Heritage of India & the Ganges River with Varanasi

16 Day Tour from Delhi to Kolkata
Discover a world of color, culture, and the cherished spiritual heritage of India. Your guided tour of India and Ganges River cruise begins in the bustling city of Delhi. First, travel to Varanasi, the holiest of Hindu pilgrim cities, to observe the striking Ganga Aarti (spiritual worship) on the ghats (steps) leading down to the sacred Ganges River. Return to Delhi and tour the city with your expert Tour Director. Take a rickshaw ride through the Chandni Chowk bazaar—brimming with everything from silver and spices to saris of every color. You’ll visit Qutub Minar—the world’s largest brick minaret and see Delhi’s largest Sikh gurudwara (house of worship), before traveling to Agra—site of the legendary Taj Mahal. You’ll encounter more stunning sights with a sunset excursion to the Taj Mahal—the iconic memorial built by Moghul emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife. More than 20 years in the making, the Taj Mahal stands as the pinnacle of love’s devotion, where you’ll also have the opportunity to experience this iconic site at sunrise.


You’ll continue to the city of Jaipur, with its famous Palace of the Winds, and spectacular Amber Fort, before flying to Kolkata to board your cruise on the Ganges River—the holy river of Hinduism, as it slowly courses through one of the world’s most fertile and populated areas. Along its banks, human life is connected to its waters where you’ll get a glimpse of life apart from India’s big cities. From fascinating muslin weaving in Nabadwip and pottery making in Guptipara, you’ll explore the fascinating Hare Krishna headquarters in Mayapur and visit the stunning Hooghly Imambara upon your return to Kolkata.

All of this and more await you on this once-in-a-lifetime guided tour of India with a Ganges River cruise.
All This. Included
Special features included in this tour:

• Take a boat ride at dawn to observe the Hindus’ devotional bathing and meditation rituals in the Ganges River
• Witness the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony on the steps leading to the Ganges
• Guided visit to Sarnath, the “Cradle of Buddhism”
• Guided city sightseeing in Delhi including Red Fort, Jama Masjid,
• Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, India Gate, and Presidential Palace
• Rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk bazaar
• Visit to Agra Fort
• Guided tour of the Taj Mahal at sunset with second visit at sunrise
• Visits to the Amber Fort, City Palace Museum, and Jantar Mantar in Jaipur
• Guided city sightseeing in Kolkata including St. John’s Church, Victoria
• Memorial Museum, and colonial landmarks
• Seven-night Ganges River cruise aboard the elegant Antara MV Bengal Ganga, featuring spacious rooms and French balconies
• Rickshaw ride to Guptipara and visit to potter’s home
• Visit to Rajbari temple complex by rickshaw
• Guided visit with a Krishna leader to ISKCON’s spiritual campus
• Visits to local weaving villages of Fulia and Nabadwip
• Excursion to Chandernagore including a guided walk along the promenade and visits to the Institut de Chandernagore and the Sacred Heart Church
• Intra-vacation flights as listed in the itinerary