Allahabad to Varanasi Boat Cruise (IAP052)

Duration : 5 Days, 4 Days and 3 Days Programmes
Places Covered : Allahabad/ Varanasi/ Sitamarhi/ Mirzapur

This is a wonderful trip ­ a kind of soft adventure. The clients shall be satisfied with the whole experience ­ exclusive boat with boatman & kitchen crew, exclusive islands for overnight stops, company of migratory birds and playful sight of Gangetic Dolphins. Sailing down the Ganges - in a wooden country boat from Allahabad to Varanasi ( both important pilgrimage sites in India with an ancient civilization of over 2000 years), is a leisurely trip with lots of fun. This is the most colorful and interesting stretch of this legendary river. Beautiful landscape, simple country-side, people religiously flocking the river banks, old temples, migratory birds and above all camping on the virgin river islands with no body around. A distance of just 125 kms between the two cities by straight road is covered in 5 days through a winding river course.

Some Insight on the Trip:

1. Three days sailing should be good enough (i.e. two night camping).

2. Boats are common wooden country boats with couple of rows, a mast and two boat men on each boat. There will be no seats or bench. On board there will be mattress & pillows and 4 persons can easily sit in relaxed position while enjoying the landscape. Sitting area is covered with canvas roof. (note: If there are two to 4 clients, there will be one boat for them and one for our kitchen crew.)

3. We camp on a deserted beach or island depending on the season. Small mountain dome-tents with carry-mattress are used. (Normally, clients bring their own sleeping bags). Breakfast & dinner is served on the island but lunch & evening tea is always on board.

4. For toilet, at camp-site we pitch tent with a dig-in pit and while sailing, we stop at a deserted bank.

5. Best period is from Nov to 20th Dec. & from 10th Jan to 15th Mar. (mostly there is a thick fog during end Dec & beginning Jan in North India, affecting the navigation on the river & pictorial views).

6. If plan a trip from mid Jan to Feb, suggest a day in Allahabad to visit the annual Magh Mela (a kind of baby Kumbh Mela - start from Makar Sankranti till Mahashivaratri) at the confluence of river Yamuna, Ganga & mythical Saraswati. A tented township grows up on the banks of the river where thousands of devotees come for a holy dip, especially on some specific days like full moon or no moon.

5 Days Programme

Day 01 : Met on arrival at Allahabad Railway Station and transfer to Sangam (confluence of river Yamuna & Ganga) where your sailing crew will be waiting. Transfer to boat and start sailing down the Ganges. Camp on arrival at island near Lakshagrih.

Day 02 : Morning start sailing. The river flows past green fields of Mustard and Wheat. Camp on arrival at Kheira before Sitamarhi.

Day 03 : Morning start sailing with a short stop at Sitamarh village. Continue after exploring the village and temple. Evening arrive Vindhyachal. Visit the ancient Devi temple of the Tantrik cult. Later camp on the island.

Day 04 : Morning, shortly after starting the sailing, pass through the ghats of Mirzapur. Evening, arrive at an island before Chunar fort and camp.

Day 05 : Morning walk upto the fort for the most spectacular views of the river as it bends leisurely through the sandy banks and flows towards Varanasi. Later continue the sailing, passing many old habitations. On reaching Varanasi visit the Ramnagar Fort ­ the palace of the Raja of Banaras. Our trip ends across the river at pontoon bridge. Transfer by car to hotel/airport/railway station.

4 Days Programme

Day 01 : Met on arrival at Allahabad Railway Station and drive for about an hour (30kms) to Lakshagrih where your sailing crew will be waiting. Transfer to boat and start sailing down the Ganges. Camp on arrival at Kheira before Sitamarhi.

Day 02 : Morning start sailing with a stop at Sitamarhi village. After exploring the village, continue down to Vindhyachal. Camp on an island across the temple town.

Day 03 : Morning start sailing with a visit to the ancient Devi temple. Enroute pass through Mirzapur. Camp on arrival at Sindra Island before Chunar fort.

Day 04 : Morning start sailing to Varanasi, enroute visit Chunar Fort. On arrival at Varanasi visit Ramgarh fort on the bank of the river and then transfer by car to hotel/airport/railway station.

3 Days Programme

Day 01 : Met on arrival at Allahabad Railway Station and drive for about two hours (45kms) to Sitamarhi, where your sailing crew will be waiting. Transfer to boat and start sailing down the Ganges to Vindhyachal. Camp on an island across the temple town.

Day 02 : Morning start sailing with a visit to the ancient Devi temple. Enroute pass through Mirzapur. Camp on arrival at Sindra Island before Chunar fort.

Day 03 : Morning start sailing to Varanasi, enroute visit Chunar Fort. On arrival at Varanasi visit Ramgarh fort on the bank of the river and then transfer by car to hotel/airport/railway station.