Ganges River Cruise: A Literary Adventure
Jan 26 - Feb 06, 2023
12 days | India | Literary Adventures
The Ganges winds its way through the hills and plains of northern India and through the lives of all those who have sought purification, protection, and fortune from this mighty river. We will be modern-day seekers on the Ganges, exploring the sacred and secular history of the river and learning how the Ganges continues to shape life in India.
We have exclusively chartered the 28-cabin R/V Bengal Ganga for this special voyage. Based on teak 19th-century steamers, the river cruiser offers atmosphere and comfort in equal measure. Over eight leisurely days we will immerse ourselves in the diverse architecture, historical narratives, religious beliefs and cultural traditions of West Bengal.
We begin our adventure on land with four days in Kolkata, India’s artistic and intellectual capital, and delve into the works of author Rabindranath Tagore and filmmaker Satyajit Ray, hugely influential forces in modern Bengali and world culture. Embark our river cruise of the Hooghly, one of the Ganges’ most important tributaries and for centuries an economic and cultural crossroads. Each day we’ll be ashore visiting Bengali temples, known for their terra cotta work, and vestiges of India’s complex colonial past. On board, we’ll continue our reading and discussion of contemporary literature. And along the way, enjoy plenty of Bengali delicacies—the cuisine is known for its sweets, abundance of fish, and use of mustard oil.
This is an experience for the culturally curious and for adventurous travellers who relish discovery. This voyage combines hallmarks of Classical Pursuits—slow travel and learning in community—with an experience of the Ganges river that is beguiling, infinite, and profound.
Readings:
Hooghly, by Robert Ivermee
Excerpts from the Puranas
Selected works by Rabindranath Tagore
Contemporary Bengali fiction
Note: Our Classical Pursuits group will be on board with Worldwide Quest travellers, joining them for excursions and retreating to a private area for our literary discussions.
Tour Cost (per person):
US$4395 - US$5345 (depending on cabin, incl. tax & grat.)
Group Size:
Limited to 48 participants
What’s included: Airport transfers, accommodation based on double occupancy in hotels and selected cabin, most meals, all internal transportation by private coach, sightseeing with qualified English-speaking guides, all activities and entrance fees, taxes and gratuities.
“[The Ganges is] the being that bestows water and happiness, and the friend or benefactor of all that lives or moves.” – Ellen Wohl
Itinerary at a Glance
Day | Activity |
1 | Meet in Kolkata, soak up the literary feel of the city |
2 | Enjoy a heritage walk, meet with a publisher |
3 | Asia’s largest book market; visit the ancestral home of Rabindranath Tagore |
4 | Kolkata's Kumartoli district with clay effigies and letterpress operators |
5 | Visit the Mullik Ghat Flower Market and botanical gardens, embark our ship |
6 | Visit two outposts of colonial India, Serampore and Chandernagore |
7 | Shantipur, a region famous for its handloom weavings |
8 | Ride rickshaws to the enchanting Rajbari Temple Complex |
9 | Mayapur, headquarters of the ISKCON (International Centre for Krishna Consciousness) |
10 | Guptipara's terracotta temples dating from the 17th and 18th centuries |
11 | Ride cycle rickshaws to the Basilica of Our Lady of Bandel |
12 | Disembark in Kolkata and depart |
Download Itinerary
Your Tour Leader
Melanie Blake is the executive director of Classical Pursuits and organizer of the annual Toronto Pursuits cultural salon. She studied English and French at Fordham University and the Université de Montpellier, and has an MA in literature and linguistics from the University of Nottingham. She loves languages, cocktails, and the unexpected.
Email Us
Or call 1-800-387-1483 with any questions or to reserve your spot!