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Toll-Free 1-855-952-6526
U.K : +44 1753 201 201
Canada : 1-416-619-7795
Australia : 61-2-86078986
WhatsApp : + 44 ( 0 ) 7739 716978
Ganges Downstream| Patna To Farakka
6 Nights / 7 Days
The Bengal Despatch 4: The Holy Ganges is a 6-night, 7-day downstream itinerary from Patna to Farakka aboard the ABN Rajmahal, blending cultural heritage, sacred sites, and colonial legacies along the Ganges. Beginning with Patna, guests explore landmarks such as the 18th-century Gola Ghar granary, Sikh gurdwara, and State Museum before sailing past the historic East India Company warehouses. A highlight is the visit to Nalanda, the UNESCO-listed ancient Buddhist university, paired with the serene Pawapuri Jain temple set in a lake. The journey continues through Monghyr, with its Mughal fort, colonial cemetery, Pirpahar Hill mansion, and Sitakund hot springs, before reaching Sultanganj, a pilgrimage site with Hindu rock carvings and a mosque-topped shrine. Guests then sail past dolphin-inhabited waters to Bhagalpur, renowned for silk weaving and colonial mansions, with excursions to Colganj’s cave temples and the Buddhist ruins of Vikramshila. The voyage concludes at Rajmahal, Akbar’s former capital, where overgrown ruins of palaces, forts, and mosques reveal a storied Mughal past. Ending at the Farakka Barrage, this cruise offers a fascinating journey through centuries of history, faith, and riverine life along the Holy Ganges.
Ancient Buddhist monastery
Renowned silk weaving hub
Historic university ruins
Sacred Jain pilgrimage site
Famous yoga and gun town
Capital city with rich heritage
You may arrive in Patna by road, rail, or air. Transfers from the airport or railway station to the ship are included in the cruise fare. Boarding begins from 4 PM, followed by dinner on board.
Overnight onboard the Ship ABN Rajmahal
This morning’s tour of Patna includes the 18th-century Gola Ghar granary, the prominent Sikh gurdwara, and the extensive collections of the State Museum. We then return to the ship, passing the historic East India Company opium warehouses as we cruise downstream, arriving in Barh to moor for the night.
Overnight onboard the Ship ABN Rajmahal
Today’s excursion takes you to Nalanda, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to explore the excavated remains of the great Buddhist monastery and stupa, along with the adjoining museum. Once the world’s oldest seat of learning, Nalanda welcomed over 10,000 students at its peak. Later, visit the marble Pawapuri Jain temple, set in the middle of a lake. In the evening, return to the ship, which will have cruised down to the great bridge at Mokameh, where naturalist Jim Corbett once worked overseeing the ferry crossing.
Overnight onboard the Ship ABN Rajmahal
Today, we sail downstream to Monghyr, home to an impressive Mughal fort and an East India Company Cemetery, now interwoven with village life. Our visit includes Pirpahar Hill, crowned by an elegant old mansion, and the Sitakund hot springs. The journey continues downstream to anchor near Jahangira Island at Sultanganj, a pilgrimage site with early Hindu rock carvings. Onshore, another striking rock formation is topped by a mosque.
Overnight onboard the Ship ABN Rajmahal
This morning, we sail along a stretch of the river where Gangetic dolphins are often spotted, heading towards Bhagalpur, a hub for silk production. Here, we visit the graceful 18th-century mansion built by Augustus Cleveland and explore a nearby silk-weaving village. Continuing downstream, we pass the island shrine at Colganj, known for its Buddhist and Hindu cave temples, and once associated with the notorious Thug sect. Nearby, we stop at Bateshwar, home to 6th-century Hindu carvings, before visiting the ruins of an 8th-century Buddhist stupa and monastery at Vikramshila. We anchor for the night near the confluence with the Kosi River, flowing down from Nepal.
Overnight onboard the Ship ABN Rajmahal
This morning, we sail downstream to Rajmahal, set beneath the Rajmahal Hills. Though rarely mentioned in guidebooks, the town holds remarkable history and atmosphere. Once called Akbarnagar, it was founded by the Mughal Emperor Akbar as his eastern capital, and Shah Jahan, creator of the Taj Mahal, spent much of his youth here. Among the overgrown remains are palaces, forts, and mosques, which we will explore before continuing our journey downstream to the Farakka Barrage.
Overnight onboard the ship ABN Rajmahal
For guests concluding their journey with Bengal Despatch 4, a morning transfer will be arranged to Farakka station for an approximately four-hour train ride to Kolkata. On arrival, our representatives will meet you and provide a transfer to a centrally located hotel.
This itinerary, along with the cruise schedule and estimated driving times, is dependent on river and weather conditions.
Note : At Present 5 % GST is levied by Government of India EXTRA ON TOP OF THE Fares / Prices.
Fares
Fare for the departure -: 25 September 2026
| Price in US Dollars ($) | Price in Sterling Pounds (£) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Price for Single Cabin | Price for Twin / Double Cabin | Price for Single Cabin | Price for Twin / Double Cabin |
| Upper Deck Cabin | $ 4200 | $ 5760 | £ 3500 | £ 4800 |
| Main Deck Twin / Double Cabin | $ 3570 | $ 4740 | £ 2975 | £ 3950 |
| Main Deck Single Cabin for One Person | $ 2370 | Not Applicable | £ 1975 | Not Applicable |
*** Accommodation: 7 Nights in Cruise on full board basis.
*** Beverages: Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water throughout
*** Excursions: Shore excursion programme including all admissions and Service of an English-speaking guide on-board and during excursions
*** Service: Cold towel service after excursions, Welcome drink after excursions and Shoe Cleaning after Excursions
*** Special Service: Local on-board dance & song performances
*** Flights: Air travel to, from and within India.
*** Travel Insurance: Medical, trip cancellation, or baggage insurance of any kind.
*** Visa Charges: India visa fees and related processing costs.
*** Tips & Gratuities: Tipping for onboard staff, guides, and drivers.
*** Personal Expenses: Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, spa treatments, and shopping.
*** Unspecified Services: Any service, activity, or expense not clearly mentioned under “Tour Includes.”
25 Grangewood, Wexham,
Slough, South Bucks,
SL3 6LP, United Kingdom
