Bengal Despatch 8 - Bengal Memories

Day 1

Board cruise and sail to Barrackpore (D)

This morning transfer from airport or railway station to ABN Sukapha moored in central Kolkata. During lunch sail up to Barrackpore, land and take a walk through the cantonment past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame, and Flagstaff House, its garden housing many of the British statues removed from central Kolkata. At high tides it may be necessary to perform the first mile or two under low clearance bridges by a launch before boarding the cruise ship at Bally Bridge.

Day 2

Cruise to Kalna (BLD)

Sail up to Chinsura to visit the old Dutch cemetery, then drive to the imposing Imambara at Hooghly. Re-embark, then finally leaving urban sprawl behind, cruise through the Bengal countryside to a mooring near Kalna.

Day 3

Visit Kalna, cycle rides and temple visits (BLD)

Land at the country town of Kalna and take cycle rickshaws to see a group of some of Bengal’s most attractive terracotta temples, as well as the unique Shiva temple with concentric rings made up of 108 shrinelets. In the afternoon commence the return voyage downstream.

Day 4

Visit Chandernagore. Return to Kolkata (BLD)

Continue on, leaving fields behind and arrive again at the outskirts of Kolkata. Sailing past fine waterfront buildings you land at Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950, where you visit the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House containing a small museum. Continue down to visit the old Danish colony of Serampore, then sail on under the Howrah Bridge to central Kolkata.

Day 5

Disembark cruise. City tour of Kolkata (B)

Disembark after breakfast and take a morning sightseeing tour of Kolkata including the Victoria Memorial, South Park Street Cemetery, St John’s Church and other colonial relics. Midday transfer to airport or railway station.