From the Golden Triangle to the Ganges River to the Holy City of Varanasi

I’ve had the privilege of visiting many countries throughout my life and have appreciated each and every one. All have been unique and special in their own way, but I must say that India is one of my favorite destinations. I can go on and on about everything I saw and experienced, but that would make for a long story. So here’s a little taste of my trip and hopefully you’ll visit India soon.

When I thought of India, I thought only of the Taj Mahal and how great it would be to step foot near this iconic monument, but India offers so much more, starting with stop #1: New Delhi. As we began our excursion in this city, I instantly noticed the sound of endless cars honking as the locals went about their day. We drove through the hustle and bustle of the city streets on our way to Old Delhi. What better way to get a glimpse of Old Delhi than on a cycle rickshaw? A line of rickshaw drivers was ready to take us for an unforgettable ride. My driver, a friendly gentleman dressed in simple clothes and sandals, expertly maneuvered his way through the narrow alleyways alongside pedestrians and other rickshaws. I sat back, held on, and enjoyed every minute of the ride.

Next stop, The Oberoi Amarvilas in Agra, where each room had an unrestricted, amazing view of the Taj Mahal. One of the best views from a hotel room that one can have. Standing on the balcony and taking in that view was so amazing that I ended up taking a multitude of photos to make sure I captured the perfect one. Shortly before sundown, we were driven via golf carts to the Taj Mahal entrance. You don’t see the Taj Mahal right away, but you are only a short stroll away from walking through the gateway, where the Taj Mahal will slowly appear as you enter. “WOW!” is all I can say.

My visit to India’s Golden Triangle was almost complete at this point, I’d visited New Delhi and Agra, and then it was on to Jaipur, the Pink City of India. One of the most well-known photos in Jaipur is of Hawa Mahal. The building resembles a honeycomb with many small windows and is at the center of a very busy city. And of course, let’s not forget about the Amber Fort, to which we were driven up via a jeep.

The time came to leave the hustle and bustle of the major cities and board our ship, the Ganges Voyager II. Having been on several other rivers and ships, I knew what to expect: an amazing ship & crew, great service, a variety of delicious food, and relaxation. What I was uncertain of is what the Ganges had to offer. As we began to sail, we were transported to another world. The way I would describe it is serene and unspoiled. Living in the middle of a big city, this sort of environment is unknown to me, and I was greatly looking forward to the rest of the week.

Along the way, I caught glimpses of people on the riverbanks. Some were washing their clothes or bathing on the riverside, kids were playing but were quickly distracted as they saw the ship coming and began to scream and wave joyfully to get our attention. People alongside the riverbank were waiting to be taken from one side of the river to the other. Every day brought a different view.

Life onboard the ship is what you made of it, you could choose to relax or choose to participate in the many activities onboard. I chose to take advantage of all that was offered. I relaxed on the sundeck, had a wonderful massage, and joined several lectures, a cooking class, Indian dance lessons, and more. Yoga was also offered most mornings and evenings.

Off the ship, every excursion was eye-opening. Bus transportation along the Ganges River is non-existent—remember, we are off the beaten path. Instead, a jetty boat, which travels alongside the ship, is used to take us to land. As you approach the village, you immediately see how authentic these areas are. The locals gather near us with curiosity as some of them have rarely, if ever, seen tourists in their lives. We received many stares, smiles, and waves. They are as curious of us as we are of them.

The experiences are different in each place we stopped—Kalna, Matiari, Murshidabad, Baranagar, Mayapur, and Chandannagar—most of which many people have not heard of before, which makes them all the more exciting. Walking through these places allowed us to get a firsthand glimpse of how the locals live—like walking through the busy fish market just outside the farmer’s market. As I walked in, I could hear all the loud chatter between the vendors and buyers, and the selection of fresh fish was plentiful. At another stop, we hopped on a buggy ride for an exciting, scenic drive through Murshidabad, which was very different from your typical bus tour. The flower market and its colorful flowers were a must-see.

As we continued sailing, out in the distance was a huge light blue structure. As we were told, it was the center of the international Hare Krishna movement. My curiosity got the best of me, and I couldn’t wait to visit and learn about their beliefs. It was quite interesting.

The cruise ended with a visit to Mother Teresa’s house and tomb, where we were able to view the room where she lived and a small museum dedicated to her. Then the time came to say goodbye to the ship & crew. It was a memorable trip, and some people were off to the airport for their flight home. Others, like me, decided to continue our trip with a post-cruise extension to the sacred city of Varanasi.

I’m not quite sure how to describe my experience of visiting Varanasi, but I’m so glad I chose to go. It was a very humbling experience and a highlight of my trip, right up there next to the Taj Mahal. As I said before, I have done a lot of traveling and have never seen a place such as this. Our experience began shortly before sundown onboard a local boat, where we were able to watch the riverbanks come alive after dark. As we slowly traveled across the river to our intended destination, we passed crowds gathering and walking along the colorful banks. Continuing our boat ride, we came upon the cremation ghats, which burn around the clock every day of the year. People make the pilgrimage to the holy city of Varanasi to pay deep respect to their recently departed loved ones by having their remains burned on the banks of the sacred Ganges River.

It is dark but bright at the same time as we turn the corner, and a different scene is in front of us. It’s a celebration, the celebration of life. The scene is right out of a movie, with hundreds of boats positioning themselves for the perfect view and a wall of thousands, and I mean thousands of people gathering along the banks to observe the Aarti ceremony. The next morning at dawn, we returned to the same location—but this time on foot to view the sunrise and observe the Hindu rituals that were taking place.

I hope to return to India one day. Until then, I will hold on to the special memories I have made. The experiences, the places, and the people I met in India will always hold a very special place in my heart.

Note: The contents of this article are accurate as of the publication date. Uniworld itineraries and inclusions are subject to change at any time.