Pandaw expands India offering

After announcing that it would be sailing the Lower Ganges from December 2018, Pandaw is set to expand its India offering further. 

The company will deploy more ships to the region, add four new itineraries and launch a range of new pre and post cruise tours in the country.

“The response to our announcement in May that we will place our own ship, RV Orient Pandaw, on the Lower Ganges River from December 2018, has been truly phenomenal,” said Pandaw founder, Paul Strachan. “The reaction from our customers and industry partners has been so positive that we have decided to significantly expand our offering in India.”

“Pandaw will place two further river cruise ships in the country, sailing two new routes for us – the Upper Ganges, all the way to Varanasi, and the Brahmaputra, one of Asia’s major rivers. We are also planning to take our sea-going vessel, the Andaman Explorer, to the region, where true to her name, she will sail amongst the Bay of Bangal’s beautiful Andaman Islands.”

“India is a fascinating country that offers the visitor a richness of experience that cannot be found anywhere else. This expansion of our India programme is a key objective for Pandaw and we will raise the bar in the region for cruising excellence.”

In May, Pandaw announced the launch of ‘The Lower Ganges’ itinerary, which will sail from Kolkata to Farraka, and vice versa, on RV Orient Pandaw, from December 23, 2018.

Joining the programme is the The Upper Ganges River itinerary, a 14-night voyage on the RV Katha Pandaw from Kolkata to Varanasi, sailing from October 2019. 

The itinerary first echoes that of ‘The Lower Ganges River’, calling at Kalna, Matiari, Murshidabad, Jangipur and Farakka, before continuing towards the Upper Ganges, calling at Bateshwarsthan, Sultanganj, Mokama, Patna, Doriganj, Buxar, Ghazipur and finally, Varanasi.

There are multiple stops and excursions daily, and passengers will revel in rich cultural experiences and the glorious scenery of the sacred Ganges. Prices start from $4,671pp*, based on two people sharing a cabin.

Pandaw has also announced that from October 2019, there will be a seven-night cruise on the Brahmaputra River, a major river which flows through China, India and Bangladesh.

The Brahmaputra cruise will depart from Nimati Ghat on RV Indochina Pandaw, a 30 cabin ship.