Slowly along the Ganges

Explore Kolkata – the capital of British India until 1911. This morning’s tour will focus on the city’s magnificent colonial heritage and will include the Writer’s Building on Dalhousie Square, St. John’s Church, Park Street cemetery and the enormous Victoria Memorial – that is often referred to as the ‘Taj of the Raj’. After a traditional Bengali lunch at a private home, take to the Hoogly River to see Kolkata from the water.

Continue your Kolkata sightseeing today by visiting the fabulous and unusual collection of artefacts accumulated by a 19th-century Bengali merchant at the Marble Palace, then see the home of Nobel prize winner and acclaimed poet Rabindranath Tagore. After a sumptuous authentic Bengali lunch at 6 Ballygunge Place, which is immensely popular among Kolkata’s food lovers, return to your hotel, where the remainder of the day will be at leisure.

Fly to Patna and continue by road to Nalanda, one of the world’s oldest centres of learning, where you will discover the striking 5th century stupas, monasteries and temples. Then, proceed to Bodh Gaya, the cradle of Buddhism and the holiest of all sites for Buddhists worldwide.

Begin your day by re-tracing the steps of Prince Siddhartha at the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mahabodhi Temple complex. Visit the Bodhi Tree under which the prince attained enlightenment and became the Buddha, then explore the ancient Barabar caves – the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India. In his famed novel ‘A Passage to India’’, E M Forster thinly disguised the Barabar caves as the Marabar caves.

Spend the morning visiting the monasteries built by various Buddhist countries, including the Thai monastery, famed for its golden Buddha statue and the Tibetan monastery, renowned for its elaborate carvings. Then, continue to Gaya, a Hindu pilgrimage centre set on the banks of the Falgu River. Here, explore the Vishnupad Temple, which offers restricted access for non-Hindus and showcases impressive 18th-century Hindu temple architecture. Next, fly to sacred Varanasi on the banks of the River Ganges.

Rise early for a private boat ride on the Ganges and observe life as it unfolds along the sacred river. Then, explore Aurangzeb’s Alamgir Mosque and see the remarkable collection of miniature paintings and finely carved stone sculptures dating held by the Banaras Hindu University. In the afternoon, stroll through the atmospheric lanes of the Old City and proceed to the ghats to witness the lively ‘Aarti’ (prayer) ceremony.

Drive to Ghazipur and visit the imposing tomb of Lord Cornwallis, who played an important role in laying the foundation for British rule in India, and explore the ruined 18th-century palace of Nawab Abdulla. Next, proceed to Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment and visit the magnificent Dhamek stupa and the museum that showcases a rich collection of Buddhist relics dating back to the 3rd century BC. Then, return to Varanasi.

Drive to Allahabad, an ancient city built at the confluence of three sacred rivers (Sangam), where your sightseeing will include the mighty 16th century Mughal fort; Khusrau Bagh, a tranquil Mughal Garden with elaborately carved sandstone mausoleums; Anand Bhavan, the ancestral home of Nehru that has been transformed into a museum; and an evening ‘Aarti’ ceremony at the Sangam.

Set off this morning to the historic city of Lucknow, which became northern India’s cultural capital in the 18th century. On arrival, visit the battle-scarred British Residency, which stands as a silent witness to the Indian mutiny, and view the La Martinere College, one of the finest examples of European funerary monuments in the subcontinent.

Spend the morning discovering Lucknow’s magnificent late Mughal architecture. Your tour includes visits to the Bara Imambara and Chota Imambara, and the Hussainabad picture gallery. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Lucknow’s bustling markets where shops selling hand-made jewellery, ‘attar’ (perfumed oils) and Lucknow’s traditional intricate ‘chikan’ embroidered dresses compete for your custom.

Set off to Kanpur this morning, where you will visit the sites related to the infamous acts of the Indian mutiny of 1857 – 58. Your tour will include a visit to the All Saints Memorial Church, the remains of Wheelers Entrenchment site, the Massacre Ghat and the site of the Martyr’s Well into which two hundred British women and children were thrown. Then, continue to Rampura, nestled amongst the ravines of the Chambal Valley, and on arrival, check in at your rustic retreat – a unique homestay experience within the walls of a historic 600-year-old fort.

Begin your day with a bullock cart ride through the neighbouring village to soak up the atmosphere of rural Bundelkhand. Alternatively, take an exhilarating early-morning walk through the ravines up to your host’s family temple on a hillock. Later this afternoon, enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the Jamuna and observe local fishermen working their nets.

Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, drive to Etawah and take the evening train to Delhi. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Transfer to Delhi International Airport and check in for your onward flight.