News from Assam Bengal Navigation

BENGAL MEMORIES – New 4-night Hugli Cruise

From April 2011 we are introducing a new 4-night cruise on the River Hugli, starting and finishing in Kolkata, and visiting the terracotta temples of Kalna as well as the old French and Dutch trading stations of Chandernagore and Chinsura. Accommodation is also available on board for the nights before and after the cruise at a special rate.

The cruise, Bengal Despatch 8, should prove ideal for those who want to visit the longtime capital of the Raj and its surrounding attractions but cannot spare the time for a week’s cruise.

HISTORIC HUGLI CRUISE – Additional Sailings

Winter departures of our Hugli cruises have proved highly popular, and we are pleased to announce that we are extending the season to provide a further two departures during April 2011. The 7-night cruises between Kolkata and the Farakka Barrage on the Ganges also include the return leg by rail.

BRAHMAPUTRA – Cruises on the Lower River revived

From September 2011 we shall be reviving our Assam Despatch Cruises 1 and 5, which run between Dhubri on the Bangladesh frontier and Guwahati. Highlights are a visit to Manas National Park on the Bhutan border, the archaeological site of Sri Surya Pahar, and the crafts village of Sualkuchi. The downstream cruise is 4-nights duration while the upstream cruise takes one week. A single departure will operate in each direction, and the transfer is included from Cooch Behar station or its newly reopened airport. Where schedules allow, guests will be able to visit the Royal Palace, memorably described in “A Princess Remembers”.

NEW FLIGHTS LINKING GUWAHATI TO BHUTAN AND TO BANGKOK

We are delighted to announce that Druk Air, the Bhutan national airline, has just started a twice-weekly flight from Paro to Bangkok via Guwahati. Paro-Guwahati-Bangkok operates on Wednesdays and Sundays, whileBangkok-Guwahati-Paro operates on Mondays and Thursdays. The new connection will prove invaluable for those wishing to link a visit to Bhutan with a Brahmaputra river cruise or a visit to Kaziranga National Park, while the Bangkok link will be a valuable bonus for travellers from Australia, the Far East and the West Coast of America.

Further details of all new cruises, 2011/12 schedules, and additional start dates can be found on our website
www.assambengalnavigation.com.

Australian travellers should contact Active Travel
on +61 2 9264 1231