India Ganges River Cruise – ABN Rajmahal Features

ABN Rajmahal, entered service on the Lower Ganges and the Ganges proper on schedule in mid-February 2014.
Built in Kolkata, her length is 51 metres and breadth is 10.40 metres. Powered by 3 engines, her extra-shallow draught and a lower profile than conventional designs allow her to cruise further  upstream than any of her competitors.

The boutique vessel, ABN Rajmahal, has 22 cabins with French balconies. The décor is stylish and fresh with touches of colonial elegance, brought to life by traditional Indian-inspired designs on hand-blocked cotton fabrics.

The excellent cuisine on board is a mixture of Assamese (milder than most Indian cuisine) and continental. Wines, beer and spirits are available.
A small spa onboard offers a wide range of relaxing treatments.

• 22 spacious cabins:
  14 Upper Deck spacious twin/double cabins (196 sq. ft/18.2 sq. m)
  4 Main Deck spacious twin/double cabins (196 sq. ft/18.2 sq. m)
  4 Main Deck spacious single cabins (160 sq ft/14.9 sq. m)
• Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass window with French balconies
• En suite shower/WC with boutique toiletries
• Tea/coffee making facilities in cabins
• Refrigerators in cabins
• Individual climate control
• Generous cupboard space and under-bed storage
• Hair dryer in each cabin
• In-room electronic safe
• Intercommunication telephone in cabins
• High quality bathrobes and slippers
• High quality linens
• Turndown service in all cabins
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Vast sundeck both open & shaded, with sun loungers or steamer chairs
• Spacious air-conditioned saloon with library and recorded entertainment
• Air conditioned bar and dining room
• Spa with choice of treatments
• Naturalist on board the vessel
• Single seating for buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Acclaimed combination of Indian & Western cuisines
• Expertly trained culinary staff
• Wide choice of wines, spirits and beer (pay locally)
• Maximum 20 guests per guide on all excursions
• Cold towel service after excursions
• Welcome drink after excursions
• Shoe-cleaning after excursions

Holy Ganges Cruise – ABN Rajmahal Photo Gallery

Holy Ganges Cruise – ABN Rajmahal Deck Plan

click to enlarge

Map of Cruise options

City of Light 8 Days India Ganges River Cruise
Between Varanasi and Patna
2024 Cruise Dates and Prices (per person) in USD

 Patna to Varanasi (8 Days)

Varanasi to Patna (8 Days)

All prices subject to 9% local tax which will be added to the price (subject to change)

All prices subject to 9% local service tax (subject to change)
Prices based on 2 persons 
n.b. Children must be 15 years of age or more. Adult prices apply.

City of Light 8 Days India Ganges River Cruise – Inclusions

• 7 nights onboard accommodation
• Full board (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
  from Dinner on Day 1 to Breakfast on Day 8
• Shore excursion programme including all admissions
• Complimentary tea, coffee & mineral water throughout
• Welcome reception
• Farewell reception
• Local on-board dance and song performances
• Arrival transfers from city hotel or airport to rail station
• Departure transfers from ship to rail station, city hotel or airport

NOT INCLUDED:

• Flights
• Drinks from the bar / restaurant
• Laundry
• Gratuities for crew and guides
• Local fee for camera or filming in place of interest
• Visa
• Incidental expenses of a personal nature
• Local tax (tba approx. 9%)

Notes

• Indian visa (please check with your Consulate if you require a visa).
• Airport Information Varanasi (VNS) Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport

How to Book and Pay

• Please complete the booking form adding your credit card details via out secure system.
• We will respond by email with confirmation of your tour.
• Upon confirmation we will collect the non-refundable deposit of  25% of the tour price from the credit card provided.
• The balance payment will be collected 70 days prior to departure date.
• If you book within 70 days of departure date we will collect the full amount due from the credit card provided.
• If your selected date is not available we will offer you an alternative.
• Your card will not be charged until you accept the alternative offered.
• If you have any special requirements please add details in the notes section.
• We will ask you later to provide passport details of passengers booked
• After you have paid in full, you will receive a voucher and joining details for the tour.

Itinerary – Patna to Varanasi, Upstream (8 Days)

“…Discover life on board an ABN small ship river cruise on the Ganges. From being served an array of never-before-tried regional cuisines to sipping G&Ts on the sundeck as you return the waves of laughing children on shore, experience a new way of travelling through rural India…”

Day 1

Arrive to Patna by road, rail or air (transfer from airport or railway station to ship is included in the price). Embarkation on your cruise ship is from 4pm onwards, when you will enjoy a warm welcome from your captain and crew and a safety briefing before dinner on board, whilst sailing upstream.

Day 2

This morning cruise upstream during breakfast before landing to visit a spectacular small Moghul tomb at Maner. Re-board and continue past the confluence with the River Sone to the busy river port of Doriganj. Cruise on to an overnight stop near the confluence with the River Goghra.

Day 3

Continue up past Ballia to Buxar, famous for the battle fought here in 1764, which, together with Plassey, laid the foundations of the British raj. We visit the memorial on the battlefield and walk to a nearby village where you can see colourful local life in natural surroundings.
Later take a short cycle rickshaw ride up to the ghats of Buxar.

Day 4

Sail upstream today past Chausa to Ghazipur, which surprisingly is still a centre for (official) opium production. We visit the imposing tomb of Lord Cornwallis, the general responsible for the British defeat at Yorktown. We might also be able to spend a little time walking on the busy Ghazipur bazaar, a quintessential Indian experience.

Day 5

This morning we sail to Varanasi, one of the most amazing destinations in India – a must-see for any traveller. After lunch we visit the Buddhist site at Sarnath and the Deer Park where Buddha preached his first sermon. Visit also the nearby archeological museum, which houses interesting exhibits form the local area.

Day 6

We take rowing boats at dawn, past the busy and colourful bathing ghats of Varanasi. Here you get a real sense of why Varanasi is a place of pilgrimage for so many. After breakfast onboard disembark again to take a walk in the busy gullies of Varanasi to experience close up, the age old Varanasi in its elements. Later we sail upstream to Ramnagar, going past colourful Varanasi Ghats on your right. You’ll see also the burning ghats for which the city is well known.  On reaching Ramnagar visit the Maharaja’s Palace and museum. Then cruise further upstream to Chunar where we stay for the night.

Day 7

Disembark at Chunar after breakfast to visit the great Moghul Fort, the old British cemetery and the Moghul tombs nearby. Carpet weaving and Chunar pottery are other attractions here. After lunch cruise down to Varanasi. PM disembark near the Assi Ghat and take rowing boats to join the evening Ganga Arti ceremony. Return to MV Rajmahal moored at Rajghat.

Day 8

After breakfast disembark and transfer to Varanasi airport, railway station or your Varanasi hotel for the next stage of your adventure.

Itinerary subject to river conditions.

Itinerary – Varanasi to Patna, Downstream (8 Days)

” …Our crew on board your ship have all been handpicked from villages in and around the region, we create experiences that foster a genuine connection between guests and the places we take you…”

Day 1

With Varanasi as your starting point, you may have arrived a day or two earlier. Or arrive in Varanasi today by road, rail or air. Your transfer to the boat from hotel, airport or railway station is included. Embarkation on your cruise ship is from 4pm onwards. You will receive a warm welcome from the Captain and crew, plus a safety briefing, then we sail upstream towards Chunar and enjoy dinner on board with your new travelling companions.

Day 2

Disembark after breakfast to visit Chunar’s great Moghul fort, the old British cemetery and the Moghul tombs nearby. Traditional carpet weaving and Chunar pottery are other attractions here. Later, we sail downstream past the world famous ghats, to Ramnagar to visit the Maharaja’s Palace and Museum.

Day 3

We take rowing boats at dawn past the busy and colourful bathing ghats and the burning ghats for which Varanasi is well known. After breakfast, we drive to visit the Buddhist site at Sarnath, the Deer Park where Buddha preached his first sermon and the site of the Archaeological Museum, which is included in the visit. In the afternoon, we disembark by boat and take a walk in the busy alleys of Varanasi to experience close up, the beating heart of this ancient city and join the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony. Return to ABN Rajmahal moored at Rajghat for dinner.

Day 4

After breakfast on board, disembark and drive 2 hours to the city of Jaunpur to see the Mughal bridge, visit its ancient fort and walk to see the splendid Atala mosque before returning after lunch to the ship and sail downstream towards Ghazipur. Alternatively some may prefer to stay back and explore Varanasi’s tempting shopping possibilities.

Day 5

Sailing today. After Lunch disembark at Ghazipur and visit the imposing tomb of Lord Cornwallis, the general defeated by George Washington in 1781 so arguably responsible for the loss of the American colonies. We might also be able to spend a little time walking in the busy Ghazipur bazaar, a quintessential Indian experience. Later sail down towards Buxar.

Day 6

After breakfast, we disembark to the country town of Buxar, famous for the battle fought here in 1764, which, together with Plassey, laid the foundations of the British raj. Drive out to the battlefield and walk to a nearby village, then take cycle rickshaws down to the Buxar ghats where we re-embark. Sail down to anchor near confluence of Ghagra.

Day 7

Cruise past the busy river port of Doriganj and the confluence with the Sone river to a ghat from which we visit the spectacular small Moghul tomb at Maner and walk in the village. Sail down to anchor at Patna.

Day 8

After breakfast disembark and transfer to Patna airport or railway station to continue your Indian adventure.

Itinerary subject to river conditions.