Fly to Kolkata

Continue on flight Kolkata

Arrive in Kolkata and transfer to the jetty to embark on the ship. Enjoy lunch onboard. After lunch, proceed on a panoramic tour of Kolkata, highlighting well-preserved British colonial buildings, including the Writers’ Building, General Post Office, High Court, Raj Bhavan (Governor’s House), Town Hall, Council House, Treasury Building, Reserve Bank of India, and Dalhousie Square. A stop will be made at the Grand Victoria Memorial for a photo opportunity. Next, visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, the city’s largest cathedral and a symbol of European heritage. Built between 1839 and 1847, it is renowned for its Indo-Gothic architecture, vibrant stained-glass windows, and Florentine Renaissancestyle frescoes. (L, D)

After breakfast, visit Kolkata’s Flower Market, located beneath the cantilevered Howrah Bridge. The market is bustling with vendors and buyers exchanging flowers, and there are artists creating garlands and ornaments for temples, weddings, and other occasions. Next, visit Kumartuli, a traditional potters’ quarter famous for sculpting clay idols for festivals. These artisans make idols of gods and goddesses for local and regional worship. Before returning to the ship, visit Mother Teresa’s Home and Tomb. Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1952 and lived and worked here until she died in 1997. Return to the ship for lunch and sail upstream, passing under the Howrah Bridge while observing colonial buildings along the Ganges River. In the afternoon, attend a talk by an expert about the iconic churches of Kolkata and their role in social welfare. (B, L, D)

Set sail upstream to Bandel, founded by Portuguese settlers around 1660. Visit the Hooghly Imambara, a significant Shia pilgrimage center built in 1841. This two-story building houses pilgrims and classrooms for Quran teachings. It also features a Victorian-era clock and stunning Persian chandeliers. Continue to the Basilica of the Holy Rosary, also known as Bandel Church. The Basilica is one of the oldest Christian churches in West Bengal and is dedicated to Nossa Senhora do Rosário (Our Lady of the Rosary). A church has stood on this site since its founding in 1599. Pope John Paul II declared it a minor basilica (B, L, D)

Sail to Kalna, enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard. Upon arrival, ride e-rickshaws to visit the Rajbari temple complex. The Nabakailas temple features 108 eight-sloped-roofed shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, and other temples showcase intricate terracotta plaques depicting scenes from the Hindu epics and daily life. Return to the ship, walking through the local vegetable market. (B, L, D)

Sail to Nabadwip while having breakfast and lunch onboard. After lunch, take a walking tour of the riverbank village, where local people engage in handloom weaving of cotton fabric, such as saris and stoles. Later, ride a country boat across the river to Mayapur, the headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Explore the pilgrim’s bazaar, meet Krishna followers, and visit the temple. (B, L, D)

Enjoy a short sail to Guptipara after breakfast. Explore the town, visiting Vaishnav temples with remarkable terracotta artwork and a potter’s home to observe artisans at work. Return to the ship for lunch. Afterward, sail to the village of Fulia, known for its weaving of Jacquard and Jamdani sarees. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, sail to Chandannagar, a former French colony. Explore colonial buildings along the promenade, including the former French governor’s residence, now a museum. Visit the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, which was founded in 1884 AD, a heritage site that showcases French architectural influence in India. Return to the ship and sail to Serampore. After lunch, take a walk through the old quarters to visit the Danish Tavern, other Danish heritage monuments, and St. Olav’s Church, one of the few remaining structures from Danish rule in Bengal. (B, L, D)

Return to the airport to begin your journey home with incredible memories of your time in India! (B)