Colorful India & The Ganges River With Southern India & Varanasi

Enter a world of color, culture, and cherished spiritual tradition of India. Your guided tour of India and Ganges River cruise begins in the Southern India city of Cochin, where you’ll take a cruise on the backwaters of Kerala to witness life along the scenic and serene waterways. Explore Mumbai, home to “Bollywood,” and Varanasi, to watch the Hindu’s devotional bathing in the Ganges.

Continue on to the bustling city of Delhi. You’ll tour the city with your expert local guide, and take a rickshaw ride through the Chandni Chowk bazaar-brimming with everything from silver and spices to saris of every color. You’ll visit Qutub Minar-the world’s largest brick minaret, and see Delhi’s largest Sikh gurudwara (house of worship), before traveling to Agra-site of the legendary Taj Mahal.

Join a sunrise excursion to the Taj Mahal-the iconic memorial build by Moghul emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife. More than 20 years in the making, the Taj Mahal stands as the pinnacle of love’s devotion, and is also yours to experience at sunset if you wish.

In Jaipur, see the famous Palace of the Winds, and tour the spectacular Amber Fort, before flying to Kolkata to board your Ganges river cruise. The holy river of Hinduism, the Ganges, slowly courses through one of the world’s most fertile and populated areas. Along its banks, human life is connected to its waters and you’ll get a glimpse of life away from India’s big cities. See muslin weaving in Kalna and candy making in Matiari. Stop in Murshidabad for an excursion to Azimganj and Jiaganj-to tour a historic mansion and see a gold and silver making demonstration You’ll also visit the fascinating Hare Krishna headquarters in Mayapur, and visit Saint Mother Teresa’s former home upon your return to Kolkata.

All of this and more await you on this once-in-a-lifetime guided tour of India and a Ganges River cruise.

Included Features:

Day 1 Cochin, India: Welcome to India

Day 2 Cochin: Visit the Kerala Folklore Museum; cruise on the backwaters of Kerala

Day 3 Cochin–Mumbai: Fly to Mumbai

Day 4 Mumbai: Guided Tour to see Victoria Terminus, the Gateway of India, and a traditional open-air laundromat; witness Mumbai’s fascinating lunch box delivery system; visit Mani Bhavan

Day 5 Mumbai–Varanasi: Fly to Varanasi. Witness the Ganga Aarti

Day 6 Varanasi–Delhi: Watch the Hindus’ devotional bathing ritual; fly to Delhi.

Day 7 Delhi: See Red Fort, Jama Masjid, India Gate, and the Presidential Palace; rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk bazaar

Day 8 Delhi–Agra: Sightseeing including visits to Qutab Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib; drive to Agra

Day 9 Agra: Sunrise visit to Taj Mahal; Agra Fort; sunset visit to Taj Mahal

Day 10 Agra–Jaipur: Drive to Jaipur; time at leisure

Day 11 Jaipur: Morning Excursion to Amber Fort; afternoon sightseeing including visits to the City Palace and Jantar Mantar

Day 12 Jaipur–Kolkata (Embarkation): Fly to Kolkata; onboard welcome reception

Day 13 Kalna: Sightseeing by rickshaw; visit a temple complex to receive blessings from a priest and visit a muslin-weaver’s home

Day 14 Matiari: Walking tour of village to interact with brass craftsmen and see traditional sweets being made

Day 15 Murshidabad. Excursion to Azimganj & Jiaganj: Travel by electric rickshaw to see saree weaving in Jiaganj; Guided Walk through Azimganj to see the local crafts market, visit Bari Kothi; silver and gold making demonstration

Day 16 Mayapur–Guptipara: Morning visit to the ISKCON temple in Mayapur; rickshaw ride through Guptipara to see pottery-making and a farmer’s home

Day 17 Kolkata: Guided walk through the flower market; visit Mother Teresa’s Home, a home for orphaned children, and the Victoria Memorial Museum; farewell dance performance

Day 18 Kolkata: End of vacation