India River Cruise Holidays
How to combine a river cruise with the Taj Mahal, Varanasi and more.
Plan My India HolidayIndia River Cruise Holidays: Fitting the Pieces Together
Most India river cruise holidays are really three or four trips in one: a few days in Delhi, the Taj Mahal at Agra, the palaces of Jaipur, then a flight east to join a ship in Kolkata, and perhaps Varanasi at one end. Getting the order and pacing right makes the difference between an exhausting tour and a memorable journey.
Classic Combinations
| Trip | Typical shape | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Triangle + Ganges | Delhi, Agra and Jaipur by road, fly to Kolkata, about a week on the Hooghly | First visits to India |
| Ganges + Varanasi | Kolkata to Varanasi by river where water allows, or cruise plus a flight to Varanasi | Spiritual India and the ghats |
| Brahmaputra + Kaziranga | Fly to Guwahati, a week on the river with rhino safaris, fly out from Dibrugarh or Guwahati | Wildlife lovers and repeat visitors |
| Kerala + coast | Kochi, one or two nights on the backwaters, then a beach or hill-station stay | Relaxation and food |
| Cruise + luxury train | A Ganges cruise paired with a palace-on-wheels train journey | Once-in-a-lifetime luxury |
Pacing Tips
- Allow at least one rest day after the long flight before sightseeing in Delhi.
- Domestic flights are the only practical link between north, east and south India; build in buffer time.
- Put the cruise in the middle or at the end: it is the most restful part of the trip.
- See the Taj Mahal at sunrise, before the crowds and heat; it is closed on Fridays.
- Keep Varanasi for at least two nights so you can see both the evening aarti and the dawn boat ride.
Sample Shapes for Different Lengths
- About 12 days: Delhi and Agra (three nights), fly to Kolkata, a week on the Hooghly, fly home.
- About 16 days: Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, Varanasi for two nights, then a Ganges cruise ending in Kolkata.
- About three weeks: the Golden Triangle, a Ganges cruise from Kolkata, a flight to Guwahati and a Brahmaputra cruise.
- South India add-on: any of the above, plus Kochi and a night on the Kerala backwaters.
These are planning outlines, not set itineraries; lines package their own versions, and we can tailor one to you.
Who Arranges What
Many cruise lines sell the land portions as packages; others leave them to you. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise can book the whole thing — flights, hotels, guides, the cruise and transfers — or just the river portion. For travel services beyond cruises, the Official Travel Directory has listings of every kind, and Best of the USA is our guide to the best of the USA for trips at home.
Before You Go
Allow time for the e-Visa, check the State Department India advisory for the regions on your route, and get vaccinations advice from a travel clinic. Interested in how travel professionals plan trips like this? Be a Travel Agent explains how to become a travel agent yourself.
Design Your India River Cruise Holiday
Tell us your dates, interests and budget. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will build a cruise-and-land plan and send free quotes.
Plan My India Holiday