Cruise & Rail: The Sacred Ganges & the Maharajas' Express
15 night Cruise Only - from £18524pp
Kolkata, Victoria Memorial
Discover the magic of India on a luxurious cruise and land journey. Sail the Ganges from Kolkata, explore historic cities like Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, and experience vibrant culture, stunning palaces, and breathtaking wildlife. You may even get a chance to see the rare Ganges river dolphin. Book your adventure today!
Start your journey onboard the luxurious riverboat, the Ganges Voyager II. Travel to villages lining the Ganges River that only a few people get to see each year and experience our Wellness Program, centered around the destination's ancient tradition and practice of yoga. From the awe-inspiring Hindu temple complexes of Kalna to the colorful flower markets of Kolkata, your Ganges voyage delves deeply into the myriad charms of India's culture.
Then your travels continue onshore to explore India's star cities by the Maharajas' Express. This glamorous train will take you to Agra for the Taj Mahal, the Pink City of Jaipur and the Blue City of Jodhpur, the romantic "Venice of the East", New Delhi, and Mumbai, home to India's famous Bollywood film industry. All this and more await on a once-in-a-lifetime voyage through India.
Note: For the January and November departures, the rail portion of this itinerary will begin in New Delhi and travel to Mumbai. For the December departure, the rail portion will begin in Mumbai and travel to New Delhi.
*Note: Due to cultural differences and other factors, the beverage policy for our India program differs from our European programs.
Unlimited beverages on board (excludes premium wine and premium spirits)
Open seating for meals
Informal dress code
Mainly UK/US passengers
All gratuities onboard
Itineraries
Day 1Kolkata (ex Calcutta)
Arrive at Kolkata Airport. If your cruise 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 the Ganges Voyager II.
Day 2Kalna
Kalna, once an important trade port on the river, is best known today for the magnificent Hindu temples built by the maharajas of Bardhaman— which you’ll experience today. After marveling at the astonishing Rajbari temple complex, you may opt to walk with your guide through the colorful local market.
Day 3Matiari
Your ship serves as a time machine today, transporting you hundreds of years into the past, as we travel to the authentic artisan village of Matiari.
Day 4Murshidabad
Today’s adventures take you to a duo of Bengali towns—Murshidabad and Baranagar—each one boasting surprising and beautiful architectural monuments closely linked to the ruling families of the area.
Day 5Kolkata (ex Calcutta)
One of the world’s most sacred bodies of water, the Ganges River flows through a myriad of small villages and highly populated cities throughout India and Bangladesh. Take in the remarkable scenery as you sail and be on the lookout for a rare sighting of the endangered Ganges river dolphin.
Day 6Mayapur
Few places of worship exist on such a head-spinning scale as what you will witness today in Mayapur, the center of the international Hare Krishna movement and home to the new Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, still under construction. Most students of history know a thing or two about the British colonial powers in India, but few are aware that the French had colonies here as well. You’ll visit this former French outpost today.
Day 7Kolkata (ex Calcutta)
The city of Kolkata is synonymous with the enduring legacies of Mother Teresa and the colonial-era British Raj, both of which you will get better acquainted with today.
Day 8New Delhi
Disembark the ship for your flight to New Delhi. Take the afternoon at leisure to rest at your hotel, The Oberoi New Delhi.
Day 9Agra
Settle into your cabin onboard The Maharajas’ Express as your journey by rail begins. Later today, enjoy a visit to the majestic Taj Mahal.
Day 10Ranthambore National Park
Following a visit to Agra Fort, you will journey to stunning Ranthambore, home to a national park known for its large population of Bengal tigers.
Day 11Jaipur
Pink is the color of hospitality in northwestern India, which gives you an idea of what to expect in the “Pink City” of Jaipur. Spend the morning visiting the city’s famous Amber Fort.
Day 12Bikaner
Gaze out at the countryside while you enjoy breakfast onboard. In the 15th century, what was once a barren desert gave rise to a princely city carved of red sandstone. This city, Bikaner, is the site of your explorations today. Enjoy some free time in the morning to explore on your own or relax onboard before our afternoon explorations. Tonight, a special dinner experience awaits in the deserts outside the city.
Day 13Jodhpur
Having seen India’s “Pink City” already, now it’s time for you to visit the “Blue City” of Jodhpur. Swaths of brightly painted blue houses can be found throughout the city’s streets. Once an indication that a Brahmin—a member of India’s priestly class—inhabited a dwelling, the blue color later became emblematic of the city itself and a popular choice amongst its residents.
Day 14Udaipur
Sprawling across seven lakes and a range of hillsides, Udaipur has earned itself the moniker “the Venice of the East.” It is certainly amongst the most scenic locales in all of India, and a highlight of our adventures in this many splendored country. During your explorations of Udaipur today, sit for lunch at a local spot in town.
Day 15Mumbai (ex Bombay)
Disembark the train and transfer to your luxury hotel, The Oberoi Mumbai, which is situated right on the coast of the Arabian sea.
Day 16Mumbai (ex Bombay)
Check out of your hotel. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to the airport in Mumbai for your flight home.
Kolkata (ex Calcutta) to Mumbai (ex Bombay) ItineraryFor the 1 November 2025, 3 October 2026 and 31 October 2026 Departures
Day 1Kolkata (ex Calcutta)
Arrive at Kolkata Airport. If your cruise 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 the Ganges Voyager II.
Day 2Kalna
Kalna, once an important trade port on the river, is best known today for the magnificent Hindu temples built by the maharajas of Bardhaman- which you’ll experience today. After marveling at the astonishing Rajbari temple complex, you may opt to walk with your guide through the colorful local market.
Day 3Matiari
Your ship serves as a time machine today, transporting you hundreds of years into the past, as we travel to the authentic artisan village of Matiari.
Day 4Murshidabad
Today’s adventures take you to a duo of Bengali towns-Murshidabad and Baranagar-each one boasting surprising and beautiful architectural monuments closely linked to the ruling families of the area.
Day 5Kolkata (ex Calcutta)
One of the world’s most sacred bodies of water, the Ganges River flows through a myriad of small villages and highly populated cities throughout India and Bangladesh. Take in the remarkable scenery as you sail and be on the lookout for a rare sighting of the endangered Ganges river dolphin.
Day 6Mayapur
Few places of worship exist on such a head-spinning scale as what you will witness today in Mayapur, the center of the international Hare Krishna movement and home to the new Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, still under construction. Most students of history know a thing or two about the British colonial powers in India, but few are aware that the French had colonies here as well. You’ll visit this former French outpost today.
Day 7Kolkata (ex Calcutta)
The city of Kolkata is synonymous with the enduring legacies of Mother Teresa and the colonial-era British Raj, both of which you will get better acquainted with today.
Day 8Mumbai (ex Bombay)
Disembark the ship for your flight to Mumbai. Take the afternoon at leisure to rest at your hotel, The Oberoi Mumbai, which is situated right on the coast of the Arabian sea.
Day 9Mumbai (ex Bombay)
Settle into your cabin onboard The Maharajas’ Express as your journey by rail begins.
Day 10Udaipur
Sprawling across seven lakes and a range of hillsides, Udaipur has earned itself the moniker “the Venice of the East.” It is certainly amongst the most scenic locales in all of India, and a highlight of our adventures in this many splendored country. During your explorations of Udaipur today, sit for lunch at a local spot in town.
Day 11Jodhpur
Having seen India’s “Pink City” already, now it’s time for you to visit the “Blue City” of Jodhpur. Swaths of brightly painted blue houses can be found throughout the city’s streets. Once an indication that a Brahmin-a member of India’s priestly class-inhabited a dwelling, the blue color later became emblematic of the city itself and a popular choice amongst its residents.
Day 12Bikaner
Gaze out at the countryside while you enjoy breakfast onboard. In the 15th century, what was once a barren desert gave rise to a princely city carved of red sandstone. This city, Bikaner, is the site of your explorations today. Enjoy some free time in the morning to explore on your own or relax onboard before our afternoon explorations. Tonight, a special dinner experience awaits in the deserts outside the city.
Day 13Jaipur
Pink is the color of hospitality in northwestern India, which gives you an idea of what to expect in the “Pink City” of Jaipur. Spend the morning visiting the city’s famous Amber Fort, and the evening enjoying dinner out at an exclusive venue.
Day 14Ranthambore National Park
Today you will visit stunning Ranthambore, home to a national park known for its large population of Bengal tigers.
Day 15Agra
Start the day early with a visit to the majestic Taj Mahal, then return to the train as you head towards New Delhi where you will disembark the train and transfer to your luxury hotel, The Oberoi New Delhi.
Day 16New Delhi
Check out of your hotel. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to the airport in New Delhi for your flight home.
Kolkata (ex Calcutta) to New Delhi ItineraryFor the 6 December 2025, 28 February 2026, 28 March 2026 and 5 December 2026 Departures
Dates and Prices
01 November 2025 - Kolkata to Mumbai - Sailing on : Ganges Voyager II From: £0pp
06 December 2025 - Kolkata to Mumbai - Sailing on : Ganges Voyager II From: £18599pp
Signature Suite
261 sq ft - 24.2 sq m
Blue Water Price from£18599pp
24 January 2026 - Kolkata to Mumbai - Sailing on : Ganges Voyager II From: £18524pp
Signature Suite
261 sq ft - 24.2 sq m
Blue Water Price from£18524pp
Colonial Suite
261 sq ft - 24.2 sq m
Blue Water Price from£22894pp
28 February 2026 - Kolkata to Mumbai - Sailing on : Ganges Voyager II From: £18524pp
Signature Suite
261 sq ft - 24.2 sq m
Blue Water Price from£18524pp
Colonial Suite
261 sq ft - 24.2 sq m
Blue Water Price from£22894pp
28 March 2026 - Kolkata to Mumbai - Sailing on : Ganges Voyager II From: £18524pp
Signature Suite
261 sq ft - 24.2 sq m
Blue Water Price from£18524pp
Colonial Suite
261 sq ft - 24.2 sq m
Blue Water Price from£22894pp
31 October 2026 - Kolkata to Mumbai - Sailing on : Ganges Voyager II From: £18524pp
Signature Suite
261 sq ft - 24.2 sq m
Blue Water Price from£18524pp
Colonial Suite
261 sq ft - 24.2 sq m
Blue Water Price from£22894pp
03 October 2026 - Kolkata to Mumbai - Sailing on : Ganges Voyager II From: £18524pp
Signature Suite
261 sq ft - 24.2 sq m
Blue Water Price from£18524pp
Colonial Suite
261 sq ft - 24.2 sq m
Blue Water Price from£22894pp
05 December 2026 - Kolkata to Mumbai - Sailing on : Ganges Voyager II From: £18524pp