From sacred confluence to cultural capital.
From sacred confluence to cultural capital.
24 September–04 October 2028
Created to celebrate the relationships that have made &Beyond’s first 20 years in Asia so rich, this journey returns to a river story woven into our beginnings in the region. In 2006 and 2007, &Beyond Private Guide, historian and field producer Toby Sinclair supported the research, permissions and logistics behind the BBC’s three-part Ganges series.
Guests can follow that story from the sacred confluence at Devprayag to Kolkata alongside the person who helped bring it to the screen. Drawing on almost five decades in South Asia, Toby shares how geology, belief, history and everyday life have shaped the river and one another.
The route extends beyond the familiar landmarks of Varanasi into the lesser-travelled landscapes of Bihar. With Toby hosting throughout, each excursion, reflection and conversation offers access to the knowledge, relationships and questions behind the original production—and the chance to explore for a few days what took a lifetime to understand.
Begin where two Himalayan rivers become the Ganges, then follow its changing character through pilgrimage city, rural waterway and historic metropolis.
Toby Sinclair has spent almost five decades exploring South Asia and helped bring the BBC’s Ganges to the screen. His interpretation draws connections that might otherwise remain hidden.
Venture beyond Varanasi into the lesser-travelled landscapes of Ghazipur, Maner and Patna, where trade, belief, empire and everyday life continue to shape the river.
Encounter Hindu devotion at Devprayag and Varanasi, Buddhism at Sarnath, Sufi heritage in Maner and Jain artistry in Kolkata. Together, these sites exemplify India’s layered spiritual landscape.
Five nights on the water reveal the Ganges at river level, from dawn rituals and fishing boats to farms, cargo vessels and rural settlements. The journey itself becomes a window into everyday life.
Most journeys encounter the Ganges at Varanasi. This one begins earlier, in the Himalayan foothills, and follows the river’s changing identity eastwards. Hosted by historian, field producer and &Beyond Private Guide Toby Sinclair, you’ll stand above the sacred confluence at Devprayag, experience Varanasi from its ghats and inner lanes, and cruise through the lesser-travelled river landscapes of Bihar.
Drawing on almost five decades in South Asia and his experience as associate producer on the BBC’s three-part Ganges series, Toby connects each place you encounter to the beliefs, histories and everyday lives shaped by the river. He leads and interprets excursions alongside local specialists and the expedition team. His briefings, daily reflections, selected shared meals and ongoing conversations give you time to ask questions, follow unexpected threads and spend a few days seeing what took years to understand.
1 night Delhi | 2 nights Rishikesh | 5 nights cruising the Ganges | 2 nights Kolkata
Stay: Roseate House, Aerocity
Highlights: VIP airport welcome, private transfer, time at leisure
Arrive at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, where an &Beyond representative will welcome you and arrange your private transfer to Roseate House in Aerocity.
Spend the remainder of the day at leisure, settling in before your journey turns north towards the Himalayan foothills.
Stay: Anand Kashi by the Ganges
Highlights: Himalayan foothills, welcome briefing, Alaknanda and Bhagirathi confluence, Raghunathji Temple
Fly to Dehradun and continue to Rishikesh for lunch, where the Ganges leaves the mountains for the plains. Settle into Anand Kashi before Toby introduces the river’s natural, spiritual and historical layers over a welcome dinner.
The following day, visit Devprayag, where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi meet and become the Ganges. Explore the old town, Raghunathji Temple and Sangam ghats, then continue to Srinagar for lunch.
Stay: ABN Rajmahal
Highlights: Riverfront ghats, inner-city lanes, dawn rowing excursion, sacred Sarnath, Dhamek Stupa
Fly to Varanasi and embark the ABN Rajmahal. Explore the city from the river and its inner lanes, visit Ramnagar Fort and witness the evening Ganga Aarti along the ghats.
At first light the next morning, row past the waking riverfront, then visit Sarnath, where the Buddha is believed to have delivered his first sermon. Explore the monastic ruins, Dhamek Stupa and Sarnath Archaeological Museum, then return to the vessel and cruise downstream towards Ghazipur as Toby places Varanasi within the Ganges’ wider story.
Stay: ABN Rajmahal
Highlights: Lord Cornwallis’ tomb, Ghaghara confluence, Maner Sharif, Golghar, Bihar Museum, cultural performance
Step ashore in Ghazipur to visit Lord Cornwallis’ tomb and, time permitting, the local bazaar. Cruise past historic Buxar before anchoring near the confluence of the Ganges and Ghaghara rivers.
Continue past the Sone River confluence and travel to Maner Sharif, an early centre of Sufism known for its Mughal-era tomb and intricate stonework. In Patna, once the ancient city of Pataliputra, visit Golghar and the Bihar Museum before returning to the vessel for a cultural performance.
Stay: ITC Royal Bengal
Highlights: Parshwanath Jain Temple, old Calcutta, B.B.D. Bagh, Indian Museum, farewell dinner
Disembark in Patna and fly to Kolkata, where the remainder of the day is at leisure. This former imperial capital forms the journey’s final urban chapter.
The following day, visit Parshwanath Jain Temple and explore old Calcutta, including the colonial precinct around B.B.D. Bagh. After lunch on Park Street, continue to the Indian Museum and, time permitting, the Victoria Memorial. Gather that evening for a farewell dinner with Toby and reflect on the river’s journey from Himalayan confluence to cultural capital.
Stay: ITC Royal Bengal (day use)
Highlights: Farewell breakfast, private airport transfer, travel onward
Check out according to your international flight schedule and be driven privately to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport for your onward journey.
Toby Sinclair has spent five decades living, working and learning across South Asia. A director of &Beyond Asia since 2006, he is an experienced private guide, guest lecturer and expedition leader whose career spans travel, conservation, photography, publishing and documentary production. Toby first worked on a wildlife film in Sri Lanka in 1980 and has since supported productions including National Geographic’s Wild Sri Lanka, the BBC’s The Last Tusker and Elephant Island, and Disneynature’s Monkey Kingdom. He also served as associate producer and location manager on the BBC’s three-part Ganges series and as co-author and contributing photographer of A New History of India.
On &Beyond’s limited edition journeys through Sri Lanka and along the Upper Ganges, Toby shares far more than facts about the places encountered. Drawing on decades spent guiding, filming and exploring the region, he reveals how wildlife, people, place and history continually shape one another—sharing a lifetime of knowledge with generosity, wit and infectious curiosity.
Rates are per person sharing, based on double or twin occupancy, with a minimum of 14 guests.
Talk to one of our travel specialists to tailormake your stay to any of our destinations