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Avalon Waterways Spirit of the Ganges (WDK)

7 Day River Cruise Kolkata to Kolkata 
Enter a world of color, culture, and cherished spiritual tradition on this India river cruise vacation. The holy river of Hinduism, the Ganges, slowly courses through one of the world’s most fertile and populated areas. Along its banks, human life is connected to its waters and you’ll get a glimpse of life away from India’s big cities. See muslin weaving in Kalna and sweet making in Matiari. Stop in Murshidabad for an excursion to Azimganj and Jiaganj—to tour a historic mansion and see a gold and silver making demonstration. Explore the fascinating Hare Krishna headquarters in Mayapur, and visit Mother Teresa’s former home upon your return to Kolkata.

All of this and more await you on this once-in-a-lifetime Ganges River cruise.

Avalon Highlights & Sightseeing

Day 1 Kolkata, India (Embarkation): Welcome reception

Day 2 Kalna: Sightseeing by rickshaw; visit a temple complex to receive blessings from a priest and visit a muslin-weaver’s home

Day 3 Matiari: Walking tour of village to interact with brass craftsmen and see traditional sweets being made

Day 4 Murshidabad. Excursion to Azimganj & Jiaganj: Travel by electric rickshaw to see saree weaving in Jiaganj; Guided Walk through Azimganj to see the local crafts market, visit Bari Kothi; silver and gold making demonstration

Day 5 Mayapur–Guptipara: Morning visit to the ISKCON temple in Mayapur; rickshaw ride through Guptipara to see pottery-making and a farmer’s home

Day 6 Kolkata: Guided walk through the flower market; visit Mother Teresa’s Home, a home for orphaned children, and the Victoria Memorial Museum; farewell dance performance

Day 7 Kolkata: End of vacation

Related Avalon Tours

WDK - Spirit of the Ganges
WDKE - With Kathmandu
WDKI - Colorful India & the Ganges River
WDKQ - With Southern India & Varanasi
WDKY - With Southern India, Varanasi & Kathmandu

Itinerary (2024)

Day 1KOLKATA (EMBARKATION)
 Welcome to West Bengal. Your Ship Awaits.

Get acquainted with the ship prior to your welcome reception this evening.

AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO KALNA

(D)
Day 2KALNA
 Rituals, Rickshaws, and a Muslin Weavers

DISCOVERY Ride on cycle rickshaws during your Guided Exploration of Kalna. Along the way visit the historic terracotta temple complex and receive blessings from the temple priest. Also visit a muslin-weaver’s home.

Enjoy a free afternoon on board your ship.

AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO MATIARI

(B,L,D)
Day 3MATIARI
 Sweet Shops and Shiny Brass

DISCOVERY Join a Guided Walk through the village of Matiari where fascinating scenes of everyday life unfold in front of you. Stop to see how traditional sweets are made and explore the local produce market. The village is best known for brass-making and you’ll see how scrap metal is recycled to make figurines and functional items such as tea sets and vases. For the final step, watch a talented craftsman delicately hand-hammer intricate patterns into the brass.

Enjoy a free afternoon onboard your ship.

AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO MURSHIDABAD

(B,L,D)
Day 4MURSHIDABAD. EXCURSION TO AZIMGANJ & JIAGANJ
 A Land of Silver, Gold, and Silk Sarees

DISCOVERY Guided Sightseeing brings you to two towns on opposite sides of the river. In Jiaganj, travel by electric rickshaw to see the art of Baluchari saree weaving. In Azimganj, walk through the local crafts market and visit Bari Kothi, a former residence that has been restored to its former grandeur after being abandoned for over half a century. Tour several rooms for a glimpse into the past, then settle in for a silver- and gold-making demonstration in the garden.

Relax this afternoon onboard your ship.

AFTERNOON/EVENING SAILING TO MAYAPUR

(B,L,D)
Day 5MAYAPUR–GUPTIPARA
 A Holy Pilgrimage on the Ganges

CLASSIC Your Morning Excursion brings you to the fascinating ISKCON campus at Mayapur, the worldwide headquarters of the Hare Krishna movement. Your guided tour of the campus and main temple will introduce you to the Hare Krishna philosophy and life on campus.

DISCOVERY This afternoon, climb aboard a Rickshaw (Toto) Ride for your visit to the small riverside village of Guptipara. Along the way see pottery and idol making. You’ll also visit a farmer’s home to interact with the family.

AFTERNOON/EVENING SAILING TO KOLKATA

(B,L,D)
Day 6KOLKATA
 Flowers, Faith, and Victorian Art

CLASSIC This morning, take a Guided Walk through the colorful flower market. Afterward, focus on the life and work of Mother Teresa who dedicated her life to helping the city’s poor. Stop at her former home prior to visiting Nirmala Shishu Bhavan, a home for orphaned children run by Missionaries of Charity which she founded in 1950.

CLASSIC After lunch, join a Guided Visit to the Victoria Memorial Museum. Built to commemorate Queen Victoria, the museum houses a beautiful collection of paintings, textiles, weapons, and other artifacts from the Victorian era.

Tonight, a farewell Dance Performance is presented on the ship.

(B,L,D)
Day 7KOLKATA (DISEMBARKATION)
 Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

(B)

Avalon Pricing Details

Port charges:
$98

Gratuities to Local Guides & drivers are included. (excludes extensions which are to be paid locally).

Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability). Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.

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