Inspired by Jane Mcdonald’s India adventures? Follow in her footsteps with Pandaw
Fans of crooner-turned cruise connoisseur Jane McDonald can re-create her recent adventures to India thanks to river expedition company Pandaw, and its brand new seven and 14-night sailings along the Ganges.
The new series of Cruising with Jane McDonald continued on Friday night (26.04.19) with the first of a two-part episode which saw Jane discover India on a cruise along the fabled Ganges river.
Departing from the colourful city of Kolkata, where she visited the largest flower market in Asia, Jane set sail on India’s most holy river, the Ganges, stopping off at the temple city of Kalna, the former home of the historic East India Shipping Company, Murshidabad, and Matiari .
For intrepid travellers wishing to experience all of this for themselves, as well as visit other exotic and off-the-beaten track destinations rich in history and culture, Pandaw offers two sailings along the Upper Ganges and Lower Ganges, priced from just £1834pp (cruise only).
Guests on board the beautifully hand-crafted RV Katha Pandaw, Kindat Pandaw or Kalaw Pandaw can enjoy authentic Lower Ganges excursions including: a trip to see some of Bengal’s most attractive terracotta temples on cycle rickshaws; a visit to the brass-working village of Matiari to witness the primitive process of beating out brass water pots; and a morning stroll through the fields of the sleepy village of Barangar – rural India at its most idyllic.
Ports of call along the Upper Ganges include Varanasi, said to be the oldest inhabited city on the planet and the most sacred city of Hinduism; Buxur, famous for the 1764 battle between the British and the Moghuls; and Bodhgaya (from Barh), where guests can explore the UNESCO Maha Bodhi temple where Lord Buddha gained enlightenment in the 15th Century – a global centre of pilgrimage for Buddhists.
Pandaw’s ships are famed for their colonial-era character and friendly atmosphere, as well as their ultra-shallow drafts that allow them to explore remote areas that are unreachable by other passenger-carrying vessels, let alone overland.
A nine-night sailing along the Lower Ganges starts from £1834pp including a 10% ‘Discovery Discount’ – based on double occupancy, departing 8th March 2020.
Flight inclusive packages are also available, including a two night pre-cruise stay in Kolkata, from £2799pp. No single supplement available on selected dates.
