Enjoy a luxury river cruise on the Lower Ganges in India aboard the boutique river cruises RV Pandaw Orient before heading to the Himalayas to discover the mountain kingdom of Bhutan.

Embarking from Calcutta, begin a journey along the lower reaches of one of the world's great rivers. There can be no river in the world as sacred as the Ganges and an expedition on the Lower Ganges or Hooghly is one of the prettiest river journeys imaginable.

The river wends its way through the lush countryside of West Bengal with its culturally significant towns crammed with temples and palaces.

Your cruise vessel for this remarkable journey will be the RV Pandaw, a boutique river cruiser built in 2012, with 30 staterooms on two decks, all with private veranda space.

After your cruise fly to Bhutan for a 5-night tour of Bhutan, one of the least visited countries in the world. See the highlights of this mysterious mountain kingdom including the finest monasteries and cultural highlights.

All of our India & Bhutan holidays are totally tailor made around the cruise itinerary and can be tailored to your interests, with pre and post cruise accommodation, touring or other extensions added to your requirements.

Day 1: Depart the UK

Fly from UK to Calcutta.

Day 2: Calcutta

On arrival you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel with the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight Calcutta. Breakfast included.

Day 3: Calcutta

Enjoy a full day tour of Calcutta.

In the morning, join the Heritage Tram Ride across the Old Town to witness the bygone era of charming Bengali colonies, chic cafes and traditional houses.

Visit the sacred Hooghly Riverside to see Howrah Bridge, 1906 Howrah Junction Railway Station, St John's Church, the Old Court House and the Colonial Secretariat Buildings.

The next stop is the riverside located Mullik Ghat to explore some of India’s most colourful Flower Bazaar Markets.

Continue to the Victoria Memorial, a landmark of Calcutta and now serving as a royal museum of British Rule in India. From here, visit the iconic Eden Garden Cricket Stadium.

Visit Mother Teresa’s Mission and House and afterwards discover the curious lanes of Kumartuli. The tour ends at Calcutta's New Market area to enjoy some street shopping and bargaining with the locals.

Overnight Calcutta. Breakfast included.

Day 4: Calcutta - Barrackpore

Transfer from your hotel to embark and sail at noon. Sail past the old Danish colony of Serampore to Barrackpore to land and take a walk through the cantonment – past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and Flagstaff House.

Overnight On Board. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 5: Chandernagore

Sail up to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950.

Visit the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House, the erstwhile Governor-General of French India.

Sail upstream past the old Dutch settlement of Chinsura before landing to visit the imposing Imambara at Hooghly.

With verses from the Koran written on its walls, the Imambara is an opportunity to step back in time and relive a slice of Islamic history in Bengal. Sail into the night to a mooring near Kalna.

Overnight on board. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 6: Kalna

Sail upstream and, after breakfast, land at the country town of Kalna and take cycle rickshaws to see a group of some of Bengal’s most attractive terracotta temples, as well as the unique Shiva temple with concentric rings made up of 108 lesser shrines.

Continue on through the countryside to Mayapur to visit the vast new ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) temple which dominates the skyline.

As the headquarters of ISKCON or the Hare Krishna movement, the temple receives over a million singing and dancing devotees a year from around the world. Sail on through the night to a mooring near Matiari.

Overnight on board. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 7: Matiari

This morning visit the brass-working village of Matiari, a charming riverside village.

Interact with the locals and witness the whole process of beating out brass water pots and other vessels.

Later, cruise on and visit the battlefield of Plassey where, in 1757, Robert Clive, the Commander-in-Chief of British India, defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal, to change the course of Indian history. Moor close to Murshidabad for the night.

Overnight on board. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 8: Murshidabad

This morning, walk to the Khushbagh, a peaceful Mughal-style garden that encloses the tombs of Siraj-ud-Daulah – the last independent Nawab of Bengal – and his family.

Continue a little way upstream to where the great Hazarduari Palace dominates the waterfront. Built by an English architect in 1837, the palace hosts an extensive collection of pictures, china, weapons and other objects.

Carry on to visit the great Katra Mosque and Nashipara Palace before driving out to see the Katgola Palace.

Built in classical Georgian style by rich local merchants, Katgola Palace represents the other side of the coin of the 'White Mughal' period when English and Indian cultures came close to fusion. Moor overnight on the riverbank across from town.

Overnight on board. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 9: Baranagar

This morning, walk through the fields of the delightfully sleepy village of Baranagar to visit its three gorgeous miniature terracotta temples.

Life on Board Pandaw

Life on board a river cruise is quite different from ocean cruising. Things are very much more informal, with no ‘Captain’s Table' or dressing up for dinner.

Unlike ocean cruising, all excursions and most other things are included in the price, such as drinks and tips for the crew.

With one member of crew per two passengers, the service on board is incredibly high and very personal.

Things are very relaxed on board a Pandaw River Cruise - with no unnecessary and wearisome PA announcements and no disturbing TV’s from neighbouring cabins.

Pandaw Club Members

Cruised with Pandaw before?

Then make sure you sign up as a Pandaw Club Member with us to receive further discounts and benefits on your next Pandaw Cruise holiday with Jasmine Holidays.

Benefits include:

• Exclusive Members Club Cruise Discount
• Unlimited in-house wine package worth up to $220
• Free Laundry Service worth $50
• Pre-post Expedition Discount

Remember that we guarantee a better price than booking direct and your holiday can be completely tailor made and will always be ATOL Protected if your holiday is flight inclusive.