If you’ve been thinking about taking cruises from India, how about taking a cruise in India? You’ve probably heard about river cruises in Europe. India too is slowly awakening to the beauty of river cruises. After all, we have so many rivers crisscrossing the country. The Ganga and the Brahmaputra are the most well-known among them. For years, small boats ferried locals across these rivers. Now, you can book luxury cruise ships to sail along these mighty rivers and discover their secrets. A river cruise is more than just a holiday – it’s a chance to see India from a new perspective.

The Ganges River Cruises
A river cruise along the Ganga is a journey rich in India’s spiritual heritage, vibrant culture, and stunning beauty. As you go from the tranquil landscapes of rural Bengal to Varanasi’s majestic ghats, you’ll see ancient shrines, exotic birds, skilled artisans at work and plenty more.

Antara Cruises has been offering luxury cruises on the Ganges since 2009. Their
19-night Kolkata to Varanasi cruise is a leisurely way to see Kalna, Murshirabad, Munger Fort, Patna, Buxar and other port cities along the Ganges. You’ll get a chance to see historic temples and palaces, witness sunset Aartis at the ghats, visit local markets, and watch master coppersmiths at work.

Or, you could choose cruise packages with shorter itineraries.

There’s a 2 night Varanasi cruise and a 3 night cruise that takes you upstream and downstream. The Ganga Aarti at the Dashashwamedh Ghat is a visual treat. The cruise also includes a walk through the Vishwanath Gali and a visit to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. From Varanasi, the luxury cruise ships move to Sarnath where you can visit the city’s archaeological ruins and museum. 

You can also book the 7-night Artisans Of Bengal cruise that tours Kolkata, Bandel, Kalna, Nabadwip, Miyapur, Guptipura, Fulia, Chandernagore and Serampore. Kolkata, the erstwhile capital during the British Raj has plenty to explore. You can visit the Dalhousie Square, St. John's Church, the Howrah Bridge and the Victoria Memorial as well as the flower market and Kumartuli. A visit to the 108 eight-slope-roofed Nabakailas temple at Kalna, the Vaishnav temples and the Danish and French quarters of Chanderpore are other highlights of this cruise. You’ll meet cotton handlooms weavers in Nabadwip and Fulia’s Jamdani weavers as well as the potters in Guptipura. 

Assam Bengal Navigation offers a similar itinerary on their 7-night Historic Lower Ganges Upstream Cruise.

The Ganges River Cruises to the Sunderbans
The Sunderbans are one of the most famous places along the Ganges. This vast mangrove forest at the confluence of the Ganges and the Brahmaputra is a sanctuary for several globally endangered species. Given its intricate network of waterways, a river cruise is one of the best ways to explore this region.

The Antara cruise line offers a weeklong cruise to the Sunderbans. The cruise starts in Kolkata and takes you to the Danish colony of Serampore, the quaint village of Bandel, Chandernagore, the Bhagabatpur island and many smaller locations deep inside the Sunderbans.

The Brahmaputra River Cruises
The Brahmaputra is a crucial lifeline in northeast India. As it makes its way through Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Bengal, the river becomes a hotspot of biodiversity. Cruises typically operate between Jorhat and Guwahati. Along the way, you’ll be treated to picturesque views and get a chance to immerse yourself in the region’s rich cultural heritage. The Brahmaputra is also the only river where you can join a safari directly from the river banks.

Assam Bengal Navigation conducts short 3-night and 4-night cruises as well as longer 7-night and 10-night itineraries. Watching the process of silk being extracted from cocoons, spun, dyed and hand-woven into stunning mekhela chadars is definitely something to look forward to on these cruises. You can also visit temples around Guwahati and spot the famous one-horned Rhino at the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary or Kaziranga National Park.

Then there is the 7-night Guwahati to Neamati cruise on the MV Mahabaahu. This is a delightful cruise for wildlife enthusiasts. At Kaziranga, you can join a jeep, elephant, or boat safari directly from the river. A little further ahead, you can join the Dhansiri boat safari at a tribal village called Mising. The Brahmaputra cruise also stops at the Majuli River island in Sivasagar. This is the largest river island in the world and home to several endangered bird species.

Booking River Cruises From India:
A holiday on luxury cruise ships sailing along the Ganges and the Brahmaputra is a great way to experience the slow life. It’s an opportunity to unwind without a rushed itinerary. Antara Cruises and Assam Bengal Navigation are amongst the most reputed cruise operators sailing along these routes. Choose from a variety of cruise packages to explore and appreciate life along the riverbanks.

At Odyssey, we work closely with both of India’s leading river cruise lines to bring you the best river cruise packages. From picking the right cabin and detailing the shore excursions to making sure your food preferences are noted, we make sure your holiday goes as planned. We can even help you extend your holiday in the North East with an exciting land holiday itinerary before or after the cruise. Connect with us to start planning.