Mumbai to West Bengal

Upon arrival in Mumbai, transfer to our hotel.

After breakfast, we pass through the famous Gateway of India and take a boat ride to a small island where we explore the Elephanta Caves, a cluster of 6th- to 8th-century rock-cut caves carved adorned with sculptures depicting Shiva. Return to the hotel for lunch before setting out again for the Prince of Wales Museum, now known as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya. Founded in the early 20th century to commemorate the visit of George V, the museum houses over 50,000 exhibits of ancient Indian history. Gather this evening for a welcome reception and dinner in the hotel.

This morning, ride along Marine Drive, an oceanfront promenade lined with art deco buildings, as we make our way to Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya, a Gujarati-style house in Mumbai where Mahatma Gandhi lived from 1917 to 1934. The three-story home is now a memorial to Gandhi and his campaign for India’s independence. After lunch at a local restaurant, transfer to the airport for our flight to Hyderabad.

Begin our exploration of Hyderabad at the beautifully restored British Residency, a Palladian-style villa that served as the seat of British India’s power in Hyderabad. Next, head to the iconic Charminar with its four minarets and wander among the shops selling colorful bangles, embroidered fabric, and other goods in the nearby Laad Bazaar. See the Mecca Masjid, one of India’s largest mosques, and Chowmahalla Palace, which served as the seat of power of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. Return to the hotel for lunch and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. After dinner, set out for a drive to take in the fireworks and colorful lights on display for Diwali, the Festival of Lights.

After breakfast, venture to Golkonda Fort, a sprawling fortress complex that served as the capital of the Qutub Shahi kings during the 16th and 17th centuries. Tour the extensive grounds among palace ruins, mosques, and stables. Afterward, visit the nearby Qutub Shahi tombs, built by the various kings of the Qutub Shahi dynasty.

Late this morning, transfer to the airport for our flight to Bhubaneswar, capital of the state of Odisha. Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Once the capital of the Kalinga Empire, Bhubaneshwar is home to numerous ancient temples. See its largest, Lingaraja Temple; Parshuram Temple, one of the oldest and best-preserved temples in Odisha; and Rajarani Temple, named after its red and yellow sandstone. Afterward, drive to nearby Konark for lunch and a visit to Konark Temple, built in the 13th century in honor of Surya, the Sun God. The temple depicts Surya’s chariot with 24 wheels pulled by six horses. The temple itself is covered with reliefs of lions, musicians, and dancers.

On our way to Puri, stop in the artisan village of Raghurajpur to admire the various handicrafts such as Patta Paintings, palm leaf engravings, stone carvings, paper toys and masks, and wood carvings. Continue to Puri and the Jagannath Temple complex, a Hindu pilgrimage center said to have one of the largest kitchens in the world. After lunch, return to Bhubaneshwar, pausing in the small town of Pipli, known for its traditional appliqué handicrafts, and home to the Dhauli Shanti Stupa.

After a relaxed breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for our flight to Kolkata, capital of West Bengal. Upon arrival, transfer to the Hooghly River, distributary of the sacred Ganges, and board our river vessel. Settle into our cabins and enjoy lunch as we begin our journey upstream. Later in the day, disembark in Bandel for a visit to the Hooghly Imambara, a famous Shia pilgrimage center famous for its Victorian clock with a winding key weighing nearly 50 pounds. Back on board, continue cruising to Kalna.

Take in the sights and sounds of Kalna on a rickshaw ride. Next, venture to the enchanting Rajbari complex to walk among the palace ruins and various temples. Reboard the Ganges Voyager and as we continue sailing, witness the Chhath Puja festival, where women gather along the banks of the river to offer prayers, flowers, and fruits to the setting sun, seeking the health, prosperity, and well-being of their families.

Enjoy an early morning walk to Matiari, a small village known for its beautiful brass items, handcrafted using traditional methods passed down for generations. Next, sail past the battlefield of Plassey, where Robert Clive of British East India Company defeated the Mogul Nawabs in 1757. Early this evening, we visit the charming village of Khushbagh, home to the garden-cemetery of the Nawabs of Bengal and the tomb of the last Nawab of Bengal.

After breakfast, we cruise to the sleepy village of Baranagar where we walk among a series of brick temples built by Rani Bhabani, the Queen of Natore, in the 18th century. Return to the ship and sail downstream through countryside dotted with mustard fields and mango orchards, passing villages where locals greet us from the banks. Arrive in Murshidabad, once the home of wealthy banking and merchant families. Visit the Hazarduari Palace with vast corridors lined with more than a thousand doors and filled with colonial era antiques, artwork, and manuscripts. Afterward, take a scenic ride by local buggy to the Katra Masjid, a former Shia caravanserai, mosque, and tomb.

Stop in the village of Mayapur, a holy pilgrimage town known as the birthplace of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, considered an incarnation of Lord Krishna. Mayapur is also the headquarters of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) movement with a new temple comparable in size to the Vatican and largely funded by Alfred B. Ford, the great grandson of car maker Henry Ford. Meet Krishna followers and walk through the pilgrim’s bazaar.

This morning, cruise to Chandannagar, established as a French colony in 1673. Take in the French colonial buildings along the promenade, including the former French governor’s residence and the Sacred Heart Church. We then return to the ship and continue our journey downstream to Kolkata.

After breakfast, bid farewell to our ship and embark on a tour of Kolkata with its well-preserved British colonial buildings. See the Writers’ Building, the General Post Office, the governor’s residence, and Town Hall, and wander through the flower stalls of Mullick Ghat Flower Market. After lunch, proceed to the airport for our flight to Delhi.

After breakfast, return to the airport for flights returning home.