Compare Ganges Discovery Voyage - Kolkata to Jaipur by Insider Journeys vs Buddhist Tour from the Birth to Death by Varanasi Excursion

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 1: New Delhi - Varanasi (By flight)

Arrive at Varanasi and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon proceed on a half day temple tour of Varanasi visiting Bharat Mata (Mother India) Mandir, Durga, Tulsi Manas, Sankat Mochan Temple and the new Vishwanath Temple. Followed by Ganga Aarti at Dasaswamedh Ghat and overnight at hotel.

Start point arrival gate, Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Babatpur, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Day 2: Varanasi

In morning after breakfast half day city tour of Sarnath, 10 km from Varanasi, where the Buddha preached his first sermon in the Deer Park, contains the most impressive remains, as well as a modem temple. The Dharmarajika, Chaukhandi and Dhamek stupas are outstanding. There are also the remains of a monastery, and the beautifully polished Lion Capital of Ashoka. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 3: Varanasi - Bodhgaya

Morning proceed for Bodhgaya which is about 247 kms / 6-7 hrs drive. Bodhgaya is the place where Gautama Buddha attained unsurpassed, supreme Enlightenment. On arrival check into hotel and the rest of the day is free. You can leave for attending evening prayer at Mahabodhi temple. Later, return to the hotel and have a comfortable stay at night.

Day 4: Bodh Gaya - Rajgir

After breakfast, depart for Rajgir, 70 km, 2 hrs by road. Arrive in Rajgir and check into hotel. Rajgir was the capital of the Magadha kingdom and is a pilgrimage for Jains and Hindus as well. The Japanese Buddhists have built the massive Vishwashanti Stupa on the Ratnagiri Hill which can be accessed by a chairlift. The stupa has statues of Buddha at the four stages of his life - birth, enlightenment, teaching and death. From the hill top, the Jain shrines can also be viewed scattered across 26 distant hills. Griddhakuta, located on Ratnagiri Hill is another site where Budhha stopped by to preach. Return to hotel for night stay.

Day 5: Rajgir - Patna

After breakfast, proceed to Patna by road, 80 km. Arrive in Patna and check into hotel. Patna is Bihar’s capital city and can be used as a base to visit the Buddhist sites of Vaishali and Kesariya. After lunch, take a local sightseeing tour of Patna. This would include: Golghar (built as a granary), Gandhi Museum, Patna Museum, Har Mandir Takht, Qila House or Jalan Museum with some really rare relics like Napolean’s bed and Marie Antoinette’s porcelain; and the ruins of Pataliputra. Return to hotel for night stay.

Day 6: Patna- Vaishali - Kushinagar

Morning proceed to Kushinagar (approx. 256 kms and 07 hrs drive) enroute visiting Vaishali - place where Buddha announced the approaching of his Mahaparinirvana. After that continue drive to Kushinagar (place where Lord Buddha had left the world behind him after offering an invaluable contribution to humanity, the great religion known as Buddhism). On arrival Kushinagar, transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit Mahaparinirvana Temple (where Buddha took his last breathe) and Rambhar Stupa (cremation site of Lord Buddha). Overnight stay at Kushinagar hotel.

Day 7: Kushinagar - Lumbini

Morning after Breakfast drive to Lumbini - the birth place of Lord Buddha (180 kms and 05 hrs drive). On arrival, transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit the birth place of Buddha - Mayadevi Temple. This place is a blessed one for its serenity and the natural beauty, purely coinciding to the perception of a place where the legend was born. Overnight stay at Lumbini hotel.

Maha Parinirvana Day: Parinirvana Day, or Nirvana Day is a Mahayana Buddhist holiday celebrated in East Asia in death place of lord Buddha (Kushinagar). By some it is celebrated on 8 February, but by most on the 15 February. It celebrates the day when the Buddha is said to have achieved Parinirvana, or complete Nirvana, upon the death of his physical body.

Day 8: Lumbini - Kapilavastu

Morning leave for Kapilavastu - the childhood home of Gautam Buddha. & also visit ruins of the Palaces Overnight stay at Kapilavastu hotel

Day 9: Kapilavastu - Sravasti

In the morning after Breakfast proceed to Sravasti where the Buddha preached most of his sermons. Here he is said to have performed many miracles, and levitated. During the monsoon, he used to stay at the Jetavana monastery on the outskirts of this town. Visit various tourist spots such as Anand Bodhi tree, ruins of the Jetavana monastery, age-old stupas Visit Sahet Mahet and Angulimal caves. Overnight stay in Sravasti.

Day 10: Sravasti - Lucknow - (By flight) Delhi

Morning breakfast at hotel & drive (190 kms / approx. 5.5 hrs drive) to Lucknow airport for onward journey to board flight for New Delhi. Arrive at Delhi Airport and transfer to pre- book hotel. Representative will assist you till hotel check in. Evening at leisure, overnight stay at Hotel in Delhi.

Day 11: Delhi Sightseeing

Morning relish breakfast visit city tour of exciting capital of India is awash with sights. Start to Delhi sightseeing visit Jama Masjid - largest Mosque in India Chandni Chowk oldest, biggest street super market of Old Delhi. Later, walk up to Fatehpuri Masjid and try out a rickshaw ride for Red Fort, Rajghat would be our next stoppage where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated Humayun Tomb - first garden-style tomb of India inspired by Persian architecture. Drive past Rashtrapati Bhawan - residence of the President of India and India Gate - subjected in respect to honor the soldiers who in World War I. Visit Qutub Minar built by Qutabud- din Aibak. Return to hotel. Retire for the night at hotel in Delhi.

Day 12: Departure from Delhi

Breakfast at hotel. Carry out activities, get an transfer assistance for the Airport to board your flight back home.

Tour ends here with sweet memories.