2. Day 01: KOLKATA ARRIVAL
Fly to Kolkata. On arrival in Kolkata you will be greeted and escorted by Indo Asia Tour's staff
to your hotel. On arrival, check in the hotel. (Room will be available from 1200 Noon).
Overnight stay at hotel
Day 02: KOLKATA - CRUISE JETTY
After breakfast transfer to the Millennium Park Jetty by 9 am. M.V. Paramhamsa will cast off at
09.30 am, once all the guests have checked in.
The cruiser sets sail along the Beautiful Ganges towards the South, passing through the various
heritage sites for seven to eight hours to reach Namkhana, a fisherman’s cove and the Gateway
to Sunderbans. The guests can unwind, relax, soak in the beauty of the river; read books in the
library; interact with artisans or take an ayurvedic massage.
The busy fishing harbour will give an insight into the lifestyle of the fisherman. The guests can
buy fresh fish and other seafood to be cooked in the live kitchen counters for the dinner.
3. After the interaction with the fishermen, the cruiser enters Sunderbans to navigate through the
narrower creek of Hatania – Doanina. The guests will have the first glimpse of the dense
mangrove and the vast river system with several creeks flowing into the main rivers.
In the evening, the guests will have several choices – watching wild life film shows or a talk
with a wild lifer and a dinner with music from modern and traditional Bengal.
The cruiser will drop anchor at Namkhana for the night
Day 03: SUNDERBANS
At 5.30 AM the guests can see the spectacular sunrise, while the cruiser sails towards the east.
This day the guests will experience the lifestyle of the people of Sunderbans, their traditions,
culture along with the rich Biodiversity of the region.
The busy fishing harbour will give an insight to the lifestyle of the fishermen. The guests can
buy fresh fish and other sea foods to be cooked in the live kitchen counters.
4. After the interaction of the guests with the fishermen, the cruiser enters Sunderbans to navigate
through the narrower creek of Hatania – Doania. The guests will have the first glimpse of the
dense mangrove and the vast river system with several creeks flowing into the main rivers.
The first excursion will be to Lothian Island, a forest trail or visit to the Crocodile project at
Bhagabatpur. Thereafter, the vessel will turn towards the towards North-East.
The vessel will again drop anchor at the confluence of the River Malta and River Bidya. From
here the guests will be transferred to a small creek boat for a ride through the creeks and shore
visits to some of exotic Sunderban islands – Nethidopani / Dobanki, Sajnekhali, along with a
Wildlifer, who will guide the guests to experience the forest, sight animals and birds, explain
various mangrove species and tell interesting stories of the islands.
Later in the evening before the sun sets, the vessel will anchor. After sun sets, the guests will
enjoy a rich mythological folk drama by the local artists. Later in the evening, the guests will
enjoy a traditional Bengali meal. The guests can also enjoy a romantic night with star gazing
from the sky deck, soak in the serenity and tranquility of nature.
5. Day 04: SUNDERBANS
This morning there will two exciting shore visits – First a visit to Bali, a beautiful Sunderban
Village. Guests will experience farming, paddy husking, honey packing, fishing and various
occupations of the region.
And second to Sudhonyakhali, an island most visited by the Royal Bengal Tigers.
As we traverse back we will visit some of the other exotic locales not visited on the previous day
like Lothian Island, or Crocodile project at Bhagabatpur before starting the return journey to
Kolkata.
14TH OCTOBER 2010:
SUNDERBANS / KOLKATA
The vessel again will cross over Namkhana as per the tide and will head back home. The vessel
will reach Kolkata in the forenoon depending on the tide. Arrive Kolkata and transfer to the
hotel.
6. Remainder of the day at leisure in Kolkata
Overnight stay the hotel
Day 05:
KOLKATA
In the morning after breakfast visit the Famous Jain Temples of Kolkata, , The Howard Bridge,
The cantilevered bridge, also known as Rabindra Setu, is similar in size to the Sydney Harbour
Bridge but carries a flow of traffic which Sydney could never dream of .It is the busiest bridge in
the world. Later drive to the Kali ma temple located near the banks of the River Ganges at Kali
Ghat. According to popular legend the Lord Shiva's consort sati killed herself by burning herself
as her parents humiliated Lord Shiva, Shiva reached too late and then he picked up her charred
body and began the 'tandav' the dance of cosmic destruction. To prevent the destruction of the
world Lord Vishnu chopped
Sati's charred body into 51 pieces that fell in different parts of the earth and a part fell on the
banks of the Ganges and thus the name Kali Ghat and consequently the name Kolkata.
7. Also visit Victoria Memorial that is a huge white-marble structure and the most enduring of
remains of the British Raj in India. Built by Lord Curzon in memory of the popular monarch,
Queen Victoria, it is a wonderful example of the Western style of architecture. It has been now
converted in a museum that houses the most impressive collection of memorabilia from the
days of Raj. The manuscripts, paintings and sculptures here are outstanding.
Overnight in the Hotel
Day 06: KOLKATA
After breakfast, enjoy the walking tour of the city and enjoy the Durga Puja Festival.
Durga Puja is the biggest festival in Bengal. This is also known as Dussehra and Navaratri in
other parts of India.
8. Durga is the Goddess of divine power against all evils. The story goes that Mahisasur, the
Buffalo Demon, through years of praying, received blessing from Lord Brahma, that no power
can kill him which means he is invincible. But once gaining this power he started ravaging the
whole world and killing people. And finally he wanted to uproot the Gods too.
The Gods, in dismay, combined their powers to create a beautiful maiden, and each placed his
or her most potent weapon in one of her ten hands riding a lion. Her return in each year in the
Bengali month of Aswin (September-October) commemorates Rama's invocation of the goddess
Durga before he went into battle with Ravana. The traditional image of the Bengali Durga
follows the iconographic injunctions of the Shastras. It is similar to the Durga of Aihole and of
Mahabalipuram (seventh century). The tableau of Durga with her four children - Kartik,
Ganesh, Saraswati and Lakshmi, representing respectively the Protector, the Initiator of the
puja, Knowledge and the Provider - signifies the complete manifestation of the goddess.
Bengalis all over the world during these days of Durga Puja rejoice to their heart's content
reconnecting with friends and relatives. Durga Puja is an occasion when the familiar sound of
Dhak, Dhunuchi nachh,the mild fragrance of Shiuli, gives a familiar tug to every Bengali heart.
Overnight in the Hotel
Day 07: KOLKATA
Today enjoy the Durga Puja Festival.
The day of Durga's victory is celebrated as Vijaya Dashami (East and South India), Dashain
(Nepal) or Dussehra (North India) - these words literally mean "the tenth" (day), vijaya means
"of-victory". In Kashmir she is worshipped as shaarika (the main temple is in Hari Parbat in
Srinagar).
Vijaya Dashami also known as Dasara, Dashahara, Navaratri, Durgotdsav… is one of the very
important & fascinating festivals of India, which is celebrated in the lunar month of Ashwin
(usually in September or October) from the Shukla Paksha Pratipada (the next of the New moon
day of Bhadrapada) to the Dashami or the tenth day of Ashwin.
Word DASARA is derived from Sanskrit words “Dasha” & “hara” meaning removing the ten
(10). This is the most auspicious festival in the Dakshinaayana or in the Southern hemisphere
motion of the Sun. In Sanskrit, 'Vijaya' means Victory and 'Dashami' means 10th day. 'Thus
Vijaya Dashami' means victory on the 10th day.
9. Dasara is also known as Navaratri, as in the first nine days the Divine Mother Goddess Durga is
worshipped and invoked in different manifestations of her Shakti. The 10th day is in honor of
Durga Devi. The basic purpose behind this festival is to worship feminine principle of the
Universe in the form of the divine mother to remind the teachings of the Taitareeya Upanishad,
"Matru Devo Bhava." Essence of the navaratri celebration at social level is to remind & respect
all the women, who are the guardians of the family, culture, and national integrity, to take lead
in times of crisis to guide the humanity towards the path of social justice, righteousness,
equality, love, and divinity.
Overnight in the Hotel
Day 08: KOLKATA – DELHI (FLIGHT) – AGRA (DRIVE)
After breakfast transfer to the airport to board the flight to Delhi. On arrival at Delhi, to Agra.
On arrival in Agra, check in at the hotel.
10. Agra stands on the right bank of the river Yamuna, was once the seat of the Mughal rulers, the
zenith of art and an en-shrined romance. A town famous for its beautiful medieval monuments.
The passion of the Mughals for building endowed it with some of the loveliest buildings in the
world.
Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 09: AGRA
After breakfast visit the Taj Mahal- a poem in white marble, built by the Mughal Emperor
Shahjahan in the memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaj Mahal. Today India's most fascinating
and beautiful masterpiece, this perfectly symmetrical edifice is set amidst landscaped gardens
on the banks of the Yamuna River. Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise
and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day and glows pearl-like in the moonlight and
during the monsoon. (IMP: Remains closed on Friday)
11. Later visit Agra Fort. Designed and built by Akbar in 1565 A.D., the fort is surrounded by a 70
feet high wall. It houses the beautiful Pearl Mosque and numerous palaces. The Agra fort
happens to be on the same bank of the river Yamuna as the Taj Mahal, which is visible in all its
beauty from one side of the fort. Emperor Shahjahan, a prisoner of his son Aurangzeb in his old
age was put in a cell from where he could gaze at the Taj Mahal at a distance from his cell in the
Agra Fort. It is an imposing structure with walls of red sandstone almost three kilometers long.
Later visit the stunning tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah or the `Baby Taj'- a marble memorial with
exquisite inlay work built in 1628 by Nur Jahan, queen of Jehangir, for her father Mirza Ghiyas
Beg.
Overnight at the Hotel
Day 10: AGRA – DELHI
After breakfast drive to Delhi.
12. En-route visit Sikandra. The mausoleum of the great Mughal King Akbar (1556-1605). Akbar
began building it during his lifetime and his son, the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, completed it. It
has a large arched entrance and green lawns, on which deer can be seen grazing, surround the
tomb. The entrance is decorated with marble inlay work around the arch, and the inner surface
of the dome of the tomb is decorated with images of flowers, geometric designs and Islamic
calligraphy.
Later continue your drive to Delhi. On arrival, transfer to the hotel and check in.
Overnight at the Hotel
13. Day 11: DELHI
After breakfast enjoy a full day city tour of Old & New Delhi. Visit the Red Fort - the 17th
century imposing fortress built in red sandstone is surrounded by a huge 33m high boundary
wall. Inside are exquisite palaces and beautiful gardens. (IMP: Remains closed on Monday)
Opposite the Red Fort lies Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) made of red sandstone and white
marble, completed in 1656 at a cost of one million Rupees has perfect proportions. India's
largest mosque where more than 20.000 people can kneel in prayer. The interior of the prayer
hall is divided into aisles by arches. The walls and floors are of marble inlay panels.
Also visit the Raj Ghat on the banks of the river Yamuna is Mahatma Gandhi's Memorial,
where he was cremated following his assassination in January 1948. The memorial lies in the
midst of landscaped gardens and made of a simple square platform of black marble inscribed
with his last words "Hey Ram". An eternal flame burns 24 hours.
14. Day 12: DELHI DEPARTURE
India Gate - Built of Bharatpur-stone, commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in the
1st world war. 13516 names of British and Indian soldiers killed in the Afghan War of 1919 are
engraved on the arch and foundations. Photo stop at Rashtrapati Bhawan once the Viceroy's
residence is now the official residence of the President of India.
Later in the afternoon explore New Delhi. Visit the Humayun's Tomb, built by his wife Haji
Begum in the 16th. Century. An early example of Mughal architecture considered the
predecessor of the Taj Mahal. The elements in its design - a squat building, lighted by high
arched entrances, topped by bulbous dome and surrounded by the char bagh (garden divided
into quadrants), water channels and fountains.
Later visit the Qutub Minar - the landmark of Delhi, a huge tower of victory started in 1199 and
completed in 1368. The Minar is 72.5m high with a diameter at the base 14.4m and 2.7m at the
top. The tower has 379 steps to the top.
Overnight at the Hotel
15. 22ND OCTOBER 2010:
DELHI DEPARTURE
On time transfer to the International Airport to board the flight for onwards journey.
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