Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Kolkata
On arrival at the airport, be met and transferred to your premium hotel, the Taj Bengal.
Day 2: Kolkata
Today you will set off on a sightseeing tour to take in some of Kolkata’s famous landmarks, including the vibrant Mullik Ghat Flower Market. Other highlights include the Howrah Bridge and ‘Nirmal Hriday’, commonly known as Mother Teresa’s House. Enjoy an afternoon of leisure or choose a Heritage Walk (additional charge). Later this evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner at your hotel.
Day 3: Kolkata, Farakka, Embark Ship
Today you will be transferred to Howrah train station to board your Shatabdi Express from Kolkata to Farakka. Once you’ve settled into your seat, watch the landscapes of India unfold before you. Upon arrival in Farakka, you will be transferred to your river ship for your incredible seven-night cruise.
Day 4: Gaur
Discover the city of Gaur. The city is strewn with ancient monuments and the remains of mosques. Rejoin the ship near Jangipur.
Day 5: Baranagar, Murshidabad
This morning, take a stroll through the fields of the village of Baranagar. Here, visit three miniature terracotta temples. Continue cruising downstream, where the Hazarduari Palace dominates the Murshidabad waterfront. Later, see the Katra Mosque before visiting Kathgola Palace.
Day 6: Murshidabad
Begin with a trip to the Khushbagh, a garden cemetery of the Nawabs of Bengal. Continue cruising to the battlefield of Plassey, a 1757 battle that changed the course of Indian history.
Day 7: Matiari, Mayapur
Explore the riverside village of Matiari, then continue cruising downstream to Mayapur. See the ISKCON temple, which dominates the town’s skyline and mingle with the Hare Krishna devotees.
Day 8: Kalna
Discover Kalna today, famous for its iconic terracotta temples. Rejoin your ship and sail on to Hooghly to visit the imposing Imambara, and then it’s on to Chandannagar, one of five French settlements in India.
Day 9: Chandannagar, Barrackpore
Cruise to Chandannagar and spend time exploring. See the 18th-century French church and the Dupleix’s House. Continue cruising to Barrackpore and take a walk through the cantonment.
Day 10: Kolkata, Disembark Ship
Disembark this morning in Kolkata. Visit Victoria Memorial and St Paul’s Cathedral. Tonight, savour a delicious Bengali and Raj influenced dinner at Sonargaon Restaurant, one of the premium dining establishments inside your hotel.
Day 11: Kolkata, Delhi
This morning say goodbye to Kolkata and transfer to the airport for your included flight to Delhi, India’s capital. On arrival you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Tonight, get to know your Great Rail Journeys Tour Escort during a dinner at your hotel.
Day 12: Delhi
Today you will explore Old and New Delhi, India’s vibrant metropolis blends medieval, colonial and modern architecture. Visit Jama Masjid, a 17th-century mosque, India’s largest before setting out on a rickshaw ride. Continue to New Delhi to visit Humayun’s Tomb. Thought to have inspired the magnificent Taj Mahal, the World Heritage-listed tomb perfectly combines elements of Persian and Mughal architecture in its design. You will also explore the wide leafy avenues, stop at Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Gandhi, admire India Gate and the 13th-century Qutab Minar, a World Heritage-listed monument and the world’s tallest brick minaret.
Day 13: Delhi, Agra
Transfer to the station where you’ll board India’s first semi high speed train, the Gatimaan Express to Agra. Once in Agra, embark on a sightseeing tour of the World Heritage-listed Agra Fort. One of the city’s most historic sites, the fort has served as both a military point and a royal residence in the past. Continue to the iconic Taj Mahal. The structure took over 22 years to build and is a wonder to behold. Its glittering white marble domes inspire awe, and almost seem to change colours throughout the day depending on the position of the sun.
Day 14: Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Ranthambore National Park
Transfer from Agra to Ranthambore National Park, stopping en route at the abandoned ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri, a World Heritage-site for a guided tour. This town to the west of Agra was once known as the City of Victory. Built in the 16th-century, Fatehpur Sikri is home to a number of impressive monuments and temples. Enjoy lunch at Laxmi Vilas Palace Bharatpur before boarding the Shatabdi Express train for the last leg of your trip to Ranthambore National Park. Dinner is at your hotel.
Day 15: Ranthambore National Park
Today, search for the elusive Bengal tiger on guided morning and afternoon game drives through Ranthambore National Park. Ranthambore is also home to many more unique animals including leopards, sloth bears and striped hyenas. Enjoy an evening talk by a local naturalist about the park and its diverse wildlife.
Day 16: Ranthambore National Park, Jaipur
Spend the morning at your leisure. After lunch, depart by coach to the picturesque and historic city of Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan.
Day 17: Jaipur
This morning is dedicated to an in-depth exploration of Jaipur. Begin with a guided tour of Amber Fort. The striking architecture is a unique blend of Hindu and Islamic styles. Its exterior contrasts with the interior with many of the rooms elaborately painted with decadent mirrors and precious stones. Enjoy time at your leisure for lunch before jumping right back into your sightseeing. Visit sites including the City Palace and the World Heritage–listed 18th-century Jantar Mantar Astronomical Observatory, and drive by Jaipur’s most distinctive landmark, the ‘Palace of the Winds’.
Day 18: Jaipur, Mumbai
Transfer to the airport for your included flight to Mumbai, set on India’s west coast beside the Arabian Sea. You’ll be transferred to your hotel before observing a cooking demonstration, introducing you to the rich and vibrant food culture of the city.
Day 19: Mumbai
Rise early for a Mumbai by dawn walking tour under the beautiful morning light. Visit the fishing docks of Colaba, see the colonial architecture of DN Road, experience the bustling environment of Crawford Market, explore the fascinating neighbourhoods of Byculla and Dadar, and admire the colours of Mahalaxmi Dhobhi Ghat, the world’s largest open-air laundry. Return to your hotel for breakfast and spend the rest of the morning at your leisure before taking an afternoon sightseeing tour of Mumbai icons including the Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal, a 19th century World Heritage listed railway station and Mani Bhavan, Gandhi’s former home and now a museum. Enjoy a delicious Farewell Dinner at your hotel.
Day 20: Depart Mumbai
After breakfast, transfer to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport where your journey ends.
