At a glance
- Most Ganges River cruises take place entirely within India, though the river itself also flows through Bangladesh and Nepal
- Itineraries vary significantly in price and duration, from three nights for just over £1,000 to 16 nights for just under £15,000
- Many cruises focus on the lower Ganges, including the Hooghly distributary, with most beginning or ending in Kolkata
- Some itineraries do venture upstream to destinations such as Patna and Varanasi
- Cruises are also often paired with land journeys, adding destinations such as Jaipur or Agra
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About the Ganges River
The Ganges River stretches over 1,570 miles from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal, flowing through India, Nepal and Bangladesh. For millions of people, it’s the backdrop of daily life, and over millennia, it has shaped the cultures, landscapes and agriculture along its course.
Many river cruises focus on the lower Ganges (including a distributary called the Hooghly River) in the Indian state of West Bengal, with itineraries linking Kolkata to towns such as Kalna and Murshidabad. Sailing this section means seeing terracotta temples, exploring marigold-filled flower markets and dining on authentic Bengali cuisine.
That said, you’ll find itineraries that focus on other stretches of the Ganges, too, though primarily within India. Upstream, you might visit Patna in the state of Bihar or the ancient city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Plus, many travellers opt to combine their Ganges cruise with adventures on land, so they can experience destinations like Jaipur or Delhi.
Best for first-timers: Assam Bengal Navigation
Why this cruise operator?
This is a joint venture brought to you by two families, the Phookans in India and the Brocks in the UK. The line exclusively sails Indian rivers and operates Indian river lodges. Since it launched in 2003, it’s hosted the likes of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
On the Ganges, its ships offer an approachable yet immersive experience. On ABN Rajmahal, for instance, you’ll find a canopied sundeck, a small spa and 22 staterooms, all with French balconies. Décor throughout is characterised by locally sourced handicrafts and well-curated antiques, creating a sense of understated luxury. Dining mixes Assamese dishes, typically milder and lighter than many Indian cuisines, with continental classics.
Itineraries: What makes this cruise line especially well-suited to first-timers is the range of voyage lengths, starting at just three nights. That means if you’re unsure whether river cruising is right for you, you can dip your toe in and test the waters. Longer options of up to eleven nights are also available, if you are ready to take the plunge.
You can also choose the stretch of river that suits you best. For example, one itinerary runs from Patna to Varanasi, often referred to as the ‘City of Light’. Alternatively, you might sail the lower Ganges from Kolkata to destinations such as Kalna, known as the ‘City of Temples’.
Price: At the time of writing, fares for a three-night cruise of the lower Ganges start from around £1,070, excluding flights.
Browse offers: Assam Bengal Navigation
Best for value: Pandaw
Why this cruise operator?
In the 30 years since it was founded, Pandaw has operated exclusively on Asia’s rivers, earning a reputation as a leading specialist in the region with the expertise to sail hard-to-navigate waterways. On the Ganges, two of its ships – the 18-stateroom Kalaw Pandaw and the 12-stateroom Katha Pandaw – offer immersive voyages.
Guests onboard can expect talks and demonstrations from locals, full board with complimentary beers and spirits (except in states where alcohol is banned) and thoughtful touches such as fresh fruit, flowers, kimonos and slippers.
While cruises on these boutique vessels certainly don't feel cheap, they are often considerably less expensive than ultra-luxury options. That’s particularly true if you’re sailing solo, as on select departures, the dreaded singles supplement is waived entirely. Families, meanwhile, can take advantage of sailings where children and teens under 18 sail free of charge. These are frequently scheduled outside of term time, for example, over Christmas.
Itineraries: Pandaw offers a broad selection of Ganges cruises, starting with a week-long journey along the distributary known as the Hooghly River. This sails round-trip from Kolkata and includes overnight stays in the city. Along your route, you can expect to encounter sleepy villages, sacred temples and historic palaces.
For a more in-depth experience, the line also operates an ‘all Ganges’ voyage covering more than one thousand miles from Kolkata to Varanasi.
Price: At the time of writing, fares start from approximately £2,400 for a nine-day cruise of the lower Ganges, excluding flights.
Browse offers: Pandaw
Best for luxury: APT
Why this cruise operator?
APT takes guests on seriously stylish cruises through India aboard the Ganges Voyager. This 28-suite vessel has all the amenities you’d expect of an ultra-luxury river ship, such as an expansive sun deck and onboard spa, paired with design flourishes that give it character. Depending on your suite, that might mean a four-poster bed, hand-stencilled walls, teak floors and Persian rugs.
The same attention to detail carries through to the service. With no more than 56 guests, looked after by 30 crew members, the ratio sits just under two to one, so attention feels precise and personal rather than formulaic.
Even so, the real highlights of a Ganges cruise with APT don’t happen onboard at all. Instead, you’ll find them on the riverbanks, as you embark on exceptional excursions led by guides with local expertise.
In Kolkata, for instance, you might tour the city in a privately chartered heritage tram. Meanwhile, in Murshidabad, you’ll be invited for high tea at Kathgola Palace, an 18th-century mansion noted for its lavish interiors and Greco-Roman influences.
Itineraries: APT’s Ganges cruises range from 12 to 21 days. Popular options focus on the lower Ganges, calling at destinations like the sleepy town of Baranagar, where you can marvel at intricately carved temples, or Chandannagar, which was once a French colonial settlement. Some also include Varanasi, typically reached via a quick flight to save time.
Price: At the time of writing, fares start at around £5,800 for a 12-day lower Ganges cruise-and-stay, including return flights from the UK.
Browse offers:APT
Best for a cruise that gives back: Responsible Travel
Why this cruise operator?
Responsible Travel has spent nearly 25 years curating trips designed to maximise benefit and minimise harm to the planet and local communities. Its Ganges River cruises are no exception.
On one lower Ganges itinerary, five per cent of every stateroom fare is directed to a charitable foundation supporting grassroots projects in the region. Some initiatives empower local women by funding micro-enterprises, while others focus on educational programmes, ranging from renovating school buildings to organising field trips.
Guests on this sailing are also accompanied by a naturalist, who helps highlight the fragile ecosystems of the river, from rare birdlife to the elusive Gangetic dolphin.
Another itinerary, which pairs the Hooghly and the Sundarbans (a mangrove forest in the Ganges Delta), takes eco-friendly action in various ways, such as using solar power and XtraGreen fuel, while also working with local NGOs to protect wildlife.
Itineraries: Most voyages focus on the lower Ganges, particularly the Hooghly. They sail past mango orchards and mustard fields, stopping at riverside towns and landmarks that bring the region’s layered history to life. Popular calls include Kolkata and Barrackpore, both of which are home to important sites from India’s independence movement.
Price: At the time of writing, fares begin at around £1,400 for an eight-day lower Ganges sailing, excluding flights.
Browse offers:Responsible Travel
Best for rail and sail: Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Why this cruise operator?
A cruise is, in our view, the best way to experience India, but there’s no denying the romance of travelling the vast country by train. With Uniworld’s Cruise & Rail: The Sacred Ganges & Maharajas’ Express, you don’t have to choose.
The adventure begins aboard the all-suite Ganges Voyager II, which comes complete with hand-painted murals, pillow menus, rain showers and an itinerary-specific wellness programme focused on yoga. From the observation deck, you’ll watch lush countryside slip by, while excursions range from tours of Khusbagh, which translates to the ‘Garden of Happiness’, to Kumortuli, Kolkata’s historic potters’ quarter.
From there, the Maharajas’ Express carries you through India in ultra-luxury, its opulent carriages framing views of ever-shifting landscapes. When all is said and done, it’s an experience few itineraries anywhere in the world can rival, though it admittedly comes with a price tag to match.
Itineraries: On the Ganges, you’ll sail from Kolkata to destinations such as Murshidabad, Mayapur and Matiari. Aboard the Maharajas’ Express, highlights include Agra and the Taj Mahal, the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, the ‘Blue City’ of Jodhpur, New Delhi and Mumbai.
Price: At the time of writing, fares start from approximately £14,750 for a 16-day rail-and-sail experience, flights included.
Browse offers:Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Here’s what else to know when planning your Ganges River cruise:
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