Compare Ganges Discovery Voyage - Kolkata to Jaipur by Insider Journeys vs Meaningful India by Sky Vacations

Day 1: Kolkata

On arrival, transfer to the Ganges Voyager and settle into your luxurious suite. After lunch, visit the Mother Teresa house and tomb which is a permanent exhibition of her life and charity work in Kolkata. This evening enjoy a cocktail welcome reception and dinner while getting to know your fellow travelers and Western Cruise Director.

Day 2: Kolkata & Bandel

Enjoy an early morning city tour to explore the well-preserved British-colonial area and visit St John’s church, the oldest Anglican church in Kolkata. Continue to the Victoria Memorial Museum containing the largest collection of British-colonial history in India. Return to the ship for lunch as you sail to Bandel and spend time exploring the Hooghly Imambara, one of the famous Shiya pilgrimage centers in West Bengal.

Day 3: Kalna

Discover the city center of Kalna en route to the enchanting Rajbari complex that has the highest concentration of temples in the region.

Day 4: Cruising The Ganges

Rise early to visit a shore-side bazaar at Matiari. The town is known for traditional manufacturing of beautifully handcrafted brass items. Enjoy breakfast on board as you continue sailing upstream passing the intriguing sites along the Ganges.

Day 5: Barabagar & Murshidabad

Visit the charming village of Khushbagh and enjoy a scenic drive as you pass local farming fields. Visit a well-preserved mosque complex by Nawab Ali- Wardi-Khan. Relax on board with breakfast as you continue cruising to Baranagar. Sail pass charming countryside villages as you approach the city of Murshidabad, a hidden architectural gem. Enjoy a scenic ride by local buggy to the Katra mosque which is one of the oldest mosques still utilised for Friday prayer. This evening enjoy a delicious dinner and local cultural performance on board.

Day 6: Mayapur

Spend the morning on deck as you sail to the village of Mayapur. Gain an understanding of the fascinating culture of the Krishna Consciousness Movement and their ornate and colorfully decorated statues within the complex.

Day 7: Chandenagor

Visit Chandenagor, which was established as a French colony in 1673 and later became a key trading port on the Ganges. Explore the French-colonial buildings along the promenade and visit the Sacred Heart Church of Chandenagor and the old French bakery still baking fresh baguettes daily. Celebrate your last evening on board with a farewell dinner and continue sailing downstream to Kolkata.

Day 8: Varanasi

Accommodation: Radisson Varanasi

Disembark Ganges Voyager and transfer to Kolkata Airport. Fly to Varanasi and transfer to your hotel, Radisson Varanasi on arrival.

Day 9: Varanasi

Accommodation: Radisson Varanasi

Discover Varanasi, the spiritual heart of India on an insightful city tour. Rise early to see pilgrims bathing in the ghats of the Ganges, and wonder the incense-filled laneways of the old city. In the evening, enjoy a sunset aarthi ceremony.

Day 10: Delhi

Accommodation: The Metropolitan

Transfer to the airport and fly to Delhi. On arrival transfer to your hotel, The Metropolitan. During the afternoon visit Qutab Minar and walk through one of Delhi’s most iconic and ancient sites and marvel at the huge red stone tower and finely preserved ruins.

Day 11: Delhi

Accommodation: The Metropolitan

Wander the largest mosque in India, Jama Masjid, and the classic Moghul-style Humayan’s Tomb. Continue to Old Delhi and explore the lively trading streets.

Day 12: Agra

HOTEL: Radisson Blu Agra

Drive to Agra and check into your hotel, Radisson Blu Agra. After lunch, explore the Red Fort with your first views of the Taj Mahal.

Day 13: Taj Mahal & Jaipur

Accommodation: Jai Mahal Palace

Visit the iconic, Taj Mahal as the magical dawn hues fall across the great marble domes. Drive to Fatehpur Sikri and enjoy a tour. Continue on to the Pink City of Jaipur and settle into your hotel, Jai Mahal Palace before enjoying dinner at the hotel.

Day 14: Jaipur

Accommodation: Jai Mahal Palace

Spend the morning visiting Amber Fort before continuing on to visit the City Palace and Observatory with free time to explore the bazaar. Enjoy a farewell dinner at Dera Amer.

Day 15: Jaipur

Enjoy free time until your departure transfer.

NOTE:

This itinerary is based on the Insider Journeys exclusive charters traveling from Kolkata.

Day 01 Arrive Delhi

Upon arrival at Delhi airport, you will be met by your Sky Vacations ambassador who will assist with with your transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore, unwind and rejuvenate.

Day 02 Delhi

This morning after breakfast proceed for a guided tour of Old Delhi. Hop on to a cycle rickshaw and ride through the rugged-rustic lanes of Old Delhi. The tours take you through some iconic streets like Chandni Chowk and other important landmarks of Old Delhi including mansions and colourful bazaars. During the tour you will be savouring some hot Jalebi’s a traditional Indian sweet and Samosa at a nearly 200-year-old sweet shop. Drive past the Red Fort made of Red sandstone built by Emperor Shahjahan. Drive around Lutyens Delhi which was also designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. Drive past India Gate which was built to commemorate the undivided British Indian Army who died in World War I (1914-21). A stone’s throw away from India Gate lies the Rashtrapati Bhavan or Presidential Palace built between 1919 to 1925.

Post Lunch visit Mukti Ashram Founded in 1991 by Nobel Peace Laureate Mr. Kailash Satyarthi and managed by Bachpan Bachao Andolan, Mukti Ashram was formed as the first centre in India for rescued child laborers. It is a transit center where children stay for a short period of time till their repatriation. The transit rehabilitation center provides a holistic support for rebuilding lives of these children. The ashram receives custody of rescued child laborers on the order of Child Welfare Committee (CWC). In addition to care and protection, the centre also caters to medical, psychological, recreational, social and learning needs of Children.

Day 03 Delhi / Agra

After breakfast its time to head to the medieval city of Agra located on the banks of the Yamuna River, founded by Sultan Sikandar Lodi in 1506. During the Mughal reign, began the golden age in Agra. It remained the capital of the Mughal Empire under Emperor Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. Check in and have lunch.

Following lunch proceed to visit the Agra Fort. The Fort was built by Akbar in 1565 and further developed by successive generations. This well-preserved fortress built of red-sandstone is a UNESCO site and dominates a bend of the river Yamuna- with a magnificent view of the Taj. The interior boasts of many grand buildings which include the Royal Pavilions, the Diwan-e-Am (hall of public audience) and Diwan-e-khas (hall of private audience) usually reserved for other kings and dignitaries.

At sunset visit the Taj Mahal (closed on Friday) – Situated on the banks of the River Yamuna, a monument of love built by the Mughal Emperor Shāh Jahān in memory of his beloved wife, Arjumand Bano Begum, also known as Mumtāz Mahal. It took 22 years to build. The white marble came from Makrana in Rajasthan and the red sandstone from Fatehpur Sikri. Precious stones like jade, crystal, turquoise, lapis lazuli, sapphire, jade, coral and diamonds were brought from far-flung places in Tibet, China, Sri Lanka, Persia and Afghanistan. It is believed that a fleet of 1000 elephants was used to transport the material. Post the tour return to the hotel. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 04 Agra / Fatehpur Sikri / Abhaneri / Jaipur

Post breakfast check out and proceed to Jaipur. Enroute, stop at Fatehpur Sikri – the Ghost Capital of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. The fortress is a UNESCO world heritage site and built entirely of red sandstone, except the tomb of the Saint Salim Chisti, which in stunning contrast, is made of pristine white marble.

Post lunch continue to Jaipur , stop at Abhaneri village and visit Chand Baori the oldest surviving step well in Rajasthan and the most photogenic step well in India. It was built by the King named Chanda or Chandra of the Nikhumbha dynasty and therefore named after the King. The time of the stepwell is 8-9th CE making it 1200-1300 years old. Yes, it is older than Taj Mahal. The city back in the days was called Abha Nagri. When you stand next to this 13 story deep step well with 35,000 symmetric triangular steps leading to the water at the bottom, you cannot but be mesmerized. After the visit continue to Jaipur.

Day 05 Jaipur

After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tour of Jaipur, Stop for a photo visit of the honeycomb designed Hawa Mahal also known as the “Palace of Winds”. Built in 1799, by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, this is one of the major landmarks of Jaipur. It is an integral part of the City Palace, an extension of the Zenana (women’s chambers) from where the royal ladies, who lived in seclusion, observed life on the outside without showing themselves.

Continue your tour and visit the Amber Fort – where you ascend the hill “Maharaja-style” on Elephant back. The Fort is known for its exquisite mirrored halls and lofty ramparts and is a superb example of Rajput architecture. It is strategically located on a hilltop overlooking the lake. This magnificent fort has recently been wonderfully restored bringing back some of its past glory. During return, Continue and enjoy a photo-stop at Jal Mahal Palace.

Post lunch proceed for shopping. At around 5 pm proceed to Dera Mandawa where we shall arrange for Rangoli an art form, originating in the Indian subcontinent, in which patterns are created on the floor or the ground using materials such as colored rice, dry flour, colored sand or flower petals. It is usually made during Diwali, Onam, Pongal and other Hindu festivals in the Indian subcontinent. Designs are passed from one generation to the next, keeping both the art form and the tradition alive.

Later participate in cooking demo followed by dinner with a respected Indian family.After dinner return to the hotel. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 06 Jaipur / Rohet

This morning after breakfast at your hotel, its time to head to Rohetgarh, enroute visit Tilonia, a small village in the desert regions of Rajasthan, India, is home of the Barefoot College. Since 1972, the College has worked to improve the lives of the rural poor by addressing basic needs for water, electricity, housing, health, education and income. Tilonia helps these rural artisans to market their products in India and around the world. With new markets for their crafts, their livelihood is improved and the traditional crafts are continued. Nearly 400 artisans earn supplemental income through sewing, needlework, embroidery, tie-dying, block printing and weaving. Designs and production methods draw on Indian craft traditions that are centuries old – but create modern opportunities for these rural women and men.

Proceed to Rohet and remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 07 Rohet

After breakfast, it’s time to explore an unknown side of India by taking a rural day drive seeing the unspoilt, simple, and pure rural countryside in its full glory. You traverse barren landscapes and witness colourful communities with varied wildlife and avian life. You experience the simplicity and purity of the Indian village life that inexplicably will make you question the complexity of your own. This unique and authentic rural experience is complete with the opportunity to interact with different people from different communities first hand, visit their dwellings, understand their lives, sample rural cuisine and witness other aspects of their day.

Start off-roading and begin with a thrilling dry riverbed drive. The dry riverbed drive is a unique signature experience of Overlander India. Experience 4×4 exhilaration first hand as you power and navigate your way through the cracked crevasses and uneven challenges of a dry riverbed. Various species of birds and some antelope like black buck can be observed as part of the natural habitat. Visit to the Dhani of a family from the Bishnoi community, agricultural communities live in family hamlets of hutments in the midst of their lands. A visit to such communities including the Bishnois, who are known for their conservation and preservation of the environment, provides you with the rare inside into the lives of the world’s first environmentalists and the founders of the “Chipku” movement. Visit an elementary village school to see what the government does for children, we organize a stop at a rural elementary school. Here, a small rural school greet you with a cheerful “good morning” and a prayer as your host explains everything about educating village children. Visit to the Dhani of a family from the Pittal community. See a rural kitchen in action with bread making and sampling. Inspite of being a desert void of fresh produce, the Thar is known for its delicacies, flavours and spices. You get the privilege of seeing a functioning rural kitchen and sample freshly made local breads. Your lunch comprises of vegetables grown in an organic garden, but made in a “smoked” wood village stove. Learn how to craft and Indian “chapatti” with your hands and enjoy lunch in the pure village air. After a truly unforgettable experience you return to your hotel by sundown with memories of a rural visit completely off the beaten path unlike anything else you will experience during your visit to India. Stay overnight at your hotel.

Day 08 Rohet / Ranakpur / Udaipur

This morning post breakfast check out from hotel and drive to Udaipur. Enroute visit Ranakpur, renowned for some marvellously carved Jain temples in marble, created in the 15th century AD during the reign of Rana Kumbha. Later we continue our drive to Udaipur. Arrive Udaipur and check in hotel. Udaipur is a city built around shimmering, clear blue-water lakes that reflect the green of the surrounding Aravalli hills. The famous Lake Palace, that seem to emerge from the peaceful Lake Pichola, whisper memories of tradition and glory. The city of Udaipur is gathered around three lakes – Pichola, Fateh Sagar and Udai Sagar. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 9 Udaipur

This day proceed for tour of Udaipur visiting City Palace, built in 1725, is actually a conglomerate of eleven palaces overlooking the sprawling Lake Pichola. Next visit The Crystal Gallery, one the most lustrous attractions for tourist showcasing the rare and precious crystal from the royal treasure. The gallery is nearly 129 years old (at the time of writing) with the magnificent collection of Oslers Crystals. These precious crystals were ordered by Maharana Sajjan Singh from the famous manufacturers F and C Osler Company, Birmingham, England around 1877 A.D. These treasured crystals are kept in the charismatic City Palace Complex.

Afternoon proceed for a walking tour of the old town where you can walk around and see the artists painting the famous miniatures depicting the glory of the Mughals.

Later in the evening you enjoy boat ride on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From the boat you can see the city of Udaipur as it rises majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. During the boat ride you also visit Jag Mandir Palace. An unforgettable sight on Lake Pichola is the island of Jag Mandir. Maharana Karan Singhji built the palace in 1622 A.D, as a pleasure palace for royal parties and functions. This magnificent monument with its domes, marble pillars and fountains has a special approach of a row of marble elephants that seem to be guarding the island. . Post the ride return to the hotel.

Day 10 Udaipur

This morning we drive 30 mins to visit Sadhana. The three hour tour includes the Delwara Heritage and Community Walk and a visit to the Sadhna facility for a guided stitching and block printing workshop.

Sadhna was established in 1988 to provide alternative incomes for women in Udaipur’s rural, tribal and urban slum belts. As these communities were not dependent on agriculture, handicraft was chosen to be introduced to them. Sadhna taught Patchwork, Appliqué and Tanka embroidery skills to the women for them to earn a secure living. Today, Sadhna provides continuous training to women artisans to improve their skills, a support network to them in their villages and a respectable position in their family and society. Drive back, rest of the evening at leisure. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 11 Udaipur / Delhi

This morning it’s time for some fun in the old town with a short tuk tuk ride. Later you will be transferred to the airport to board flight to Delhi. On arrival at Delhi airport you will be met upon and transferred the hotel. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 12 Depart Delhi

It’s time to say goodbye to India. Transfer to the airport for your onward journey.