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A Cruise Through History Along the Hooghly: Travellers, Traders and Truth Seekers in India

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Tour leader
Katie Hickman
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Dates
6 Jan
17 Jan
2025

The Hooghly River is the main artery running through the history of Bengal. The long history of this province leaves a legacy of magnificent temples, buildings and parks, often of astonishing size.

Kolkata was founded on the banks of the river in 1690 as a British trading outpost of the Mughal Empire. Not only was Kolkata the centre of the Raj until 1911, when the capital moved to Delhi, but it has long been a hub of Bengali literature, music and philosophy. Bengal was the richest province in India for a time, its lush soil producing indigo, opium and rice crops, among others, and its exquisite textiles were known as ‘woven wind’.

This progressive, wealthy and cultured land drew people from all over the world - the Portuguese, Dutch, Danish and French all settled on the banks of the Hooghly and Islam, Hinduism, Jainism and Christianity all flourished here. Katie Hickman’s talks throughout the tour will address the theme of ‘Travellers, Traders and Truth Seekers in India.’

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Price (room to yourself)
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Reference:
IND0125-1
At a glance
What you need to know
Type of tour
Cultural cruise
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Nights
11
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Countries
1
Tour grade
Moderate
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Remaining places
10
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Dates and places

Itinerary at a glance

1
Kolkata
Monday
,
6
January
Arrive and transfer to the Taj Bengal Hotel and at leisure. Optional stroll along the Colonnade to visit the Park Street Oxford Bookstore. Later in the afternoon board a boat at Prinsep's Steps for a river trip through the city. Dinner at the hotel.
2
Kolkata
Tuesday
,
7
January
Optional early morning sightseeing walk through old Kolkata, including the Writer's Building. Return to the hotel for breakfast and then visit the Victoria Memorial, the Maidan and St John's Church. Visit the Anglican Cathedral, Park Street Cemetery and the office of Warren Hastings.
3
Kolkata
Wednesday
,
8
January
Optional early morning visit to the flower market. After breakfast, visit Kutamali, the pottery village. See Bazar Rajabarim Tagore House and museum, the Marble Palace, and the double courtyarded palace of Raja Nabakrishna Deb (1733-97) in Shobabazar. Visit The India Museum.
4
Kolkata / Cruising
Thursday
,
9
January
Transfer to the river and board the ABN Rajmahal to commence your cruise on the Hooghly. Sail past the old Danish colony of Serampore to Barrackpore and disembark. Take a walk through the cantonment past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and Flagstaff House and its garden.
5
Cruising
Friday
,
10
January
Sail on to Chandernagore, which was a French possession until 1950, and visit the eighteenth century church and Dupleix’s house and museum. Sail on past the old Dutch settlement of Chinsura. Disembark to visit the imposing Imambara at Hooghly. Reboard your ship and cruise upstream, leaving Kolkata’s urban sprawl behind.
6
Cruising
Saturday
,
11
January
Disembark at Kalna and take cycle rickshaws to see some of Bengal’s most attractive terracotta temples, as well as the unique Shiva temple. Continue on through the countryside to Mayapur, its skyline dominated by the vast new ISKCON temple, before sailing on through the night.
7
Cruising
Sunday
,
12
January
Disembark at the brassworking village of Matiari, where you can watch the traditional process of beating out brass water pots and other vessels. Cruise on to the battlefield of Plassey where, in 1757 Clive’s defeat of Siraj-ud-Daulah changed the course of Indian history. Moor for the night close to Murshidabad.
8
Cruising
Monday
,
13
January
Sail downstream to the Khushbagh, a peaceful Mughul-style garden enclosing the tombs of Siraj-ud-Daulah – the last independent Nawab of Bengal – and his family. Continue upstream to the great Hazarduari Palace. Visit the great Katra Mosque and drive out to two classic Georgian merchant buildings of the late 18th century, the Nashipara Palace and the Katgola Palace.
9
Cruising
Tuesday
,
14
January
Moor at the sleepy village of Baranagar. Walk through fields to visit three beautiful miniature terracotta temples. Return to the ship and continue up the Hooghly, here a charming waterway twisting and turning between banks lined with mustard fields and mango orchards. Carry on up a long canal section to a mooring close to the Farakka Barrage and overnight.
10
Cruising
Wednesday
,
15
January
Disembark and take a full day excursion by road to Gaur, near the town of Malda. Visit the remains of mosques, palaces and gateways before rejoining the ship in the evening.
11
Cruising / Kolkata
Thursday
,
16
January
Transfer to Farraka Station for a scenic four hour train journey back to Kolkata. Spend the rest of the day at leisure before a farewell dinner in the evening.
12
Kolkata
Friday
,
17
January
Transfer to the airport or extend at the Taj Bengal Hotel or at Rajbari Bawali Palace Hotel.
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Tour map

Plot your journey

The tour includes a visit to Kolkata combined with a cruise along the mighty Hooghly river, offering an unparalleled vision of the rich history and culture of the great province of Bengal.

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What to expect

Tour highlights

Talks on Travellers, Traders and Truth Seekers in India
Bengal

Hear of Travellers, Traders and Truth Seekers in India from speaker and historical writer Katie Hickman.

Walking tour of Calcutta
Kolkata

On a walking tour explore the histories of old Calcutta.

7 night cruise on the Hooghly river
Bengal

Cruise up the Hooghly and return to Calcutta by train.

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Beautiful landscapes

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Get more out of it

Extend your holiday

Post-tour

Kolkata
17 - 19 Jan 2025

Extend your time in North India and stay at the historic Rajbari Bawali Hotel, a beautiful heritage hotel in the outskirts of Kolkata, dating back 250 years. It has been lovingly restored by the current owner with décor that mingles traditional antiques with chic contemporary amenities. See brochure for more details.

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Tour exertion grading

Is this tour right for me?

Gentle
Level 2

Easy walking at a mostly leisurely pace. Slightly more sightseeing and travel.

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Your expert companions

Tour leaders

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Accommodation

Hotel

We like charm, comfort, convenience in location, and of course, excellence in service.

Kolkata

Taj Bengal

Accommodation

Ship

The ABN Rajmahal contains 22 air-conditioned cabins, all of which have French balconies and en suite bathrooms.

Hooghly River

ABN Rajmahal

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If you have some questions about this particular tour, you can contact the Jon Baines Tours team by phone or email.

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