The Upper Ganges River - India River Cruise
For the first time Pandaw guests will be able to explore the diverse and beautiful Ganges River between Varanasi and Farakka on our new 7 night itinerary. Sailing through the state of Bihar, this splendid journey takes travellers along one of the prettiest sections of the Ganges where Gangeatic dolphins and a host of birdlife and wildlife roam.
Explore the many villages, pilgrimage sites and handicraft havens along the banks of the Upper Ganges as you sail gently aboard Pandaw's specially crafted river vessels. With train tickets included between Kolkata and Farakka and Patna and Varanasi, said to be one of the oldest inhabited cities on the planet, there is no better way to explore the wonders of India than with Pandaw.
Highlights
• Explore Bhaglapur, a major silk production center.
• Witness silk weaving and discover the town's charm.
• Visit Munger, once the capital shifted by Nawab Mir Qasim in 1762.
• Explore the Mughal fort, East India Company cemetery, and Bihar School of Yoga.
• Stop at Mokama, home to Jim Corbett, the naturalist.
• Learn about local freedom fighters and the region's significant lentil production.
Join your Pandaw ship in the afternoon following your train journey from Kolkata. For those arriving of their own accord, please arrive to the ship docked at Rajmahal no earlier than 3pm. Be welcomed aboard your Pandaw by our crew and enjoy evening entertainment onboard before cocktails and dinner.
We sail up the mighty Ganges river toward the confluence with the Koshi river. Stop along the way for a short village walk and enjoy our onboard entertainment.
We sail early morning toward Bhaglapur, a hub of silk production. We witness the silk weaving and explore this small town before returning to the ship for lunch. In the afternoon we visit Sultanganj with its pair of great granite rocks, one crowned with a mosque and the other a small temple dating from the 16th century.
Munger is now a large and industrialised city but has an interesting history. In 1762, Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal, shifted his capital from Murshidabad to Munger, and established a firearms manufacturing centre here. Explore the Mughal fort, East India Company cemetery and step inside the Bihar School of Yoga founded in 1964 by Satyananda Saraswati. One of the leading yoga schools in the country. The institution has developed yogic techniques through a synthesis of traditional yogic, vedantic and tantric practices and contemporary health science.
Stop at Mokama, once home to Jim Corbett the naturalist and protector of the Indian tigers. Surrounded by farmlands, Mokama has the second hightest production of lentils in the country. Learn about the freedom fighters from Mokama such as Lalldin Saheb, whose during the freedom struggle was sentenced to jail during the British rule.
Explore Barh, a town famous for Hindu ritual cremation at Urmanath and the Alakhnath Temple.
Enjoy a city tour of Patna, capital of Bihar state including a visit to The Golghar, a large stupa styled granary built in 1786. Farewell dinner with your crew.
Disembark your Pandaw vessel ready and transfer to Patna station for your 1st class train to Varanasi. Upon arrival to Varanasi, transfer to your hotel or the airport.
Itineraries are subject to change.
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Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
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Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
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Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
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Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
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Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
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Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
Upper Deck Twin Sharing. From
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Main Deck Twin Sharing. From
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Additional charges:
Port Taxes and Fees: $65 USD
Vessel Type: River Boat
Length: 57 metres
Passenger Capacity: 36
Built / refurbished: 2014
Kalaw Pandaw is a K-class ship. The K-class dated back to the 1880s and were comprised of stern wheelers designed to reduce draft, their boilers placed in the bow to improve trim. Smaller than the great line steamers of the age, the K-class ships were used on the Chindwin and upper reaches of the Irrawaddy. Where possible we have reused the old IFC names and many of these original K-class ships had fascinating histories, through times of war and peace.
ACCOMMODATION
8 upper deck, 10 main deck - 170 square feet, finished in teak and brass - AC with individual control - Premium mattresses
WINING & DINING
Bistro style dining room with outside seating and air-conditioning inside - Local master chef heading an experienced international culinary team - Semi-buffet breakfast, semi-buffet lunch, and seated theme dinners - Daily lean & light menu options - Complimentary coffee, water, tea, local soft drinks, local beer, local spirits - Extensive wine list with premium wines - Series of cultural performances, educational talks, cooking classes, and ship tour - Welcome drink on arrival - Welcome cocktail - Farewell reception - Theme dinners - 24hrs hospitality bar - Onboard bakery with daily freshly baked breads and rolls
ON EXCURSIONS
Admissions - Shoe cleaning after excursions - Bottled drinking water - We give away aluminium water bottles - Cold towel service after excursions - Refreshing drink following excursions - 1st aid trained assistant guide to follow all tours and excursions
SAFETY & SECURITY
All onboard crew is trained and certified as per international marine standards - Fire alarm system in all cabins, public areas and back areas - Fire fighting system in all ship areas - Expert marine superintendant - 24 hrs watch on duty
ONBOARD STAFF
Captain - River Pilot - First Officer - Chief Engineer - 1st Engineer - Electrician - Bosun & nautical crew - Ship manager - Housekeeping - Dining - Bar keeper - Chefs - Local tour guides
PUBLIC SPACES
Guest relation desk - Library with contemporary and classic literature
Optional tours and excursions available. Please contact us for more details.
Inclusions
• Voyage on board in selected cabin category
• Welcome cocktail party
• Signature hors d’oeuvres at cocktails each evening
• Afternoon tea with cakes or cookies when cruising
• Celebration cake and gift on birthdays and anniversaries
• Cookery demonstrations and classes using local produce
• All scheduled excursions
• At least two cultural performances per cruise
• Tour of the engine rooms, galley and working parts of the ship
• Film presentations on local culture and history
• Local mineral water
• Cold towels on deck all day
• Jugged coffee, tea and tisanes on deck from sunrise till sunset
• Crew gratuities are included in your cruise program price
Exclusions
• International and domestic flights
• Travel insurance
• Passport and visa costs
• Port taxes where applicable
• Gratuities for land guides/drivers
• Spa service including foot, head and body massages (Mekong only)
• Personal laundry service
• Local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes are all complimentary. All other drinks will be charged.
Small Ship Cruise
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