Overview
Heritage of India & the Ganges River
Discover a world of color, culture, and the cherished spiritual heritage of India. Your guided tour of India and Ganges River cruise begins in the bustling city of Delhi. You’ll tour the city with your expert Tour Director and take a rickshaw ride through the Chandni Chowk bazaar—brimming with a wealth of treasures from silver and spices to saris of every color. You’ll visit Qutub Minar—the world’s largest brick minaret and see Delhi’s largest Sikh gurudwara (house of worship). You’ll encounter more stunning sights in Agra with a sunset excursion to the Taj Mahal—the iconic memorial built by Moghul emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife. More than 20 years in the making, the Taj Mahal stands as the pinnacle of love’s devotion, where you’ll also have the opportunity to experience this iconic site at sunrise. You’ll continue to the city of Jaipur, with its famous Palace of the Winds, and spectacular Amber Fort, before flying to Kolkata to board your cruise on the Ganges River—the holy river of Hinduism. Along its banks, human life is connected to its waters where you’ll get a glimpse of life apart from India’s big cities. Observe the intricate muslin weaving traditions in Nabadwip and pottery making in Guptipara, explore the fascinating Hare Krishna headquarters in Mayapur, and visit the stunning Hooghly Imambara upon your return to Kolkata.All of this and more await you on this once-in-a-lifetime guided tour of India with a Ganges River cruise.
Highlights of Heritage of India & the Ganges River
City Highlights
Travelers Notes
Special features included in this tour:
- Guided city sightseeing in Delhi including Red Fort, Jama Masjid,
- Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, India Gate, and Presidential Palace
- [LF] Rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk bazaar
- Visit to Agra Fort
- Guided tour of the Taj Mahal at sunset with second visit at sunrise
- Visits to the Amber Fort, City Palace Museum, and Jantar Mantar in Jaipur
- Guided city sightseeing in Kolkata including St. John’s Church, Victoria Memorial Museum, and colonial landmarks
- Seven-night Ganges River cruise aboard the elegant Antara MV Bengal Ganga, featuring spacious rooms and French balconies
- Rickshaw ride to Guptipara and visit to potter’s home
- Visit to Rajbari temple complex by rickshaw
- Guided visit with a Krishna leader to ISKCON’s spiritual campus
- Visits to local weaving villages of Fulia and Nabadwip
- Excursion to Chandernagore including a guided walk along the promenade and visits to the Institut de Chandernagore and the Sacred Heart Church
- Intra-vacation flight from Jaipur to Kolkata
Transportation
Notes
Product Group
Heritage of India & the Ganges River
Meals
12 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 9 Dinners
Itineraries
Day 1
ARRIVE IN DELHI, INDIA Hello, Delhi! Welcome to Delhi, India’s capital city. Hotel check-in available mid-afternoon.
Day 2
DELHI Delhi Delights Today’s guided sightseeing starts with an orientation to see the Red Fort, India Gate, and the Presidential Palace. Then, visit Jama Masjid and Humayun’s Tomb, and Qutub Minar, the world’s tallest brick minaret, dating back to the 11th century. Take a [LF] rickshaw ride through a local bazaar. After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy a bit of free time. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a lavish welcome dinner at your hotel. (B,L,D)LOCAL FAVORITEMARKET HIGH Hop on a rickshaw and explore Chandni Chowk, a captivating local bazaar. Ancient alleyways are lined with quaint shops selling a variety of goods and souvenirs—from silver and saris to spices and electronics.
Day 3
DELHI–AGRA Moghul Monuments Drive to Agra this morning and visit Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by the Moghul Emperor Akbar. This impressive fortress of red sandstone conceals the imperial city of the Moghul rulers and its many palaces. This evening, admire the gold and pink hues of the captivating Taj Mahal under the setting sun. (B,L) TOUR HIGHLIGHTLOVE REMEMBERED End your day with a bucket-list sunset visit to the extravagant Taj Mahal, a marble monument to love more than 20 years in the making. Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan built it as a memorial to his beloved wife, who died during childbirth. Your guided tour takes you inside the Mausoleum, with time to explore on your own and reflect.
Day 4
AGRA–JAIPUR Welcome to the Pink City Start your day with another visit to the incomparable Taj Mahal, this time at sunrise. After a bit of down time, travel to Jaipur. Dinner is included at your hotel tonight. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHT THE PINK CITY Visit Jaipur, the legendary city which was painted pink to welcome the Prince of Wales in 1876. Today, this fascinating city is still known as the “Pink City.”
Day 5
JAIPUR Jewels of Jaipur This morning, visit the amazing Amber Fort. After lunch, visit the City Palace Museum, once the royal residence and now showcases a collection of paintings, carpets, weapons, and costumes from the past. Next, visit UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jantar Mantar, consisting of 19 astronomical instruments used for measuring time and dates back to 1728. (B,L)TOUR HIGHLIGHTFORMIDABLE FORTRESS Visit the legendary Amber Fort, known as the “Sleeping Beauty of Rajasthan,” built entirely of white marble and red sandstone. This fortress-palace has a somber exterior that hides a richly ornate interior of royal apartments, including an alabaster Hall of Victory and a superb Chamber of Mirrors.
Day 6
JAIPUR–KOLKATA (EMBARKATION) Welcome to West Bengal. Your Ship Awaits. Fly to Kolkata this morning. After lunch, your guided sightseeing tour takes you to St. John’s Church, featuring the oldest functioning pipe organ in India. Visit Victoria Memorial Museum. You’ll also view the well-preserved British colonial buildings like the Raj Bhawan (Governor’s House), Town Hall, and Dalhousie Square. Then, transfer to your ship for your 7-night cruise along the Ganges River. (B,L,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTROYAL TREASURES Built to commemorate Queen Victoria, the museum houses a beautiful collection of paintings, textiles, weapons, and other artifacts from the Victorian era.TOUR HIGHLIGHTSHIP SPOTLIGHT Antara’s MV Bengal Ganga features vibrant interiors and hand-crafted furniture with a blend of traditional and contemporary textiles and art that mirror the landscape and changing hues of water. Spacious, bright and comfortable rooms create a sense of well-being with large French balconies and free-flowing common spaces that invite the outdoors in. Elegant décor, attentive service, luxurious amenities, and spectacular views await!Please note: The Globus Tour Director will not accompany you on the Ganges River cruise. A dedicated Cruise Manager will provide onboard services during this portion of the journey.
Day 7
KOLKATA Shopping, Sailing & Sculptures This morning, take a guided walk through Kolkata’s vibrant flower market. Next, visit Kumartuli, a traditional potters’ quarter in northern Kolkata renowned for its beautiful traditions in sculpture. Relax this afternoon onboard your ship as you begin sailing upstream, passing below the Howrah Bridge, an icon of the city. (B,L,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTBRIDGING HISTORY An iconic landmark in Kolkata, the massive, steel Howrah Bridge spans the Hooghly River and is considered one of the longest cantilever bridges in the world. Also known as Rabindra Setu, its 26,500 tons of steel connect Howrah and Kolkata as a lifeline for 100,000 vehicles and countless pedestrians daily since 1943.
Day 8
KOLKATA–CHANDERNAGORE French Serenity and The Sacred Heart Today, sail to Chandernagore, established as a French colony in 1673. Explore this historic town down the Promenade, offering a serene and peaceful walk along the river. Visit the former French governor's residence, now converted to a museum that features an exhibition of items that depict life during this period. Also visit the Sacred Heart Church, designed by French Architect Jacques Duchatz. (B,L,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTON THE PROMENADE A marvel of town planning along the Hooghly, the promenade in Chandernagore evokes the French Riviera on the Hooghly River with lush trees and beautiful French colonial architecture as one of the most important French settlements in Asia in the 18th century.
Day 9
CHANDERNAGORE–KALNA Rituals and Rickshaws Explore by electric rickshaw during your guided exploration of Kalna. Along the way, visit the terracotta temple complex of Rajbari. Stoll through a local market on your way back to your ship. (B,L,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTTIMELESS TEMPLES The Rajbari temple complex showcases exquisite architecture adorned with intricate terracotta carvings. Here, you’ll visit Naba Kailash Temple, containing 108 slope-roofed shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Day 10
KALNA–NABADWIP–MAYAPUR A Holy Pilgrimage This morning, walk along the riverbank village of Nabadwip and witness local artisans skillfully weaving vibrant cottons by hand on traditional looms. Later, tour the fascinating ISKCON campus at Mayapur, the worldwide headquarters of the Hare Krishna movement. (B,L,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTHARE KRISHNA ISKCON is a global spiritual movement dedicated to promoting the cultural teachings of ancient Indian traditions. A Krishna leader will guide you throughout your visit to introduce you to their philosophy and life on campus, Along the way, you’ll tour the main temple and have time for questions.
Day 11
MAYAPUR–GUPTIPARA–FULIA Riverside Reveries Climb aboard a rickshaw (Toto) for your visit to the small riverside village of Guptipara. Along the way, see clay and idol making. You’ll visit a potter’s home to interact with the artisans. This afternoon, visit the village of Fulia, where skilled artists specialize in Jamdani weaving, a time intensive form of weaving using a mixture of cotton and gold thread. (B,L,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTWEAVING MAGIC The textural motif against an airy muslin fabric is the definition of the heritage Jamdani cloth, on which skilled weavers uses a hand tool made of horn (kandul) to create delicate embellishments on the Jamdani muslin adorned with a wide variety of geometric and traditional floral and figured designs.
Day 12
FULIA–BANDEL–SERAMPORE–KOLKATA Monumental Sights Sail downstream to Bandel and visit Hooghly Imambara. This stunning 19th-century monument is known for its grand hallways and large Persian chandeliers. Continue to Serampore, a historic colonial town featuring Danish heritage monuments like the Danish Tavern and St. Olav’s Church. This evening, return to Kolkata. (B,L,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTHOLY SITE See the architectural splendor of Hooghly Imambara, the 19th-century holy shrine beloved by the people of Bengal as well as the entire Muslim community of India. It dignifies the western bank of river Bhagirathi-Hooghly with fading grandeur whispering the story of its glorious past.
Day 13
KOLKATA (DISEMBARKATION) Safe travels until we meet again! Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Departures
Hotels
| # | Name | Description | City | Address | Rating |
| 1 | Taj Palace, New Delhi | Nestled amidst the heart of the historic Indian capital city, the iconic Taj Palace, New Delhi has held a distinguished position amongst the finest hotels of the world for close to four decades. Spread over six acres of lush gardens, the landmark hotel is synonymous with timeless luxury and unmatched hospitality. With panoramic views of the city's verdant protected greens, the hotel offers an inimitable confluence of epitomising elements of Indian art, warm, personalised service and unmatched luxury. | Delhi | 2 Sardar Patel Marg, Diplomatic Enclave, New Delhi | Moderate Deluxe |
| 2 | Taj Hotel & Convention Centre | The Taj Hotel & Convention Centre has 239 plush rooms and features views of the Taj Mahal from the rooftop bar. There is also an abundance of dining options, an invigorating spa, and a variety of other amenities to make for an enjoyable stay. | Agra | Taj East Gate Road, Uttar Pradesh | Moderate Deluxe |
| 3 | Jai Mahal Palace | Set amidst 18 acres of beautifully landscaped Moghul gardens, this incomparable Palace dates back to 1745 A.D. A masterpiece in the Indo Saracenic style of architecture, it blends spotlight grabbing opulence with tantalizing comforts that transport guests to a world of Rajasthan magnificence. It is located downtown, close to the main shopping center and historical monuments. | Jaipur | Jacob Rd, Civl Lines | Superior First-Class |
