Pioneers of Indian luxury river cruising, since 2002
Hand-built ships, no more than 40 guests, and a resident naturalist and historian aboard every sailing. Voyages of three to eleven nights from Assam to Bengal and the ghats of Varanasi.
Choose your river
The Brahmaputra is the river of Kaziranga’s rhinos, the tea estates and the monasteries of Majuli. The Ganges takes in Kolkata, the terracotta temples of Bengal, the old European trading towns and the Nawabs’ capital at Murshidabad.
The Brahmaputra
Glacial Himalayan waters and a river so wide it resembles the sea — tea gardens, river islands, and the one-horned rhino of Kaziranga.
The Ganges
The crumbling grandeur of Kolkata’s boulevards to the terracotta temples of Bengal and the timeless rituals along the river’s sacred banks.
Our voyages
Our ships carry between 24 and 40 guests. An English-speaking guide sails on every voyage, and a naturalist on the Brahmaputra.
Kaziranga safari
Rhinos & More
Guwahati → Kaziranga (Silghat), aboard ABN Charaidew II. Sualkuchi silk, Kamakhya, Nameri and three Kaziranga safaris.
Short break
Silk & Rhinos
Guwahati → Kaziranga (Silghat), aboard ABN Sukapha. Silk weavers, Mayong, a riverside village and Kaziranga’s western range.
Grand voyage
Brahmaputra Maximum
Jorhat → Guwahati, aboard ABN Charaidew II or Sukapha, depending on the date. The full length of the river we sail.
Bengal heritage
Historic Hooghly
Kolkata → Farakka, or the reverse, aboard ABN Rajmahal. Chandernagore, the Kalna temples, Plassey and Murshidabad.
Spiritual
City of Light: Varanasi
Patna → Varanasi, aboard ABN Rajmahal, on one sailing in September 2027. The ghats at dawn and the aarti at dusk.
Grand voyage
Ganges Max
Kolkata → Vikramshila → Farakka, aboard ABN Rajmahal. From Kolkata up into Bihar and back down to Farakka.
Why travel with us
We pioneered river cruising in North-East India two decades ago — and we still do it the way it should be done: small, personal, and deep.
Intimate ships
Ships of 24 to 40 guests, and every cabin faces the river.
Local guides
An English-speaking guide from Assam or Bengal leads every excursion; on the Brahmaputra a naturalist sails too.
Shallow-draught ships
Shallow draughts reach river islands and villages no larger ship can approach.
Full board, excursions included
Meals, excursions and entry fees, itinerary transfers and drinks with lunch and dinner are in the fare. GST, bar drinks, spa and tips are extra.
Ships built for these rivers
Hand-built in the colonial tradition and reimagined with the vernacular craft of Assam and Bengal — teak decks, river-view cabins, and a local crew who have called these waters home for generations.
ABN Charaidew II
Our newest Brahmaputra flagship — 18 river-view cabins with French and private balconies, an open sundeck, gym and spa.
ABN Sukapha
Intimate and eco-conscious — 12 bamboo-panelled cabins, a saloon with library, a spa and a spacious sundeck, furnished by Assamese artisans.
ABN Rajmahal
Colonial elegance on the Ganges — 22 cabins with French balconies, a vast canopied sundeck and a spa; she cruises further upstream than any competitor.
Your days, unhurried
Wide decks, slow mornings and a rhythm set by the river. This is what life aboard feels like.
A river view from your pillow
Every cabin faces the water, with handcrafted teak, locally woven textiles and wide windows that frame the passing banks. The largest open onto private balconies.
- River-view windows or private balcony
- Hand-woven Assamese silk furnishings
- En-suite bathrooms with rain showers
- Daily housekeeping and turndown
The flavours of the river
Our chefs cook what the region grows — Assamese thalis, Bengal’s river fish, garden-fresh produce and slow colonial-era recipes, paired with selected wines.
- Regional tasting menus, reimagined nightly
- Fresh produce from riverside markets
- Sunset dining on the open deck
- All meals & selected beverages included
Where the day slows down
The sun deck is the heart of the ship — for morning yoga, an afternoon with a book, a sundowner as the light turns gold, or a treatment in our small spa.
- Open sun deck with loungers & shade
- Sunrise yoga and guided meditation
- Spa treatments rooted in Ayurveda
- An honour bar and library on deck
Ashore, with people who know
Every day brings a guided excursion led by our naturalist or historian — never rushed, always small, and chosen to reveal a corner of India few travellers ever see.
- Jeep safari for the one-horned rhino
- Village and tribal-community visits
- Tea-estate walks and tastings
- Temples, monasteries and craft villages
On the Brahmaputra
In places the Brahmaputra is so wide it looks like the sea. Each of our Assam voyages combines some of these:
- The one-horned rhino on a dawn jeep safari through Kaziranga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The monks of Majuli, the world’s largest river island and home to ancient Vaishnavite monasteries.
- A working tea estate, walked and tasted with the planter, ending on a colonial veranda.
- The dawn chorus, birdwatching by skiff along channels no larger ship can reach.
Moments from the river
The river’s seasons
On the Brahmaputra we sail from October to April. On the Ganges, Rajmahal sails from late August to April; Varanasi is reached only in September and early October, when the river is high.
Lush, green landscapes after the monsoon and comfortable warmth.
Clear skies and cool mornings.
Warmer days, fewer travellers and the tea gardens in first flush.
Rajmahal sails upstream to Patna and, in September and early October, to Varanasi while the river is high. Neither river has sailings from mid-May to late August.
Extend the journey
Add a hand-crafted land journey to either end of your voyage — arranged on enquiry with our sister company, Jungle Travels India.
The Ancient Kingdom of Bhutan
Monasteries, mountain valleys and the Tiger’s Nest.
The Golden Triangle
Delhi, Agra and Jaipur — India’s most iconic cities.
Darjeeling & the Hills
The toy train, tea estates and Kanchenjunga at dawn.
Sacred Varanasi
The spiritual heart of India, along the Ganges’ ghats.
“From the moment we boarded, the attention to detail was extraordinary. The crew turned every stop into a story — Majuli Island alone was worth the journey.”Daniel & Mei Cho · sailed the Brahmaputra, 2025
“We have cruised the world’s rivers, and nothing has matched this. Small, personal, and astonishingly beautiful. The naturalist made the wildlife unforgettable.”Margaret & John Whitfield · Surrey, England
“The Ganges voyage felt like sailing through living history. Faultless service, and a window onto an India we never knew existed. We are already planning our return.”Robert Aronson · Boston, USA
Questions, answered
Anything else, our specialists are on the telephone Monday to Saturday, 10:00–18:30 IST.
What’s included in the fare?
Full board on the ship; all excursions and entry fees in the itinerary; the transfers named in the itinerary, on a shared basis; local beer, local wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, plus tea and coffee; an English-speaking guide, and a naturalist on Brahmaputra voyages; port charges. Not included: 5% GST, bar drinks, spa, laundry, tips and camera fees, insurance, hotels before or after the cruise, and flights unless specified. The full list is on Dates & prices.
Do you welcome solo travellers?
Yes. Charaidew II has four main-deck queen cabins with no single supplement when one guest stays, and Rajmahal has four single cabins, also with no supplement. In other cabins the supplement varies by date and cabin.
How fit do I need to be?
Our voyages are gentle and unhurried. Most excursions involve light walking on uneven ground, and there is always the option to remain aboard. Please let us know of any mobility needs and we will tailor your days accordingly.
How do I secure my booking?
Reserve online or by phone. Your 20% deposit secures the cabin; the balance is due 42 days (6 weeks) before departure. Changes and cancellations follow our booking terms.
Can you arrange flights and extensions?
Yes. Our team can arrange domestic flights to your embarkation city and curate pre- or post-cruise land journeys to Bhutan, the Golden Triangle, Darjeeling and beyond. Simply ask your specialist.
Speak to a river specialist
Our team has sailed these rivers for two decades. We’ll help you choose the voyage, cabin and season that’s right for you.
+91-920 920 0013 Monday–Saturday, 10:00–18:30 IST · sales@assambengal.in