24 nights · India · River cruise · Departs New Delhi (India) · Visiting Kolkata, Mayapur, Murshidabad, Motihari, Kalna, Chandannagar · Aboard Scenic Cruises on the Scenic Aura
Image courtesy of Scenic Cruises ©
This river cruise sails the Ganges, departing New Delhi.
| Cruise line | Scenic Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Scenic Aura |
| Duration | 24 nights |
| Port calls | 7 |
| Departures | 7 sailings |
| From fare | $14,980 per person |
| Year built | 2016 |
| Guests | 44 |
| Cabins | 22 |
| Crew | 50 |
| Length | 80 m |
| Cruising speed | 9.0 kn |
New Delhi is India’s capital, where broad avenues and Mughal-era landmarks frame the country’s political heart. Begin at India Gate, then explore Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO-listed masterpiece that helped shape later Mughal architecture. Nearby Old Delhi offers a vivid contrast. Around Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk, lanes reveal mosques, markets and enduring food traditions. Allow time for traffic; distances can take longer than the map suggests.
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.
Published September 12, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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