6 Reasons to go river cruising in India
They say that a river is always abuzz with action, full of surprises all along its course and never looks back. India has some of the most majestic rivers and these abounding water bodies have played a major role in sustaining human civilizations and shaping the historical narrative of the country.
A shimmering body, playful rhythm, and viridescent visuals for the company encompass the essence of a river. Thus, life around a river is always colourful and charismatic and it never fails to offer spectacular settings, recreational opportunities, and lively waterfronts. Nevertheless, the local culture, topology, geography, and economy of river-hugged towns and villages are much more animated and vibrant than landlocked ones. Many of the popular Indian cities have river-dominated landscapes and attract great tourism.
In India, river cruise tourism has been an untapped sector for the longest time. Except for a few places which were far-flung, difficult to reach by roads or more suited for boat rides, we have not been cruising on the river much. To our loss, it is an excellent way to discover authentic India. This elegant mode of travel deserves the much-needed attention. And now that the potential has been identified and several policy changes are eyeing aspirational changes, let us find out what it is like to cruise along India’s most diverse biosystems, unexplored villages and lesser-known culture towns.
Many indigenously designed world-class ships are already doing a great job with curated itineraries. Not to forget the much-celebrated launch of the world’s longest river cruise on the River Ganges in Varanasi, has already unlocked a new era of river cruise tourism in India. And let us not forget that growing river tourism can be a great reason to chase conservation and cleanliness drives of rivers.
Quintessential cultural adventure
Some of the popular Indian rivers like Ganga, Brahmaputra, Godavari, Krishna, Chambal etc. traverse through many small and big culture-rich destinations letting the travellers dive into the diverse cultural, spiritual, artistic, and wilderness spirit of the country. One not only observes the everyday river life from the balcony but also meets the locals during multiple shore landings. The complimentary day excursions lend a fresh perspective to many places that one may not have never heard of and the takeaways in the form of personal stories remain etched in the hearts forever. A river cruise might just be the perfect way to travel to change your mind or make a fresh impression about a particular region. I was overwhelmed to see a unique side of India during my first week-long river cruise. I realised that these river journeys are not just about reaching a destination but about absorbing the wisdom woven into the very fabric of the villages and the towns that they touch upon.
Most calming and unhurried way of travel
A river is a soulful waterbody, ever-evolving, constantly winding, and yet, perennially calming. When you are cruising a river, you will notice that no one is in a rush to go anywhere and thus, the overall pace of travel is always relaxed. While the small and big towns may boast of ancient architecture, lush hills, stunning waterfalls, languid lakes, gorgeous forests, and a melting pot of cultures within them, the sheer beauty, and the authenticity of dining, sleeping, and reading on an elegant floating on a river is thrilling and adventurous. Not just that, the agricultural fields, colourful houses, the smiles of the locals, and some of the best sceneries playing along the balcony make the cruising journey a memorable experience. All you must do is just surrender to the moment.
The intimate and state-of-the-art vessels
A cruise is not always about a thousand people travelling together. It can be as intimate as you want it to be. There can be catamarans just for the family, a few friends on board on a bigger one, or a huge vessel with less than fifty travellers. In contrast to their ocean-going cousins, these state-of-the-art vessels are designed for fewer passengers and they bring in their A-game for impeccable hospitality and unwavering personal attention. If you seek luxury, you must know that some river cruises set the tone for extraordinary experiences. The vessels are equipped with the best of amenities and many times cruisers do not realise certain features of the ship until the last day of a cruise. Also, these vessels showcase the culture of the region onboard by curating the best local cuisines, music performances, and interactive sessions. Experience it once and you will be hooked.
Freedom from packing/unpacking every day
You can explore 7 places in 7 days without worrying about packing and unpacking. All you must do is be there, unpack, and be ready to explore places. Personally, it was very comforting to only look forward to great food and spectacular places to discover and not about booking taxis or hotels or hygiene, etc. A lot of time goes into arranging the logistics but once you are signed up for a river cruise, all your hassles are taken care of. You may just sit on the deck, watch the fascinating life on the river, and chill.
Use it for quiet contemplation or great friendships
These cruises are the best for travelling solo. You have people for company and you have all the time for yourself if you choose to be aloof. No one disturbs you until you allow them to mingle. At the same time, the atmosphere is very friendly and sociable. There are a handful of people with whom you travel, explore, eat, and then chit-chat, every day. The friendly banters, cultural exchange and educational sessions often help to bond and nurture new friendships. The days are planned with activities but there is plenty of free time for yourself to meditate, indulge in yoga, go to the spa, read books, and just spend time with yourself. There is no obligation to join activities that you do not wish to be a part of.
All-Inclusive package and value for money
After my first cruising experience on the River Ganges for seven days, I have become more open to river cruising vacations and one of my favourite reasons would be that everything was taken care of. I did not have to worry about anything. Once I was onboard, everything was covered- the stay, the food, the excursions, the yoga, the cultural evenings, and the best guides from the area. All I had to do was savour every moment, relish the cultural extravaganza, enjoy the lavish food, and brim with excitement till we reached the next port. This is very close to the idea of an ideal vacation. You are on a chic-smart ship, with access to delicious food, and you are moving from one beautiful place to another. What more do you want?
Also, let us not forget that ever since river tourism development initiatives have been initiated, there have been several endeavours to clean our rivers too. This is a very important realisation because river cruise tourism cannot thrive until our rivers are clean. Furthermore, we cannot showcase the cultural and natural heritage until we make sincere efforts to protect them. As travellers, it is our responsibility to be better informed to sign up for cruises that adhere to sustainable practices.