The Holy Ganges

Breakfast on board and start sailing into the almost sea-like Ganges proper, just above the great Farakka Barrage. You sail for much of the morning before anchoring at Rajmahal, one of those places that feature in no guidebook, yet offer both interest and atmosphere in abundance. Once known as Akbar Nagar, the town was founded by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his eastern capital and Shah Jehan, builder of the Taj Mahal, spent much of his youth here. There are remains of palaces, forts and mosques submerged in vegetation which you can explore before sailing on as far as Manihari Ghat.

Lunch, dinner and overnight on board

Breakfast on board and start sailing passing the confluence with the Kosi River which flows down from Nepal and on arrival at idyllic Bateshwar, with its 6th century Hindu carvings, and the nearby ruins of an 8th century Buddhist stupa and monastery at Vikramshila.

Later, you continue onwards to Colganj, where the ship awaits you. Sailing on, you’ll pass close to an island shrine with both Buddhist and Hindu cave temples, once the centre of the murderous Thug sect.

Lunch, dinner and overnight on board.

Breakfast on board and start sailing along a stretch of river where you will have the chance to see endangered Gangetic Dolphin.

Later land at Bhagalpur, a centre of silk production, to visit the silk-weaving village and an elegant 18th century mansion built by Augustus Clevland, the collector and magistrate of the town back in the day. You’ll then continue on to Jahangira Island at Sultanganj, a place of pilgrimage with early Hindu carvings in the rock. On shore, another picturesque rock is topped with a mosque, and the stop offers a chance to stroll around the vibrant local market.

Lunch, dinner and overnight on board

Breakfast on board and start sailing towards Monghyr (Munger), with its large Mughal fort and East India Company cemetery, where villagers now live among the grandiose tombs.

Also visit the Pirpahar Hill, crowned by a fine old mansion, and the Sita Kund hot springs, before continuing your cruise.

Lunch, dinner and overnight on board .

Breakfast on board and start sailing passing under the great bridge at Mokameh, where the naturalist Jim Corbett spent his working life in charge of the ferry which operated here in days gone by. Visit a bankside village and stretch your legs before sailing on to arrive by evening at Barh.

Lunch, dinner and overnight on board .

Breakfast on board, later excursion (by coach) to Nalanda, where visits include the excavated great Buddhist monastery and stupa along with the adjoining museum. Nalanda was also the world’s oldest seat of learning, once welcoming over 10,000 students at its height. Later, visit the marbled Pawapuri Jain temple in the middle of a lake before returning in the evening to Barh to reboard the ship.

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Lunch, dinner and overnight on board .

Breakfast on board, today we cruise the whole day watching how life unfold on the riverbanks. En-route we take a short stop at a bankside village to explore the rural area. You’ll arrive in the evening at Patna, the state capital of Bihar, and moor close to the old East India Company opium warehouses.

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Lunch, dinner and overnight on board

Breakfast on board.  ​Morning leave for Patna city tour, visiting the 18^th century Gola Ghar granary, the great Sikh gurdwara and the rich collections of the State Museum.

Later disembark the ship in Patna and proceed with your onward journey