Long-haul travelers know the trade-off: the farther you go, the more time you lose to transfers and transportation. Pandaw addresses this with a new 18-night expedition that trades transit for time-in-place, combining its Kerala Backwaters and Hooghly River sailings into one seamless journey. No other river cruise line offers this connection, making Pandaw the first to link over 2,000 kilometers of India in a single itinerary.
“Long-haul travelers don’t just want to check off destinations; they want to understand them,” said Pandaw Founder & CEO Paul Strachan. “This itinerary lets guests experience two very different Indias side by side, with time in each region to connect with local communities and learn from their cultures. With local guides, we take guests into Kerala’s backwater villages and along Bengal’s colonial trade routes, where craft traditions remain very much alive.”
The journey explores Kerala’s network of more than 900 kilometers of waterways, shaped by centuries of maritime exchange. As the ship moves through palm-lined canals, guests visit historic sites such as Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple and experience traditional performances like Kathakali and Mohiniattam. A two-night stay in Mumbai connects the two cruises, offering a natural break while adding context to India’s colonial past.
The expedition then continues along the Hooghly River, once the main entry point for European traders. Sailing toward Kolkata, the route passes former Portuguese, Dutch, Danish, and French settlements. Excursions include the terracotta temples of Kalna, brass workshops in Matiari, and the palaces and mosques of Murshidabad.
With fewer than 18 cabins, the journey is designed for access and authenticity, navigating waterways larger vessels cannot reach. Learn more at pandaw.com/expeditions/kerala-backwaters-the-hooghly-river
