Scenic Aura December 15 2027-January 8 2028 Cruise & Offers | Scenic Cruises

Be welcomed to North India with a traditional floral garland and red tikka before arriving at your hotel for the next two nights, the luxurious The Imperial New Delhi. A Grand Dame of the East since 1936, this iconic heritage hotel evokes the opulence of a 19th-century palatial estate with its blend of Victorian, Art Deco and Lutyens’ architecture.

Discover the contrasts of Old and New Delhi, beginning with a visit to Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. Then take an exhilarating rickshaw ride past the Red Fort and through the bustling lanes of Chandni Chowk, including Khari Baoli, Asia’s largest wholesale spice market.

Begin your morning with a visit to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, one of Delhi’s most prominent Sikh temples. Travel to Agra, once the capital of the Mughal Empire, arriving mid-afternoon at your Scenic Special Stay, The Oberoi Amarvilas. Located just 600 metres from the Taj Mahal, every room offers exceptional views and includes complimentary butler service.

Rise early to witness the breathtaking Taj Mahal at sunrise, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and enduring symbol of love built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Return to the hotel for breakfast before visiting Agra Fort, built in the 16th century primarily by Emperor Akbar.

Ranthambore National Park is a published destination on Royal Rajasthan & Luxury Lower Ganges River Cruise: Delhi to Kolkata aboard Scenic Aura. It provides the setting for this stage of the journey; arrival, departure, berthing and excursion details are displayed only when they appear in the stored Scenic schedule, and final operating information should be reconfirmed before sailing.

Once the private hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur, Ranthambore National Park is now one of India’s key tiger conservation areas. Accompanied by an expert wildlife naturalist, set out on private morning and afternoon game drives in search of the elusive Bengal tiger and other wildlife that inhabit this rugged landscape.

Travel to the Pink City of Jaipur, stopping en route at Abhaneri village to visit the remarkable Chand Baori stepwell, one of the largest and oldest in the world, dating back over 1,000 years. Continue to Castle Kanota for lunch, the filming location of the Viceroy Club in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

This morning, visit the Jantar Mantar, an 18th-century astronomical observatory and UNESCO World Heritage Site. From here take a short walk to the City Palace, home to the rulers of Jaipur and its museum. Enjoy lunch in a restaurant attached to the City Palace before returning to your hotel.

Pass small villages and towns, including the “Snow Yard” at Kishangarh, as you travel to Nagaur and your magnificent hotel, Ranvas. Set within the 5th-century Ahhichatragarh Fort, this restored former Mughal residence once belonged to the queens of the Maharaja of Jodhpur.

Enjoy a morning at leisure to explore the fort and village at your own pace. After lunch drive to Jodhpur via Mahavira Jain Temple, known as the Khajuraho of Rajasthan in Osian. Upon arrival in Jodhpur, marvel at the close-up view of the Mehrangarh Fort from your room at The Raas, a...

Jodhpur is a published destination on Royal Rajasthan & Luxury Lower Ganges River Cruise: Delhi to Kolkata aboard Scenic Aura. It provides the setting for this stage of the journey; arrival, departure, berthing and excursion details are displayed only when they appear in the stored Scenic schedule, and final operating information should be reconfirmed before sailing.

See rural tribal hamlets as you drive to the small village of Narlai. Settle into Rawla Narlai, a former 17th-century royal hunting lodge now transformed into a heritage boutique hotel. Jodhpur > Narlai is a published destination on Royal Rajasthan & Luxury Lower Ganges River Cruise: Delhi to Kolkata aboard Scenic Aura.

Rise early to watch sunrise over the lake on your jeep safari, with the hope of seeing a leopard on its morning prowl. Later, take a leisurely walk around town to observe local rural life. Your afternoon is at leisure.

Drive to the ‘City of Lakes’ via Ranakpur, set in a secluded valley, and discover the spectacular 15th-century Jain temples. Rising majestically from a hill, the complex features exquisitely carved marble domes and 1,444 intricately sculpted pillars.

Udaipur is a published destination on Royal Rajasthan & Luxury Lower Ganges River Cruise: Delhi to Kolkata aboard Scenic Aura. It provides the setting for this stage of the journey; arrival, departure, berthing and excursion details are displayed only when they appear in the stored Scenic schedule, and final operating information should be reconfirmed before sailing.

Fly to the vibrant city of Kolkata to continue your West Bengal river journey. You will be warmly welcomed at the airport and transferred to the wharf to board Scenic Aura. Settle into your luxurious surroundings before joining your fellow guests for an elegant Welcome Dinner.

After an early morning visit to Kolkata’s flower market, one of the largest in India, step ashore at Serampore to explore one of Bengal’s most intriguing Danish colonial settlements, once described as the best-kept European town in India.

Today, Scenic Aura arrives at Mayapur, the global spiritual headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and one of the 20 most visited and sacred places in the world. Admire the nearly completed Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, part funded by Alfred Ford and due for completion in November 2027, with opening celebrations planned through to March 2028.

This morning, arrive in Murshidabad, once the powerful seat of the Nawabs of Bengal and the region where the British East India Company began its expansion in India. It remained the capital of Bengal until it was moved to Calcutta (Kolkata) in 1773.

Step ashore to explore the tranquil village of Khushbagh, known as the “Gardens of Happiness” where history and rural life intertwine. A serene early morning journey past farmland leads to a beautifully preserved mosque complex built by Nawab Ali-Wardi-Khan, where the Nawab, his family and his grandson Siraj-ud-Daulah are laid to rest.

Today’s destination is the village of Matiari, renowned for its long-standing tradition of copper and brass craftsmanship. Watch master artisans transform recycled metals into beautifully handcrafted pots, platters and decorative pieces using techniques passed down through generations. This visit offers an authentic glimpse into a living cultural tradition.

Arrive this morning in the ‘City of Temples’, Kalna, which flourished in the late 18th century under the patronage of the Maharajas of Bardhaman. Explore the Rajbari complex, home to several remarkable temples, including the Lalji Temple built around 1739, the Krishna Chandra Temple with its 25 decorated spires, the Vijay Vaidyanath Temple dedicated to Shiva, and the intricately detailed Pratapeswar Temple.

Today’s call at Chandernagore transports you to a beautifully preserved corner of French colonial India. It was first established as a French colony in 1673 on the bank of the Hooghly River, when the French obtained permission from Ibrahim Khan, the Nawab of Bengal, to establish a trading post.

Your final full day returns you to the captivating streets of Kolkata. Visit Mother Teresa’s Mother House of The Missionaries of Charity before embarking on a private heritage tram tour, a nostalgic way to glide through the city. Continue to Tipu Sultan Masjid and the Victoria Memorial and Gardens before returning to the ship for lunch.

This morning, disembark Scenic Aura in Kolkata and transfer to the airport or hotel for your onward journey. This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for changes in river conditions, ad hoc local government regulations or festivities. Please refer to Scenic’s terms and conditions for further information.