City of Light: Varanasi
About this expedition
From Patna up to Varanasi — the spiritual heart of India and one of the oldest cities on earth. The Buddhist site of Sarnath, the great Mughal fort of Chunar, dawn rowing boats along the ghats, and the mesmerising evening Ganga Aarti.
Why you’ll love it
- Dawn boats along the Varanasi ghats
- The evening Ganga Aarti ceremony
- Sarnath, where the Buddha first preached
- The Mughal fort of Chunar
- The battlefield of Buxar
- Ramnagar’s Maharaja’s Palace
Day by day
Embark at Patna
Arrive in Patna and board; dinner on board as you sail upstream.
EmbarkManer & the Sone confluence
A spectacular small Mughal tomb at Maner, past the confluence with the Sone to Doriganj.
HeritageBuxar
The 1764 battlefield that helped found the Raj, the East India Company cemetery, and a rickshaw to the ghats.
HistoryGhazipur
The imposing tomb of Lord Cornwallis and a stroll through the busy Ghazipur bazaar.
HistoryVaranasi & Sarnath
Arrive in Varanasi, the City of Light; in the afternoon, Sarnath and the Deer Park where the Buddha first preached.
Arrival · BuddhistRamnagar & Chunar
The Maharaja’s Palace at Ramnagar and the great Mughal fort of Chunar, with carpet-weaving and pottery.
HeritageThe ghats & the Ganga Aarti
Dawn rowing boats along the bathing ghats, the old alleys, and the mesmerising evening Ganga Aarti.
Ghats · aartiDisembark in Varanasi
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to Varanasi airport or station.
DepartureCabins & fares
| Cabin | Details | From (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Deck — Single | Solo · no single supplement | $2,765 | Select |
| Main Deck Twin / Double | Main deck · French balcony | $2,765 | Select |
| Upper Deck Twin / Double | Upper deck · French balcony | $3,360 | Select |
Per person, twin/double share, 2026–27 season. Subject to 5% GST. Single-supplement & peak-season rates on request.
What’s included
Included
- Accommodation on board & full board
- All excursions & entry fees per the itinerary
- Unlimited drinks at lunch & dinner (local beer, wine & soft drinks)
- English-speaking guide on board & on excursions
- Kolkata–Farakka train tickets (where applicable)
- All transfers (shared) & port charges
Not included
- 5% GST
- Drinks from the bar, spa & laundry
- Tips, camera fees & insurance
- Flights & any pre/post-cruise hotels
- Items of a personal nature
Your ship
ABN Rajmahal
Twenty-two cabins with French balconies, a vast canopied sundeck and a small spa — colonial elegance on the Ganges. Explore the ship →
Departures & prices · 2026–27
City of Light: Varanasi
About this expedition
From Patna up to Varanasi — the spiritual heart of India and one of the oldest cities on earth. The Buddhist site of Sarnath, the great Mughal fort of Chunar, dawn rowing boats along the ghats, and the mesmerising evening Ganga Aarti.
Why you’ll love it
- Dawn boats along the Varanasi ghats
- The evening Ganga Aarti ceremony
- Sarnath, where the Buddha first preached
- The Mughal fort of Chunar
- The battlefield of Buxar
- Ramnagar’s Maharaja’s Palace
Day by day
Embark at Patna
Arrive in Patna and board; dinner on board as you sail upstream.
EmbarkManer & the Sone confluence
A spectacular small Mughal tomb at Maner, past the confluence with the Sone to Doriganj.
HeritageBuxar
The 1764 battlefield that helped found the Raj, the East India Company cemetery, and a rickshaw to the ghats.
HistoryGhazipur
The imposing tomb of Lord Cornwallis and a stroll through the busy Ghazipur bazaar.
HistoryVaranasi & Sarnath
Arrive in Varanasi, the City of Light; in the afternoon, Sarnath and the Deer Park where the Buddha first preached.
Arrival · BuddhistRamnagar & Chunar
The Maharaja’s Palace at Ramnagar and the great Mughal fort of Chunar, with carpet-weaving and pottery.
HeritageThe ghats & the Ganga Aarti
Dawn rowing boats along the bathing ghats, the old alleys, and the mesmerising evening Ganga Aarti.
Ghats · aartiDisembark in Varanasi
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to Varanasi airport or station.
DepartureCabins & fares
| Cabin | Details | From (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Deck — Single | Solo · no single supplement | $2,765 | Select |
| Main Deck Twin / Double | Main deck · French balcony | $2,765 | Select |
| Upper Deck Twin / Double | Upper deck · French balcony | $3,360 | Select |
Per person, twin/double share, 2026–27 season. Subject to 5% GST. Single-supplement & peak-season rates on request.
What’s included
Included
- Accommodation on board & full board
- All excursions & entry fees per the itinerary
- Unlimited drinks at lunch & dinner (local beer, wine & soft drinks)
- English-speaking guide on board & on excursions
- Kolkata–Farakka train tickets (where applicable)
- All transfers (shared) & port charges
Not included
- 5% GST
- Drinks from the bar, spa & laundry
- Tips, camera fees & insurance
- Flights & any pre/post-cruise hotels
- Items of a personal nature
Your ship
ABN Rajmahal
Twenty-two cabins with French balconies, a vast canopied sundeck and a small spa — colonial elegance on the Ganges. Explore the ship →