APT 8pp DM 1452

ASIA RIVER CRUISING & TOURING INDIA | VIETNAM & CAMBODIA | CHINA | BURMA

0330 303 8453

Join us on a journey of a lifetime and experience unique sightseeing activity, local culture, culinary traditions and carefully desinged itineraries. Each of our exciting journeys provide a perfect balance of inclusions and leisure time. So while we'll take you to the must-see sights and hidden gems, you'll never feel rushed. You'll also enjoy the freedom and flexibility to explore more of the destination you are visiting at your own pace.

THE TOURING EXPERTS Every Travelmarvel holiday is designed with your enjoyment in mind, providing the perfect balance of inclusions and leisure time. So while we’ll take you to the must-see sights and the hidden gems, you’ll also enjoy the freedom and flexibility to explore the way you like. What’s more, our expert Tour Directors and local guides have the knowledge to take you where the guidebooks can’t – providing a true insider’s perspective and a holiday experience you simply could not have on your own.

INSIDER EXPERIENCES Travelmarvel Insider Experiences have been carefully designed to provide extraordinary insight into the essence of the region you visit. Whether it's a unique sightseeing activity, special hotel stay or dining experience, they're sure to leave you with fond life-long memories.

Terms & conditions: Please note itinerary may operate in reverse and may vary slightly check at time of booking. Flights are based from London & regional airports however supplements may apply and all fares are per person in £sterling based on two adults sharing the lowest grade of cabin, on the lowest departure date advertised. Please note prices are correct at the time of going to print and are subject to change and availability without prior notice. Every effort has been made to ensure that the fares advertised are correct, however customers are advised to call www.cruise.co.uk before booking. Please note the specific river cruise lines terms and conditions also apply which can be found on their websites. Deposits paid are non-refundable. Holiday insurance is required. Fly free is valid until 28/2/15 and visas may be required. We hold the right to withdraw any offers without prior notice. E&OE

Job No: 1452

ESSENTIAL VIETNAM & CAMBODIA

Travelmarvel • RV La Marguerite 13 Nights • Jun ‘15 - Apr ‘16

YOUR HOLIDAY PRICE INCLUDES: • Return scheduled flights from London • Total of 4 night stays in luxury hotels in Saigon & Siem Reap • Drinks throughout your cruise included*- soft drinks, local beer and spirits • Complimentary daily bottled water • Shore Excursions at every port • Travelmarvel insider experiences • The services of a Travelmarvel Tour Director • Unique cultural experiences in 10 towns, villages & cities accompanied by expert local guides • 7 night Mekong River cruise aboard the luxurious RV La Marguerite • Discover authentic rural Mekong life during a visit to a remote evergreen island • Airport transfers, port charges & tipping included • Enjoy 11 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 9 dinners • International wines with lunch & dinner

YOUR ITINERARY

YOUR COMPANION FLIES

FREE

Day 1 Depart London.

Fly from London Heathrow to Vietnam.

Day 2 Arrive Ho Chi Minh City.

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam’s largest city, located on the banks of the Saigon River. On arrival at the airport here today, you’ll be met by a Travelmarvel representative and transferred to your hotel.

Tonight, get to know your fellow travellers and Travelmarvel Tour Director during a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant – the perfect start to your Vietnam & Cambodia journey.

Stay (Two Nights): Grand Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City. D Day 3 Cu Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City.

This morning take a step back in time and revisit the military history of the area. Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, built by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the Vietnam War. Part of a larger network, the tunnels were used

by Viet Cong guerrillas as hiding spots during combat. They also served as communication and supply routes, hospitals, weapon caches and living quarters for numerous guerrilla fighters. BL Day 4 Ho Chi Minh City, Embark Cruise.

Drive to My Tho Port and board your river ship for a relaxing journey aboard the luxurious RV La Marguerite. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Dinner on board.

Stay (Seven Nights): RV La Marguerite. LD

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Tour Angkor Thom Visit the Terrace of the Elephants & the Terrace of the Leper King Watch the sunset at Angkor Wat Visit a Grass Roots Orphanage Enjoy an Ox-Cart ride in Kampong Tralach Visit a monastery for a Buddhist blessing experience Visit the Royal Palace of Phnom Penh Join an excursion to the infamous Killing Fields and the Tuoi Sleng Genocide Museum Visit remote islands and experience authentic rural Mekong life Tour Tan Chau by Rickshaw Guided sightseeing tour of Sa Dec Visit the French Gothic Cathedral of Cai Be Visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels Explore Saigon

Day 5 Cai Be, Sa Dec. A local boat will take you to the river-land town of Cai Be today. Visit floating markets, then cruise to Sa Dec, where French writer Marguerite Duras met her Vietnamese-Chinese lover, Huynh Thuy Le. Tour Huynh Thuy Le’s old house. Later, visit a local brick factory and a Cao Dai Temple.

BLD

Cai Be

2

Day 6 Tan Chau, Border Crossing.

Transfer to a small boat for a journey along the tiny tributaries that snake around Tan Chau and step ashore for a rickshaw tour. Spend the rest of today on board your luxurious river ship. Perhaps take in a fruit-carving demonstration while you cross the border into Cambodia. Continue cruising overnight to Phnom Penh. BLD

Day 7 Phnom Penh.

This morning embark on a moving excursion to the infamous Killing Fields, before visiting the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, located on the site of the Khmer Rouge’s notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21). Here, you’ll learn of the atrocities inflicted upon Cambodians during Pol Pot’s regime in the midto-late 1970s. Later this afternoon, take in Phnom Penh’s river promenade as your ship nears the capital. After lunch on board, disembark and enjoy a guided tour of the spectacular Royal Palace. Afterwards, head to the Silver Pagoda. BLD Day 8 Phnom Penh, Koh Chen Village.

Enjoy time at leisure this morning in Phnom Penh. Relax aboard your luxury ship or discover the city’s other attractions, including the famed Russian market. Later today, cruise to the remote Koh Chen, a small village specialising in silver and copperware. BLD Day 9 Oudong, Kampong Tralach.

After breakfast, disembark in Prek K’dam and travel by coach on a morning tour of Oudong, the former royal capital of Cambodia. Like a Local –visit the monastery for a Buddha blessing experience. Afterwards, continue to Kampong Tralach for a visit to Wat Kampong Tralach Pleu.

Like a Local – enjoy an ox-cart ride. BLD Day 10 Kampong Chhnang.

Enjoy a boat excursion into the wetlands near Kampong Chhnang, and then tonight, enjoy a superb dinner. BLD

Siem Reap

Day 11 Siem Reap, Angkor.

Disembark your ship this morning. Later, visit ancient Angkor Thom and Bayon. Special Stay – Shinta Mani Resort.

Stay (Two Nights): Siem Reap, Shinta Mani Resort. B Day 12 Angkor, Siem Reap.

Like a Local – in Siem Reap, you will meet local children who are supported by the organisation Opportunities of Development through Art (ODA).

Enjoy a magnificent sunset over Angkor Wat before a Farewell Dinner. BD Day 13 Depart Siem Reap.

Transfer to the airport for your flight home. B Day 14 Arrive UK. Arrive at London Heathrow early morning.

Jun ‘15 - Apr ‘16. Price based on 13 Jun ‘15

Kompong Chan

Prices from (£pp)

Passenger 1

Passenger 2

Standard Suite

2695

1845

Deluxe Balcony Suite

2890

2040

Sadec Balcony Suite

3190

2340

EXTEND YOUR STAY TO HALONG BAY Vietnam and Cambodia’s stunning sights are on display in all their glory on this magical 19-Day itinerary. You’ll witness the wonder of Mother Nature at her best on Ha Long Bay, see the bustling cities of Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City, and visit small towns along the Mekong River. Every day offers a new opportunity, and you’ll also have plenty of freedom to choose your own activities and personalise your adventure. Enquire for more information.

Passenger 1 from £3795pp Passenger 2 from £2945pp Call our River Experts for more details

Taj Angkor MahalWat

Call our dedicated river cruise team today on 0330 303 8453

3

IMPERIAL CHINA

Travelmarvel | MS Victoria Katarina or MS Victoria Jenna 13 Nights | May - Oct ‘15

FORBIDDEN CITY • TERRACOTTA WARRIORS • PANDAS YOUR HOLIDAY PRICE INCLUDES: • Return scheduled flights from London Heathrow • Arrival and departure airport transfers • All gratuities, port charges and porterage • Services of a dedicated Travelmarvel Tour Director • The additional services of expert local guides in most locations • Four-night Yangtze River cruise • Premium accommodation in Beijing, Xi’an, Wuzhen and Shanghai • 28 meals – 12 breakfasts (B), 9 lunches (L) and 7 dinners (D) • All sightseeing, excursions and entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

YOUR COMPANION FLIES

FREE

• Stay three nights in the heart of Beijing at the Jianguo Hotel • Indulge your taste buds at an authentic Peking Duck banquet at a local restaurant in Beijing • Enjoy a pedicab ride through the hutongs of Beijing, including a visit to a local family, gaining an invaluable insight into traditional Chinese culture • Marvel at the spectacle of an enthralling Tang Dynasty show in Xi’an, then indulge in a delicious local dumpling banquet • Explore the street food stalls within the Muslim Quarter in Xi’an • Relax in the town of Wuzhen at the enchanting Tong’an Guesthouse, located in a dramatic water setting • Partake in a traditional ceremony in the magical Yu Yuan Garden in Shanghai

YOUR ITINERARY Day 1 Depart UK Make your way to London Heathrow for your flight to Beijing.

Day 2 Arrive Beijing Be met on arrival at the airport. Special Stay – transfer to Jianguo Hotel, a green oasis in the middle of the city next to the Silk Market. Enjoy a Welcome Reception later this evening.

Three Nights: Beijing, Jianguo Hotel

Day 5 Beijing, Yichang, Embark Cruise Like a Local – this morning hop on a pedicab for a tour through the hutongs (narrow streets) of Old Beijing. Explore the maze of historic alleyways. Then transfer to the airport and fly to Yichang, enjoying lunch during the flight. On arrival, board your river ship for your Yangtze cruise.

Tonight, enjoy the first of several delicious dinners on board. BLD Four Night Cruise: Victoria Katarina or Victoria Jenna.

Day 3 Beijing, Forbidden City Your sightseeing begins with a half-day tour of Tian’anmen Square, the world’s largest city square. Continue to the World Heritage-listed Forbidden City, a well-preserved site of Chinese architecture that was home to 24 Chinese emperors between 1420 and 1924. Enjoy free time this afternoon, with your Travelmarvel Tour Director on hand to recommend optional activities. A Taste of China – indulge in a Peking Duck banquet at a local restaurant this evening. BD

Day 4 Beijing, Great Wall of China After breakfast, head to the Great Wall of China, which winds its way from the Yellow Sea into the Gobi Desert. Board a cable car and take in the views on the way to the Mutianyu section, one of the best-preserved parts of the wall. After, visit the Sacred Way of the Ming Dynasty Tombs, then stop at a jade factory for lunch, and gain an insight into the 6,000 yearold craft of grinding and polishing jade. On the way back to the city, see Beijing’s Olympic Village, including the Bird’s Nest stadium. BL

4

Terracotta Warrior

Day 6 Three Gorges Dam, Xiling Gorge Take in the breathtaking scenery today as you cruise through the Three Gorges region, considered to be China’s most picturesque region. On arrival at the Three Gorges Dam, you’ll disembark for a guided tour, before continuing on cruising through the longest of the Three Gorges, Xiling Gorge. BLD

Day 7 Daning River, Wu Gorge, Qutang Gorge Today’s excursion is to the crystal-clear waters of the Daning River, home to the smaller but equally stunning Three Lesser Gorges: Dragon Gate; Misty; and Emerald Green. Afterwards, continue on to Wu Gorge, noted for its quiet beauty, sheer peaks and towering cliff faces. After lunch, pass between two mountains on the way into Qutang Gorge, the narrowest and most dramatic of the Three Gorges. BLD

Day 8 Shibao Zhai, Fengdu After breakfast this morning, disembark your ship for a tour of Shibao Zhai tower, an impressive wooden structure built atop a large hill that overlooks the river. Also known as the ‘Precious Stone Fortress’, this ancient pagoda stands an astonishing 12 storeys high and houses many cultural relics including fine examples of calligraphy and painting. After exploring, continue along the Yangtze to Fengdu (subject to river conditions).

Disembark and wander through this graceful little ‘Ghost City’, noted for its bustling markets and the many Buddha and Tao temples gathered on Ming Mountain. In the evening, enjoy a sumptuous dinner to signify your final night on board. BLD

Chongqing Zoo

Day 11 Xi’an, Shanghai, Wuzhen Enjoy the morning at leisure before flying to Shanghai. From here, travel to the ancient water town of Wuzhen and see where Marco Polo roamed, as you discover the beautiful canals and charming cobblestone streets. Enjoy the evening at leisure. BL Special Stay – relax at the Tong’an Guesthouse, an enchanting Ming and Qing Dynasty-style hotel. Wuzhen, Tong’an Guesthouse

Day 12 Shanghai This morning, enjoy a boat ride on the canals of Wuzhen before returning to Shanghai, then transferring to the Ocean Hotel. Enjoy dinner at your leisure this evening. BL Two Nights: Shanghai, The Ocean Hotel

Day 13 Shanghai

Victoria Jenna

Day 9 Chongqing, Disembark Ship, Xi’an Disembark your ship this morning in Chongqing, a strategic port established in the 11th century that played a key role in World War II due to its mountainous landscape. Head to the Chongqing Zoo, where more than 200 varieties of wild and rare animals are on display, including the famous Giant Pandas. This beautiful creature is fast replacing the dragon as China’s emblem and has been kept in zoos since the early Han Dynasty – over 2,000 years ago. Later, transfer to the airport and fly to Xi’an. A Taste of China – marvel at a Tang Dynasty performance of song and dance whilst enjoying a dumpling banquet. BD Two Nights: Xi’an, Howard Johnson Ginwa Plaza Hotel

Like a Local – discover why China was ‘built on tea’, as you partake in a traditional tea ceremony at a pagoda within the majestic Yu Yuan Gardens.

Enjoy the peaceful surrounds and learn about the ceremony’s significance and traditional range of teas with their cultural significance. Afterwards, continue to explore the lavish gardens, including its impressive Jade Rock boulder, then take a tour of Shanghai’s Old City. For your final afternoon, embark on a cruise along the Huangpu River. Tonight, enjoy a special Farewell Dinner at Ding Tai Fung, famed for its local steam dumplings. BLD

Day 14 Depart Shanghai, Arrive UK Transfer to the airport for your flight home and arrive back in London. B

INCLUDES SUPERIOR BALCONY

Day 10 Xi’an, Terracotta Army On the way to the Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses, visit a clay factory where Terracotta soldiers are still made today. At the museum, visit the three excavation pits where the sculptures were buried over time and marvel at the Bronze Chariot. Like a Local – this evening, step out for a visit to the Muslim Quarter. Explore the numerous food stalls filled with exotic treats, peruse through the souvenir markets and visit the Great Mosque. BL Balcony Suite

prices from (£pp) based on 31 May, 16 June ‘15

Date May - Oct ‘15

Superior Balcony

Executive Suite

Passenger 1

Passenger 2

Passenger 1

Passenger 2

3195

2395

3430

2630

Call our dedicated river cruise team today on 0330 303 8453

5

MAJESTIC BURMA

Travelmarvel | RV Princess Panhwar 16 Nights | Jan - Dec ’16 & Jan - Mar ‘17

YOUR HOLIDAY PRICE INCLUDES: • • • • • • • • • •

Return scheduled flights from London Heathrow All meals, plus complimentary house wine, local beer and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board the RV Princess Panhwar Travelmarvel Cruise Director & local guides All sightseeing & on board entertainment Unique Insider Experiences Overseas transfers, all port charges and tipping 42 Meals; 14 breakfasts (B), 14 lunches (L) and 14 dinners (D) Immerse yourself in the local way of life YOUR Hand-Picked Accommodation COMPANION Experience the superb facilities onboard the brand new FLIES RV Princess Panhwar

FREE

YOUR ITINERARY

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Day 1 Depart UK Your journey begins today as you make your way to London Heathrow for your flight to Burma.

Day 2 Arrive Yangon, Embark Cruise Be met and transfer to your ship. After lunch on board, explore Yangon on a late afternoon tour. Like a Local – Marvel at the Shwedagon Pagoda, resplendent with a golden spire. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner.

Stay: 14 Nights: RV Princess Panhwar. LD

BRAND NEW SHIP

Restaurant Artists Impression

Day 3 Maubin Arrive after lunch in Maubin. Take a walking tour, during which you’ll learn about Ba Maw, a prominent Burmese political leader who was born here. You will also visit the local market. BLD

Day 4 Danuphyu, Zalon Explore Danuphyu, where the revered General Maha Bandula led a famous Burmese defensive against British troops in the First Anglo-Burmese War. Visit the Monastery of Maha Bandula and a home cheroot-making workshop.

Cruise to Zalon for a tour. BLD

Day 5 Myanaung, Pyay (Prome) Cruise to the sleepy riverside township of Myanaung. Here, a guided walking tour will take you past well-preserved colonial houses and the bustling market.

Continue cruising to Pyay. BLD

Day 6 Pyay (Prome), Sri Ksetra Take in views of the Akauk Mountains as you cruise towards Pyay for a walking tour. Pyay originally served as a cargo transit point between Upper and Lower Burma. See a selection of pagodas then travel to the ancient ruins at the old Pyu kingdom capital, Sri Ksetra. BLD

6

•

Ascend Singuttara Hill and visit the 99 metre-high Shwedagon Pagoda

•

Tour Inwa by horse-drawn cart and see the ‘leaning tower of Inwa’

•

Visit Mahamuni Buddha Temple and perhaps add a sheet of gold leaf to the statue of the Mahamuni Buddha

•

Go for a stroll along the famed U Bein Bridge near Amarapura

•

Additional Sightseeing Inclusions

•

Enjoy a range of local entertainment on board your cruise, including a Burmese puppet show

•

Enjoy the sights of Maubin during a walking tour

•

Explore Danuphyu where General Maha Bandula led a Burmese defensive during the First Anglo Burmese War

•

Visit Salay’s oldest surviving wooden monastery

•

Take a small boat to visit the Gwechaung and Minhla forts

•

Visit the stunning Shwezigon Pagoda

Day 7 Thayetmyo Cruise to Thayetmyo, a port town that once sat on the British colonial border between Upper and Lower Burma. Here, wander the streets and take in the colonial architecture. You can also pay a visit to Burma’s oldest golf course, established here by the British in 1887. BLD

Day 8 Minhla, Magwe Stop in Minhla, the site of a significant battle during the Third Anglo-Burmese War. Take a small boat to visit Gwechaung and Minhla forts built by Italian engineers in 1860 to keep British forces out of Burma. Later, cruise to Magwe to visit its market and colonial buildings. Tonight, enjoy a traditional Burmese puppet show. BLD Mandalay

Day 9 Salay Cruise to the village of Salay. Visit Yoke Sone Kyaung, the region’s oldest surviving wooden monastery. Then continue to Shinbin Maha Laba Man Paya, home to the country’s largest lacquer Buddha image from the 13th century.

BLD

Day 10 Tantkyi Hill, Bagan Climb Tantkyi Hill to visit Tantkyitaung Pagoda, encircled by 32 elephant statues. Disembark in Bagan, the awe-inspiring archaeological sites. Visit the revered Ananda Temple. Later, head to Nyaung-U, home to the stunning golden Shwezigon Pagoda. BLD

Day 11 Bagan Explore the bustling Nyaung-U market. Then on a tour of Bagan, visit Gubyaukgyi Temple,a 13th-century ‘cave temple’ with an Indian-style spire, before you head to a lacquerware workshop and a local village. Later, be captivated as you enjoy a special sunset viewing at Pyathat Gyi or Dhamayazaka. Enhance Your Journey: At sunrise or sunset, perhaps board a hot air balloon and float over the pagodas of Bagan. BLD

Day 12 Bagan, Yandabo Today tour Yandabo, the site of where the Treaty of First Anglo-Myanmar War was signed. It’s also famous for its terracotta pots, made from riverbank clay.

BLD

Day 13 Inwa Arrive in Inwa, an ancient imperial capital. Like a Local – Enjoy a horsedrawn cart tour. BLD

Burma

Day 14 Sagaing, Mingun.

In Sagaing, visit a silversmith’s workshop then explore Soon U Ponya Shin and Kaunghmudaw pagodas. Later, cruise to Mingun and visit the 18th-century Mingun Pahtodawgyi. You’ll also see the Mingun Bel. Tonight, enjoy a cultural show on board. BLD

Day 15 Mandalay Like a Local – Visit Mandalay’s Mahamuni Buddha Temple. Then explore local workshops. Later, tour Shwenandaw Monastery; visit Kuthodaw Pagoda and ascend Mandalay Hill. Like a Local – Stroll along U Bein Bridge. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner. BLD

Day 16 Disembark Ship, Depart Mandalay Disembark Ship, Depart Mandalay. Transfer to the airport for your return flight. B

Day 17 Arrive London

INCLUDES FRENCH BALCONY

Artists Impression

prices from (£pp)

Date Schwedagon Pagoda

Jan - Dec ‘16, Jan - Mar ‘17

Call our dedicated river cruise team today on 0330 303 8453

French Balcony Passenger 1

Passenger 2

3995

2995

7

INDIA LOWER GANGES CRUISE

Travelmarvel • RV Rajmahal 15 Nights • Jan - Dec ‘16

YOUR HOLIDAY PRICE INCLUDES:

YOUR COMPANION FLIES

Taj Mahal

FREE

YOUR ITINERARY

• Return scheduled flights from the UK • All meals, plus complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board • Travelmarvel Cruise Director & local guides • All sightseeing & on board entertainment • Overseas transfers, all port charges & tipping • Includes 37 meals – Enjoy 13 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches and 12 Dinners • Enjoy an indulgent stay at The Oberoi Grand in Kolkata • Tantalise your taste buds during lunch at Oh! Calcutta • Visit the great Buddhist monastery and stupa at Nalanda • See the Pirpahar Hill with its grand mansion and Sitakund hot springs • Visit Rajmahal, where Shah Jehan, builder of the Taj Mahal, spent much of his youth • Explore the Nawab’s Hazarduari Palace on the Murshidabad waterfront • Visit the new ISKCON temple • Experience Kolkata’s Flower Market

Day 1 Depart London Today make your way to London Heathrow for your flight to Patna via Dubai and Delhi.

Day 2 Arrive Patna Transfer to your river ship this afternoon and enjoy dinner on board. D. Stay (Twelve Nights): Lower Ganges River, the new RV Rajmahal.

Day 3 Patna, Barh Tour Patna, visiting the extraordinary 18th century Gola Ghar granary, the great Sikh temple and the State Museum. Back onboard, your ship will pass near the old East India Company opium warehouses and moor for the evening at Barh. BLD Day 4 Nalanda, Mokameh Take an excursion to the excavated great Buddhist monastery and stupa at Nalanda and the adjoining museum, then visit the picturesque Pawapuri jain temple. Return in the evening to your ship now at the great bridge at Mokameh, where naturalist Jim Corbett spent his working life overseeing the ferry crossing. BLD Day 5 Monghyr, Sultangani Arrive in Monghyr and see its Mughal fort, as well as an East India Company Cemetery. You’ll also visit the Pirpahar Hill, crowned by a fine old mansion as well as the Sitakund hot springs. Continue cruising to anchor near Jahangira Island at Sultanganj, a place of pilgrimage. BLD

Indian Spices Day 8 Jangipur or Gaur Arrive in Jangipur, where you have the afternoon free to explore. Alternatively, you may choose to enjoy a full day excursion by road to Gaur. BLD Day 9 Baranagar Walk through rice fields to three miniature terracotta temples.

Continue past Azimganj to Murshidabad. Moor and walk to the Khushbagh, a peaceful Moghul-style garden enclosing the tombs of Siraj-ud-Daulah and his family. You’ll also visit Katra Mosque and drive out to two 18th-century buildings, Nashipara Palace and Katgola Palace. BLD Day 10 Murshidabad, Katwa On the Murshidabad waterfront, explore the Nawab’s Hazarduari Palace and its collection of art, china, and weapons. Return to the ship and continue to a mooring close to the battlefield of Plassey where in 1757 Clive’s defeat of Siraj-ud-Daulah changed the course of Indian history. BLD

Day 13 Chandernagore, Barrackpore Pass the old Dutch settlement at Chinsura then arrive at Chandernagore. Visit the 18th century church and Dupleix’s House. Continue to Barrackpore, and walk past the Semaphore Tower, Government House, and Flagstaff House. Maybe visit the old Danish colony of Serampore. BLD Day 14 Kolkata, Disembark Ship Arrive in Kolkata and visit the bustling Flower Market.

Afterwards, head to Nirmal Hriday, the first institution established by Mother Teresa, before visiting the Victoria Memorial. A Taste of India – enjoy a delicious lunch at the award-winning Oh! Calcutta restaurant. Special Stay – experience a stay at Kolkata’s ultimate residence, The Oberoi. BL Day 15 Depart Kolkata Make your way to the airport for your onward flight home to the UK. B Day 16 Arrive London

Day 11 Matiari Visit the brassworking village of Matiari where you can see the process of brass beating. Later you’ll reach Mayapur, its skyline dominated by the new ISKCON temple. BLD Day 12 Kalna, Bandel Cruise to the country town of Kalna then take a cycle rickshaw to some of Bengal’s most attractive temples.

Continue to the imposing Imambara near Bandel. BLD MV RajMahal Day 6 Bhagalpur, Bateshwar Keep an eye out for Gangetic dolphins as you cruise to Bhagalpur. Here we’ll visit the 18th-century mansion built

by Augustus Cleveland as well as a silk-weaving village.

Cruise on, passing close to the island shrine at Colganj, with Buddhist and Hindu cave temples. Visit Bateshwar with 6th century Hindu carvings and nearby ruins of an 8th century Buddhist stupa and monastery at Vikramshila. BLD Day 7 Rajmahal, Farakka Barrage Cruise to Rajmahal, a town hard to find in guidebooks. Shah Jehan, builder of the Taj Mahal, spent much of his youth here.

Explore remains of palaces, forts and mosques before we continue to Farakka Barrage. BLD

Hindu Temple

Prices from (£pp) for a Balcony Suite

Shiva Temple

Prices from (£pp)

Passenger 1

Passenger 2

Jan - Dec ‘16

4195

3295