The Holy Ganges: An India River Cruise Adventure

The Ganges river system in India is more than just a waterway, it’s a purveyor of life. For the millions of people who live near its shores, the river is the embodiment of the Hindu goddess Ganga and her life-bringing properties.  

Pandaw Cruises, a premier small-ship luxury cruise line, offers guests the chance to experience all the Ganges has to offer with a new expedition exploring the lower part of the river system on their luxury ship Pandaw Orient.

Ganges River System | India

For seven nights, guests will sail from Kolkata to Farraka on the Ganges relishing in the spectacular beauty of India and the rich culture which makes the country so unique.

Cruise the Lower Ganges

The itinerary is brand new to Pandaw Cruises and adds to an already outstanding list of river cruise adventures including Burma, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and China.

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India’s allure stems from a culture of life and celebration. Numerous festivals and holy days line the Indian calendar, so it’s almost always a great time to visit and experience something new.

“We’re delighted to have our own ship positioned in India and are excited to be able to offer our customers the full Pandaw experience in a totally new destination,” said Pandaw founder, Paul Strachan. “There’s no river in the world as sacred as The Ganges and an expedition on the Lower Ganges (or “Hooghly”) is one of the most picturesque journeys imaginable.”

India’s history is rife with colonization from not just Great Britain, but numerous other European countries as well. The first day of the cruise, guests leave Kolkata and pass by the Danish colony of Serampore to Barrackpore, where passengers enjoy a stroll through the cantonment – past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and Flagstaff House.

Lattan Mosque | Gaur, India

From there, the journey ventures deeper north through colonized lands to the city of Farraka, an area where Muslim and Hindu relics hundreds of years old remain undisturbed and ripe for exploration. 

Experience an India River Cruise

Pandaw Cruises boasts a history nearly as old as the region being explored. Founded in 1865, Pandaw enjoys a long legacy cruising the many rivers of Southeast Asia. Their small ships are renowned for their luxury and craftsmanship and a shallow draft allows for unmatched river exploration.

The first Lower Ganges cruise debuts December 23, 2018 and offers weekly departures until the end of April 2019. The itinerary starts back up in July 2019 through to April 2020.

— Evan Gove