Iconic Collection: India land tour and Ganges river cruise

Don’t miss your opportunity to sail the scenic Ganges and explore the diverse culture, cuisine and attractions India holds. This is a hosted cruise, meaning you can join James Cole and a select group of Panache Cruises customers and invitees to experience this magical part of the world together.

Here’s what James had to say about it:

“On this one we will be spending a few days pre-cruise in New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, soaking up the sights, sounds and tastes of India on a brilliant Golden Triangle tour. We’ll visit the majestic Taj Mahal at sunrise and sunset, stay in immaculate Oberoi hotels and explore palaces and temples by tuk tuk.

I can’t wait! I just know that India is going to be a life-changing experience for me to tick off my bucket list, and I hope you can join me on this adventure. You might’ve also seen this sailing recently on Channel 5's "Cruising with Jane McDonald!”

Land tour: New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur

Day 1-2: Trip commences in New Delhi

You have the opportunity to explore the heart of New Delhi in a two-night luxury hotel stay. The national capital of India is bustling and embedded with a unique heritage which you can experience first-hand. Your expertly-led city tour is included and provides an ideal first foray into this fascinating land. To cap your day of taking in the sights of scenic New Delhi, relax this evening over a delicious dinner at the Oberoi Hotel with your fellow travellers. Refuel for another day of exploring tomorrow!

Take a trip to the local markets and experience the famous Indian fashion alongside the local cuisines on offer. Why not try some authentic New Delhi street food; paranthas and chicken chaat for example? Immerse yourself in the traditional Indian culture and visit the beautiful Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, a white-marble Sikh Temple. Inside the majestic temple you can explore a gurdwara, which is a kitchen that accepts everyone to dine there, regardless of religion or nationality.

Day 3: Explore the wonders of Agra

The second destination you will be exploring is the cultural city of Agra, which is home to the monumental Taj Mahal! This stop offers the opportunity to embark on the bucket list experience of capturing a golden, dramatic sunset behind the architectural and majestic Taj Mahal. This is truly one of the most sought-after tourist attractions and UNESCO World Heritage Sites; a bucket list experience.

As well as the iconic Taj Mahal, you can take a tour of the breathtaking Mehtab Bagh, a park which was originally built by Emperor Babur and is embedded with fruit trees and impressive fountains. After a busy day exploring the bustling city, relax in a five star hotel handpicked by Uniworld to create the most memorable experience.

Day 4: Enjoy the architectural Jaipur

Wake up early this morning to see the white marble monument of Taj Mahal for the second time, this time aglow with the rosy tinge of dawn.

After transferring to Jaipur, take the chance to visit the majestic Amber Fort (included in your fare), which is located on top of a small hill roughly 11km away from the main city. Once inside you can explore the four courtyards, palaces and the array of gardens which have been created from sandstone and marble. The intricate details inside the fort are magical and the warm colours create a sense of abundance.

Another must-see attraction is the Jantar Mantar, an architectural project by Jai Singh II. This UNESCO World Heritage site is devoted to astronomy, it utilises the sun and the direction of shadows to work out the time.

Cruise the sacred River Ganges

Day 6: Embark the ship in Kolkata

Welcome to Kolkata. Your journey has now begun aboard the Ganges Voyager II. This ultra-luxury ship will ensure you experience unparalleled opulence during your stay, offering a range of lounges for you to unwind over the course of this thrilling itinerary, as well as a spa, fitness centre and incredible locally-inspired cuisine.

Day 7: Explore cultural Kalna 

Uniworld India finds hidden gems that are bursting at the seams with culture.

Kalna is home to over a hundred Shiva temples and the magnificent Rajbari Complex, which is not one to miss. Its extensive range of temples, palaces and gardens will mesmerise you! Kalna is famous for its annual traditional festivals, the most popular one being the grand Durga Puja celebration. The town comes alive with bright, bold colours and a spiritual feeling fills the air attracting locals and tourists, creating an incomparable atmosphere.

Foodies are spoilt for choice here too, it’s home to delicious Bengali cuisine.

Day 8: Revel in pastoral Matiari

Take a trip to the rustic town of Matiari, and explore the traditional lifestyle the locals live outside of the loud, bustling cities.

Matiari has been home to many generations of artisans creating a unique lifestyle, which is prominent in the town to this day. The locals live in mud houses which are covered in intricate carvings and designs that showcase their heritage. Artisans have been making ornamental brass objects, such as vases and figurines, for over a century. The brass used is created from melted scrap metal that then gets pressed into new sheets of brass ready for the craftsman to work their magic.bEach craftsman has a specialised skill and therefore works on individual steps in the process.

The town is embellished with natural beauty and is full of local art, allowing you to immerse yourself and gain an understanding of their culture and how passionate they are about upholding traditions. Once you arrive back on board you can watch a skilled practitioner of mehndi demonstrate the intricate henna process and discover the meaning behind the patterns and how they are created.

Day 9: Silk heritage in Murshidabad

Murshidabad is famous for its silk production, and you have the chance to visit the Azimganj Sericulture Research and Training Institute to gain knowledge on the silk-making process, learn about the various stages of silk production, including rearing silkworms. You can even purchase souvenirs to cherish the unique experience!

Climb aboard a horse-drawn buggy for a ride to Katra Mosque, built in 1723 by the first nawab Murshid Quli Khan who named the town after himself. The monumental mosque was damaged by an earthquake which resulted in losing two of its great four towers, but is still an unmissable attraction.

You will then return to the ship for lunch and cruise to the town of 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.

Day 10-11: Get active in Mayapur

The next two days will be spent in the scenic city of Mayapur where you can marvel at the beautiful views and keep a look out for the endangered Ganges river dolphin. Mayapur has religious significance and is a pilgrimage site for devotees from all over the world, as it has some of the most important temples for the followers of the Vaishnava faith. For those who enjoy action, why not take part in some of the activities Mayapur has to offer such as kayaking and river rafting.

Finish the evening by enjoying a Farewell Dinner and take in a lively cultural performance, complete with music and dancing.

Day 12-13: Revisit Kolkata

Last but not least on this rejuvenating and cultural trip, you will revisit the city of Kolkata. The city is embedded with the legacies of Mother Theresa and the colonial-era British Raj which you can learn more about through a guided walking tour of the city. If you are a sports fan then this is a must-visit destination for you, as it holds the second-largest cricket stadium in the world alongside an impressive football stadium that holds 120,000 fans!

It's now time to disembark the luxury Indian Uniworld ship, but the memories are sure to last you a lifetime!