- Viking has unveiled its India river voyages in 2027, 2028 and 2029 which are now open for booking.
- A new ship, the Viking Ganges, will debut in 2028.
- River cruising in India has risen by almost 20 per cent, with cruises on waterways increasing from 371 in 2023-24 to 443 in 2024-25.
Viking is doubling its capacity on the Brahmaputra River in India, which is fast emerging as the next frontier of river cruising, announcing a new ship under construction and sailing dates right through to 2029.
Designed specifically for the Brahmaputra River, which poses many navigational challenges associated with its unpredictable nature, the Viking Ganges is scheduled to debut in 2028. It will join her sister ship Viking Brahmaputra which is set to launch in late 2027.
In recent years, India has revolutionised its inland waterways, launching 51 new cruise circuits by 2027. Just three vessels operated on the Brahmatputra River in 2013-14. In 2025, that rose to 25.
As more visitors seek cruising options on the vast continent, APT, Avalon Waterways and AmaWaterways are among those stepping up to meet demand for river cruises in India.
APT offers a number of sailings on the Lower Ganges, with cruises ranging from 10 to 19 days exploring the Golden Triangle and Varanasi on the purpose-built Ganges Voyager.
Ama Waterways’ itineraries also focus on the Ganges River, visiting Delhi and Agra and its iconic Taj Mahal, while Avalon also explores the the spiritual heartland of India via the Ganges River.
Luxury boutique river cruise line Uniworld has also sharpened its focus on India, and offer a number of itineraries.
Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking, said adding a second ship to the Brahmaputra River was in response to demand from travellers keen to explore the wonderous country.
“Since announcing our new river voyages in India, we have seen strong interest from guests eager to explore this remarkable region,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking.
“By adding a second ship on the Brahmaputra River in 2028 and opening 2029 departure dates now, we look forward to inviting even more curious travellers to explore India in Viking comfort in the years to come.”
Both ships will sail between Guwahati and Nimati Ghat in the northeastern state of Assam as part of Viking’s new 15-day itinerary, Wonders of India. In addition to an eight-day river voyage, the itinerary includes a fully-guided land program and hotel stays in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Also on offer are a variety of new pre- and post-cruise land extensions including Delhi, Dubai, Kathmandu, Cochin and Mumbai.
The Viking Ganges and the Viking Brahmaputra are sister ships that can host up to 80 guests. Each features 40 staterooms with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors opening to a veranda, a Spa & Fitness Centre, an open-air Sky Bar on the upper deck, and will incorporate the Scandinavian design synonymous with Viking.
