On 10th January 2023, the inaugural voyage of the world’s longest river cruise will set sail in South Asia across India and Bangladesh.
Over a 51-day period, guests will venture through some of the most fascinating, famed, and lesser-explored areas of India and Bangladesh, spanning 27 rivers and covering more than 3,000 miles, to discover their hidden gems, learn of their compelling histories, and experience their miraculous cultures firsthand.
Offered by Rainforest Cruises, specialists in exotic riverboat and small ship cruise packages across South America, and South and South-East Asia, the company is thrilled to announce the addition of the cruise to its repertoire.
Jeremy Clubb, founder of the company, shared his thoughts stating: “This is a historic step forward for the river cruise industry that will be showcasing a spectacular route between these two South Asian countries for the first time.
“We’re very excited to be able to share this record-breaking, once-in-a-lifetime cruise opportunity with our clients. This new itinerary truly is an experiential voyage of epic proportions, not only in terms of its duration, but also in its exploration of the riches of the Indian Subcontinent, encompassing art, cuisine, wildlife, spirituality, and so much more.”
The route connects the Ganges and Brahmaputra river systems via Bangladesh, traversing both the Gangetic and Bengal Plains, as well as the Sundarbans and Assam Valley, and offers guests the opportunity to explore the wonders of the region like no other river cruise has before.
The vessel itself, the luxurious Ganga Vilas, is an 18-suite, state-of-the-art handcrafted riverboat that exclusively hosts up to 36 guests. The ship’s vibrant and modern interiors are a burst of colour, which mimics the vivid cultures and regions explored during its sailing.
Guests can expect bright magentas, cool blues and lustrous yellows within the vessel’s sophisticated suites, as well as the shared areas onboard including the panoramic lounge, observation pavilion, and dining room.
And, with sustainable principles at its heart, the Ganga Vilas incorporates pollution prevention and noise control technologies to honour the ancient rivers travelled through and environments visited en route.
The cruise itinerary is available either as a whole or to discover partially by being split into two. The first portion of the cruise is 20 nights from Varanasi to Kolkata along the Ganges and the second lasts 30 nights from Kolkata to Sivasagar via Bangladesh along the Hooghly, Brahmaputra and other rivers.
Highlights of the tour include witnessing the ancient “Ganga Aarti” ritual on the banks of the Ganges, exploring the natural wonders of the world’s largest mangrove forest, visiting the cradle of ‘black magic’ in India, and discovering the untold cultural riches of the largest river island in the world.
Embark from Varanasi, known to be the spiritual capital of India, and explore this holy city on the banks of the sacred Ganges for all it has to offer. Descend its ghats to witness the powerful “Ganga Aarti” ritual, a devotional offering to the river’s goddess, Maa Ganga, and visit the archaeological site of Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon after reaching enlightenment.
Marvel at Hazarduari Palace in Murshidabad, an architectural illusion considered to be one of India’s most precious sights. This spectacular palace, which translates to “a palace with a thousand doors”, is home to 1000 doors but 100 of which are false. A tactic once used to confuse insurgents, visitors now flock to the palace to gaze in awe at the ingenuity of this fantastic landmark.
Journey onwards to the bay of Bengal and reach the fishing port of Makkhana, considered to be the gateway to the Sunderbans. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the world’s largest mangrove forest, home to some of South Asia’s most phenomenal species including the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger.
Experience a side of Bangladesh that you’d never expect in Sonargaon’s Panam City, an ancient city and archaeological ruin in this former capital of Bengal, which is now considered to be a ghost town. Walk amongst its beautiful abandoned colonial buildings and envisage what once was.
Continue your voyage to the village of Mayong and experience the darker side of India’s heritage. Considered to be the cradle of Tantra Kriya, or black magic, in the country, the area was once rich with the practice of magic, voodoo and sorcery, skills that were passed down for generations.
Visit the Mayong Central Museum to witness its exhibits showcasing magical remnants, scripts, jewelry made from bones and skulls, and even tools used for human sacrifice.
Witness some of India’s most phenomenal wildlife on a private Jeep safari through Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is known for being home to the five big wild animals in its area including the One-Horned Rhino, Asian Elephant, Royal Bengal Tiger, Wild Water Buffalo and Swamp Deer.
Towards the end of your cruise, explore the unique island of Majuli, cultural capital of Assam and largest river island in the world. The island is home to a myriad of 15th-century Hindu monasteries, each with their own principles and devotional practices, mask-wearing monks, and traditional dances.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
