INDIA & LOWER GANGES RIVER CRUISE

Your India journey begins today as you board your overnight flight to Delhi, India.

Be welcomed to North India with a traditional floral garland and red tikka before transferring to your hotel for the next two nights, the luxurious The Leela Palace New Delhi.

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. Later, visit Humayun's Tomb, built in 1570 and considered the architectural inspiration for the Taj Mahal. Drive along New Delhi's ceremonial boulevard past India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan before returning to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a special Welcome Dinner. Meals: B, L, D

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 meters from the Taj Mahal, every room offers uninterrupted views, with complimentary butler service. Meals: B, L, D

Rise early to witness the breathtaking Taj Mahal at sunrise, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to the hotel for breakfast before discovering the World Heritage-listed Red Fort of Agra, built in the 16th century primarily by Mughal Emperor Akbar. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure at the hotel before your evening function. Meals: B, L

This morning, choose a Scenic Freechoice experience in Agra. Then travel to the Pink City, Jaipur, stopping en route at Abhaneri Village to visit the remarkable Chand Baori stepwell, one of the largest and oldest in the world. Stay at the Jai Mahal Palace for three nights, an authentic luxury palace now a lovingly restored gem of Rajasthani heritage in the heart of Jaipur. This evening, enjoy a cultural show at the hotel. Meals: B, L

Begin your day at the iconic Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), famed for its intricate honeycomb façade of 953 windows designed to capture cooling breezes. Continue to Jantar Mantar, an 18th-century astronomical observatory and UNESCO World Heritage Site. From here, take a short walk to lunch in a restaurant attached to the City Palace, home to the rulers of Jaipur. After exploring the City Palace and its museum, take a tuk tuk into the small chowkris of the city before returning to your hotel. Meals: B, L, D

Visit the magnificent Amber Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed hilltop fortress just outside Jaipur. Explore its opulent palaces, richly decorated with intricate carvings, mirrored halls and exquisite artwork. After lunch, return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure before your Scenic Enrich experience. Meals: B, L, D

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

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. Visit the historic St. Olav's Church, built in 1806, along with the Governor's House and the Denmark Tavern, where you can pause for a morning refreshment. This afternoon, the Scenic Aura calls at Chinsura, where you'll visit the iconic Hooghly Imambara, one of West Bengal's most revered Shia pilgrimage centers. Constructed in 1861, it features a sundial and an imposing clock tower acquired in 1852 from the London-based manufacturer who created Big Ben. Meals: B, L, D

Today the Scenic Aura arrives at Mayapur, the global spiritual headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and one of the 20 most visited 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 March 2028. Engage with the welcoming Hare Krishna community and stroll through the vibrant pilgrims' bazaar. Meals: B, L, D

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. Marvel at Hazarduari Palace, the Palace of a Thousand Doors — 100 of them false. Built in 1837 and designed by Duncan Macleod, it is now one of the largest site museums under the Archaeological Survey of India. Travel in timeless style by toto (electric rickshaw) to the grand Katra Masjid, built in 1723–1724 by Nawab Murshid Quli Khan and a striking blend of Indo-Islamic architecture. This afternoon, the ship moves to Azimganj and Baranagar. In Azimganj, visit the serene Jain temples, a captivating introduction to the region's wealthy merchant families and the rich heritage of Jainism. In Baranagar, visit the 260-year-old ornate Char Bangla Temples, a unique complex of four terracotta temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Meals: B, L, D

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. Nearby lies the historic site of the Battle of Plassey (1757), fought on the banks of the Hooghly River. Meals: B, L, D

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 — an authentic glimpse into a living cultural tradition. Meals: B, L, D

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, and the nearby Naba Kailash Complex, built in 1809, with 108 Shiva temples arranged in two concentric circles. Spend the afternoon at the Phulia weaving village, where artisans craft hand-woven cotton and silk saris. It is famous for its Phulia Tangail saris, with vibrant colors and large, intricate designs woven in double jacquard. Meals: B, L, D

Today's call at Chandernagore transports you to a beautifully preserved corner of French colonial India. Stroll the elegant riverside promenade lined with French colonial buildings. Visit the Dupleix Palace, the former French Governor's residence and now a museum, and the Sacred Heart Church, a fine example of French Gothic design. See the former Hotel de Paris, now the sub-divisional court and a reminder of the town's colonial past. Meals: B, L, D

Your final full day returns you to the captivating streets of Kolkata. Visit Mother Teresa's Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity before 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. The afternoon is yours to enjoy with a selection of Scenic Freechoice excursions, and this evening enjoy your farewell on board with your fellow guests and crew. Meals: B, L, D