Mystical Brahmaputra and Fascinating Hooghly!

WITH ASSAM BENGAL NAVIGATION

The Assam Bengal Navigation Company (ABNC) operate two smaller river boats of 12 cabins and comprehensive dining facilities along the Hooghly River in Bengal (joining from Kolkata/Calcutta) and the Brahmaputra River in Assam. 

Active Travel is very proud to be the Australian and New Zealand representative for this professional river cruise operation. ABNC are yet another specialist river cruise operator who have chosen us to represent them in the region because of our interest and in depth knowledge of these remote and little visited regions of India. ABNC cruises are from three to 14 days duration and are inclusive of excursions and meals as well as comfortable cabins.

Both rivers offer wonderful scenery, copious history, extensive cultural immersion and on the Brahmaputra access to two world famous National Parks. We suggest the longer, more comprehensive cruise options offered by ABNC as they cover all aspects of travel to these remote areas. If you are short on time or feel like a 'taste' of the ABNC concept, we can offer itineraries as short as three days.

Wildlife and wilderness are the main features of a Brahmaputra cruise - the river bed is often 20 or 30km across, an empty world of sand spits and water with marvellous bird life and the occasional Gangetic Dolphin. The cruises here also give access to a number of India's National Parks, including Kaziranga, perhaps the finest of all, and Manas, a Project Tiger Reserve on the Bhutan border.

The Hooglhy is a more intimate waterway, bordered by villages and rural landscape of jute fields and mango orchards. The emphasis here is on monuments and culture, whether Hindu, Muslim or Colonial.

Our passengers enjoy the lack of TV’s, internet and the release from other 21st century diversions giving them the freedom to observe, absorb and enjoy the scenery and culture gliding past the promenade deck. They appreciate the onshore excursions and visits to villages, accompanied by excellent local guides, all of which are unhurried and wonderfully organised.

Of course, India offers so much more, and we are easily able to arrange travel to any of the well known sights. Bhutan and Nepal are nearby and we are well versed in all manner of travel options and trekking programs in either country.

You can find detailed itineraries in our Great Riverboat Journeys brochure - four programmes on the Brahmaputra and one on the Hoogly. You will also find information about the two vessels - RV Sukapha and RV Chairadew. Download a low resolution copy of the brochure by clicking the brochure icon (left), or email us and we will send you a brochure by mail.

For enquiries and reservations, click here.