Pandaw has announced it is increasing its cruise offering in India, following high demand for its Lower Ganges sailing.

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

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

“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 among the Bay of Bangal’s beautiful Andaman Islands.”

The new Upper Ganges River itinerary, on the RV Katha Pandaw, is a 14-night voyage from Kolkata to Varanasi. Sailing from October 2019, it calls at Kalna, Matiari, Murshidabad, Jangipur and Farakka, before continuing towards the Upper Ganges. There are multiple stops and excursions daily, and prices start from $4,671pp, based on two people sharing a cabin.

In addition, from October 2019 there will be a seven-night cruise on the Brahmaputra River, which flows through China, India and Bangladesh. Prices start from $2,601pp, based on two people sharing a cabin.

Pandaw’s MY Andaman Explorer will also sail to and among the Andaman Islands, in the Indian Ocean, starting from February 2020 with two ten-night expeditions – prices start from US$4,800pp – and three seven-night expeditions exploring the Andaman archipelago, starting from Port Blair. Prices from $3,980pp.