How to Choose the Right Ganges River Cruise
As experts in river cruise holidays, itineraries and everything in between, we pride ourselves on being able to offer our customers independent, expert advice that helps them choose the perfect river cruise holiday.
When it comes to the best Ganges river cruise for you, it comes down to a variety of factors. Route, cruise style, duration, inclusions, and whether the traveller wants cruise-only or a wider India holiday all play a part in deciding. The following sections will help you understand which cruise is best for your desired Ganges holiday.
Upper Ganges vs Lower Ganges
The upper Ganges and lower Ganges offer different routes and different sights. The upper Ganges travels through:
Varanasi: Experience the spiritual energy of this ancient city with its bustling ghats and vibrant temples.
Bodh Gaya: Pay homage to the place where Buddha attained enlightenment at the Mahabodhi Temple.
Patna: Discover the cultural heritage of Bihar’s capital city with its historic sites and vibrant markets.
The lower Ganges, on the other hand, ticks off a different part of India. They include:
Kolkata: Immerse yourself in the colonial charm of the City of Joy, with its iconic landmarks and diverse culture.
Sundarbans National Park: Discover the world’s largest mangrove forest and spot rare wildlife such as tigers and crocodiles.
Murshidabad: Explore the historic town known for its architectural marvels and vibrant cultural scene.
If your dream itinerary includes one or more of these locations, that should help you decide which cruise operator to go with.
Ganges River Cruise Kolkata Itineraries
Kolkata is considered India’s cultural capital, with enough history and heritage in one city to help you fully immerse yourself in Indian life. Thanks to its geographical location, it is logistically the best place to start a tour of the lower Ganges.
Some itineraries focus more heavily on Kolkata and West Bengal heritage, while others combine the region with broader India touring. In our books, there are few better starting points for a Ganges river cruise than in Kolkata.
Cruise-Only vs Cruise and Land Tour
If you want a holiday that is solely focused on the river experience, immersing yourself in the rich culture of the Ganges, the cruise-only option is perfect for you. For those who are keen to keep all their travel plans in one place, basing yourself on a Ganges river cruise will suit you perfectly.
Many of our customers opt for the Cruise & Land Tour option. This extends their holiday and allows them to see India more broadly. While some first-time cruisers do opt for this, it is typically those who have already visited the region, particularly those who have been on river cruises before, who try the land touring option. It is also the best way to see the famous Golden Triangle.
Premium vs Luxury Ganges River Cruises
You will have to choose between premium and luxury Ganges river cruise operators, with both offering slightly different packages that can make a big difference to your experience.
Premium Ganges cruises offer comfort, guided touring, and cultural immersion, while luxury Ganges cruises tend to include more spacious suites, higher-end onboard service, more inclusive pricing, and a more refined overall experience.
This will be decided by budget, usually. We recommend you base your choice on comfort expectations and make your decision with that in mind.
Compare Ganges River Cruise Operators
At present, we offer two different Ganges River cruise operators here at Global River Cruising. We have pulled together some of the most important details to help you compare operators to give you a good idea of which might be best for you.
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Operator
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Current itineraries
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Typical duration
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Route focus
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Positioning
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Best for
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Pricing signal on page
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| Pandaw |
The All Ganges River; The Upper Ganges River; The Lower Ganges River |
8–15 days |
Strongest coverage of the river itself, including Upper Ganges, Lower Ganges, and Kolkata to Varanasi style routing
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More river-focused, cultural, immersive and itinerary-led |
Travellers who want a deeper Ganges experience, more time on the river, and stronger destination immersion |
From £3,900 pp to £4,690 pp on two itineraries; one itinerary marked Please Call For Prices |
| Uniworld River Cruises |
India’s Golden Triangle & the Sacred Ganges |
13 days |
Combines the Ganges with a wider Indian land programme, including New Delhi to Kolkata routing |
Luxury, more inclusive, polished land-and-cruise experience |
First-time India travellers, luxury buyers, and those wanting iconic highlights alongside the cruise
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From £6,069 pp; page shows flights, meals, drinks, tours and gratuities included |
For many, the right choice comes down to whether they want a more immersive river itinerary or a broader first-time India experience.
Highlights of a Ganges River Cruise in India
A Ganges river cruise is about far more than just the sailing itself. It is a chance to see India from a completely different perspective, taking in culture, history, spirituality and everyday life all from the comfort of your cruise. For many of our customers, that is exactly what makes this type of holiday so special. It offers a slower, more immersive way to discover India, with plenty of unforgettable sights and experiences along the way.
Kolkata and the Lower Ganges
Kolkata and the Lower Ganges are a great place to begin your Ganges river cruise. Kolkata is known as India’s cultural capital and is packed with colonial architecture, historic landmarks and plenty of character, giving you a strong introduction to the country before you even step on board. From there, the Lower Ganges offers a more immersive look at local life, with smaller towns, riverside communities and lesser-visited cultural sites all helping to shape the experience.
Varanasi and Spiritual India
Varanasi is known for its ancient ghats, temples and unique atmosphere; it offers something very different from other river cruise destinations around the world. For travellers who want a holiday with more cultural depth and a stronger connection to India’s spiritual side, Varanasi is a major highlight.
Village Life, Temples and Lesser-Known Heritage Stops
One of the biggest advantages of a Ganges river cruise is the chance to see parts of India that are often missed on a more typical land holiday. As you sail along the river, you can take in smaller towns, local temples, riverside villages and lesser-known heritage stops that give you a more authentic feel for the country.
Golden Triangle Extensions
For those wanting to see more of India whilst they are there, a Golden Triangle extension is a great option to add onto a Ganges river cruise. By combining Delhi, Agra and Jaipur with your cruise itinerary, you get the chance to see some of India’s most famous landmarks as part of one wider holiday. This is especially popular with first-time visitors to India and those looking to make the most of a long-haul trip. It is one of the best ways to combine the comfort of river cruising with some of the country’s most iconic sights.
How Much Does a Ganges River Cruise Cost?
The cost of a Ganges River Cruise can vary for many reasons. How many days you want to go for, where you want to go whilst on the cruise, whether you opt for luxury or premium, flights, hotel stays and land touring all have an impact on how much a Ganges river cruise could cost. But that is where we can help; we match your wants and needs with the best possible price.
Typical Price Ranges
At Global River Cruising, our Ganges river cruises start at £3,900 per person for an 8-day cruise. For more premium/luxury or longer Ganges river cruises, prices could be anywhere upwards of £6,000 per person. These are likely to include flights and excursions, so it is important to clarify with us first.
What’s Usually Included
For the more economical Ganges river cruise price point, you can expect meals and excursions at a minimum. You can expect transfers to and from the cruise to be included in most Ganges River cruise packages, but you should clarify with Global River Cruising before booking.
For more expensive options, more luxuries are included. These are things such as flights and hotel stays, as well as drinks, etc.
What Affects the Price
There is a wide range of factors that can affect the price of your Ganges River cruise. The itinerary length is a big factor, with the longer and more in-depth it is, the more expensive it becomes. Time of year, cabin size and operator all play a part too, with some of our clients opting to go ‘out-of-season’ to get the best price on bigger cabins and luxury operators.
While some may be cheaper, this could be because they don’t include flights or necessary stays, so be sure to double-check before you think you’re making a huge saving.
Why Book Your Ganges River Cruise with Global River Cruising?
We pride ourselves on offering completely independent, expert advice to our customers so that they have the best possible experience. Whether they’re first-timers or experienced sailors, they are just as important to us.
Our tailored advice and no booking fees has earnt us a reputation of being a river cruise agency you can truly trust with your holiday needs. We compare your options across a range of cruise operators, finding you the one that matches your needs best. Whether you’re looking for a specific itinerary or working on a budget, we can help.
Specialist UK support is what we do best here at Global River Cruising, all whilst offering the same price as booking direct. So, why wouldn’t you enlist our help to find the perfect river cruise for you? Take all the guesswork out of finding the perfect cruise for you. Get in touch with us today.
Ganges River Cruise FAQs
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding this cruise. For more info, visit our 10 Most Asked India River Cruise Questions for First-Time Travelers.
What Is The Best Ganges River Cruise For First-Time Travellers?
We recommend the Uniworld Golden Triangle river cruise for first-time cruise travellers. This is a popular tourist circuit comprising the cities of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.
Do Ganges River Cruises Start In Kolkata?
Kolkata is a popular starting place for many cruises, but it is not the only location. Many of our cruises start in Kolkata, New Delhi and Farakka.
When Is The Best Time To Take An Indian River Cruise On The Ganges?
The best time to take an Indian river cruise along the Ganges River depends on what you look for from a cruise holiday. It offers various prospects throughout the year.
Are Flights Included In Ganges Cruise Holidays?
Some Ganges cruise packages do include flights and hotel stays. To book one specifically with or without flights included, let Global River Cruising help.
Are Ganges River Cruises Suitable For Older Travellers?
Yes, our selection of Ganges River Cruises through India is suitable for older travellers. If you need to consider mobility when choosing, please get in touch. We’re happy to help.
