Varanasi Trip New And Improved

8 Days Varanasi Itinerary: Varanasi > Patna

  • Varanasi
  • Chunar
  • Ghazipur
  • Buxar
  • Patna

Ganges Discovery

Trip Code: BV16BD10

Price: from AU$4,280 per person twin share

Prices valid until 30 September 2024, excluding the Christmas / New Year period.

Please contact us for a detailed itinerary and current prices and departure dates.

Inclusions:

  • Cabin with en suite bathroom
  • All meals, including tea/coffee and mineral water while on tour
  • Transport for sightseeing
  • Valet Service
  • Guided on shore excursions and game drives as illustrated in the itinerary – inclusive of entrance fees, park fees, transport and services of an English speaking local guide

Not included:

  • Flights
  • Visa fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Taxes, Insurance , Gratuities
  • Laundry, Alcoholic Beverages, Soft beverages during non-meal hours
  • Video and professional Still Camera fees
  • International and Domestic air tickets
  • Pre and Post tour accommodation and any tour extensions unless specifically mentioned as a part of the journey
  • Any expenses of a personal nature eg tips in restaurants or hotels, laundry, drinks, telephone calls, etc
  • Any other expense not mentioned as included
  • Meals other than specified

 

  • Introduction

    Explore the untouched villages and towns of rural India along the mighty Ganges river. Visit tea gardens, temples and monuments; explore villages on foot or in cycle rickshaws; browse craft workshops; enjoy barbecues on deserted river islands and walk the narrow alley ways of Varanasi. Operated by Assam Bengal Navigation on the ABN Rajmahal.

    A splendid 8-day journey exploring remnants of the former British Raj period, rural India and beyond.

    At Chukar you will explore the ancient great Mughal fort and nearby tombs before gaining an insight of local craftsmanship at Chunar’s cottage industry workshops. Take rowing boats at dawn past the colourful bathing ghats along the Ganges in Varanasi to witness the morning religious rituals on this sacred stretch of river. Your journey of one of the world’s oldest cities continues with a guided city walk taking in the busy alleyways of Varanasi followed by the mesmerising evening Ganga Aarti ceremony on the banks of the mighty Ganges River.

    Visit the sacred Buddhist sites at Sarnath and Deer Park – where Buddha preached his first sermon. Walk the former battlefields at Buxar which laid the foundations of the British Raj and cruise onto Patna to visit the small Mughal tomb at Maner en route.

  • Day 1 Varanasi

    Arrive in Varanasi and board your cruise ship. Unpack and settle into your cabin, as your ship sails downstream a short distance before putting down anchor for the night. Enjoy dinner on board.

  • Day 2 Chunar

    This morning you will cruise to Rajghat, disembark and drive to Chunar. Explore the great Mughal fort, the old British cemetery and the Mughal tombs nearby. Carpet weaving and Chunar pottery cottage industries are other attractions here. On the way back visit the Ramnagar Maharaja’s Palace and Museum before re-boarding at Rajghat.

  • Day 3 Varanasi

    Explore the holy city of Varanasi and nearby sights today. Take rowing boats at dawn past the colourful bathing ghats along the Ganges. Later, drive to visit the sacred Buddhist site at Sarnath and Deer Park – where Buddha preached his first sermon – before a visit to the Archaeological Museum. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walk in the busy alleys of Varanasi to experience the beating heart of this city and join the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony.

  • Day 4 Varanasi

    Enjoy breakfast on board, before driving to the city of Jaunpur to see the Mughal Bridge, visit its ancient fort and the splendid Atala mosque. Alternatively some may prefer to stay back and explore Varanasi’s tempting shopping possibilities. Return to the ship for lunch and sail downstream towards Ghazipur. This afternoon enjoy the view from the sundeck, or spend time enjoying the ship’s facilities.

  • Day 5 Ghazipur

    Today you will go ashore at Ghazipur and visit the imposing tomb of Lord Cornwallis, the general defeated by George Washington in 1781 so arguably responsible for the loss of the American colonies. While ashore, spend a little time walking in the busy Ghazipur bazaar, a quintessential Indian experience. Later, sail toward Buxar.

  • Day 6 Buxar

    After breakfast disembark to the country town of Buxar, famous for the battle fought here in 1764, which laid the foundations of the British Raj. Visit the memorial on the battlefield and the old East India Company cemetery in town. Later, enjoy a short cycle rickshaw ride up to the ghats of Buxar.

  • Day 7 Patna

    Cruise past the busy river port of Doriganj and the confluence with the Sone River this morning, to arrive at a ghat, or river steps, from which you can visit the spectacular small Mughal tomb at Maner. Later, sail down to anchor at Patna while enjoying the scenery and ship’s facilities.

  • Day 8 Patna

    Your river journey concludes this morning. You will be transferred to the airport after disembarking.

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7 8