Scenic Launches New India & Sri Lanka River Cruises for 2027
Scenic takes river cruising to India for 2027
Scenic is expanding its river cruise collection into India from 2027, with a new series of journeys combining a Lower Ganges river cruise with land touring across India and Sri Lanka. At the centre of each itinerary is a nine-night cruise along the Hooghly River, part of the Lower Ganges, through West Bengal. Scenic’s inaugural 2027/28 season will feature five different journeys ranging from 17 to 25 days.
For Scenic, this is a completely new river cruise destination and an interesting addition to its existing European and Southeast Asian programmes. What particularly caught our attention at The River Cruise Company is the way Scenic has approached India. Rather than simply adding a short stay before or after the cruise, each itinerary combines the river journey with a substantial land programme, allowing guests to choose which part of India, or Sri Lanka, they would most like to explore. Options range from the Golden Triangle and Rajasthan to South India, North India and a longer journey through Sri Lanka.
For experienced river cruisers who have already explored many of Europe’s rivers and are looking for somewhere genuinely different, this opens up an interesting new option.
Introducing Scenic Aura
The river cruise itself will take place aboard Scenic Aura, a small boutique ship carrying a maximum of just 44 guests. That guest number immediately makes this a very different experience from many European river ships. Scenic is also promising an almost one-to-one crew-to-guest ratio, which should allow for a particularly personal level of service onboard.
Scenic Aura is being redesigned ahead of its deployment in India, with refreshed interiors and suites created for the new programme. Accommodation will include Scenic’s signature Sun Lounge, allowing guests to enjoy the changing river views from their own suite, while onboard facilities will include up to four dining options, a pool, wellness facilities and fitness areas.
As you would expect from Scenic, the river cruise will operate on an all-inclusive basis, with dining, drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities and a programme of Scenic Freechoice excursions and Scenic Enrich experiences included. With only 44 guests onboard, Scenic Aura also feels particularly well suited to this part of India. Rather than experiencing West Bengal as part of a large group, the smaller ship should allow the journey to feel more intimate, both onboard and when exploring ashore.
What does the Lower Ganges river cruise include?
The river cruise element of each journey follows the same 10-day programme through West Bengal, beginning and ending in Kolkata. It is a part of India that offers a very different experience from the better-known Golden Triangle, with smaller riverside towns, spiritual centres, historic palaces and communities where traditional crafts are still part of everyday life. Rather than focusing on one or two major cities, the itinerary moves gradually through the region, giving guests time to experience the history and culture that has developed along the Lower Ganges and Hooghly River.
Serampore and Chinsura
One of the first stops introduces some of West Bengal’s European colonial history. Serampore was once a Danish trading settlement, while nearby Chinsura has strong links to the Dutch. These towns provide an interesting reminder that this stretch of river attracted European trading powers long before Kolkata developed into the major city it is today.
Mayapur
Mayapur brings a completely different side of India into the journey. It is one of the country’s most important spiritual centres and is internationally known as the headquarters of the ISKCON, or Hare Krishna, movement. Scenic’s itinerary includes time here to learn more about the religious significance of the area and see some of its temples and spiritual communities.
Murshidabad
Murshidabad was once the capital of Bengal and is one of the most historically significant stops on the cruise. Among its grand buildings is Kathgola Palace, an impressive 19th-century mansion. Scenic has included one of its signature Enrich experiences here, with guests enjoying High Tea within the palace surroundings. This is a good example of how Scenic is approaching the new programme. The experience is not simply about visiting historic buildings, but about creating opportunities to spend more time within them.
Matiari and Phulia
Some of the smaller stops provide an opportunity to see traditional craftsmanship that has been passed through generations. In Matiari, artisans continue to work with brass and copper using traditional techniques, while Phulia is associated with Bengal’s weaving heritage. Scenic’s programme includes visits to these artisan communities, adding a more local element to the sightseeing. For many guests, these smaller experiences may prove just as interesting as the better-known landmarks, particularly if you enjoy seeing how people live and work in the destinations you visit.
Kalna
Kalna is particularly known for its temple architecture. The town contains an extraordinary collection of terracotta temples, including the distinctive Nava Kailash complex, with its concentric circles of small Shiva temples. It adds another layer to the cruise, with Hindu architecture and religious history forming an important part of the experience in West Bengal.
Chandernagore
Chandernagore introduces yet another strand of European history. Unlike many of the settlements along the river that came under British influence, Chandernagore was governed by the French for much of its colonial history. Some of that heritage remains visible in its architecture and waterfront today.
Finishing in Kolkata
The river journey concludes back in Kolkata, one of India’s most fascinating cities and the former capital of British India. Scenic includes a private heritage tram experience as part of the programme, offering a different way to see the city and reflect on its colonial past alongside the energy of modern Kolkata.
What I particularly like about the Lower Ganges itinerary is the variety within those 10 days. There are palaces and temples, colonial settlements and spiritual centres, but also smaller communities and traditional crafts. It feels very different from a European river cruise where the itinerary may be built around a succession of major cities. Here, much of the interest comes from exploring places many UK travellers may never previously have heard of, which is exactly where travelling by river can come into its own.
Five different ways to experience India and Sri Lanka
One of the things I like about Scenic’s new collection is that you are not limited to one land itinerary. Every journey includes the same 10-day Lower Ganges river cruise aboard Scenic Aura, but the land portion can be very different depending on which part of India, or Sri Lanka, you most want to experience.
That makes choosing the right itinerary particularly important.
Golden Triangle and Luxury Lower Ganges River Cruise – 17 days
This is the shortest of the new journeys and probably the most familiar introduction to India for first-time visitors. The land portion explores Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, combining some of India’s best-known sights with the Lower Ganges cruise. Highlights include the Taj Mahal, the palaces and forts of Jaipur and time exploring Delhi before flying to Kolkata to join Scenic Aura. For anyone who has always wanted to see India’s Golden Triangle but also likes the idea of experiencing the country by river, this feels like a very natural combination. It also works well for travellers who want to experience India without committing to one of the longer three-week-plus itineraries.
Jewels of North India & Luxury Lower Ganges River Cruise – 22 days
The North India journey goes considerably further. Alongside Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, it includes Varanasi, Khajuraho and time in Ranthambore National Park. Varanasi introduces one of India’s most important spiritual cities, with the chance to experience the ghats and an evening Aarti ceremony beside the Ganges. There is also a strong wildlife element, with safaris forming part of the journey, while Khajuraho brings another side of India’s history through its intricately carved temples. This itinerary is likely to suit guests who want more than the classic Golden Triangle and are particularly interested in combining culture, spirituality and wildlife.
Colours of South India & Luxury Lower Ganges River Cruise – 24 days
South India offers a completely different experience again. Beginning in Kochi, the itinerary travels through Kerala and continues to places including Kumarakom, Periyar National Park, Madurai, Chettinad, Puducherry and Chennai before flying to Kolkata for the river cruise. The experience includes Kerala’s famous backwaters, a traditional Kettuvallam houseboat, a family-owned spice plantation and time exploring the temples and heritage of Tamil Nadu. There are also cultural experiences including Kathakali and Bharatanatyam performances. For travellers who have visited North India before, or simply prefer the idea of tropical landscapes, southern cuisine, temples and Kerala’s waterways, this could be one of the most interesting options in the collection.
Royal Rajasthan & Luxury Lower Ganges River Cruise – 25 days
At 25 days, Royal Rajasthan is the longest of the new journeys. This itinerary places much more emphasis on India’s royal heritage, travelling through Delhi, Agra, Ranthambore, Jaipur, Nagaur, Jodhpur, Narlai and Udaipur before joining Scenic Aura in Kolkata. Palaces, historic forts and heritage properties are a major part of the experience, alongside wildlife encounters in several different regions. Udaipur and its famous Lake Pichola provide a particularly fitting conclusion to the Rajasthan section before the journey continues to West Bengal. This is probably the option for travellers who want to see India in greater depth and are happy to devote almost four weeks to the experience.
Luxury Lower Ganges River Cruise & Ultimate Sri Lanka – 23 days
The Sri Lanka journey is the only itinerary in the collection that combines two countries. Guests first complete the Lower Ganges cruise before flying from Kolkata to Sri Lanka for an extensive land journey around the island.
The itinerary explores Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, including Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya and Dambulla, before continuing to Kandy and into the tea-growing highlands. There is also a train journey from Kandy towards Hatton, wildlife viewing in Minneriya National Park and time on the south coast around Galle. What is important to understand is that the Sri Lanka element is entirely land based. The river cruise takes place in India, with Sri Lanka forming the second part of the overall journey. For travellers who have the time, this is a particularly interesting way of combining two very different destinations within one holiday.
Which Scenic India itinerary should you choose?
There is quite a significant difference between these five journeys, so I would look beyond the number of days and think about what you most want to experience.
If it is your first visit to India and the Taj Mahal and Jaipur are high on your list, the Golden Triangle journey is probably the most straightforward choice. If you want spirituality and wildlife alongside India’s classic sights, Jewels of North India offers much more depth.
For a very different side of the country, Colours of South India brings Kerala, temples, local food and tropical landscapes into the journey.
Royal Rajasthan is the most extensive option for those drawn to forts, palaces, heritage properties and wildlife. And if you want to combine your Lower Ganges cruise with a second country, the Sri Lanka itinerary adds ancient cities, tea country, wildlife and the coast.
The fact that the river cruise remains the same on each itinerary makes the decision easier. The real choice is which land journey you want to build around it.
Why the Sri Lanka combination stands out
Of the five new journeys, the India and Sri Lanka combination is probably the one that feels most different. Rather than continuing farther through India after the Lower Ganges cruise, guests fly from Kolkata to Sri Lanka and begin a completely new land journey around the island. That gives the holiday a real sense of contrast. West Bengal brings palaces, temples, riverside communities and the energy of Kolkata, while Sri Lanka introduces ancient cities, tea-covered hills, wildlife and the coast.
The journey begins around Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, with visits to places such as Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa before continuing towards Sigiriya and Dambulla. Sigiriya is one of the country’s most recognisable landmarks, with the remains of an ancient fortress sitting high on a dramatic rock plateau. Nearby Dambulla is known for its cave temple complex, filled with Buddhist statues and paintings. From there, the itinerary continues to Kandy before heading into Sri Lanka’s tea country.
One experience that particularly caught our attention is the train journey from Kandy towards Hatton. This part of Sri Lanka is very different from the cultural sites farther north, with rolling green hills, tea plantations and a cooler climate.
Wildlife also forms part of the journey, with time around Minneriya National Park, where elephants are one of the main attractions.
The final part of the itinerary heads towards the south coast and Galle, giving guests another change of pace. Galle Fort, with its Dutch colonial history, cafés and ocean views, provides a very different conclusion from the temples and tea country experienced earlier in the journey.
What I like about this itinerary is that Sri Lanka does not feel like a short add-on at the end of the cruise. It forms a substantial part of the overall 23-day journey and gives guests enough time to see several different sides of the country. It is also worth being clear that the Sri Lanka portion is a land journey rather than another river cruise. Scenic Aura sails only in India, with the Sri Lankan section continuing by road, rail and included sightseeing. For travellers who have perhaps already visited India, or who want to experience two countries within one longer holiday, this could be one of the most appealing options in the collection.
Who will these new journeys suit?
These are not short river cruises with a couple of nights added before or after. Scenic has built each itinerary as a substantial touring holiday, so they are likely to appeal most to travellers who want to see a destination in more depth.
They could be particularly well suited to:
- Experienced river cruisers who have already explored many of Europe’s main rivers and are looking for somewhere different
- Existing Scenic guests who enjoy the brand’s all-inclusive approach and want to travel farther afield
- Travellers who prefer smaller ships and a more intimate onboard atmosphere
- Guests interested in history, culture, spirituality and local communities
- Those who like the idea of combining river cruising with a significant land journey
- Travellers who are comfortable with a more active sightseeing programme and longer holiday duration
The 44-guest Scenic Aura is also likely to appeal to customers who enjoy smaller ships. With fewer passengers onboard, the experience should feel quite different from cruising on some of the larger European river vessels.
Are these journeys suitable for a first river cruise?
They certainly can be, although I think the destination itself is probably more important than whether you have river cruised before. If India or Sri Lanka has always been somewhere you wanted to visit, combining the sightseeing with a nine-night river cruise offers a comfortable way to experience parts of the region that can otherwise require a lot of travelling between hotels. However, these journeys are considerably more involved than a typical seven-night European river cruise. Depending on the itinerary, you may be travelling for between 17 and 25 days, with internal flights, road journeys, sightseeing and several hotel stays forming part of the overall holiday.
For some travellers, that is exactly the attraction. You are making the most of travelling such a long distance by seeing considerably more than the river alone. For others, particularly those looking for a very relaxed first introduction to river cruising, a European itinerary may still be the more straightforward place to start.
A different type of river cruise holiday
What makes this new collection particularly interesting is that the cruise is only one part of the overall experience. On many European river holidays, the ship remains your base for almost the entire trip. Here, Scenic Aura provides 10 days of the journey, with the remaining time spent exploring India or Sri Lanka on land. That means customers should think about the complete itinerary rather than choosing solely on the ship or river.
The Golden Triangle option, for example, is very different from spending time in Kerala and South India, while Rajasthan offers another experience again. The right choice will depend on whether your priorities are India’s famous landmarks, wildlife, spirituality, palaces, southern landscapes or combining India with Sri Lanka.
At The River Cruise Company, that is where we think advice can make a real difference. With five itineraries built around the same Lower Ganges cruise, understanding the land programme is just as important as choosing the river cruise itself.
What is included with Scenic?
Scenic positions its river cruises as all-inclusive, and that approach continues with the new India programme. During the 10-day Lower Ganges cruise aboard Scenic Aura, guests can expect meals onboard, a choice of up to four dining options, complimentary beverages throughout the day, Wi-Fi and gratuities to be included.
Scenic Freechoice excursions are also part of the programme, giving guests different ways to explore depending on their interests, while Scenic Enrich experiences provide access to specially arranged events and locations. One example is High Tea at Kathgola Palace in Murshidabad, while other experiences throughout the collection range from cultural performances to wildlife encounters and local artisan visits.
The land portions of the journeys are also carefully planned, with accommodation, sightseeing, transfers and many meals incorporated into the overall itinerary. This is particularly useful on a holiday such as this, where there can be several hotels, internal journeys and excursions involved. Having the arrangements organised as part of one itinerary removes much of the logistical planning that would otherwise be required when travelling independently through India or Sri Lanka.
It is worth remembering that inclusions can vary between the five land journeys, so we would always recommend comparing the individual itineraries rather than assuming every experience is included across the whole collection. That is especially important when deciding between North India, Rajasthan, South India and Sri Lanka, as each journey has been designed around a very different set of experiences.
Our View
We think Scenic’s move into river cruising in India is one of the more interesting new developments we have seen for 2027. European rivers will always remain at the heart of river cruising, we are increasingly seeing experienced river cruisers looking towards worldwide river cruises after travelling the Rhine, Danube, Rhône or Douro. The Lower Ganges certainly provides that.
What appeals to us about Scenic’s approach is that it has not treated the river cruise as a standalone experience. The 10 days aboard Scenic Aura are combined with some very substantial land journeys, giving guests the opportunity to see considerably more of India, or continue into Sri Lanka.
The small size of Scenic Aura is another real advantage. With no more than 44 guests onboard, it should provide a much more intimate way of exploring West Bengal than travelling as part of a large touring group.
However, we would not choose between these holidays based purely on the ship. The Golden Triangle, North India, South India, Rajasthan and Sri Lanka journeys are all very different, and for us the most important decision is deciding which land itinerary best matches what you want to see.
For someone visiting India for the first time, the Golden Triangle may be the natural starting point. Those who want to see more of the country could look towards North India or Rajasthan, while South India offers a very different landscape and culture. The Sri Lanka combination stands apart again, effectively giving you two destinations within one longer holiday.
These are also quite substantial journeys, lasting between 17 and 25 days. They will suit travellers who want plenty of sightseeing and cultural experiences rather than those looking primarily for a relaxing week onboard. For the right customer, though, we think this could be a fascinating way to discover a part of the world that feels very different from the traditional European river cruise experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Scenic start river cruising in India?
Scenic’s inaugural India river cruise collection begins in 2027, with departures continuing into 2028.
Which river does Scenic cruise in India?
Scenic Aura will cruise through West Bengal along the Hooghly River, which forms part of the Lower Ganges river system.
How long is the Scenic Lower Ganges river cruise?
Every journey includes a 10-day, nine-night Lower Ganges river cruise aboard Scenic Aura.
How many guests does Scenic Aura carry?
Scenic Aura will accommodate no more than 44 guests, making it considerably smaller than most European river cruise ships.
How long are Scenic’s India and Sri Lanka journeys?
The five new itineraries range from 17 to 25 days, depending on which land journey is combined with the Lower Ganges cruise.
Does Scenic cruise in Sri Lanka?
No. The river cruise takes place in India aboard Scenic Aura. On the 23-day India and Sri Lanka itinerary, guests fly from Kolkata to Sri Lanka and continue with a land journey around the island.
Which Scenic India itinerary is best for a first visit?
For many first-time visitors, the 17-day Golden Triangle and Luxury Lower Ganges River Cruise will be the most obvious choice because it includes Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and the Taj Mahal. However, the best itinerary really depends on what you want to experience. Wildlife, spirituality, Rajasthan’s palaces, South India and Sri Lanka all feature much more prominently on the longer journeys.
Can The River Cruise Company help compare the different itineraries?
Yes. With five different land journeys sharing the same Lower Ganges cruise, there is quite a lot to compare. Our team can talk you through the different routes, Scenic Aura’s suites, what is included and which itinerary may suit the way you like to travel. If Scenic’s new India and Sri Lanka collection has caught your attention, speak to our team and we can help you explore the different options for 2027 and 2028.