Scenic Aura

Scenic Aura begins her inaugural season in 2027, with departures running throughout 2027 and 2028. With just 44 guests per sailing and a limited number of departures across the inaugural seasons, availability is naturally limited, so we’d recommend booking early if you have specific travel dates or itineraries in mind.

A Scenic Aura journey is truly all-inclusive. Your fare covers all dining on board, premium beverages throughout the day, including fine wines, beer, premium spirits and cocktails, the full Scenic Freechoice and Scenic Enrich excursion programmes, butler service, gratuities on board and ashore, and your accompanying land journey. The only drinks excluded are a small selection of rare, fine and vintage wines and spirits.

Every Scenic Aura itinerary combines the 10-day Lower Ganges river cruise with a carefully curated land journey through India and, on selected departures, Sri Lanka. The two elements form one seamless holiday, with the land programme usually taking place either before or after the cruise rather than being split between the two. Our Voyage Consultants can help you choose the itinerary that best suits your interests, whether that’s the Golden Triangle, Rajasthan, Southern India or Sri Lanka.

Absolutely. Scenic Aura has been designed for travellers who want to experience India in comfort without worrying about the logistics. The combination of expert Tour Directors, included excursions, butler service and thoughtfully planned land journeys means every aspect of your holiday is taken care of, allowing you to focus entirely on the destinations rather than the planning.

The Lower Ganges cruising season runs from October to March, when the weather is at its most comfortable for sightseeing and river cruising. The monsoon season from June to September makes cruising impractical, while April and May are generally much hotter. December and January typically offer the coolest, most settled conditions, while October, November, February and March often provide excellent weather with slightly fewer visitors.

Flights are not automatically included in the fare, but our Voyage Consultants can arrange a complete, door-to-door holiday including flights, transfers and any additional hotel stays before or after your journey. For longer India itineraries, many guests find this approach offers both better value and a more seamless travel experience.

Yes. UK passport holders require an e-Visa for India and an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for Sri Lanka, both of which are completed online before departure. Our team can guide you through the process and advise on application timings, although visas are issued directly by the relevant government authorities.

Travellers to India and Sri Lanka should consult their GP or a travel health clinic well in advance of departure, as vaccination and antimalarial recommendations vary depending on your medical history and the regions you’ll be visiting. We’d recommend arranging your appointment at least eight to twelve weeks before travel to allow sufficient time for any vaccinations requiring multiple doses.

Luxury river cruising on the Lower Ganges remains a niche market, with only a small number of operators offering premium voyages. Scenic Aura distinguishes herself through her intimate 44-guest capacity, truly all-inclusive fare, butler service and Scenic’s exclusive Enrich programme of immersive cultural experiences. Combined with the integrated land journey, it creates one of the most comprehensive luxury touring experiences available in India and Sri Lanka.

Yes. As specialists in luxury cruising, we can help you choose the most suitable cruise-and-land itinerary, arrange flights and transfers, book hotel stays, and offer practical advice on travelling throughout India and Sri Lanka. Our long-standing relationships with the world’s leading cruise lines also ensure you’ll always receive the most competitive fare available.

With just 44 guests on each departure and a limited number of sailings during the inaugural 2027 and 2028 seasons, we’d recommend booking as early as possible. Peak winter departures in December and January, together with itineraries that include Sri Lanka, are expected to prove particularly popular, so securing your preferred dates early is advisable.