Scenic Aura January 5-26 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, this iconic heritage hotel, opened in 1936, evokes the opulence of a 19th-century palatial estate with its blend of Victorian, Art Deco and Lutyens’ architecture.

Explore Old Delhi, beginning with India’s largest mosque, Jama Masjid. Savour the sights, sounds and aromas on a rickshaw ride past the Red Fort and through Khari Baoli, Asia’s largest wholesale spice bazaar within the bustling Chandni Chowk market and some of Delhi’s oldest streets.

Fly to Varanasi, North India’s holiest Hindu city on the banks of the Ganges and check in for two nights at the Taj Ganges Varanasi Hotel. Delhi to Varanasi is a published destination on Jewels of North India & Luxury Lower Ganges River Cruise: Delhi to Kolkata aboard Scenic Aura.

At sunrise, drift slowly along the Ganges and watch the ghats come to life with pilgrims, priests and daily rituals. Afterwards, stroll along the ghats and through the laneways of Varanasi’s Old City. This afternoon, journey to nearby Sarnath, where Gautama Buddha began his teaching.

Varanasi to Khajuraho is a published destination on Jewels of North India & 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.

Begin the day with a curated tiger safari in Panna National Park, renowned for its dramatic landscapes and diverse wildlife. Return to the hotel for lunch before visiting the exquisitely sculpted sandstone temples of Khajuraho, built between the 9th and 10th centuries by the Chandela dynasty.

Drive to the heritage town of Orchha for a walking tour through its historic streets, lined with 16th-century temples, forts and palaces. Continue to Jhansi and board a train to Agra, arriving in the late afternoon at your luxurious Scenic Special Stay, The Oberoi Amarvilas, located just 600 meters from the Taj Mahal.

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.

Agra > Ranthambore National Park is a published destination on Jewels of North India & 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.

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.