At a glance
- Ganges River cruises show you how many worlds coexist within India, from Kolkata’s bustle to the ghats of Varanasi
- Voyages range from three nights to extended rail-and-sail itineraries that are several weeks long
- Food and drink are a highlight, from Kolkata biryani to Varanasi’s velvety lassis
- Intense weather means how ‘worth it’ your Ganges cruise feels may depend on when you sail
- Ganges cruises can be a more premium way of travelling India, with prices to match
Five reasons why a Ganges River cruise is worth it
1. A voyage of variety
The Ganges River stretches for around 1,570 miles, flowing through a wide range of regions. On a longer itinerary, such as Pandaw’s ‘All Ganges’ odyssey covering more than 1,000 miles, you’ll see for yourself how many worlds coexist within this vast country.
One day might take you to Kalna, nicknamed the ‘Temple City’, the next to the 19th-century Hazarduari Palace, whose name translates as ‘the one with a thousand doors’. Further upstream lies Varanasi, where life unfolds on the river’s edge at its fascinating ghats.
2. One river, countless journeys
Because the Ganges is so long and varied, there are many different ways to sail the river. Voyage lengths range from Assam Bengal Navigation’s three-night itineraries to APT’s three-week journeys.
And for those who want to go further, some cruise operators extend the experience beyond the river itself. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, for example, offers rail-and-sail journeys where part of your time is spent aboard the ultra-luxe Ganges Voyager II (think pillow menus and four-poster beds), before you continue on the Maharajas’ Express to reach destinations like Mumbai, the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur and the ‘Blue City’ of Jodhpur.
All in all, many travellers are able to find specific itineraries that are not just worth it for them, but suit them to a T.
3. Festivals galore
Time your Ganges River cruise right and you can experience festivals first-hand, gaining insight into hugely important spiritual and cultural practices. While we couldn’t possibly list them all, a few of the most notable are:
Durga Puja: A 10-day celebration honouring the goddess Durga and her victory over the buffalo demon of Mahishasura
Chhath Puja: Celebrating the solar deity Surya with rituals performed in the sacred waters of the Ganges
Dev Deepavali: Held in Varanasi, this festival sees the city’s ghats lit with over a million diyas (earthen lamps)
Holi: Widely known as the ‘festival of colours’, you’ll likely recognise this ancient Hindu celebration, now marked around the globe
Diwali: The festival of lights, celebrating the triumph of light over darkness with impressive firework displays
Kumbh Mela: While this only happens every 12 years, it’s the largest gathering on the planet and closely associated with the Ganges
4. A foodie adventure
If words like samosa and chai have your stomach rumbling and your eyes aglow, this voyage is certainly worth it for you. From ship to shore, you can expect seriously tasty morsels you won’t find anywhere else.
What you eat depends on which stretch of the river you sail. On a lower Ganges cruise, you’ll encounter the flavours of authentic Bengali cuisine, particularly in Kolkata, renowned for its biryanis, macher jhol (a spicy fish curry), mochar ghonto made with banana blossom and coconut, and countless other dishes and drinks to tempt you.
Further upstream, Varanasi is a food lover’s delight, its status as a pilgrimage hub drawing influences from far and wide. Highlights include its wonderfully velvety lassis (with fierce debate over which is best) and kachoris served hot and crisp in narrow alleys.
5. A look back in time
Sailing the Ganges also means peeking back through history, thanks to the wealth of museums, monuments, temples and other historic buildings on its shores.
In the lower Ganges, you’ll find plenty to intrigue. The Indian Museum in Kolkata has the largest collection in all of Asia, while the Victoria Memorial offers a glimpse into India’s complex history with colonialism. The same can be said for Barrackpore, home to the first British barracks in the country.
Upstream, you’ll also find a rich heritage, including sites that stretch back for millennia. Varanasi, for example, is thought to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. Meanwhile, Patna has archaeological sites dating back to 600 BCE. Needless to say, destinations like these are well worth visiting for history buffs.
Why a Ganges River cruise might not be for you
1. The weather
The regions along the Ganges experience their fair share of intense weather, which has become more extreme in recent years due to climate change. In spring, depending on where you sail, you can find temperatures pushing 40 °C, and that’s before you factor in the humidity that makes it feel even hotter.
Just when the blistering weather ever so slightly lets up, monsoon season arrives, bringing torrential rain that lasts through the summer.
Even winter, considered the optimum time to sail thanks to its dry, mild conditions, has its drawbacks. Low water levels mean some ports upstream are inaccessible by river ship, so you have to reach them via air or land if you’re keen to visit.
2. Difficult realities
Sailing the Ganges can bring you face-to-face with some of life’s more difficult realities. In Varanasi, for example, certain ghats are dedicated to funeral pyres, reflecting the belief that cremation in this sacred city helps the deceased achieve moksha (liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth).
Visiting the city can be an emotionally intense experience. While many travellers find it profound, it’s important to consider whether you’re in the right headspace for it and what it might bring up for you.
While cremation rites are rooted in deep spiritual meaning, other realities along the river reflect more worldly struggles. You may encounter an unvarnished view of some of the complex social and environmental issues along the river, from stark inequality to the visible impacts of pollution.
That said, travellers are frequently in the privileged position to help address some of these challenges. Select cruise operators and travel companies, including Uniworld Boutique River Cruises and Responsible Travel, promote itineraries that emphasise supporting local communities and protecting fragile ecosystems.
3. The cost of cruising
If you’re looking for the most wallet-friendly way to travel India, a river cruise is not it. From four-star comfort to ultra-luxury adventures worthy of your bucket list, Ganges River cruises sit firmly at the top end of the spectrum.
For a once-in-a-lifetime rail and sail journey with Uniworld, you could spend around £14,750 for 16 days. Even a more affordable option like Pandaw will set you back roughly £2,400 for a nine-day cruise.
Given those prices, travellers on a stringent budget might prefer guesthouses, trains and buses. They will only spend a fraction of the cost, though the experience will be very different (there are no pillow menus at your local hostel).
That said, when you consider the all-in nature of a river cruise, frequently with drinks and excursions included, they can be excellent value if what you want is a premium experience.
What else to know before you book your Ganges cruise:
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