Ganga Vilas, 12 Night Patna to Kolkata Downstream River Cruise ex Patna to Kolkata

Day 1: ARRIVE PATNA EMBARK (D)
EMBARKATION: 04:00 PM
Arrive in Patna and proceed for a sightseeing tour visiting the Golghar and Patna Museum. Transfer to the jetty to embark the ship.

Day 2: PATNA – SIMARIA (B/L/D)
Today we sail full day downstream to Simaria enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard while viewing the riverine countryside.

Day 3: SIMARIA – MUNGER (B/L/D)
After breakfast walk in the riverside village to see the daily activities of the local people. Return to the ship and sail full days towards Munger enjoying lunch onboard. Sailing under the great bridge at Mokameh Ghat we arrive in Munger by the evening.

Day 4: MUNGER (B/L/D)
After breakfast visit the Chandika Sthan Temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Shakti. It is one of the fifty-one Shakti Peethas, associated with the legend of Lord Vishnu who to save the world from Lord Shiva’s wrath, cut into pieces the corpse of Devi Sati that Shiva was carrying. Return to ship for lunch Thereafter visit Munger Fort and the local market popular for fruits, vegetables, textiles, and readymade garments.

Day 5: MUNGER – SULTANGANJ (B/L/D)
Today we sail through the morning enjoying breakfast onboard to arrive in Sultanganj by afternoon. Post lunch excursion to Sultanganj, which is notable for two prominent granite rock islands in the river connected to the mainland by a causeway. On one of the islands is a mosque; on the other larger one is the Ajgaibinath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. We will visit the Shiva temple.

Day 6: SULTANGANJ – BATESHWARSTHAN (B/L/D)
We sail towards Bateshwarsthan today while enjoying breakfast onboard. Post lunch drive in cars to the archaeological site of Vikramshila University and walk around the ruins. Vikramshila University was an important Buddhist centre of learning under the rule of the Pala Dynasty. Subjects like theology, philosophy, grammar, metaphysics, and logic were taught here.

Day 7: BATESHWARSTHAN – SAMTAGHAT (B/L/D)
Today we sail full day towards Samtaghat. You will be fascinated by the passing landscape and the lively life on the river while enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard. We arrive by the evening at Samtaghat.

Day 8: SAMTAGHAT – FARAKKA – JANGIPUR (B/L/D)
Enjoying breakfast onboard we sail in the morning to cross the historic Farakka Lock Gate. The travel through the Feeder Canal will give us a chance to see the different birds of the region. After crossing the Lock Gate, we cruise through the connecting canal to the Hooghly River, the lower Ganges. We continue sail towards Jangipur.

Day 9: JANGIPUR – MURSHIDABAD (B/L/D)
We sail full day towards Murshidabad enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard. We arrive in Murshidabad by the evening. Murshidabad is a hidden architectural gem with dramatic whitewashed colonial era structures.

Day 10: MURSHIDABAD – MATIARI (B/L/D)
After breakfast ride the Toto (e-rickshaw) through the countryside to the Katra mosque, which has distinctive minarets. Thereafter visit the Hazarduari Palace, which dominates the waterfront. Built by an English architect, McLeod Duncan, in the Greek "Doric" style, the palace has more than a thousand real and false doors in the vast corridors and is filled with colonial-era antiques. Return to the ship for lunch and sail towards the shore-side village of Matiari

Day 11: MATIARI – KALNA
Early this morning walk in the village to see and experience the craftsmen at work. These master craftsmen utilize recycled copper to create exquisite pots, platters, and more from their workshops in the village. Return to ship for breakfast and sail onward to Kalna. We arrive in Kalna by the evening.

Day 12: KALNA – KOLKATA (B/L/D)
After breakfast ride e-rickshaws through the town of Kalna to visit the enchanting Rajbari Temple complex. The Nabakailas Temple contains 108 eight-slope-roofed shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. Other temples in the complex feature diverse architecture and terracotta plaques depict themes of Hindu epics and various aspects of day-to-day life in the region. Return to the ship walking through the local vegetable market. Begin sail towards Kolkata and arrive by the evening. Enjoy cultural performance onboard.

Day 13: KOLKATA DISEMBARKATION (B/L)
DISEMBARKATION: 03:00 PM
After breakfast, visit the Flower Market, where you can see artists creating a variety of garlands, ornaments, and other items made of flowers and leaves for temples, weddings, and other uses. Thereafter, visit Kumartuli, a traditional potters’ quarter renowned for its sculpting prowess. Return to ship for lunch. Thereafter Panoramic Tour of Dalhousie Square’s heritage buildings; St. John's Church, Victoria Memorial, and Mother Teresa’s Home. Return to the ship for lunch. Thereafter disembark the ship and transfer for your onward journey.

Important Note:
• The itinerary may be readjusted due to local conditions and days of the week, to avoid closure of monuments/museums. Last-minute sailing adjustments may also occur.
• As per government restrictions, from Patna to Farakka, no liquor will be served on board.

Antara Ganga Vilas is a celebration of India’s post-independence design and a tribute to its innovations. Each room is inspired by Josef Albers’ paintings which are experiments in the perception of color as well as tantra and its quest to perceive the many parts of the universe in its wholeness. Pioneered by Mr. Raj Singh, Antara Luxury River Cruises is a rapidly growing boutique cruise brand that is bringing travelers to India’s majestic waterways and have them sail in luxury to find adventure and pleasure. Charting the legendary waters of the Ganga and Brahmaputra, Raj Singh built for the first time in India, a fleet of luxurious river ships that offer plush accommodations while also bringing regenerative experiences to both travelers and local communities.

Operating successfully since 2009, the Antara Fleet has sailed the Indo-Bangladesh protocol route, touched the ghats of holy Varanasi, meandered through the sleepy towns of Bengal and explored the gorgeous Sunderbans among its many destinations.

Ganga Vilas, resplendent in its design, sails the ancient river, glowing through day and night. Guests sail and watching people on the banks gaze back at the slow movement of its crisp and radiant colours. The changing light reflects on the water and plays into the suites. The jewel tones of Varanasi’s Himalayan Buddhist Gyasar textiles, the soft curves of mid-century Indian teak furniture, original contemporary art, handmade tiles, wooden hallways and staircases – the ship is altogether chic, meditative and sumptuous. Each day brings with it a hand-crafted food and beverage menu, showcasing the specialties of the land. Each day also allows the guests to explore off shore experiences with an in-house expert guide taking them through the stories of India on and off board.

This unique ship and its immersive itinerary is designed to engage the intellect and the senses as one experiences the many imaginations of India in the comfort of a luxurious cruise.

Antara River Cruises has introduced luxury river cruising across India with an exceptional attention to detail. An invitation to take you to untouched destinations bringing unmatched hospitality and immerse yourself in unforgettable experiences.

Encompassing luxury in every nook and corner, the river cruises by Antara are designed to make sure you have the most enthralling journey on our rivers. From comfortable suite accommodation to high-end amenities, the cruises are equipped with everything you might need while sailing. Come on board and have a memorable journey.