Riviera Travel India’s Golden Triangle and Ganges River Cruise

• Witness local life along the Hooghly River in West Bengal
• Enjoy guided tours of both Old and New Delhi
• Admire the Taj Mahal in the soft morning light

• Return flights and transfers
• 5nts in 4/5* accommodation
• 7nts on a Hooghly Ganges river cruise
• Half board dining in hotels
• Full board dining on cruise
• 17 experiences
• Services of an Expert Tour Manager
• Checked luggage

Day 1: Departure
Head to the airport for an overnight flight to Delhi

Day 2: Arrive in Delhi
On arrival in Delhi, transfer to your hotel. Enjoy some time to settle in before heading out on a guided tour. You’ll explore the highlights of New Delhi, seeing the tree-lined avenues of the city centre, home to the Presidential Palace. You’ll also see other monuments included the Qutub Minaret, the tallest stone-built tower in India. Return to the hotel, with free time before dinner.
Please note that, subject to flight times, some sightseeing may be done en route to the hotel.

Day 3: Delhi to Agra
This morning, tour Old Delhi, starting at Raj Ghat, a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Journey from here along the walls of the Red Fort before seeing the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Temple. In the afternoon, drive to Agra. On arrival check into your hotel. Dinner at the hotel is included this evening.

Day 4: Taj Mahal
Awake early this morning to see the Taj Mahal as the sun rises. You’ll have plenty of time to explore its façade before returning to the hotel for breakfast. Later, visit the Agra Fort, dating from the 16^th Century before heading to Jaipur.

Day 5: Amber Fort & Jaipur
Spend the day exploring Jaipur, beginning with a visit to the Amber Fort. Explore sections of the fort including the Hall of Mirrors, before stopping for photos at the beautiful Palace of the Winds, where royal ladies would observe processions from. Next, visit the City Palace, the current residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur. While here, see a collection of formal robes and weaponry among other items. End the tour at the fascinating Jantar Mantar open-air observatory.

Day 6: Kolkata
Take a morning flight to Kolkata and transfer to your hotel. The afternoon is at leisure to relax or explore independently. In the evening, gather at the Glenburn Penthouse where you’ll enjoy a talk from a specialist on Bengal’s history. Then, enjoy a private dinner in the dining room overlooking the Victoria Memorial

Day 7: Kolkata and embarkation
Transfer to the MV Bengal Ganga this morning and settle into your cabin. After lunch, head out with your guide for an introductory tour of Kolkata. You’ll see key landmarks like Dalhousie Square, St John’s Church and the Victoria Memorial. The ship remains moored in Kolkata overnight.

Day 8: Kolkata – Bally Bridge
Head back into Kolkata after breakfast to visit the Flower Market for a glimpse of local life. Then, head to Kumartuli, a neighbourhood known for its skilled potters and sculptors. Return to the ship for lunch as it begins sailing upstream past the Howrah Bridge and onwards to Bally Bridge

Day 9: Hooghly Imambara, Bandel
Start the day with a relaxing morning of sailing. After lunch, head ashore to visit the Imambara in Hooghly. This congregation hall offers insight into Bengal’s Islamic heritage. Return to the ship and sail to Bandel where you dock for the night.

Day 10: Kalna
In the afternoon, the ship arrives in Kalna. Jump on an e-rickshaw for a guided tour through the town. Here you’ll find some of Bengal’s finest terracotta temples, including the unique Nabakailis temple, featuring two circles of 108 shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. After, take a stroll through the lively vegetable market before reboarding the ship

Day 11: Nabadwip – Mayapur
Another morning of cruising brings you to Nabadwip, which sits at the meeting point of the Bhagirathi and Jalangi rivers. On arrival, take a stroll through the village, known for its traditional handloom weaving. Then, cross the river by boat to reach Mayapur, one of the 9 revered pilgrimage islands in the region. With a guide, visit the ISKCON temple – the global headquarters of the Hare Krishna movement – for an insight into spiritual practice in modern India

Day 12: Guptipara – Fulia
Take a short cruise to Guptipara, home to a cluster of Vaishnav temples, adorned with intricate carvings. While here, you’ll also visit a local potter’s home, observing traditional techniques and getting the chance to talk about their craft. After lunch back on the ship, cross to the other side of the river to reach Fulia. Here you can see the village’s distinctive sari production.

Day 13: Chandannagar – Serampore
Arrive in Chandannagar, which was under French rule until 1950. Admire its unique blend of European and Bengali Heritage on a guided tour. Begin with a visit to the Sacred Heart Church before continuing to the former residence of the French Governor-General which now houses the town’s museum. Later, return to the ship and sail to Serampore. A walking tour of the Old Quarter takes you to St Olav’s Church, the Danish Tavern and other Danish colonial landmarks. Enjoy dinner onboard as you sail back to Kolkata.

Day 14: Return home
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home.

MV Bengal Ganga
Originally built in 2004 and recently refreshed, the Bengal Ganga combines 1970s-inspired décor with gleaming Burmese teak decks for a blend of vintage charm and modern style. With just 20–24 cabins*, it offers an intimate, relaxed cruising experience. Curved motifs, bold accents, and striking artwork create a stylish yet restful atmosphere, while communal balconies let every cabin enjoy sweeping views of the Ganges—perfect for sunsets, river life, and timeless elegance.

*4 suite cabins are convertible to 2 separate deluxe cabins.

Fact File

• Currency: Indian Rupee
• Flight Time: Approx. 8 hrs 30 mins
• Language: Hindi
• Time Zone: GMT+5.5
• Country: India

*All transfer times listed here are approximate and dependent on traffic.