NEPAL AND CRUISING THE GANGES Friday 30 October - Monday 16 November 2020

17 nights

JOURNEYS

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy the colourful bazaars and

local crafts in Kathmandu

• Consider including an hour

long flight to see Mt Everest

• Stay in a luxury lodge and

search for the Royal Bengal

Tiger and many other animals

and birds in the Chitwan

National Park

• Visit Boudhanath – one of the

largest and most magnificent

Buddhist Stupas in the world

• Travel with ease on a luxurious

cruise on the Hooghly River,

stopping each day to learn

more about the history and

daily life of people living in

West Bengal.

TOUR OVERVIEW This tour brings together two countries that are favourites of our tour manager, Sue Hayman. Nepal’s scenic

beauty will leave a lasting image on your mind. Considered to be the mythical Shangri-La by many, Nepal has a

mystical side to it. Dotted by medieval city squares, monasteries, and temples, Kathmandu Valley, the capital

city, provides centuries old civilization and architecture. This landlocked country also offers the perfect fusion of

nature and culture. Spending several days at Chitwan provides a holistic wildlife experience along with a chance

to get to know the local Tharu tribe. People of Nepal are known for their hospitality and friendliness. They

consider guests as a god, so you will be treated with utmost respect and kindness in every place you travel.

An expedition on the Lower Ganges or Hooghly River is one of the prettiest river journeys imaginable. The river

wends its way through the lush countryside of West Bengal with its culturally significant towns crammed with

temples and palaces. The river was used for navigation in British colonial times with steamer services between

Calcutta, Patna and even further upriver. Behind the familiar story of the British conquest and rule of the

subcontinent, there is an intriguing story about the Indian conquest of the British imagination. During the 18th and

early 19th century, the ‘White Mughals’ slowly shed their Britishness and adopted the ways of the Mughal

governing class that they came to replace. Kolkata is the country’s cultural and intellectual hub. It retains the

architectural and cultural remnants of its past as an East India Company trading post and capital of the British

Raj. The ‘black hole’ tag is sure to be dispelled after spending some time here. This is a land of vibrant colour and

on this tour, you will escape the paths trodden by mass tourism.

TOUR MANAGER - Sue Hayman

Sue Hayman grew up in a family of adventurers with both her father and

step-father being mountaineers and explorers. This gave her the opportunity

to travel extensively with her family to India, Nepal and the Antarctic. For

the last 15 years she has been taking groups trekking in Nepal and India and

assisted with a Teacher Training Programme for the Himalayan Trust. Sue

lives with her husband on an organic kiwifruit and avocado orchard in

Katikati and teaches new entrants for half the year at the local primary

school. Participants on her tours value her relaxed but very well organised

approach to her role as tour manager.

IS THIS TOUR FOR ME?

Although Nepal is a trekkers’ paradise, this is not a

trekking tour and combined with a river cruise in

India, we see the tour being suitable for people

with a range of fitness levels. You will be staying in

very comfortable accommodation and a luxury

lodge in Nepal, and for those who have travelled

before on a Pandaw rivership, you will know the

unique and luxurious experience this offers.

Cruising is an easy way to avoid the congested

roads and other inconveniences of travelling in

India, while still being able to enjoy the colour and

life of this extraordinary country. However, to fully

enjoy the tour, you will need to be reasonably fit

and confident with walking for several hours at a

time. Beyond that the programme is not physically

very demanding.

TOUR PRICE Ex Auckland

Share twin per person NZD$12,499

Single supplement (limited availability) NZD$ 1,500

Please contact Calder & Lawson Tours if you are interested in a single occupancy place.

GROUP SIZE Minimum 10, maximum 18

VARIATIONS IN TRAVEL We can make arrangements for any travel you would like to do before or after this tour, or

book business class seats for the flights. Please contact us.

TOUR EXCLUSIONS

• Airline taxes

• Personal expenses

• Travel insurance

• Beverages during included meals,

unless specified

• Hotel porterage

• Optional flight to Mt Everest ($225

USD pp approx.)

TOUR INCLUSIONS

• The services of an experienced New Zealand based

Calder & Lawson tour manager

• Economy class airfares

• 8 nights hotel and lodge accommodation

• 7 nights on the Kalaw Pandaw

• All meals and local beverages on the ship, other meals as

specified in the itinerary

• Local guides

• All group transfers

• Admissions as detailed in the itinerary

• All tips for local guides and drivers

• Pre-tour material

YOUR RIVERSHIP: RV Kalaw Pandaw The rivership has 8 upper deck and 10 main deck

staterooms, indoor dining and bar area. All cabins

have a panoramic French window which leads to

personal deck space. The cabins have central AC

with individual control, multi-configuration plugs,

generous closet space and under-bed storage and

a hair dryer. There is a 24 hour laundry service and

complimentary local mineral water, jugged coffee,

teas and tisanes. While on board there will be a

series of cultural performances, educational talks,

cooking classes, and a ship tour.

DAILY ITINERARY

Board your midday flight to Singapore, arriving in the early evening. We will

transfer to our hotel.

A free morning in Singapore before being transferred to the airport for an early

evening flight to Kathmandu where we will be met and offered a Khada, a

traditional ceremonial scarf common in Buddhist culture, symbolising purity and

compassion. We will then be transferred to our hotel, a 20 minute drive away,

where we will have dinner.

Nepal is a social-business organisation which works towards strengthening the

livelihoods of poor and marginalised women who are home based workers.

The aim is to increase their economic self-sufficiency by using their traditional

crafts skills. The organisation has a strong network of more than 1,100 home

based workers. We will have lunch at the village café run by the organisation.

In the afternoon we will visit Shangrila carpets and handicrafts.

Early this morning you may want to take an optional flight to Mt Everest, an

hour long flight over the Eastern Himalayan Ranges of Nepal. Those who

choose this option will get back to the hotel in time for breakfast. Today we

travel to two ancient kingdoms of Kathmandu Valley, Durbar Square and Thimi.

At Durbar Square we will find a profusion of temples reflecting the different

architectural styles dating from the eleventh century. The area also includes

the Royal Palace with its gilded gates and elaborate statues, all of which are

UNESCO World Heritage sites. The square is alive with stalls displaying a wide

variety of Nepalese and Tibetan handicrafts. Thimi is a farming town situated 8

km east of Kathmandu. It is known for excellent papier-mache masks and

earthen pots. These are often seen spread out on the streets to dry. Homespun

cotton cloth is another Thimi specialty. Thimi Ceramics is known for being the

first glazed earthenware producer in Nepal. Santa Bahadur Prajapati, along

with his two sons, now own one of the seven pioneering pottery workshops of

Nepal. We also take a rickshaw ride to Thamel; through narrow alleys, we will

observe local life at close range.

After breakfast we will drive to Chitwan National Park. The Chitwan National

Park, an area of 932 square kilometres, lies in the lush valley of the Chitwan, in

the foothills of the Churia Ranges. The park is home to 56 species of mammals,

49 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 525 species of birds. Wildlife found

here includes endangered species like the one-horned rhinoceros and the

Royal Bengal tiger, gaur, wild elephant, four-horned antelope, leopard, and

many other smaller animals. We will stay for three nights at the luxurious Taj

Meghauli Lodge. Situated on the banks of the river Rapti, the lodge is designed

to showcase the spectacular wilderness with uninterrupted views of the jungle.

The lodge embraces local décor and aesthetics with an abundant use of local

art and artefacts. Upon arrival a welcome drink is served and there will be a

short briefing on the program for the next couple of days. In the evening one of

the jungle experts will introduce background information and history of the

Chitwan National Park.

The Lodge provides a holistic wildlife experience along with fine food and

relaxation. Over the next two days we will have the option of exploring the

jungle through walking and boat safaris. The naturalist team share their

knowledge about the flora and fauna of the forest and help guests appreciate

their relationship with the local community. The region has several ethnic

groups and we will have the opportunity to get to know the local Tharu tribe

who call themselves the ‘people of the forest’. Each day will also include

delicious meals, freshly prepared using organic home-grown ingredients, that

celebrate the rich influences of the region.

Friday 30 October 2020

Auckland or Christchurch –

Singapore

Meals: In flight

Overnight: Singapore

Saturday 31 October

Kathmandu

Meals: B/in flight/D

Overnight: Kathmandu

Sunday 1 November

Kathmandu

Meals: B/L

Overnight: Kathmandu

Monday 2 November

Kathmandu

Meals: B/L

Overnight: Kathmandu

Tuesday 3 November

Kathmandu - Chitwan

Meals: B/L/D

Coach: 185km, 6 hours

Overnight: Chitwan

Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5

November

Chitwan

Meals: B/L/D

Overnight: Chitwan

After an early breakfast we will be transferred to the airport for our flight back

to Kathmandu. On arrival we will have lunch and then visit two of the most

important heritage sites of Kathmandu. Starting with the Boudhanath Stupa (a

UNESCO World Heritage site). The 2500 years old Buddhist stupa was built in the

5th century with four pairs of eyes of Lord Buddha in four directions keeping an

eternal watch over the people. With a base of 82 meters in diameter,

Boudhnath is claimed to be the largest Buddhist stupa in the world. Continue to

Pashupatinath in time to witness “Sandhya Aarati” – evening prayer performed

by Hindu priests from across the river bank. Until recently Nepal was officially a

Hindu Kingdom, and Pashupatinath, which literally means ‘lord of all animals’,

was considered the main protector deity of Nepal. As one of the forms of Lord

Shiva, one of three main gods of Hindu trinity, Pashupatinath draws many

pilgrims and devotees from around the world. Our farewell to Nepal dinner is

at Krishnarpan Restaurant at Dwarikas.

Just 5km south of Kathmandu is Patan, the city of artistry. Connoisseurs of fine

arts and architecture will be delighted with the city’s offering of temples and

monuments. After this visit we will transfer to the airport for our late afternoon

flight to Kolkata where we will check into our hotel for the night.

Transfer from our hotel to our rivership for embarkation and a noon

departure. Sail past the old Danish colony of Serampore to Barrackpore to

land and take a walk through the cantonment - past the Semaphore

Tower, Government House, the Temple of Fame and Flagstaff House.

After breakfast sail upstream and land at the country town of Kalna and

take cycle rickshaws to see a group of some of Bengal’s most attractive

terracotta temples, as well as the unique Shiva temple with concentric

rings made up of 108 lesser shrines. Sail on through the night to a mooring

near Matiari.

Visit the brass-working village of Matiari, a charming riverside village. Interact

with the locals and see the process of beating out brass water pots and other

vessels. Later, cruise on and visit the battlefield of Plassey where, in 1757, Robert

Clive, the Commander-in-Chief of British India, defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, the

last independent Nawab of Bengal, to change the course of Indian history.

Moor close to Murshidabad for the night.

This morning, walk to the Khushbagh, a peaceful Mughal-style garden that

encloses the tombs of Siraj-ud-Daulah – the last independent Nawab of Bengal

– and his family. Continue a little way upstream to where the great Hazarduari

Palace dominates the waterfront. Built by an English architect in 1837, the

palace hosts an extensive collection of pictures, china, weapons and other

objects. Carry on to visit the great Katra Mosque and Nashipara Palace before

driving out to see the Katgola Palace. Built in classical Georgian style by rich

local merchants, Katgola Palace represents the other side of the coin of the

'White Mughal' period when English and Indian cultures came close to fusion.

Moor overnight on the riverbank across from town.

Continue up the Hoogly which transforms into a charming waterway

twisting and turning between banks lined with mustard fields and mango

orchards. Morning walk through the fields of the delightfully sleepy village

of Baranagar to visit its three miniature terracotta temples. This is rural India

at its most idyllic. Visit the Jain temples at Azimganj and the Bara Bari

Palace and continue downstream.

Explore the village of Mayapur, the headquarters of the ISKCON movement

with a new temple comparable in size to the Vatican and largely funded

by Alfred B. Ford, the great grandson of car maker Henry Ford. Meet Krishna

followers and walk through the pilgrims’ bazaar.

Friday 6 November

Chitwan - Kathmandu

Meals: B/L/D

Flight: 20 minutes

Overnight: Kathmandu

Saturday 7 November

Kathmandu - Kolkata

Meals: B

Overnight: Kathmandu

Sunday 8 November

Kolkata - Barrackpore

Meals: B/L/D

Overnight: Kalaw Pandaw

Monday 9 November

Kalna

Meals: B/L/D

Overnight: Kalaw Pandaw

Tuesday 10 November

Matiari

Meals: B/L/D

Overnight: Kalaw Pandaw

Wednesday 11 November

Murshidabad

Meals: B/L/D

Overnight: Kalaw Pandaw

Thursday 12 November

Baranagar - Ajimganj

Meals: B/L/D

Overnight: Kalaw Pandaw

Friday 13 November

Mayapur

Meals: B/L/D

Overnight: Kalaw Pandaw

Sail to Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950. Visit the 18th

century church and Dupleix’s House, erstwhile Governor-General of

French India. Sail upstream past the old Dutch settlement of Chinsura

before landing to visit the imposing Imambara at Hooghly. With verses

from the Koran written on its walls, the Imambara is an opportunity to step

back in time and relive a slice of Islamic history in Bengal. Sail into the

night to a mooring near Kalna.

Early this morning cruise under the Howrah Bridge to central Kolkata to

disembark. Transfer to your hotel in Kolkata. We will have a day room and

time to explore Kolkata before our flight to Singapore which leaves at

midnight. Arrive in Singapore in the early morning and catch a connecting

flight through to Auckland. Arrive in Auckland at midnight on Monday 16

November.

Saturday 14 November

Chandernagore - Hoogly

Meals: B/L/D

Overnight: Kalaw Pandaw

Sunday 15 November

Kolkata

Meals: B/in flight

HOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE ON THIS TOUR

A deposit of $1,000 is required to secure your place on the tour. When minimum numbers are reached, the tour

will become a ‘confirmed departure’. At that point we will advise when the full tour payment will be due.

• Click here to complete the online registration form, pay the $1,000 deposit and your spot on this tour is

secured.

• Or you can complete a paper registration form. You can download one from the website

www.calderandlawsontours.co.nz, or give us a call and we will email or post one to you.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Can be found on the website www.calderandlawsontours.co.nz, on the back of the paper registration form or on

the summary page when you complete an online registration.

VARIATIONS

This itinerary is Version 2 dated 04/09/2019 and is subject to change.

Exchange rate fluctuations may result in a change to the tour price.