India’s Ganges River

Fall in love with the people, the history and the culture of Eastern India. Visit grand temples and humble weavers’ cottages; learn about iconic faiths and watch local artisans; stroll through tiny villages and take in the vast expanse of the river. Travel with alumni and friends from January 13 – 23, 2026 and immerse yourself in the age-old history of this storied region.

Explore the vibrant and fragrant Mallick Ghat Flower Market, open daily for 165 years. Duck into Kumartuli, a traditional potters’ quarter in North Kolkata that is over 300 years old. Delight in the diverse range of architectural styles, from Kolkata’s opulent Victoria Memorial to the 108 sloped brown roofs of Rajbari Temple.

Cruise in comfort and luxury on the Ganges Voyager for seven nights, enjoying fabulous cuisine, with all shipboard gratuities and beverages included. Consider extending your adventure by booking the Pre-Tour Extension of seven nights in the Golden Triangle and Varanasi, featuring incredible highlights from Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Varanasi.

Shared with participants from cosponsoring associations, this small ship adventure is sure to fill quickly. Please contact the Georgetown Travel Society at 866-525-8664 or GeorgetownTravelSociety@Georgetown.edu for more details and to confirm your place today.

Dates, Rates and Details:

Trip Dates: January 13 – 23, 2026

Rates: from $5,495 –  $9,995 per person based upon double occupancy

Traveling Solo? Single supplements apply to select categories at 125% of the per person cabin plus taxes and are subject to availability. All other categories are at 200% the cabin fare. (Cabin fare is the standard rate less taxes.)

Port taxes are included in the above prices. Deck plans available upon request.

Deposit: $1,500 per person (https://www.gohagantravel.com/terms for complete terms and conditions)

Trip Type: River Cruise

Trip Status: Confirmed & Open for Reservations. Request a reservation today!

Activity Level: ACTIVE

• Walking tours are at least 1.5 hours and often longer. They may require walking and standing on cobblestones, uneven paths and pavement, and hills.
• Some excursions may require climbing stairs, which may not have railings.
• Disembarking the ship requires walking on narrow, and sometimes steep, gangplanks.
• Getting on and off coaches requires climbing or descending 3-6 steep steps.
• If you are prone to altitude/motion sickness, you may wish to consult your physician before the trip for a suitable medication.
• Depending on the excursion, more leisurely alternatives to active excursions may be available.

Program Itinerary*:

Day 1 | Tuesday, January 13 – DEPART HOME CITY
Depart for Kolkata, India.

Day 2 | Wednesday, January 14 – KOLKATA, INDIA 

Arrive at Kolkata International Airport. Proceed through the immigration checkpoint to the baggage claim area and retrieve your luggage. After completing a customs screening, Transfer to the deluxe Taj Bengal, Kolkata hotel. For the rest of the day, spend time as you wish and make your own plans for dinner. The Hospitality Desk stands ready with dining suggestions.

Day 3 | Thursday, January 15 – KOLKATA B | L | D
This morning, enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel, then check out and transfer to the Kolkata Jetty, where you’ll embark the Ganges Voyager. Unpack and explore the ship a little, and have lunch on board. Kolkata City Tour. This afternoon, delve into the city on a panoramic tour. Discover Benoy-Badal- Dinesh Bagh (formerly called Dalhousie Square) and its lovely surrounding architecture, including St. John’s Church. Drive past the beautiful and imposing Victoria Memorial, a monument to England’s queen, which houses art and museum exhibits. After the tour, return to the ship for a safety and information briefing. Tonight, and every night on board, enjoy a delicious dinner.

Day 4 | Friday, January 16 – KOLKATA | BALLY BRIDGE B | L | R | D
Enjoy breakfast on board before disembarking for this morning’s excursion.

Flower Market and Kumartuli – Stroll through the amazing Mallick Ghat Flower Market, which has been selling flowers daily for 165 years! From here we will head to Kumartuli, a traditional potters’ quarter in North Kolkata that is over 300 years old. This community is renowned for its talented sculptors and potters. Kumartuli produces objects of religious and cultural significance; many of their clay idols are used in religious festivities throughout the country. Return to the ship and tuck into a delectable lunch on board as the ship departs Kolkata. We will sail upstream, skirting beneath the famed Howrah Bridge. From the deck, take in the views of the passing colonial buildings. Spend time this afternoon relaxing on board and exploring the ship.

Cultural Performance – This evening, enjoy a cultural performance on board.

Welcome Reception: Join your fellow travelers for a Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner this evening.

Day 5 | Saturday, January 17 – BANDEL B | L | D
Enjoy breakfast on board as the ship continues to cruise to Bandel, where you will disembark. Today’s excursions will explore two different religious sites established in the 19th century.

Shri Hanseswari Temple – After disembarking, ascend to an eco-friendly e-rickshaw for your ride to Shri Hanseswari. This peaceful temple, devoted to the Hindu goddess Hanseswari (a form of Kali), is striking, with its unique design and rich symbolism. The temple complex has 13 towers, the highest one standing 90 feet tall. The towers feature terracotta artwork, and each tip is carved into a lotus shape. Stroll among the landscaped gardens and soak up the serene atmosphere before returning to the ship.
Enjoy a tasty lunch on board.

Hooghly Imambara Pilgrimage Center – This Shia Muslim mosque and congregation hall blends Islamic and European architectural styles, boasting intricate designs, carved verses from the Quran and a clock tower over the main gate. The term Imambara literally means “home of the Imams,” the religious leaders in the Muslim faith.

Enjoy dinner on board this evening.

Day 6 | Sunday, January 18 – KALNA B | L | D
After enjoying breakfast, disembark for the morning’s excursion. Rajbari Visit. Ride e-rickshaws to visit the Rajbari Temple complex, which is dedicated to Krishna, a major deity in Hinduism. Here, 108 temples, many featuring arches and rounded roofs, are arranged around a central garden. Many of the buildings in the complex are covered with intricate terra cotta tiles and figures, depicting religious stories and scenes from daily life. Afterward, stroll through the local vegetable market on the way back to the ship.

This afternoon, enjoy lunch onboard and time to relax. Take a dip in the pool or soak up the views on deck or from the panoramic lounge. Enjoy a delicious dinner tonight.

Day 7 | Monday, January 19 – KALNA | NABADVIP | MAYAPUR B | L | D
This morning, disembark after breakfast for our excursion. Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Home. This morning, we will set out on foot for Nabadvip to visit the birthplace and home of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He was a Hindu saint and social reformer who founded and promoted the Vaishnava religion and school of Bhakti yoga. He popularized the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, composed devotional prayers and is revered by some as an avatar of Krishna. While exploring today, we will also visit with and observe local artisans weaving and using hand looms.
Return to the ship for lunch onboard.

International Society for Krishna Consciousness – This afternoon, we will take a boat ride to Mayapur. Here, tour the headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Stroll through the pilgrims’ bazaar, meet Krishna’s followers and visit the awe-inspiring temple.

Day 8 | Tuesday, January 20 – GUPTIPARA | FULIA B | L | D
Savor breakfast on board this morning.
Guptipara – Explore this town, where many Vaishnav temples were constructed in the 17th and early 18th centuries. These temples are notable for their fantastic terracotta artworks and designs. Visit a potter’s home and interact with artisans creating clay statues and other items. Return to the ship for lunch onboard.

Fulia. Visit the village of Fulia, which is famous for its distinctive Jacquard and Jamdani saree weaving.

Return to the ship for dinner on board this evening.

Day 9 | Wednesday, January 21 – CHANDANNAGAR | SERAMPORE B | L | R | D
This morning as you enjoy a delicious breakfast, the ship sails for Chandannagar. Chandannagar. This city became a French colony in 1673 and wasn’t transferred back to Indian governance until 1951. On a walking tour, notice the historic colonial buildings, including the former French governor’s residence, now converted into a museum depicting life at that time. Visit the museum and Sacred Heart church, built in 1875. Return to the ship for lunch onboard.

Serampore –  This town was part of Danish India under the name Frederiknagore from 1755 to 1845. On a guided walking tour, explore Serampore’s old town to see the Danish Tavern, St. Olav’s Church and other heritage monuments.

Farewell Reception: Join your fellow travelers for a Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner on board the ship this evening.

Day 10 | Thursday, January 22 – KOLKATA | DISEMBARK | RETURN TO HOME CITY B
Following breakfast, disembark and transfer to Kolkata International Airport for your return flight home. There will be a day room provided at the Taj Bengal, Kolkata hotel for those with late departing flights.

Day 11 | Friday, January 23 – ARRIVE IN HOME CITY
Arrive in your home city and go through immigration and customs. Welcome home!

 

Not included:
 Airfare; Taxes; passport fees; visas and fees for obtaining visas; personal expenses such as laundry and telephone calls; accident/sickness, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance; gratuities to ship and hotel personnel; optional sightseeing excursions; excess baggage charges on aircraft; local departure air taxes; airfare and associated local taxes*, airport facility taxes and federal inspection fees not listed in the “terms and conditions” at https://www.gohagantravel.com/terms/ ; transfers and baggage handling to/from airport/hotel on day(s) of arrival and/or departure if you are arriving earlier or later and/or departing earlier or later that scheduled group transfer(s); meals and and alcoholic beverages not listed as included; and all other services not specifically mentioned.

 

*This itinerary is subject to change due to operational conditions.