22 nights · Calcutta, India · River cruise · Departs Kolkata (India) · Visiting Mayapur, Murshidabad, Motihari, Kalna, Chandannagar, Colombo, Galle · Aboard Scenic Cruises on the Scenic Aura
Image courtesy of Scenic Cruises ©
This river cruise sails the Ganges, departing Kolkata.
| Cruise line | Scenic Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Scenic Aura |
| Duration | 22 nights |
| Port calls | 8 |
| Departures | 7 sailings |
| From fare | $15,370 per person |
| Year built | 2016 |
| Guests | 44 |
| Cabins | 22 |
| Crew | 50 |
| Length | 80 m |
| Cruising speed | 9.0 kn |
Kolkata is a city of grand contrasts, where British-era boulevards meet crowded bazaars and the broad Hooghly River. At the Victoria Memorial, marble galleries trace the colonial past; across town, Kumartuli’s workshops shape clay idols by hand. Cross the Hooghly on the cantilevered Howrah Bridge, then explore College Street’s bookshops and cafés. Leave time for Bengali cooking, from delicate fish curries to sweets such as sandesh. Here, history is not behind glass; it remains part of daily life.
Māyāpur lies on West Bengal’s Ganges plain, near the meeting of the Jalangi and Hooghly rivers. Revered as the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the 15th-century saint, it remains a major Vaishnava pilgrimage centre. ISKCON’s expansive campus centres on the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, crowned by a soaring dome. A ferry crosses to Nabadwip, a historic town of temples and narrow lanes. Watch ceremonies, then pause beside the water as boats and prayer chants mark the day.
Murshidābād sits on the Bhāgirathi, where Bengal’s Nawab-era fortunes once shaped the course of empire. At Hazarduari Palace, a thousand doors frame galleries of arms, portraits, and courtly ceremony. Nearby, the Katra Mosque and Nizamat Imambara reveal a city built for faith and power. Look beyond the monuments to its famed silk traditions and lively riverfront. Here, history feels close—a compelling stop for travelers drawn to Bengal’s layered past.
Motihari brings two defining stories of modern India into focus: Gandhi’s Champaran Satyagraha and George Orwell’s birthplace. In 1917, Gandhi came to Champaran to support indigo farmers facing exploitation; the campaign helped shape India’s independence movement. The Gandhi Sangrahalaya preserves photographs and records from this history. Nearby, Kesaria Stupa—one of India’s largest Buddhist stupas—rewards a longer excursion; Motihari itself is a working Bihar district town.
On the Hooghly’s west bank, Kalna offers a quieter encounter with Bengal’s temple heritage. At the Rajbari complex, 108 Shiva shrines stand in two concentric circles, built in 1809. Nearby, terracotta façades enrich temples dedicated to Krishna, and the Rasmancha once displayed images during the Ras festival. Allow time to study the carved details and absorb the measured rhythm of this historic river town.
Chandannagar offers a rare glimpse of French India, just north of Kolkata on the Hooghly River. Its shaded Strand, colonial façades and river views reward an unhurried walk. Visit the former French governor’s residence, now a museum, for furniture, art and documents that illuminate the city’s past. The Sacred Heart Church and Nandadulal Temple reveal its layered heritage. Come for history, and stay for the river.
Kolkata is a city of grand contrasts, where British-era boulevards meet crowded bazaars and the broad Hooghly River. At the Victoria Memorial, marble galleries trace the colonial past; across town, Kumartuli’s workshops shape clay idols by hand. Cross the Hooghly on the cantilevered Howrah Bridge, then explore College Street’s bookshops and cafés. Leave time for Bengali cooking, from delicate fish curries to sweets such as sandesh. Here, history is not behind glass; it remains part of daily life.
Colombo is Sri Lanka’s commercial capital, set between the Indian Ocean and the Kelani River. Its streets move from colonial facades and Buddhist temples to modern cafés, markets, and leafy residential avenues. Visit Gangaramaya Temple, browse the Pettah bazaar, or follow the Galle Face promenade at sunset. Colombo rewards curiosity, but traffic matters; choose a few neighborhoods for your day.
Galle’s UNESCO-listed Fort is best explored on foot, where coral-stone ramparts frame Dutch-era streets and the Indian Ocean. Founded by the Portuguese and developed by the Dutch, the fortified town still feels distinct from modern Sri Lanka. Visit the lighthouse, browse galleries and cafés, then pause on the walls as fishing boats cross the harbour. Beyond the fort, the southern coast offers beaches and cinnamon country, while Galle’s layered past gives every stroll substance.
Colombo is Sri Lanka’s commercial capital, set between the Indian Ocean and the Kelani River. Its streets move from colonial facades and Buddhist temples to modern cafés, markets, and leafy residential avenues. Visit Gangaramaya Temple, browse the Pettah bazaar, or follow the Galle Face promenade at sunset. Colombo rewards curiosity, but traffic matters; choose a few neighborhoods for your day.
Published September 17, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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