HEADLINES TO WATCH IN OCTOBER 2026 / India’s Most Luxurious River Cruise Will Offer Floating Yoga, High Tea in Palaces And Ancient Temples / By LLM Reporter

India’s most luxurious river cruise will take just 44 holidaymakers at a time through the country’s ancient temples, palaces and sacred river life.

The journey combines floating yoga, private balcony suites and all-inclusive luxury on board with high tea in palaces, sacred sites and encounters with master craftspeople ashore.

The new programme is being introduced by Scenic Group, marking the luxury travel operator’s first river cruise programme in India.

The new programme is being introduced by Scenic Group, marking the luxury travel operator’s first river cruise programme in India. Image credit: Adam Burke

Guests will travel aboard Scenic Aura, a 44-guest ultra-luxury river ship designed to bring Scenic’s all-inclusive luxury experience to the Hooghly River, part of the Lower Ganges, from 2027.

At the heart of the collection is a 9-night Lower Ganges cruise through the cultural heartland of West Bengal, where palaces, temples, sacred sites, artisan villages and former colonial settlements line the river.

Adam Burke, Scenic Journey designer, Asia, said: “The introduction of Scenic Aura on India’s Hooghly River is a significant milestone for Scenic Group.

“This is a journey created to take guests deep into one of the world’s most culturally rich and spiritually significant regions, so there could be no more fitting destination for Scenic’s first river cruise programme in India.

One of the top tourist attractions of Jaipur, the huge Amer Palace Fort sits atop a small hill, and is located at a distance about 11 km from the main city. Image credit: Adam Burke

“These itineraries have been designed around the kind of meaningful, immersive travel experiences our guests are increasingly asking for, while delivering the seamless inclusions, personalised service and sense of discovery Scenic is known for.”

The nine-night Lower Ganges cruise can be combined with curated land journeys across India and Sri Lanka, with five new itineraries ranging from 17 to 25 days.

Highlights of the river cruise include an elegant Scenic Enrich High Tea at Kathgola Palace in Murshidabad, time at the revered Hooghly Imambara, a visit to the ISKCON Global Headquarters in Mayapur and the chance to meet master copper and brass artisans in Matiari.

City Palace forms one of the most famous tourist attractions and a major landmark in Jaipur. Image credit: Adam Burke

The wider programme will also take guests beyond the river, with land journeys across North India, South India, Rajasthan and Sri Lanka.

Accommodating just 44 guests, Scenic Aura will deliver an exceptionally intimate on-board experience, with each suite featuring a private balcony, separate bedroom and Scenic Sun Lounge.

Scenic is unmatched in its all-inclusive river cruising experience, with everything included as standard. Guests will have access to up to four dining venues, complimentary beverages throughout the day, an in-suite mini-bar, unlimited Wi-Fi, a resort-style pool, yoga classes, Wellness Centre and fitness area.

Five new itineraries will range from 17 to 25 days, combining river cruising, luxury hotels, internal transport, guided touring, Scenic Freechoice excursions and exclusive Scenic Enrich events.

Built in 1835, Rambagh Palace, Jaipur gracefully retains its elaborate splendor. Image credit: Adam Burke

Scenic Aura is set to be redesigned by Scenic Group’s expert team at MKM Yachts to create an intimate boutique ship experience, with further interior details to be released later this year.

The new India and Sri Lanka journeys are now available through an exclusive Early Access booking. Demand has already been strong among Scenic and Emerald Rewards members during the pre-registration phase, and these highly sought-after journeys are expected to sell out quickly.

The launch forms part of Scenic Group’s wider investment in Asia, with further developments set to follow in 2028, including Scenic Spirit II joining Scenic Spirit on the Mekong River, Scenic Eclipse II returning to Asia and Oceania and Emerald Xara arriving in Asia.

All-inclusive trips start from £8,535 per person. Full itinerary details and pricing are available at scenic.cruises/UK/en-GB/river/destinations/india-sri-lanka