Antara River Cruises hosted 50 travel agents from across the UK on a Ganges river cruise on board Antara Ganges Voyager II.

Antara River Cruises welcomed 50 travel agents from across the UK for an experience river cruise aboard their Antara Ganges Voyager II vessel. This post first appeared on Travel Daily Media (TD).

Antara River Cruises, pioneers in river cruising in India, recently hosted 50 UK agents aboard Antara Ganges Voyager II river ship for three nights and four days from June 8-11th 2024.
A carefully planned three day cruise that showcased the joys of Ganges river travel was met with great success by guests onboard.
Raj Singh, Promotor and Managing Director of Antara Cruises was delighted that guests experienced sailing the Indian waterways; particularly on the sacred river Ganga that flows for over 1,500 miles from Himalayas to Bay of Bengal and witnessed Buddha preach his first sermon 528 BCE and where the British built their initial capital of their Raj – Kolkata”.
Day One on this cruise itinerary involved sailing along the river and witnessing Kolkata from its riverbanks with colonial buildings such as High Court, Belur Math, Howrah train station and various bathing/ferry ghats (river banks) of Kolkata lining its banks.
Day Two Excursion to Kalna was equally memorable; guests took electric rickshaw rides through its picturesque Rajbari Temple Complex which features the highest concentration of temples in the region and Nabakailas Temple built by Bardhaman Maharaja in 1809 and boasting 108 eight slope-roofed shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva as well as stopping off at local markets selling seasonal vegetables and fruit.
After sailing downstream towards Chandernagore to explore, established in 1673 as a French trading post along the riverbanks. Here they walked along its promenade and visited colonial buildings like former French governor’s residence (now converted into a museum) as well as Sacred Heart Church designed by French Architect Jacques Duchatz and opened in 1884.
Day 3 The guests returned to Kolkata via ship and began exploring its many landmarks on a city tour, beginning with its lively Flower Market located beneath and adjacent to Howrah Bridge that spans Ganga River. Subsequently they visited Kumartuli – an authentic potters’ quarter located north of Kolkata known for producing clay idols for festivals as well as regularly exporting these goods internationally – before winding their journey home via train journey from there to Delhi and back.

Tour concluded with an unforgettable Panoramic Tour of Kolkata, including many beautifully preserved British colonial buildings: Writer’s Building, General Post Office, High Court Buildings (Writer’s Building and High Court building are listed separately here), Raj Bhawan Governor House in Dalhousie Square as well as Town Hall Council House Treasury Building Reserve Bank Of India Dalhousie Square). A must see must visit is St Johns Church which was first built as an Anglican Church back in 1756! Also must see is Victoria Memorial for that photo op!
Antara believes the best way to experience South Asia is from its rivers. What began as an ambitious dream by travel industry veteran Raj Singh has since blossomed into nine vessels designed with comfort in mind that travel South Asia’s iconic waterways. Antara offers its guests gorgeous perches on moving water from which to take in vibrant landscapes, vibrant people, crafts and wildlife. At our core lies our mission of sharing the region’s indigenous environments and cultures sustainably with guests around the globe – while indulging them with its world-famous hospitality on board ships designed with thought, luxury, and care. Antara cruises traverse three river systems — Ganga, Padma and Brahmaputra — making for the world’s longest river voyage. Beginning in 2024, Antara began sailing these waters that flow into Bhitarkanika National Park, India’s second-largest mangrove forest.
Antara River Cruises hosted 50 travel agents from across the UK on their Ganges Voyager II cruise on a river cruise of Antara Ganges Voyager II to experience it for themselves. Read the details at Travel Daily Media.