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Antara Cruises, India’s premier luxury river cruise operator, renowned for redefining experiential travel and heritage voyages along the country’s iconic waterways, is expanding its focus within the domestic market. Responding to the increasing demand among Indian travellers for shorter, immersive experiences, Antara Cruises has unveiled new itineraries crafted specifically for Indian audiences eager for meaningful getaways adorned with heritage, nature, and comfort.
Traditionally popular with international guests and for longer journeys, Antara Cruises is now enhancing its offerings with flexible schedules, making river cruising more accessible and attractive to Indian travellers favouring weekend escapes or extended cultural immersions.
Introducing the New Routes:
Creeks & Crocodiles, Gupti – Dangamal – Gupti (2 Nights / 3 Days, commencing 2 August 2025)
Nestled along the Bay of Bengal coast, Bhitarkanika, often called the 'mini-Amazon', is India’s second-largest mangrove ecosystem. The cruise departs from Gupti, a picturesque village about 3.5 hours from Bhubaneswar. It features a village walk, a traditional Odia dinner, and a full-day sail to Dangamal, where guests may spot estuarine crocodiles, spotted deer, monitor lizards, wild boars, Indian pythons, rhesus macaques, and a diverse array of birds. A visit to the forest’s Orientation Centre is also included before returning to Gupti.
Mangrove Majesty, Gupti – Dangamal – Habali Kathi – Gupti (3 Nights / 4 Days, starting 4 August 2025)
This enriching extension explores Bhitarkanika National Park further, sailing beyond Dangamal to Habali Kathi. The journey includes guided nature walks, tranquil riverscapes, and opportunities to observe rare species in their natural habitat.
Kolkata – Mayapur, Upstream (3 Nights / 4 Days, starting 15 September 2025)
A peaceful cruise along the Hooghly River from Kolkata to Mayapur, with stops at Bandel and Kalna. Highlights include the historic Hooghly Imambara, the Rajbari Temple Complex, and the sacred ISKCON headquarters at Mayapur.
Mayapur – Kolkata, Downstream (3 Nights / 4 Days, starting 18 September 2025)
This journey begins with a visit to the renowned ISKCON temple in Mayapur, followed by Guptipara, a rural town famous for its paddy fields and Himsagar mangoes. Guests can explore Vaishnav temples with intricate terracotta work, witness traditional Jacquard and Jamdani saree weaving in Fulia, and continue to the French colonial town of Chandernagore, as well as Danish heritage sites in Serampore.
On these new routes, Raj Singh, Founder and Chairman of Antara Cruises, stated, "Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of hosting travellers from around the world. Now, we’re seeing growing interest from Indian travellers seeking shorter, meaningful getaways that go beyond the conventional. These new voyages are designed to meet that need, combining cultural richness, flexible durations, and the signature elegance of every Antara journey. We’re excited to welcome more Indian guests aboard."
These newly introduced routes are scheduled for weekly departures and feature tailor-made experiences on the company’s boutique ships and catamarans, with all-inclusive stays.
