River cruising has emerged as a popular way to explore the diverse landscape of India. On January 13, 2023, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the world’s longest river cruise, Antara Cruises’ MV Ganga Vilas ship, which will travel 1,988 miles of waterways in India and Bangladesh over a span of 51 days. This 18-suite vessel offers guests luxury and elegance with its floor-to-ceiling windows, sun deck, gourmet vegetarian food, and spa.
The MV Ganga Vilas will take guests on a journey through more than 50 tourist spots, including cities and towns like Buxar, Patna, Murshidabad, Kalna, Kolkata, and Dhaka. The cruise will offer a mix of experiences, from cultural and spiritual to wildlife, such as the iconic Ganga aarti, the mangrove forests of the Sunderbans, and the flower market in Kolkata. However, the world’s longest river cruise comes at a steep price, with tickets costing between Rs 4.2 million to 4.5 million per guest, and it is completely booked until 2024.
A new way to explore the diverse landscape of India
River cruising is a fairly recent addition to India, although the country has some of the longest navigable rivers in the world, such as the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Narmada. In the past, these rivers were primarily used for transportation and navigation. Now, river cruises provide a new way to explore the rich and diverse landscape of the country, allowing travelers to experience vignettes of rural India and connect with the country’s cultural roots.
The rise of river tourism has also brought attention to important issues like river cleanliness and safety. The National Mission for Clean Ganga initiative was launched in 2014 to address the major contributors to pollution in the country’s longest river. Additionally, ten passenger-ship terminals are being built along National Waterway-2, an 891 km section of the Brahmaputra River. River tourism can also be a valuable source of income for the communities living on the banks of these great rivers.
Cruising in Kerala
Cruising in Kerala, South India offers guests a seven-day immersive river and canal cruise in the backwaters of Kerala. Adventure River Cruises covers a journey of 150 km from Kochi down to Thotapally, and then up to Alleppey. This cruise covers temples, churches, marketplaces, traditional dance and martial art schools, and Ayurvedic medicine centers. From visiting unique metal mirror craftsmen in the town of Aranmula to the bird sanctuary in Kumarakom and bell-metal craft makers of lamps and cauldrons in the village of Mannar, this is a unique voyage of discovery.
CGH Earth operates another cruise in Kerala’s waterways, taking a round trip from Alleppey to Kumarakom on the Vembanad Lake in Kerala, considered the Venice of the East. A traditional ketuvellam, a houseboat used in the past for carrying grain and spices, has been refurbished into a houseboat with modern amenities, powered by solar energy. This slow journey rewards passengers with a chance to watch local fishermen at work with their Chinese nets, toddy-tapping, coir factories, and paddy fields.
Cruising the Brahmaputra
Adventure River Cruises operates small ship cruises on MV Mahabaahu on the Brahmaputra river in India’s east, offering both upstream and downstream cruises between Jorhat and Guwahati. This boat has 23 rooms decorated with traditional Assamese designs and offers a range of activities including visits to tribal villages, tea plantations, and wildlife safaris in Kaziranga National Park.
In conclusion, river cruising is a promising and exciting way to explore India’s rich and diverse landscape. However, it is important to ensure that river tourism is sustainable, equitable, and responsible. By addressing environmental and social issues, supporting local communities, and promoting sustainable practices, river tourism can become a valuable source of income for local communities while also preserving the natural beauty and cultural heritage of India’s waterways.
