small ports where you can experience village life and learn about local art, culture and religion.
- Observe weavers in the village of Fulia, known for Jacquard and Jamdani saree weaving.
- Tour holy buildings and pilgrimage sites for Hindus, Muslims and Christians.
- Sail to the town of Chandannagar, established as a French colony.
- Experience different modes of transport, including an e-rickshaw.
Meet Your Faculty Expert
Reiko Ohnuma
Reiko Ohnuma is the Chair of the Department of Religion and the Robert 1932 and Barbara Black Professor of Religion. She is a specialist in the Buddhist traditions of South Asia (with a particular focus on narrative literature, hagiography, and the role and imagery of women), but also teaches courses on Hinduism. She holds a B.A. from the University of California (Berkeley) and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor). She is the author of Head, Eyes, Flesh, and Blood: Giving Away the Body in Indian Buddhist Literature (Columbia University Press, 2007); Ties That Bind: Maternal Imagery and Discourse in Indian Buddhism (Oxford University Press, 2012); and Unfortunate Destiny: Animals in the Indian Buddhist Imagination (Oxford University Press, 2017).