Published by Deccan Herald, India

Dazzling sandbars, lush forests, close encounters with wildlife and ancient architecture: these are some of delights awaiting passengers on the MV Mahabaahu, the ship that set sail on the mighty Brahmaputra on Monday on its first-ever sojourn to Kolkata via Bangladesh.

The cruise left the Pandu port on a 17-day voyage with 30 persons on board including nine foreign tourists. Three Unesco World Heritage Sites — Sundarbans, Mosque City of Bagerhat (Bangladesh) and Manas National Park in Assam —  are among its stopovers.