GANGES RIVER CRUISES
Cruises on the Ganges and Lower Ganges (the Hooghly) offer a chance to witness life as lived in riverbank villages and towns, and marvel at ornate historic temples and monuments. A little-known but fascinating and culturally rich part of India, travelling by boat opens up areas otherwise largely inaccessible to the traveller.
Lower Ganges cruises operate all year round, while cruises on the Ganges operate in the winter months. Itineraries can be taken separately or combined to offer a choice of durations from three to 15 nights. Due to river conditions, we can only cruise all the way up to Varanasi in the months of August and September.
Come and join us on one of the world's best cruise holidays as rated by The Guardian UK.
ITINERARIES
Historic Hoogly (Lower Ganges)
Operating upstream or downstream, these cruises include a return journey by rail, allowing you to sample the quintessential train travel experience, ably assisted by your ABN crew. The cruise itself takes you along the intimate Hooghly, from Farakka down to Kolkata. As well as exploring Kolkata, the cruise takes in Murshidabad, capital of the Nawabs of Bengal, and the many monuments of the mediaeval Islamic capital of Gaur. From silk-weaving villages to a hamlet known for its brass-making artisans, this region offers a glimpse into a traditional way of life through riverside village walks and e-rickshaw rides. Cruises can be combined with Ganges cruises on most dates.
The Holy Ganges
These cruises along the main stream of the Ganges operate between Farakka and Patna, or vice versa. Wander through the Mughal ruins at Rajmahal, explore East India Company relics at Patna and Monghyr, and discover the monuments of Buddha’s homeland, including Bodh Gaya. With such a wealth of cultural, historic and religious sites, the region offers an insight into India’s richly diverse character and is an exciting voyage through largely uncharted territory.
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Bengal Memories
This short itinerary has been specially designed to give travellers a taste of Bengal's rich heritage. Visit the imposing Imambara that overlooks the river, the new ISKCON temple of Mayapur - a vast complex of worship that receives over a million Krishna devotees annually - the intricately carved terracotta Hindu temples of Kalna, and Chandernagore, a charming riverside town that was in French possession until 1950.
City of Light:
A Varanasi Sojourn
With our specially designed ship, ABN Rajmahal, we are able to offer two one-week cruises which access the Holy Grail of Ganges cruises, the sacred city of Varanasi itself. Operating only in periods of high water, when India is at its most lush and attractive, they explore the untouched villages and towns of rural India along the river between Patna and Varanasi. Both cruises feature two days of sightseeing in Varanasi itself, including sailing all the way up to the spectacular Chunar Fort.
Grand Ganges:
Varanasi to Kolkata
A 13-night journey through the spiritual, historical and cultural heart of the Ganges
Step aboard for an extraordinary journey along India’s most revered river, where millennia of history, faith and culture unfold with every passing mile. Beginning in Varanasi, the spiritual heart of India, witness ancient rituals along the ghats at sunrise before sailing downstream through a landscape shaped by empires, pilgrims and traders.
Explore the Buddhist sanctuary of Sarnath, the historic cities of Patna and Murshidabad, and the evocative ruins of once-great capitals, each revealing layers of the subcontinent’s rich past. Along the way, encounter riverside villages, intricate temple architecture, and enduring traditions that continue to define life on the Ganges.
As the river widens towards the Bay of Bengal, arrive in Kolkata, a city of grand colonial heritage and cultural vibrancy—bringing your journey to a fitting and memorable close.