Some believe the best way to experience the Indian subcontinent is through its rivers & backwaters — and we couldn't agree more.
In recent years, river cruise tourism has sprung up and now we are spoilt with options.
Below are ranked a few examples of how you can navigate on some of India’s main arteries.
Everything from wildlife and culture is covered and it touches destinations that others simply can’t in
a safe, comfortable and convenient manner with just some gentle swaying, in beautiful vessels which
fulfils more than just your basic needs.
Antara River Cruises offers bespoke luxury river travel across India and Bangladesh, combining high-end hospitality with deep cultural and natural immersion.
Antara offers curated routes ranging from 2 to 51 days, catering to both solo travelers and groups:
A flagship 51-day epic covering over 27 river systems across India and Bangladesh—sailing from Varanasi to Dibrugarh via Dhaka.
Short-to-mid length itineraries (3–8 days) exploring Bengal’s artisan traditions, terracotta temples, colonial history, and spiritual hubs (such as Kolkata, Tribeni, Nabadwip, and ISKCON Mayapur).
Cruises navigating the river channels and mangroves of Bhitarkanika National Park and the Mahanadi River, famous for saltwater crocodile sightings and pristine estuarine ecology.
Antara’s all-suite fleet features modern design, high staff-to-guest ratios, French balconies, and panoramic river views:
The newest 18-suite flagship built for long-distance river cruising.
Elegant vessels designed for multi-day heritage itineraries along the Ganga.
Traditional yet luxurious vessels ideal for short, intimate cultural escapes along Bengal’s historic waterways.
Smaller vessels designed to navigate delicate wildlife and sanctuary ecosystems.
Adventure River Cruises (ARC) focuses on expedition-style luxury cruising centered around two distinct regions: the mighty Brahmaputra River in Northeast India and the tranquil Backwaters of Kerala, in South West India.
ARC structures its itineraries around immersive expedition routes ranging from 2 to 7 nights:
7, 9 and 11-night wilderness and heritage voyages along the Brahmaputra River, featuring jeep/boat safaris in Kaziranga National Park, visits to tea plantations, and cultural performances in Majuli island.
2, 5, and 7-night slow-paced sailings between Kochi and Alleppey, guiding guests through palm-fringed canals, Kuttanad rice fields, traditional martial arts (Kalaripayattu) demonstrations, and ancient Syrian Christian churches.
Unlike large multi-deck liners, ARC operates boutique, region-specific vessels focused on high-end comfort and small-ship navigation:
A flagship 23-cabin vessel specially engineered to navigate the challenging, shallow channels of the Brahmaputra, featuring private balconies, a pool table, a health spa, and a swimming pool.
A boutique 9-cabin vessel designed for navigating Kerala’s narrow backwater channels, offering an intimate alternative to traditional houseboats with air-conditioned luxury cabins and en-suite amenities.