Cruise region
India
India combines some of the world's most famous sights with river cruising on the Ganges. Itineraries start in New Delhi and visit the Taj Mahal at Agra and the pink city of Jaipur, then continue to Rajasthan's desert cities or a river voyage from Kolkata. Some longer itineraries continue by sea to South East Asia.
Best time to go
Season
Typical daytime highs
- Cool season (October to March). Typical daytime highs around 23 to 30°C in northern India in the cool season (October to March). Dry and sunny, with cool nights.
- Hot season (April to June). Typical daytime highs around 38 to 42°C in northern India in the hot season (April to June). Very hot.
- Monsoon (July to September). Typical daytime highs around 32 to 35°C in the monsoon (July to September). Humid, with heavy rain.
These are typical ranges, not a forecast.
How long
Fly-cruise airports
- Delhi Indira Gandhi (DEL). about 9 hours
- Kolkata Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (CCU). usually one connection
Who it suits
Questions
When is the best time to visit India?
October to March, when the weather is dry and comfortable.
Can I see the Taj Mahal?
Yes. Agra is part of the classic Golden Triangle with Delhi and Jaipur.
What is a Ganges river cruise like?
A gentle voyage from Kolkata past temple towns such as Kalna, Mayapur and Murshidabad.
Ports and places
Agra
See the Taj Mahal at sunrise and the Red Fort.
View 1 cruise featuring AgraJaipur
Visit the Amber Fort and the Palace of the Winds in the pink city.
View 1 cruise featuring JaipurNew Delhi
See India Gate, Humayun's Tomb and the lanes of Old Delhi.
View 1 cruise featuring New DelhiBali (Denpasar / Benoa)
The southern Bali port for temples, beaches and Ubud.
No cruises featuring Bali just now
Bikaner
A desert city with the Junagarh Fort.
No cruises featuring Bikaner just now
Callcutta
Kolkata, with the Victoria Memorial and the Howrah Bridge (usually spelt Calcutta or Kolkata).
View 1 cruise featuring CallcuttaCelukan Bawang (Bali)
A north Bali port for temples, waterfalls and the quiet Lovina coast.
No cruises featuring Celukan Bawang just now
Jaisalmer
A golden sandstone fort city in the Thar Desert.
No cruises featuring Jaisalmer just now
Jodhpur
The blue city beneath the Mehrangarh Fort.
No cruises featuring Jodhpur just now
Kalna
A Hooghly river town known for its terracotta temples.
View 1 cruise featuring KalnaLangkawi
Ride the cable car into the mountains or explore the mangroves by boat.
No cruises featuring Langkawi just now
Lombok
Quiet beaches and boat trips to the Gili Islands.
No cruises featuring Lombok just now
Matiari
A village known for traditional brass craftwork, on the Ganges river route.
View 1 cruise featuring MatiariMayapur
A riverside pilgrimage town with a large temple complex.
View 1 cruise featuring MayapurMursidabad
The former capital of Bengal's nawabs, with the Hazarduari Palace (usually spelt Murshidabad).
View 1 cruise featuring MursidabadPenang
Explore George Town's street art and heritage shophouses, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
No cruises featuring Penang just now
Phuket
Relax on the beaches or take a boat into the limestone islands of Phang Nga Bay.
No cruises featuring Phuket just now
Port Kelang (Kuala Lumpur)
The port for Kuala Lumpur, the Petronas Towers and the Batu Caves.
No cruises featuring Port Kelang just now
Singapore
See Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay, and eat at the hawker centres.
No cruises featuring Singapore just now
The Ganges
Scenic cruising on India's sacred river.
View 1 cruise featuring The GangesUdaipur
The city of lakes, with the City Palace above Lake Pichola.
No cruises featuring Udaipur just now