Asia, India

India Expedition: Kolkata, Kaziranga and the Brahmaputra River

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Discover a rare side of India as you navigate the Brahmaputra River region aboard the intimate Charaidew II. Begin this exceptional journey in Kolkata, once the second largest city in all the English empire, and delve into the past at storied landmarks like the Writers' Buildings and the Jain Temple Complex. Then board the ship in the remote state of Assam, home to world-famous tea, fascinating cultures and rich biodiversity. Spot a parade of wildlife on jeep safaris in Kaziranga National Park, visit ancient monasteries on Majuli Island and connect with welcoming Assamese people in remote riverside villages.

Highlights

• Navigate the Brahmaputra River which plays an important part in Hindu mythology and meet the inhabitants of seldom-visited communities along the riverbank

• Explore Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on thrilling jeep safaris to spot incredible birdlife and search for rare species like the Asian one-horned rhinoceros, Asian elephants and the elusive Royal Bengal tiger

• Spend a full day in Kolkata, India’s third largest city, home to colorful flower markets, historic buildings, ornate temples and the center of Mother Teresa’s charity work

• Search for wild water buffalo, hornbills, rare Gangetic dolphins and other fascinating wildlife found in and along the river

• Sail in comfort and style aboard the Charaidew II, an intimate riverboat accommodating just 34 guests

Day 1 Kolkata, India

Arrive in Kolkata and transfer to The Oberoi Grand Hotel or ITC Royal Bengal Hotel. Formerly known as Calcutta, the city was founded in 1690 by the East India Trading Company and served as India’s capital under the British Raj for over 125 years.

Arrival Time: Arrive before 3:00 p.m. local time.
Arrival City: Kolkata, India

Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2 Kolkata

Venture out early into Kolkata to beat the heat and legendary Indian traffic. As the city wakes up, take in its bustling streets as people commute to work, or head to the River Hooghly where they cleanse and purify themselves. You’ll witness this cleansing ritual amongst the colorful riverside flower market where all the city’s religious flowers originate.

Explore the roots of the British Raj in India alongside Armenian and Portuguese churches, as well as Jewish synagogues, in and around Dalhousie Square. See the famous Writers’ Building—the former HQ of the infamous East India Company, the magnificent Governor’s House and the almost forgotten Charnock Mausoleum. Break for a cup of tea and a snack during the walk.

Next, visit North Kolkata, “The Black Town,” where a parallel culture influenced by the Europeans flourished among the pioneering families of Bengal. Explore the four ornate temples of the Jain Temple Complex, with its shimmering mirrors, ceramic tiles and chandeliers brought to India by rich merchants from Persia, Japan and Europe.

After, you’ll go to the Bengali Quarter, the bastion of Bengali culture, featuring the home of multi-talented Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The house, now a museum, showcases the life of his family in 19th-century Bengal and their involvement in the Bengali Renaissance, the Brahmo Samaj movement and the Freedom Struggle of India.

Following lunch, visit Kumartuli, where giant life-like religious idols are beautifully created out of river clay and adorned with intricate accoutrements for the city’s numerous festivals. End this jam-packed day with a visit to the Motherhouse, Mother Teresa’s home and the center of her Missionaries of Charity, where you’ll witness her modest tomb and the spartan room where she lived and died.