This is seriously worth a look. Just came in yesterday. I went on AssamBengal cruise up the Hoogli[Ganges] earlier this year. Highly recommended - but that only went half-way..

http://www.pandaw.com/cruises-india-c-21_124.html

NOW these Pandaw guys have made the leap. Kolkata to Varanasi or V.V. - this is potentially the river cruise of river cruises. Imagine, sailing in to Varanasi... I've booked.

I've been on Pandaw along the Mekong, the Ayerwaddy and the Chindwin in Burma. These guys are good. Perhaps a Fodor's GTG on the inaugural cruise? lol. But then, 15 days of gpanda might be a tad more than we need...

Wow - this does sound fabulous!

It does look great doesn't it. And good reductions on the first two cruises - a number already booked too.

Dogster if you were doing such a cruise which way would you think best to go - up or downstream?

I'm not sure about the Fodor gtg as it might take a bit longer than September for us to get our muu muu's organised.

I'm there with you Dog - look forward as always to your writings about it and maybe even some day...

Interesting question Mary. As you know I've done, in effect, the first seven days. I find the stuff closer to Kolkata less interesting. I like the village life which kicks in after a couple of days. You do need to have a grasp of history to understand some of the early stuff - I gave up.

Best is Kolkata to Varanasi I'd think, just so you can sail in to the holy city. You've got the big finish.

but, I'm also considering the idea of tracing the Ganges from wherever it starts up the top, and following it down to Allahabad. There I've found a local boat to take me the last three overnights on the river to Varanasi. Then get on Pandaw and finish in Kolkata two weeks later. Now THAT'S a great journey - first time you can do it this way.

At the moment I've booked on the inaugural voyage - 'cos those are always special. This will be the biggest thing some of these guys in Bihar have ever seen. I'll be standing on it. Very cool indeed.

There is also an interesting nexus on this trip. Get off in Jangipur or Farrakah and you can jump on a train straight up to Bagdogra and thence to Darjeeling.

OR fly Varanasi to Kathmandu. One hour away.

Dogster, you take such good care of us with your stories and now sharing your trip planning with us.

P.S. send some of that summer Melbourne heat my way. It's zero degrees F. and a snow storm is supposed to come in over the next few hours.

(the F takes on a whole new meaning when it gets this bitter cold - LOL)!

Is that your paw print in 201 Dogster - still the choice cabin? Or have you moved up to 301.

I think it will be a magic cruise for you.

202 Mary. It always has to be on the right hand side. Why? Dunno.

Hope you get some interesting companions - so we can hear all about them!

Oh, I hope there'll be a few stories before then, Mary. I'm heading off to my tribal festivals in a month. That promises to be very odd.

My hotel booking man has negotiated a special rate at all my heritage places, full board and 5 bottles of beer per day. True dinks. I like his style.

Dogster,

Unless you change to the downriver trip we’ll probably see you on the maiden voyage; I e-mailed my Travel Agent about it yesterday and should get a reply tomorrow (Monday). We are also booked on Pandaw’s maiden voyage on the Rajang starting on July 1st.

Like you, we have done the Mekong, the Ayerwaddy and the Chindwin with Pandaw, we have also cruised on the Brahmaputra with the Assam Bengal Company. We enjoyed it, but thought that the boat and the whole experience fell short of what Pandaw offer.

It could well end up full of Fodorites - could make for even better stories but I'll send out the dog catcher if we don't hear from you straight away - just in case you've been thrown overboard.

Glad you've got it sorted for the March trip - do they think 5 beers is enough? Are they big bottles? I'm looking forward to hearing all about the festivals.

Bravo tangata, good to see a fellow Pandaphile. I'll hit that Borneo cruise on the way over - I note your maiden voyage is full to the brim. I'll come a bit later - I like my cruises as empty as possible. Fat chance with the Ganges cruise, I imagine.

Why go thru a travel agent? I just do it on the website. As a matter of fact Paul S. e-mailed me back last night. I get a bottle of Indian champagne for being the first to book. Lol. Some prize!

Mary: BIG bottles. Kingfisher. Ahhh. 5 bottles is a lot for a little skinny dog. I can get very fabulous/boring indeed after a few of those.

Wow Dogster, that looks very cool. I am exceedingly jealous. I can't wait to hear your tales about this one...though will you be so forthcoming with other Fodorites on board?
Room 202 says it is occupied by two. Will you be traveling with a "friend"? ;-)

No, it's a phantom friend, a ghost in the Pandaw machine - unless someone's not telling me something...

Of course, I would be the soul of discretion. I'll tell Tangata I don't know who dogster is. lol. I don't tell you about lots of stuff, in fact, the more fun I have the less there is to write. No drama. Good times, great company - but no stories.

If you think back, most of Dog's dramas are on his own. Unless tangata has a sobbing fit or hurls themselves naked into the Ganges, I'd imagine that they'll come out unrecorded and not very scathed.

But I know you will be in 202!

Actually we ALL know it's 202 - lol!

We have just booked 208, so we hope that Dogster is not going to have too many noisy parties!

Mt trusty TA came through with a further 10% discount.

I think you're wise being down low. I much prefer being close to the water - and the people. I promise you on this cruise there will be moments, like on the Chindwin, where you open your cabin door to be greeted by 500 curious faces. I love that.

Dogster will spend a lot of his time outside the cabin door with his feet up on the rail, watching India go by. You know exactly what I'm talking about.

But it's a thousand years away as of now. I have one huge trip in between. But I can't help dreaming about the Ganges. Ahhh, this is a perfect itinerary for the Dog. I'll do this going up, then coming down a bit later.

I'd recommend these fellows, tangata, for a day or so in Kolkata.
www.calcuttawalks.com

And, of course, the Oberoi. Nowhere better.

However, I don't want you telling tales about my nightly orgies. I have an imaginary companion to entertain.

Tangata-
You must promise to come back and give us the full low-down on Mr. Dogster, (with photos if possible) after the trip.