2017-India-CC

2 0 1 7 C R U I S E C O M PA N I O N
India’s Golden Triangle
& the Sacred Ganges

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Icon/LETTERCODELEGEND
Icon/Letter Code Legend
The symbols below will help guide you through the
descriptions of the daily itineraries. They will give you
an idea of the length and pace of the excursions, and
they will note which meals are provided.
Uniworld Signature Icons
u UNESCO Site b Motorcoach
d Flight S Boat
a Additional Cost e Embark/Disembark
Note: Prices of Optional Excursions will be available onboard.
The cost of the purchased excursion will be added to your
onboard account.
Dining Letter Codes
CB Continental Breakfast BB Buffet Breakfast
L Lunch D Dinner
WD Welcome Gala Dinner FD Farewell Gala Dinner
Tour Duration Icons
5 1/4 Day 7 1/2 Day
9 3/4 Day 8 Full Day
Shore Excursion Icons
All tours involve walking unless strictly noted as a
panoramic tour. In many cases, the walking takes place
over uneven ground, cobblestones or flagstone walkways,
and several tours involve stairs or short uphill climbs.
Please wear comfortable, non-skid walking shoes while
on all tours. These symbols give an idea of what to
expect on each program.
1 Easy walking
Includes walking of 15 minutes or less from multiple
motorcoach stops to and around historical sites. Possibly
some steps, or gentle uphill and downhill walks.
2 Intermediate walking
Includes walks of up to two hours on uneven terrain.
Limited seating at sites. Multiple stairs and/or uphill/
downhill walking.
3 Strenuous walking
Involves walking at all sites. Many stairs and uphill/
downhill passages. Those with physical limitations and
those who may need private arrangements should
contact the Cruise/Tour Manager when onboard.
W E L C O M E
Our World Begins with You
Thank you for selecting Uniworld Boutique River Cruise
Collection. We want to do everything we can to ensure
you have the most enjoyable and worry-free vacation.
With that in mind, we have prepared this booklet for
you, so you can plan your trip with the greatest of ease.
Consider it a guideline to help you get ready for your
upcoming trip. It contains valuable tips and advice
on what to pack, your flight and transfer experience,
onboard information, day-to-day details and much more.
We highly look forward to hosting you onboard our
beautifully appointed ships and making your vacation
the most memorable and enjoyable experience possible.
Sincerely,
The Uniworld Team
Cover: Agra Fort, Agra, India ▲ Taj Mahal, Agra, India

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Tableofcontents
Tableofcontents
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C r u i s e / T o u r C o m pa n i o n
Helpful Hints Before You Go
4 Travel Documents
Passports
Visa Requirements
Passenger Information Form
Travel Protection Plan
5 Cruise/Tour Documentation
Final Documentation Includes
6 Baggage Limitations
7 Vaccinations
7 Travel Essentials
7 Health and Mobility
Physical Limitations
Medical
Special Diets
8 General Money Matters
Getting There
9 Airport Security and Check-In
9 Transfers
Airport Arrival Transfers
Airport Departure Transfers
Late Flight Arrivals and Missed Flights
Baggage Delays
12 Pre-Cruise/Tour Land Stay or Post-Cruise/Tour
Optional Extension
12 Hotel Check-In and Hotel Check-Out
About Your Uniworld Cruise/Tour Package
and Onboard and Onshore Services
13 Crew-Only Areas
13 Dining
13 Electrical Current
14 Elevators
14 Emergency Procedures
14 Excursions
14 Fitness Centers
14 Footwear
14 Gift Shops
14 Going Ashore
15 Gratuities
15 Handicapped Facilities
15 Insect Precautions
16 Internet Access
16 Intra-India Domestic Air Tickets
16 Land Tour and Shore Excursions
16 Laundry
16 Massage
17 Mooring and Docking Facilities
17 Moving about the Ship
17 Muster Stations
17 Responsibility and Waiver
18 Safety Deposit Box
18 Security
18 Ship’s Office
18 Shopping
19 Smoking
19 Suite Amenities
19 Visitors
19 Vox
19 Water
20 Weather
20 What to Wear
21 Omissions
22 Frequently Asked Questions
2 0 1 7 RI V ER C RUISE / TOUR PRO G RAM
the Sacred Ganges
25 New Delhi to Kolkata / 13 Days

Cruise/TourCompanion
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your responsibility. Uniworld will not be responsible for
advising and/or obtaining required travel documentation
for any passenger, or for any delays, damages and/or
losses, including missed portions of your trip, related to
improper or absent travel documentation. Due to
government-imposed security/immigration measures,
passport information and emergency contact
information are required for all passengers prior to
release of documentation.
Passenger Information Form: By now, you should
have completed the Uniworld Passenger Information
Form. The information on this form is used to comply
with certain foreign government and airline security
restrictions in advance of your arrival. If you have
completed this form, we thank you for your prompt
attention. If you have not completed this form, please
visit our website at uniworld.com and complete the
online Passenger Information Form in the “Already
Booked” section. Each guest must complete the form.
Please note that the name on your airline tickets must
match your name exactly as it is shown in your passport.
This applies to both international flights as well as the
intra-India flight we will book for you, so please be sure
we have your name correct on your booking.
Travel Protection Plan: Uniworld strongly recommends
that all guests purchase a Travel Protection Plan and
carry all policy information with them during the course
of their trip.
During the cruise/tour, it is advisable to have copies of
important documents (i.e., first page of your passport,
photo, credit card numbers, and bank/credit card
company phone numbers) in a separate packet, in case
the originals are lost or stolen.
Cruise/Tour Documentation
Uniworld sends all final cruise and air documents between
21 and 30 days prior to your trip departure, provided that
Uniworld has received a completed and signed Passenger
Information Form and your booking is paid in full. All
documents are sent via a priority mail delivery service,
such as UPS or FedEx.
Final Documentation Includes:
▶ Cruise/Tour Ticket for the cruise/land program
▶ Passenger Ticket Contract (which is legally binding
between Uniworld and each guest)
▶ Airline Tickets or E-Ticket Confirmation (if international
air ticket was purchased from Uniworld)
▶ Cruise/Tour Companion
Helpful Hints Before You Go
Travel Documents
Passports: All Uniworld river cruise/tours require a
passport. In most cases, passports must be valid for
six (6) months after the scheduled return date from
the trip. Travel to India will require a visa. Each guest is
fully responsible for obtaining and carrying the travel
documents necessary for his or her travel itinerary.
Uniworld will not be responsible for any delays, damages
and/or losses, including missed portions of your trip,
related to improper or absent travel documents.
Visa Requirements: For US and Canadian citizens, a visa
is required for entry to India. Non-US or non-Canadian
citizens must contact the appropriate consular office for
entry requirements pertaining to their particular trip.
Any visa(s) or other documentation required for a
particular itinerary is solely the responsibility of the
guest. As a courtesy, our website, uniworld.com, offers a
link to a visa service company in the “Already Booked”
section; this company can provide additional information.
Obtaining and carrying required documents is solely
C r u i s e / t o u r C o m pa n i o n

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▶ Baggage Tags
▶ Leave-Behind Communication Card
▶ Travel Protection Plan Pamphlet
(if Uniworld travel protection was purchased)
▶ Post-Cruise Optional Extension Information
(if optional extension was purchased)
Baggage Limitations
Airline baggage restrictions change frequently, and each
guest needs to check with his or her specific air carrier for
limitations concerning baggage weight, baggage size,
carry-on regulations, and excess or overweight baggage
charges. This information can be found on the carrier’s
website or on Uniworld’s website at uniworld.com/baggage.
Remember to check for both international (over the
water) and domestic regulations, since limitations differ
depending on flight routings.
Overweight or excess baggage charges vary, and
guests who exceed an airline’s recommended limits
may be asked to pay fees ranging from $25 to
$80 US dollars (USD), or possibly more, per infraction.
For the intra-India flight, only one (1) suitcase per
person can be checked, and it must weigh no more
than 33 pounds (15 kilograms). Each checked bag
should have dimensions not exceeding 62 inches
(157 centimeters). You may be asked by the airline to
pay fees of approximately $5 USD, or more, per pound
(0.45 kilograms) in excess of this weight limit. One (1)
carry-on is allowed per person. Your carry-on should
not exceed 17” x 14” x 8” (43 centimeters x 35
centimeters x 20 centimeters) and should not weigh
more than 15 pounds (7 kilograms).
There are no restrictions concerning the number of bags
each person can bring with him or her onboard the ship.
However, baggage storage space onboard is limited.
Guests are encouraged to limit their baggage to one (1)
piece per person for their own comfort and, in the case of
pre- or post-cruise/tour stays, for their own convenience.
Keep an eye on your baggage and all personal
belongings—they are solely your responsibility
throughout the trip. Uniworld is not responsible for
lost, stolen, or damaged baggage and personal
belongings. A Travel Protection Plan covering lost,
stolen or damaged baggage is highly recommended.
Vaccinations
All guests should direct questions about vaccinations to
their personal physician.
As an additional resource, guests may consult the
current recommendations of the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC). The CDC website is cdc.gov and the
phone number is 1-800-232-4636.
You may also contact the Indian consulate to determine
vaccination requirements.
Travel Essentials
The following items are essential for any destination:
walking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, an umbrella,
and a lightweight raincoat or outerwear garment
appropriate for the seasonal weather conditions. It is
recommended that you bring duplicates of prescription
eyewear, copies of prescriptions for any medications,
copies of credit card information, and copies of your
passport information pages and visa. Make sure that
your baggage has identification tags both inside and
outside, with your contact information and address
clearly marked. Do not pack valuables or important
medication in your checked baggage unless required to
do so by the airline; these should be carried with you in
your carry-on baggage. Please contact your air carrier
for any additional regulations.
Health and Mobility
Physical Limitations: Uniworld trips are exciting,
relatively active vacations. While there will be plenty
of time to relax, there will also be much to see and do.
Your included excursions generally require an extensive
amount of walking, as well as the navigation of numerous
steps and uneven terrain. During shore excursions,
guests with physical limitations will find access to sites
generally restricted. For your safety and enjoyment, we
recommend that all guests be in good physical condition.
In addition, river ships, while spacious and elegant, are
not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act and do not have elevators. Uniworld, at its sole
discretion, reserves the right to refuse passage or to
require a current passenger to end his or her trip if the
passenger’s state of health or physical condition may
affect his or her own health, safety and enjoyment, or
that of other passengers. The use of mobility devices
such as wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, etc. is not
recommended for travel in India, and such devices
cannot be readily obtained in the region.

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Medical: Most of the hotels used in India will be near
a clinic staffed by a doctor, but Uniworld does not
employ staff nurses or doctors onboard its ships.
Medical expenses are the guest’s own responsibility.
Guests should bring their medications with them.
Uniworld is not responsible for any costs incurred as a
result of medical service or for the quality of medical
care received. A Travel Protection Plan covering medical
expenses is highly recommended.
Special Diets: Please advise us of any special dietary
restrictions in advance of your departure. This information
will be provided to the proper personnel. To the extent
possible, and in consideration of local conditions, every
effort will be made to accommodate your needs. It is the
guest’s responsibility to provide us with as much detail
as necessary concerning any medically related dietary
concerns. Not all dietary requests can be accommodated,
and we appreciate your understanding in this matter.
Dietary restrictions should be reiterated to the service
staff at the time of placing orders in restaurants.
General Money Matters
Currency in India is the rupee. In India the US dollar is not
widely accepted. Foreign currency can be exchanged to
Indian rupee at the airport and at the hotels. Please note
that crisp, new, untorn bills are recommended for paying in
cash and/or exchanging currencies. It is recommended to
keep the currency exchange receipt should guests wish to
revert currency before departing India.
Uniworld features a “cashless” environment onboard, and
all charges are billed directly to each guest’s onboard
account. Currency accepted onboard for settlement of final
bills is the US dollar. The major credit cards accepted are
Visa and MasterCard, and these will incur extra bank
charges for transactions, which will be your responsibility.
Please contact your bank and/or credit card companies to
let them know that you will be leaving the country to avoid
any problems using your credit card(s) overseas. It is not
advisable to bring Travelers Checks.
The ship does not have ATMs onboard, but ATMs linked to
major bank networks can be found throughout India. In
India, ATMs dispense Indian rupees. Most debit and major
credit cards can be used for cash withdrawals ashore. Your
bank can tell you which network your ATM card can access
and whether a debit or credit card must be used. Make
sure you have the correct PIN for the card you plan to use
before leaving home, as the PIN is required for all money
withdrawals. It is also recommended that you bring an
overseas contact number for your bank or credit card
company in case you require assistance while traveling.
Most hotels and major tourist sites have currency exchange
facilities. Please note currency exchange transactions and
ATM cash withdrawals always involve transaction fees. It is
always best to inquire as to the fee before exchanging any
money. ATMs will typically ask you if you accept the fee
before enabling the transaction.
Most major credit cards (Visa and MasterCard) are accepted
worldwide. There may be some stores or locations where
cash is preferred or where a particular credit card cannot be
used for purchases. We recommend bringing at least one
major credit card, as well as an ATM card that is both a debit
and credit card.
Getting There
Airport Security and Check-In
It is advisable to contact the airline in advance of your
departure to verify that there have been no changes to
the flight number or schedule found on your travel
documents. After your travel documents are issued and
sent to you, Uniworld is not responsible for notifying
guests of any changes in flight schedules.
Please make sure you arrive at the airport at least two
and a half (2.5) hours prior to your scheduled departure
to complete check-in and security procedures. For peak
travel times, you may even want to arrive three (3) hours
prior to your scheduled departure time.
Transfers
Airport Arrival Transfers: If your cruise/tour package
includes a group arrival transfer (and your flights coincide
with our transfer guidelines and have been communicated
to Uniworld), you will be greeted by a Uniworld representa-
tive and transferred to the hotel. You will be met as you
exit the airport’s secure customs area. Please claim all of
your baggage before exiting the baggage claim area.
From the airport, you’ll be transferred to the hotel. Please
note that transfers are nonrefundable.
There may be a waiting period of up to one (1) hour for
scheduled airport transfers, depending on groupings of
flight arrivals. Upon clearing customs in New Delhi, look
for the Uniworld representative outside the secure
customs area. If you cannot find the representative,
please remain outside the customs area until the
representative comes to you. Uniworld will not be
responsible for late arrivals or missed transfers due to
delayed, changed, canceled or missed flights; for missed
cruise/tour days; or for extra costs resulting from
delayed, changed, canceled or missed flights.

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Flight information and pre-trip arrangements for all
guests making their own flight arrangements must
be given to Uniworld no later than 45 days prior
to departure in order for transfers to be properly
arranged. Your flight arrangements must also be
made in accordance with Uniworld’s recommended
transfer guidelines. For complete details, please see
the “Terms and Conditions” section of our current
brochure or our website, uniworld.com.
Guests who have purchased extra hotel nights with
Uniworld will be provided transfers as part of the extra
nights purchase.
If your cruise/tour package does not include arrival
transfers (i.e., for flights outside of Uniworld’s recom-
mended transfer time guidelines or if flight details have
not been communicated to Uniworld in time), please
make your own way to the hotel as per your trip
itinerary; transportation will be at your own expense.
Airport Departure Transfers: If your cruise/tour package
includes a group departure transfer (and your flights
coincide with our transfer guidelines and have been
communicated to Uniworld) or if you have purchased a
private departure transfer, you will be transferred to the
airport for your flight home.
In accordance with Uniworld’s recommended transfer
time guidelines, all guests making their own flight
arrangements are required to provide Uniworld with
their flight information and post-trip arrangements
no later than 45 days prior to departure in order to
receive transfers. For complete details, please see the
“Terms and Conditions” section of our current
brochure or our website, uniworld.com.
Guests who have purchased an optional post-cruise/
tour extension or extra nights with Uniworld hotel stays
will be provided transfers as part of the extension or
extra nights purchase.
If your cruise/tour package does not include departure
transfers (i.e., for flights outside of Uniworld’s
recommended transfer time guidelines or if flight details
have not been communicated to Uniworld in time), you
must schedule transportation from the ship at your own
expense.
Late Flight Arrivals and Missed Flights: If your
package includes an arrival transfer and you experience
a travel delay of any kind while you are still within
North America, please contact Uniworld by calling
1-800-733-7820 and advise them of the situation.
They will do their best to ensure that you are met and
transferred upon your revised arrival. If you are outside
North America when you experience the travel delay,
please contact +92 11 26124069/70 for advice and
assistance.
Upon clearing customs in the cruise/tour start city, look
for the Uniworld representative outside the customs
area. If you cannot find the representative, please
remain outside the customs area until the representative
appears. Depending on the nature of the delay, our
ground staff can, at times, track flight changes. However,
if your flight arrangements were drastically altered, it is
unlikely that the ground staff will be notified in time of
your specific flight changes. Due to security protocols
enacted after September 11, 2001, airlines very rarely
provide updated flight information to third parties.
If you cannot find the Uniworld representative, please
contact the transfer representative in your arrival city.
Their contact information is shown in the transfer section
of your Cruise/Tour Ticket. If unable to match you up
with a scheduled group transfer, the transfer
representative will ask you to make your way to the hotel
at your own expense. Costs incurred due to missed
transfers are the responsibility of the guest; in most
cases, compensation can be obtained from your Travel
Protection Plan provider or airline carrier. If any transfers
are missed, guests should take the green taxis approved
by the Indian Department of Transportation (also called
the Ministry of Transport). Keep in mind that drivers may
not speak English. If not, guests should write down the
name of the hotel clearly and hand the note to the driver.
The same policy applies to all Indian cities.
If your delay is serious enough that you miss the starting
point of your cruise/tour, please contact our Local
Representative, using the number on your Cruise/Tour
Ticket, to determine the exact location of your tour
group on your revised date of arrival. The office
personnel will advise you on the best course of action.
Uniworld is not responsible for missed transfers or
additional costs due to missed or delayed flights.
Additional contacts in case of a late arrival:
New Delhi, India:
Ms. Mehhaak Prasad
tel.: +91-9599785917 or +91-9818288415

Baggage Delays: Baggage delays do unfortunately occur
from time to time, especially during peak travel periods.
First and foremost, do not leave the baggage area
without completing a Lost Baggage Report with your
air carrier. This report is essential to the tracking of your
claim. If traveling with a companion, we recommend that
one (1) person exit the baggage claim area and locate
the transfer representative to inform him or her of the
situation. This will allow the representative to ensure that
transfers are properly provided. Give the air carrier a
copy of your travel itinerary and the hotel and ship’s
contact information. Report your lost baggage to the
Uniworld representative and provide him or her with a
copy of your Lost Baggage Report. This will assist our
staff in helping to locate your baggage as quickly as
possible. Uniworld is not responsible for lost, stolen,
or damaged baggage and/or personal belongings. A
protection plan covering lost, stolen or damaged
baggage is available through the Uniworld Travel
Protection Plan.
Pre-Cruise/Tour Land Stay or Post-Cruise/Tour
Optional Extension
All Uniworld land programs are fully hosted and include
daily breakfast, transfers and porterage. Most feature at
least one (1) special sightseeing program. Your Cruise/
Tour Manager will host a welcome briefing upon your
arrival to familiarize you with the scheduled program
and to provide additional information about optional
excursions, dining recommendations and shopping tips.
Details about your pre-cruise/tour land stay are included
in this booklet, and details about your post-cruise/tour
optional extension are included with your final documents.
Hotel Check-In and Hotel Check-Out
Please note that every effort is made to ensure that your
hotel room is available and ready for occupancy upon
your arrival at the hotel. This is not always possible due
to differences in hotel check-in times and scheduled
airport-to-hotel transfers. A short wait for your room to
become available may be unavoidable.
Most hotels do not allow check-in earlier than 2:00 pm.
If you arrive at the hotel before 2:00 pm, you may need
to wait until the room becomes available. Hotel check-
out must be no later than 12:00 pm. If your arrival or
departure schedule does not coincide with these times,
you may ask the hotel to store your baggage while you
explore independently.
About Your Uniworld Cruise/
Tour Package and Onboard
and Onshore Services
Crew-Only Areas
Some areas are clearly indicated as “Crew Only.” We ask
you to respect these areas, as the crew may be working
there and your safety cannot be guaranteed. These areas
include the Main Deck bow area, the galley, engine
rooms, crew accommodation and the gangways aft of
the Sun Deck. Crew members have been instructed to
escort any unauthorized persons from these areas and
make a report to the Captain.
Dining
All breakfasts on land and onboard are American-style
buffets. Most other included meals onshore will be held
at local restaurants serving local Asian cuisine with
Western options.
Lunch onboard offers a selection of fresh salads, daily
soups and entrées. Dinner onboard is seated and offers
an appetizer, soup, main course and dessert. Vegetarian
options are always available on the ship.
Please notify Uniworld in advance if you have any special
dietary concerns or considerations that need to be taken
into account while traveling with us. We will do our best
to ensure that your request is accommodated but cannot
guarantee that this will happen in all cases.
During meals held ashore, guests will be able to enjoy
complimentary beverages: For lunch, guests may
choose to have water, coffee or hot tea; for dinner,
guests may also choose from a selection of soft drinks,
house wine and local beer.
During onboard dinners, complimentary red and white
house wine, locally produced spirits, ice water, iced tea,
beer, soft drinks, coffee and hot tea will be included.
Complimentary select domestic spirits are available
throughout the day at the bar located on the Sun Deck
of the ship (excluding wine and premium spirits, which
are available for purchase).
Electrical Current
Voltage is 220V/50Hz in all hotels and onboard the
ship. On the ship, outlets that accommodate both 110V
and 220V appliances are available in the suites. In the
hotels, dual-voltage appliances or a voltage converter
will be needed.

Elevators
The ship does not have an elevator. All the hotels have
elevators.
Emergency Procedures
The ship is outfitted with modern smoke detectors, fire
alarms, extinguishers and hoses. Alarms are situated
at regular intervals along the Promenade Deck. Fire
extinguishers are located at regular intervals around
the Promenade Deck and outside all public rooms.
Excursions
Group shore excursions are organized by the Cruise/Tour
Manager and are accompanied by a member of the
ship’s staff. Details about group shore excursions and
our next sailing time are posted on the Daily Schedule,
and passengers are requested to note this before
disembarkation. When disembarking, passengers should
hang their keys on the key board found adjacent to the
gangplank so that we know if anyone has left the ship and
not returned. If you go ashore with your suite keys and we
leave without you, we cannot be held responsible.
Fitness Centers
There are fitness centers in all hotels. There is a fitness
center on the Sun Deck of the ship. Hours of operation
may be adjusted based on each day’s program. Use of
the fitness equipment is at your own risk.
Footwear
Slippers are provided for your comfort onboard the
vessel. When ashore, guests should wear comfortable—
but safe—walking shoes. At certain times, the river banks
and paths we use can be muddy and therefore slippery.
Due to the possibility of muddy—or, conversely, very
dusty—walking conditions, we ask you to remove
your footwear when returning onboard so that we can
clean your shoes for you and return them to you later.
Gift Shops
There is a small gift shop onboard the ship as well as
in all hotels.
Going Ashore
When the ship is docked, you are welcome to move
freely between ship and land as much as you like. From
time to time, the ship will be anchored in the middle of
the river. Because of the varying nature of the riverbank,
methods of getting ashore may differ from time to time
and, on occasion, access may be difficult. We will ensure
that the gangways are safe and that crew members are
on hand to assist you.
Gratuities
Gratuities are customary expressions of appreciation for
a job well done, and it is our goal to ensure that the
service you receive is as wonderful as the sites you visit.
The amount of the gratuity you choose to give is entirely
subject to your satisfaction with your travel experience. To
assist you in determining the amount of your gratuities,
we recommend the following as a guideline:
▶ Cruise/Tour Manager: $8 to $10 USD per guest, per
day (given on the last day of the cruise/tour before
departure)
▶ Ship staff and crew: $8 to $10 USD per guest, per day,
to be shared among all ship’s staff and crew (given on
the last day of the cruise before disembarking the ship)
Tips and gratuities are included for local guides, drivers
and boatmen during your trip.
Gratuities cannot be billed to onboard accounts, so please
ensure that you have cash on hand for this expense.
Travelers Checks cannot be used to pay gratuities.
Handicapped Facilities
Embarkation/disembarkation facilities may be
impossible to navigate with wheelchairs, scooters,
walkers or any other mechanical devices. The ship
was not designed to accommodate physically
challenged travelers; it does not have elevators and
is not handicapped or wheelchair accessible.
Additionally, most shore excursions involve walking over
uneven ground. Some excursions are walking tours only,
and for your safety and enjoyment, we recommend that
all guests be in good physical condition.
Uniworld, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to
refuse passage or to require a current passenger to
end his or her trip if the passenger’s state of health
or physical condition may affect his or her own health,
safety and enjoyment, or that of other passengers.
Insect Precautions
External doors and gauze windows should be kept closed
at all times. At night, if on deck or going ashore, make
sure to apply repellent to ankles and other exposed skin.
While you can expect to encounter insects, these insects
are relatively harmless. Make sure to switch off lights when
leaving your suite so as not to lure them in. On the fast-
flowing river, mosquitoes are rarely to be seen while sailing.

Internet Access
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the public areas
of all hotels; charges may apply for Internet access in
guest rooms. Internet is available onboard, but it is
cellular-based and can be unreliable. Thirty minutes
of complimentary Wi-Fi is available at the hotels: the
Oberoi Gurgaon; the Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra; and the
Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur, once during the stay. At Gateway
Hotel Ganges, Varanasi, and Radisson Blu Plaza, New
Delhi, there is complimentary Wi-Fi access (Basic Access
complimentary for up to two devices and Premium
Access at a nominal charge) throughout the day.
Intra-India Domestic Air Tickets
Your intra-India domestic air tickets will be issued on
tour, and your boarding passes will be given to you by
your Cruise/Tour Manager at the airport.
Land Tour and Shore Excursions
Each cruise/tour program includes comprehensive
shore excursions led by a local English-speaking expert
or your Cruise/Tour Manager; these excursions have
been designed to provide you with the best possible
experience ashore. On motorcoach tours, we ask that
passengers rotate to allow everyone to sit near the
front. A complete day-by-day shore excursion itinerary
is provided in this booklet. Details of your particular
itinerary can also be found at uniworld.com.
Laundry
Laundry service is available in all hotels and onboard
the ship for a fee (except selected suites onboard).
Self-service laundry facilities are not available in hotels
or on the ship.
Massage
Massage services are available onboard the Ganges
Voyager II. These services are available for a fee and can
be paid for in cash or with a credit card at the time of
purchase or at the time you settle any of your onboard
charges prior to disembarkation from the ship.
Mooring and Docking Facilities
The local river authorities allocate docking space around
ship arrivals and departures in port. There are times
when port conditions require ships to tie up alongside
each other, and guests may be required to walk through
another ship to access their own ship. This is part of the
river cruise experience and is perfectly normal. Guests
may experience obstructed views from suites when the
ship is docked.
Moving about the Ship
Because the ship will often be in motion and the decks will
sometimes be slippery, you will need to take care when
moving about the decks. Please be extra cautious when
using the stairs onboard, as they may be steeper than you
are used to. It’s best to always use the handrails.
Muster Stations
A deck plan of the ship is provided in your suite. Please
familiarize yourself with the location of the ship’s two
muster stations. In the event of an emergency, the ship’s
whistle will blast repeatedly and alarm bells will ring.
Proceed immediately to Muster Station One, where
you will put on a life vest and await further instructions.
Muster Station One is located midship on the Main
Deck (near the main gangplank). If for any reason
Muster Station One is unsafe or inaccessible, the crew
will direct you to Muster Station Two on the Sun Deck.
Both muster stations are clearly indicated with signs.
There will be an emergency drill during your voyage.
Note that, as with inland water-class cruise ships on
rivers, we are not required by Class Societies to carry
lifeboats since it is much quicker to beach the vessel
on the nearest sand bar or river bank and evacuate by
foot than to transfer passengers onto lifeboats.
Responsibility and Waiver
The guest accepts the terms and conditions of the
Passenger Ticket Contract when participating in any
organized shore excursion/tour that is provided by
Uniworld. Participation in some shore excursions or
tours may also be subject to an independent operator’s
own Terms and Conditions.

Safety Deposit Box
Each hotel room and onboard suite comes equipped with
a safe. We urge you to leave valuables at home. We are
not responsible for any valuables left in suites. Any charge
to return “lost and found” property will be at the owner’s
expense. Please beware of pickpockets when ashore.
Security
In the countries in which we operate, tourists are rarely
targets for theft, but caution is encouraged nonetheless.
A 24-hour watch is kept on the gangplank in order to
control access to the ship, but please keep your deck
door locked when it is not in use and at night. All suites
have a combination-type safe; please use a number you
can remember, like the last four digits of your phone
number or your date of birth. The company cannot be
held liable for loss of money, jewelry or other valuable
items from the ship, from a hotel or while on an
excursion ashore during a voyage. In the Conditions of
Carriage, you are required to have taken out personal
travel insurance to cover these possibilities.
Ship’s Office
The passenger accepts the terms and conditions of
the Passenger Ticket Contract when participating in
any organized shore excursion/tour that is provided
by Uniworld. Participation in some shore excursions or
tours may also be subject to an independent operator’s
own Terms and Conditions.
Shopping
Time for shopping is usually, but not always, allowed for
within the framework of the sightseeing programs. The
actual amount of time available for shopping may be
limited due to tour constraints. Shopping recommendations
can be made by your Cruise/Tour Manager. Larger stores
accept most major credit cards, while market vendors
and small stores usually only accept local currency.
It is a good idea to take a small amount of cash in
local currency to use for on-the-spot gratuities and
the purchase of souvenirs or sundries.
Smoking
The ship enjoys a non-smoking environment in all public
areas and in the suites. Smoking is allowed only on the
aft section of the upper Sun Deck. Hotels do not permit
smoking except in specific areas; all guest rooms reserved
are non-smoking. Hotels offer smoking rooms; smoking
rooms must be requested at the time of booking and
are very limited. In India, smoking in public places is a
punishable offense and is likely to meet with a monetary
penalty. For the comfort of all passengers, smoking is
not permitted on sightseeing or transfer vehicles.
Suite Amenities
We want you to be as comfortable as possible during
your voyage with us. Our stewarding team will do
their best to ensure the highest possible standards of
cleanliness and comfort in your room. Please do not
hesitate to ask if you require anything at all, and please
let us know if you are not satisfied with any aspect of
our service. Note that suites do not have minibars or
phones. All have their own TV with an on-demand
movie system, air-conditioning, mini-safe, luggage
storage, wardrobe, writing desk and amenities,
including hair dryer, robes and slippers. All suites have
their own deck space with a table and rattan chairs.
Visitors
Visitors are generally not permitted onboard the ship and
are not allowed to join any shore excursions. Please make
arrangements to meet your friends and relatives onshore.
Vox
Uniworld is proud to use the Vox portable audio
headset system on shore tours, so that you will always
be able to hear your local expert’s commentary with
ease and comfort.
Water
Please do not drink or brush your teeth with the tap
water while onboard or onshore. The ship’s water supply
comes from the river after passing through a sterilization
plant. This water is suitable for washing but should not
be consumed. Complimentary bottled water for drinking
and brushing teeth is provided onboard, and additional
bottled water will be made available free of charge on
excursions. To save water and reduce detergent use, we
will only change towels daily if they are placed on the
floor. All hotels also provide complimentary in-room
bottled water.

Weather
Weather forecasts are widely available on the Internet.
Uniworld’s favorite resource for up-to-the-minute
international weather is weather.com.
Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit):
Average Low/High (F)
Jan Feb Mar Sep Oct Nov Dec
New Delhi 45/70 50/76 60/86 76/93 67/91 55/83 47/73
Agra 46/72 51/77 61/89 76/94 68/94 57/85 48/75
Jaipur 46/73 51/78 60/90 73/91 66/92 55/84 48/75
Kolkata 57/80 62/84 71/92 79/90 75/90 67/86 58/81
Varanasi 47/66 54/75 63/88 75/88 70/88 59/81 52/72
Average Temperatures (Celsius):
Average Low/High (C)
Jan Feb Mar Sep Oct Nov Dec
New Delhi 7/21 10/24 15/30 24/34 20/33 13/29 8/23
Agra 8/23 10/25 16/32 24/34 20/34 14/30 9/24
Jaipur 8/23 11/26 16/32 23/33 19/33 13/29 9/24
Kolkata 13/26 17/29 21/33 26/32 24/32 20/30 14/27
Varanasi 8/19 12/24 17/31 24/31 21/31 15/27 11/22
What to Wear
Prepare for a variety of weather conditions depending
on your travel season. Layering clothing is smart because
it allows each person to adjust to most temperatures,
including artificially maintained temperatures, by
removing or adding items throughout the day.
Comfortable, sporty, smart-casual daywear is appropriate
both onshore and onboard. For warmer temperatures, we
suggest lightweight clothing that can be layered, such as
a mix of sweaters, lightweight knit shirts, everyday khakis,
slacks, skirts/dresses and walking shorts. Mix-and-match
solid color schemes work best to help keep baggage
light. This program is very different from European river
programs; attire is more casual due to the region’s
warmer temperatures. During the cruise portion of your
program, comfortable, lightweight clothing in lighter
colors is strongly recommended. Shorts, cotton shirts,
good walking shoes and sun hats during the day are
recommended. However, to enter the temples and other
holy sites, guests should ensure that their shoulders and
knees are covered. For evenings, we recommend casual
and cool-weather attire; however, we require footwear
to be worn at all times in the dining room.
You will engage in a significant amount of walking over
uneven terrain during your time ashore. We recommend
comfortable walking shoes with good ankle support.
Sport jackets and cocktail dresses are not needed at
any time during this program.
Don’t forget to pack a lightweight, waterproof jacket
(preferably hooded), or even a heavier-weight wind-
breaker, for colder temperatures that can be found in
New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Varanasi in late November
through February.
Omissions
Uniworld is not responsible for omissions or printing
and/or presentation errors in brochures, on Internet
sites or in any other media where such information may
be presented; we reserve the right to make corrections
as required.

What time will excursions depart?
All shore excursions are carefully coordinated to the
ship’s daily schedule. Prior to dinner each evening, your
Cruise/Tour Manager will brief all guests about what
activities will take place the next day. This briefing
includes information about departure times, specifics
about the shore excursions/tours not covered in this
booklet, shopping and restaurant recommendations,
and other important information about the port of
call. In addition to the briefing, a daily program will
be distributed to each guest’s suite every evening.
This program provides a written overview of all events
taking place the next day—whether onboard or ashore.
Does each motorcoach or walking group have its own
tour guide?
Yes. Each motorcoach or walking group has its own
English-speaking local tour guide. Uniworld tries very
hard to ensure that our guides are of the highest quality
and are well-versed in their subjects to make sure that
you have the best possible time ashore.
What about tipping?
Gratuities should always be in accordance with each
guest’s personal satisfaction. And Uniworld endeavors
to work with the best local guides available. Please refer
to the “Gratuities” section of this book for specific
recommendations and guidelines.
What is the transportation like on excursions?
Uniworld works with some of the world’s best tour
companies, all of which are chosen with our exacting
standards in mind. To ensure your maximum enjoyment
of each excursion, all motorcoaches seat 29 to 45
people at most and are air-conditioned whenever
possible. There are a few destinations where the
equipment may not be of a similar standard, and, in
such cases, the best possible transportation will be
arranged. Rest stops are provided throughout the
course of the excursion, as the motorcoaches used for
excursions will not have onboard toilets.
Is smoking allowed on shore excursions/tours?
Smoking is not allowed while on the motorcoach, and
many historical venues now request that visitors not
smoke anywhere on site. We ask all our guests who
smoke not to do so while on excursions/tours. In India,
smoking in public places is a punishable offense and is
likely to meet with a monetary penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have concerns about my physical ability. What do I do?
Guests with mobility concerns should discuss their
concerns with Uniworld staff in advance of their
departure. Guests requiring the use of a mobility device,
such as a wheelchair, motorized scooter or walker, may
not be able to participate in many shore excursions or use
them onboard the ships. Also, guests who are limited in
their ability to walk long distances may have difficulties as
there is often uneven terrain on many shore excursions.
How accurate are the shore excursion/tour descriptions?
Uniworld does everything possible to ensure that shore
excursions are performed as promoted and as outlined
in the following pages. In certain circumstances or for
reasons beyond the control of Uniworld, it may not be
possible or practical for the excursion to be performed
exactly as written. The decision not to operate, to alter
the operation, to change content, and/or to otherwise
adjust or modify any element of the excursion as
advertised is at the sole discretion of Uniworld, always
taking into account the safety and best interests of
the guests and overall product delivery. Any such
modifications to excursions will not result in eligibility
for a refund.
Can the itinerary change? What happens if it
does change?
You can count on the value of Uniworld’s experience and
regional knowledge to make sure you enjoy your cruise/
tour even when conditions beyond our control occur.
The very nature of a river, with its sources and networks
of bridges and locks, means that there will be times when
weather or other conditions in a region require Uniworld
to make adjustments and modifications to the operation
of an itinerary. Itineraries may need to be altered
specifically because of water levels. Although every
effort is made to keep itineraries as advertised, Uniworld
reserves the right to make changes and substitutions
as necessary to ensure the safety of our guests and the
vessels. Time permitting, every possible effort will be
made to alert guests in advance of boarding of any
known changes. Otherwise, all guests will be informed
onboard of amendments. Any changes to itineraries,
including the addition of extensive motorcoach touring
to effect delivery of the intended itinerary operation, will
not result in eligibility for a refund.

CRUISE FLIGHTLAND UNESCONIGHTSONSHORERiverStart/End EXTENSION
uniworld.com / 25
the Sacred Ganges
New Delhi to Kolkata / 13 Days
Adventure awaits in mystical and magical India
Savor a sensory feast as you journey from New Delhi,
with its compelling blend of history and religions, to
Agra, where you will marvel at the exquisite Taj Mahal,
and on to the atmospheric bazaars and imposing palaces
of Jaipur. Visit Mother Teresa’s former home in Kolkata
and cruise along the sacred Ganges to such incredible
sites as Kalna, home to intricately carved temples; the
Hazarduari Palace near Murshidabad; and the vast new
Hare Krishna complex in Mayapur, delving into the
astonishing panoply of India’s life on the mother river
as you travel in supreme comfort aboard your luxurious
ship. Profoundly mysterious, gloriously exotic and
infinitely varied, India will enthrall you as you experience
an adventure you will rave about for the rest of your life.

Notes:
NewDelhi to Kolkata
NewDelhi to Kolkata
Optional Excursion:
Qutab Minar and Jagannath Hindu Temple
Your destination: two extraordinary monuments to
India’s Islamic heritage. Qutab Minar, a 237-foot
sandstone tower, was begun in 1193 to celebrate the
Mughal victory over the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi. It’s
part of a complex of mosques, tombs and towers that
date to the 13th and 14th centuries, all fascinating.
After a day spent taking in the sights of scenic New
Delhi, relax this evening over a delicious buffet dinner
at the Oberoi.
Day 3 Agra
u BB L
This morning you will check out of your New Delhi hotel
and head south via motorcoach to Agra. Once known as
Akbarabad, Agra was the capital of the Mughal Empire
for 100 years, until Shah Jahan moved the government
back to New Delhi—but Agra was the site of his best-
known building project, the exquisite Taj Mahal, which
draws visitors from all over the world. Check into the
luxurious Oberoi Amarvilas, where you will be delighted
to discover that every room has a view of the Taj Mahal,
and relax over lunch there before beginning your
exploration of the world Shah Jahan inhabited.
Featured Excursions:
Majesty and grace—the Taj Mahal at sundown 5 1
The Taj Mahal is easily the most famous building in India,
and one of the most famous in the world, with its white
domes and minarets floating serenely above the reflecting
pools—and you will encounter it just as the setting sun
bathes the white marble in a panoply of colors. It’s a
monument to a love story between a great ruler, Shah
Jahan, and a learned and powerful woman, his third wife,
Mumtaz Mahal. After she died giving birth to their 14th
child, he gathered some 20,000 craftsmen to build her
mausoleum, who endowed it with dazzling translucent
marble carvings inlaid with precious and semiprecious
stones. Step through the gate and into the symmetrical
gardens, and experience one of the most beautiful places
on earth.
Day 1 New Delhi
b
Arrive at New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport.
If your cruise/tour package includes a group arrival
transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer,
you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and
transferred to your hotel, the elegant Oberoi Gurgaon.
Its sophisticated comfort will offer you the perfect
launching pad for your exploration of the city.
Day 2 New Delhi
u BB D
The capital of modern India, New Delhi is not one city
but many. Sprawling, home to 17 million people, inhabited
for at least 2,500 years, New Delhi has been built and
destroyed and rebuilt numerous times, and all of its
conquerors have left traces. Your panoramic tour today
will show you some of its most remarkable landmarks.
Featured Excursion:
India’s capital city, old and new 7 2 b
Travel down the broad boulevards of New Delhi, laid
out early in the 20th century after the British moved
the capital of the Raj from Kolkata to New Delhi and
created a new administrative city just south of the old
city. Sir Edwin Lutyens, a noted British architect, was
given the task of designing this new city, which is still
known as Lutyens Delhi; though the British are long
gone, this area continues to house India’s government.
The British were by no means the only conquerors to
make New Delhi their capital. It was also the capital of
the Mughal Empire for centuries, so it hosts spectacular
examples of Mughal architecture, including the Red Fort,
named for its red sandstone walls, and Humayun’s Tomb,
both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Your panoramic tour
includes a look at the enormous fort where the emperors
lived and a visit to Humayun’s Tomb, erected in 1570, the
first Mughal garden tomb in India (and a model for the
Taj Mahal). The old phrase says that “Delhi belongs to
the large-hearted,” and no one was larger hearted than
Mahatma Gandhi, the founder of modern India, whose
memorial, Raj Ghat, is also on the itinerary this morning.
You have some free time after your tour to explore this
exciting city on your own—you’ll find goods from all over
India in bustling Connaught Place, in case you want to
indulge in some shopping, and the National Museum
displays 5,000 years of India’s arts and artifacts. You
may opt for the optional tour to Qutab Minar and the
Jagannath Hindu Temple.

Notes:
NewDelhi to Kolkata
NewDelhi to Kolkata
Did You Know? Color has great symbolic meaning in India.
Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh painted Jaipur pink, the color of
hospitality, to welcome the Prince of Wales in 1876. Color is so
important in the Hindu faith that a spring festival, Holi, is
devoted to it; celebrants throw powdered colors on each other
(and anyone else nearby) in a merry daylong free-for-all.
Day 5 Jaipur
u BB L
Featured Excursion:
Jaipur—Rajasthan’s princely city 5 2 b
City Palace is, just as the name says, right in the heart of
the city. When Jai Singh II and his architect designed the
new city in the 1720s, they made the Maharaja’s palace
its center and laid out the rest of the town around it. His
successors added to it, so it’s now a complex of palaces,
halls, gardens and reception areas. Museum rooms
display astonishingly ornate clothing worn by royalty
over the centuries, ravishing carpets, lethal weaponry,
illuminated manuscripts—all the paraphernalia and
treasures of royal life. Hear the tales of those who lived
here over the centuries as you gaze in wonder at
gold-inlaid ceilings and ornate gateways. Imagine being
one of the royal concubines who gazed out on the busy
streets from the high windows of the Hawa Mahal, unable
to ever step foot out of the confines of the women’s
palace. Following your tour of the palace complex, you’ll
visit another of Jai Singh II’s architectural projects, the
Jantar Mantar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site devoted
to astronomy. Each of the curious structures, called
yantras, in this observatory without telescopes enabled
court astronomers to study the heavens, measuring
various celestial phenomena—eclipses, the position of
stars—or the time of day. Some of these instruments are
still used by astrologers to determine which days will be
auspicious for weddings or other important events.
Return to the elegant Oberoi Rajvilas for a relaxing lunch.
Take the afternoon to explore on your own: Shuttles
will be available to carry you to and from the hotel to
the major shopping district. Jaipur’s bazaars are famous
for their traditional Rajasthani crafts—jewelry, pottery,
hand-printed textiles and carpets—so go and enjoy the
swirl of colors even if you aren’t interested in buying
some souvenirs.
Did You Know? The legendary Koh-i-Noor diamond adorned
Shah Jahan’s Peacock Throne until a Persian conqueror took
it to Persia in 1739. The throne was destroyed, but the
diamond changed hands again and again. In 1850, the
British acquired it; it is now mounted in one of the queen
of England’s crowns—but India wants it back.
Day 4 Agra, transfer to Jaipur
u BB L D
Featured Excursion:
Early morning at the Taj Mahal 5 1
Awake early in the morning for a return visit to the
Taj Mahal, which will take on the rosy pink tints of
sunrise as you arrive. The gates open as the sun lifts
above the horizon, and you enter the exquisite precincts,
which you may explore at your leisure.
Featured Excursion:
Agra Fort 5 1
Standing on the banks of the Yamuna River, Agra Fort
began building in 1565 and expanded over the next
century. Ancient as it is, it still has military functions,
but you will see its lovely mosques, gardens, palaces,
courtyards, the vast hall where Shah Jahan once sat on
his legendary pearl-and-diamond-bedecked Peacock
Throne to receive foreign legations, and the white
marble–sheathed rooms where he spent the last eight
years of his life, imprisoned by his son. From these arched
windows, the emperor could look out to the Taj Mahal.
You’ll return to your hotel for lunch before you head
by motorcoach to the third city in the Golden Triangle,
Jaipur. Capital of the state of Rajasthan, strewn with
massive palaces, it was founded and carefully planned in
the 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II (who gave the
new city his name), so even the old part of the city is laid
out on a grid. The Singh family’s influence is still felt in
Jaipur, though all hereditary titles in India were
discontinued in 1971.
Check into the romantic Oberoi Rajvilas, a luxurious oasis,
and savor lunch there. You might choose to spend the
afternoon relaxing at the hotel, enjoying the extensive,
bird-filled gardens, or you could venture into the vibrant,
wildly colorful city on your own, where avenues are lined
with pink buildings, camels share the streets with
motorcycles and cars, and kites fly from rooftops.

Notes:
NewDelhi to Kolkata
NewDelhi to Kolkata
Day 6 Jaipur, fly to Kolkata
b d e BB L WD
You leave Jaipur early today and fly to Kolkata, India’s
second-largest city, the longtime capital of the British
Raj, and the city many Indians consider their nation’s
intellectual capital. Like Jaipur, it is young compared
to the millennia-long history of the subcontinent; it
was founded by the East India Company late in the
17th century. You’ll board the Ganges Voyager II, your
supremely comfortable traveling hotel for the next
seven nights, and settle into your suite. A Welcome
Dinner and a cultural performance will cap your day.
Day 7 Kolkata, Bandel
BB L D
Featured Excursion:
Mother Teresa’s home and tomb 5 2 b
She came to India in 1929, after growing up in Macedonia
and joining a Loreto nunnery in Ireland, and two decades
later she founded her own order, the Missionaries of
Charity, devoted to the “salvation and sanctification
of the poorest of the poor.” Visit the Mother House,
where she lived and worked for decades; see her
simply furnished room and the tiny museum devoted
to her—her Nobel Peace Prize medal is on display, along
with informative newspaper clippings and photos—and
her tomb. It’s a modest and serene spot devoted to one
of the most influential women ever to live in the city.
Featured Excursion:
The enduring legacy of the British Raj 9 2 b S
Continue this morning with a panoramic tour of Kolkata’s
city center. Though teeming Kolkata is home to palaces
and tenements, new developments and modern office
buildings, grand hotels and parks, its historic architecture
reflects its status as the longtime administrative heart of
the British Raj. The colonial buildings still standing—and
still in use—offer a blend of baroque and neoclassical
styles that says much about British colonial taste.
Perhaps the most surprising is the red-and-white façade
of the Calcutta High Court building—a replica of the city
hall in Ypres, Belgium. You’ll see it, as well as the stately
Palladian dome of Government House (now the
residence of the governor of West Bengal), the classical
white columns of Town Hall, the red-brick Writers’
Building (so named because the East India Company’s
writers worked there), the enormous General Post Office,
and other public buildings before visiting St. John’s,
the oldest Anglican church in the city, and the Victoria
Memorial Museum—which was partly inspired by the
Taj Mahal. Built as a tribute to Queen Victoria after her
death, the huge white-marble confection houses an
illuminating exhibition on the colonial era.
Following your tour, you’ll return to the ship for lunch—
and the beginning of your cruise along the sacred
Ganges. Find a seat on the Sun Deck and observe life
on the river: In the city the banks are lined with
ghats—broad, shallow stone steps that lead down to
the water, where locals stroll and socialize. As you
head away from Kolkata, you can see rowboats laden
with everything from timber to cows, sand miners
hoisting sand from the river bottom bucket by bucket,
and on the banks children wave, women wash clothes
and onetime colonial settlements offer a range of
European architectural styles—English, of course, but
also Dutch, French and Portuguese. Before the end
of the day, you’ll arrive in Bandel.
Bandel, founded by Portuguese traders in the 16th
century, offers a typically Indian mix of religious
monuments: It’s the site of the oldest Christian church
in India, the location of Hindu festivals (including
one devoted to the goddess Muthumariamman), and
home to a famous Shia pilgrimage center, the Hooghly
Imambara. You’ll board a country boat—a small boat
fitted with benches that ferries passengers to and
from your luxurious ship, which cannot always moor
on the banks of the river—to reach the shore and the
imambara. Completed in 1861 to honor Muhammad
Mohsin, a revered Bengali philanthropist, the stately
imambara offers shelter for pilgrims, a mosque and
a school. Step into the long colonnaded courtyard
for a view of the twin towers and the 19th-century
clock, and climb the stairs of the clock tower for a
fabulous view of the river and surrounding countryside.
Visitors are sometimes allowed into the mosque,
but all guests must leave before the faithful are called
to evening prayers.

Notes:
NewDelhi to Kolkata
NewDelhi to Kolkata
Day 8 Kalna
BB L D
Kalna, once an important trade port on the river, is best
known today for the magnificent Hindu temples built by
the maharajas of Bardhaman in the late 18th and 19th
centuries. They are your destination today.
Featured Excursion:
India’s “Temple City” 7 2 S
You’ve seen them jostling through the busy streets of
New Delhi and Kolkata; today’s your chance to try riding
in one yourself. Board a trishaw—a pedal-powered
three-wheeled rickshaw—for a view of the streets of
Kalna as you head to the Rajbari temple complex. The
Pratapeshwar Temple, built in 1849, is embellished with
exceptional terra-cotta carvings depicting myths and
rituals, as well as scenes of everyday life (see if you can
spot the girl in typical Victorian dress with a violin among
the hundreds of figures). Lalji, the oldest temple in the
complex, dates to 1739; the three-storied structure is
topped with 25 distinctive pinnacles. Next to it is Krishna
Chandra, built in a similar style. Across the street you’ll
find the amazing Naba Kailash, two concentric circles of
intricately carved temples dedicated to Shiva. The inner
circle is made up of 34 white temples symbolizing pure
thought; the outer circle contains 74 temples symbolizing
the everyday world.
After marveling at these temples you may opt to walk
with your guide through the colorful local market or
return to the ship.
Day 9 Matiari
BB L D
Matiari, a West Bengal village nestled above the banks
of the river and surrounded by farms, is also home to
a thriving metal-working tradition that you will see in
action today.
Featured Excursion:
Matiari master craftsmen 5 1
Artisans have been making ornamental brass objects—
vases, lamps, figurines, platters—in Matiari for more
than a century, so it’s no wonder that production is
so well-organized and the craftsmen so skillful. Scrap
metal is melted in the village foundry and pressed into
new sheets of brass, which are then turned into various
objects. Each craftsman specializes in a different step
of the process, so one artisan might cut the metal,
while another shapes it into a wide tray, and yet another
etches an intricate pattern onto the surface. The sound
of hammer on brass will fill the air as you stroll from
workshop to workshop to see each step of the
fascinating process.
After your tour, if time allows, you can learn a bit about
one of the Raj’s enduring legacies in India: a passion for
that most British of all games, cricket. It remains India’s
favorite sport, and the national team, nicknamed the
“Men in Blue,” has won the Cricket World Cup more than
once. The game is played in schools, in fields, even on
village streets; watch it in action and discover the meaning
of terms like “long leg,” “fast bowler” and “run-out.”
Back onboard, watch as a skilled practitioner of mehndi
demonstrates how the intricate henna patterns are created,
and discover the meanings of the traditional motifs.
Day 10 Khushbagh, Baranagar, Murshidabad
BB L D
Today’s adventures take you to a trio of Bengali towns—
Khushbagh, Baranagar and Murshidabad—each one
boasting surprising and beautiful architectural monuments
closely linked to the ruling families of the area.
Featured Excursion:
Bengal’s architectural curiosities 9 2 S
Your day begins in Khushbagh, a farming village that is
home to a mosque and tomb complex built by the
Alivardi Khan, Nawab of Bengal, in the 1750s. The fact
that the complex was once enclosed in walls designed to
be defended by musketeers speaks to the war-filled era
of Alivardi Khan, but its name—which means “Garden of
Happiness”—pays tribute to the modern-day serenity of
the grounds and the white-walled mosque. Your guide
can tell you a little about the sorrows and triumphs of
the family that lies here.
Your next destination is Baranagar, where Rani Bhabani
built beautiful brick temples in the 18th century. Goats
frolic among them now and vines attempt to take them
over, but the terra-cotta carvings are considered among
the best in Bengal and the temples are well-tended.
Return to the ship for lunch and a cruise to the town
of Murshidabad, long ago the capital of Bengal and an
important administrative center during the Raj—a fact
that comes clear as the ship rounds a bend in the

Notes:
NewDelhi to Kolkata
NewDelhi to Kolkata
river and you behold Hazarduari Palace. This massive
neoclassical building was erected in the mid-19th century
for British officials, who lived and had their offices in its
114 rooms. One might wonder why the architect, Colonel
Duncan Macleod of the Bengal Corps, thought the
building needed a thousand doors, but that’s how many
it has—900 of them are real doors, and the remaining
100 are false. It is now a museum, which you will visit.
You have one more adventure in store on this adventure-
filled day: Climb aboard a horse-drawn buggy for a
ride to Katra Mosque, built in 1723 by the first nawab,
Murshid Quli Khan, who gave his name to the town.
The huge mosque was damaged by an earthquake in
1897, losing two of its four great towers, but it is still a
remarkable sight.
This evening, following dinner onboard, take in a lively
and fun-filled Bollywood-style show, complete with
music and dancing.
Day 11 Mayapur
BB L D
Today the ship heads back toward Kolkata, cruising past
lush fields of rice, sugarcane, tomatoes and eggplant,
among many other crops, but your river adventure is
not over. You still have some fascinating locations to
visit; they lie on the opposite bank of the river from
your upstream ports of call. Your stop is in Mayapur,
sometimes called the spiritual capital of the world.
Featured Excursion:
Hare Krishna complex and Temple of the Vedic
Planetarium 5 2 S
You can’t miss it as the ship comes into sight of Mayapur:
the massive dome of the new Vedic temple rising above
the town. Funded in part by Alfred Ford, great-grandson
of Henry Ford, the temple is slated for completion in 2016,
to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the founding
of the Hare Krishna movement, whose founder was born
in Mayapur. Millions of Hare Krishna devotees come from
all over the world to this pilgrimage site; as you walk
through Mayapur’s bazaar to the temple complex, you
may well spot expatriates from America, Canada and
Europe. Colorful parades of followers often weave
through the streets, adding to the hustle and bustle of
the lively, vivid scene. You’ll tour the temple complex
and get a look at the new Vedic Planetarium, which will
be larger than London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral when it’s
completed, and learn something about the beliefs of the
International Society of Krishna Consciousness.
Day 12 Chandannagar, Kolkata
BB L FD
You’ll continue to cruise toward Kolkata today, stopping
en route in Chandannagar, a little piece of France that
survived in India for a couple hundred years.
Featured Excursion:
India’s French colonial heritage 7 2 S
“Liberté, Egalité e Fraternité.” These words, the famous
slogan of the French Revolution, are inscribed on the
gateposts of Chandannagar, a memento of the centuries
the town was a French outpost in West Bengal. In fact,
Chandannagar did not officially become part of India
until 1952, so when you step ashore here you will find
a mixture of French Colonial and Indian architecture.
A broad, tree-lined riverfront promenade known as the
Strand shows off the handsomest remaining French
buildings, including the Dupleix Palace, now a museum,
and the 19th-century Church of the Sacred Heart that
replaced the 17th-century original.
Day 13 Depart Kolkata
e b CB/BB L
Your incredible Indian adventure ends early this
morning, as you disembark and transfer to the Kolkata
airport for your flight home—unless you choose to
extend your journey with a visit to Varanasi.
Note: Order of sightseeing may change throughout the itinerary.
Substitute visits to other sites may occur during your trip due to
water levels, closures because of public holidays or other
uncontrollable factors.
Note: All extras, such as optional excursions, bottled water, drinks,
gratuities for the Cruise/Tour Manager and Crew, telephone calls,
laundry and items of a personal nature, are not included in the cost
of the trip.

36
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