Antara River Cruises recently hosted 50 travel agents from the UK aboard the Antara Ganges Voyager II for a three-night, four-day cruise from June 8-11, 2024. This meticulously planned journey aimed to highlight the pleasures of cruising on the Ganges River and exploring the towns along its banks. The event was a great success, with guests thoroughly enjoying the experience.

Raj Singh, Promoter and Managing Director of Antara Cruises, greeted the guests with traditional garlands and tikas. He expressed his delight in introducing the agents to the Indian waterways, especially the sacred Ganges River, which flows over 1,500 miles from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal. Singh noted the historical significance of the river, mentioning that the Buddha preached his first sermon on its banks in Sarnath in 528 BCE, and the British established their first capital in Kolkata along these waters.

Cruise Highlights:

Day 1: The cruise began with a scenic sail along the Ganges, offering views of Kolkata’s iconic landmarks such as the High Court, Belur Math, Howrah train station, and various bathing and ferry ghats.

Day 2: Guests explored Kalna, riding electric rickshaws to the Rajbari Temple Complex, which houses the region’s highest concentration of temples, including the Nabakailas Temple with 108 sloped-roof shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. They also visited a local market selling seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Later, the cruise continued downstream to Chandernagore, a former French colony established in 1673. Here, guests walked along the promenade, visiting colonial-era buildings such as the former French governor’s residence, now a museum, and the Sacred Heart Church, designed by French architect Jacques Duchatz and inaugurated in 1884.

Day 3: Returning to Kolkata, the guests embarked on a city tour starting with the bustling Flower Market near the Howrah Bridge. They visited Kumartuli, a traditional potters’ quarter in northern Kolkata known for its clay idol manufacturing for various festivals and exports.

The tour concluded with a panoramic exploration of Kolkata’s British colonial architecture, including the Writer’s Building, General Post Office, High Court, Raj Bhawan (Governor’s House), Town Hall, Council House, Treasury Building, Reserve Bank of India, and Dalhousie Square. Highlights also included St. John’s Church, Kolkata’s oldest Anglican church built in 1756, and the grand Victoria Memorial for a photo opportunity.

About Antara River Cruises:

Founded in 2003 by travel industry pioneer and naturalist Raj Singh, Antara River Cruises has grown to include a fleet of nine ships that sail South Asia’s most iconic rivers. The company offers luxurious accommodations and vibrant experiences along the Ganga, Padma, and Brahmaputra River systems. In 2024, Antara expanded its operations to include the four rivers of Bhitarkanika National Park, showcasing indigenous environments and cultures with renowned hospitality and meticulously designed ships.