Rivers, Rhinos and Culture

Day 1  Depart the UK 

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Kolkata. 

Days 2-4: Kolkata 

Your introduction begins with a stay at the Glenburn Penthouse, an elegantly decorated boutique hotel in the heart of Kolkata’s historic old town. Explore the ghats of the River Hooghly and the colourful riverside flower market, followed by a historical tour of Dalhousie Square’s colonial landmarks. Visit British-era museums before enjoying lunch at the home of local art dealer and collector Bomti Lyengar. 

Kolkata has more to explore, from visiting the Howrah Botanical Gardens to shopping for diverse crafts and textiles. Sports fans can enjoy an afternoon at the Calcutta Races or a round of golf at the Tollygunge Club or the Royal Calcutta Turf Club, while culture vultures can indulge themselves at The Indian Museum, The Asiatic Society or with a visit to the Tea Auction Centre. 

Days 5-11: Ganges River Cruise 

Now you’ve settled into India, it’s time to cruise up the River Ganges from Kolkata to Farakka. This remarkable 7-night journey will take you through the old Danish colony of Sermapore and to the once French-owned Chandernagore, giving a glimpse of India’s colonial past. 

The journey continues to the imposing Imambara at Hooghly, a mosque with verses of the Koran engraved into the walls, which showcases Islamic architecture and history. You’ll then land in the country town of Kalna and travel by rickshaw to visit some of Bengal’s most exquisite terracotta temples, including a unique Shiva temple circled by 108 small shrines. After a stop at the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), you’ll sail through the night to Matiari, a charming village known for its brass working. Cruise on to the battlefield of Plassey before mooring at Khushbagh. 

Visit the peaceful Mughal garden surrounding ancient tombs before stopping at the Hazarduari Palace. The palace was built in 1837 and houses an extensive collection of artefacts and artwork representing the area’s history. Continue to the great Katra Mosque and Katgola Palace for an insight into a particularly interesting point in English and Indian history. 

Experience rural India with a stop at the sleepy village of Baranagar and walk through its fields to three miniature terracotta temples before continuing to the lower Ganges (or Hooghly), which becomes a picturesque waterway lined with mustard fields and mango orchards. 

As you approach the end of your voyage, you’ll disembark for a full-day trip to the historical site of Gaur. Gaur was once one of India’s finest cities, dating back to the 12th century, but it is now a deserted land with just the remains of mosques, palaces, and gateways where it once stood. 

Your journey will end on the eighth day, and you’ll return to Kolkata. 

Day 12: Kolkata 

Spend another night in your home away from home, the Glenburn Penthouse, and catch up on any activities you missed during your first three days in Kolkata. 

Days 13-17: Kaziranga National Park 

Fly north to Guwahati, transfer to Kaziranga National Park and check into the Diphlu River Lodge. The park is home to a wide variety of animal species, including the world’s largest population of Indian one-horned rhinos and a high density of Bengal Tigers. On guided safari trips from your lodge, you may also spot leopards, sloth bears, swamp deer, water buffalo, and reptile life.  

If you’re more interested in the avifauna, Kaziranga comprises over 400 species of native and migratory birds, from hornbills to fish eagles to peacock pheasants. Spend your days here exploring the biodiversity of the park and your evenings relaxing at the lodge’s cosy bar and restaurant, where some wildlife may even come to you. 

Day 18: Fly Home 

Depart Guwahati for your onward flight. You can either continue your trip further into India or connect in Delhi for a flight straight back to the UK.