Viking Brahmaputra charts new course on India’s historic river

   July 11, 2025 ,   Cruise Industry

Viking has introduced its inaugural river voyages in India with the Viking  Brahmaputra, an 80-guest vessel designed specifically for navigation along the Brahmaputra River in Assam. Scheduled to enter service in late 2027, this 3-deck river ship will operate between Guwahati and Nimati Ghat under the banner of the “Wonders of India” programme—a 15-day roundtrip itinerary that combines 8 nights afloat with guided stays in Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.

All staterooms will bear Viking’s signature Scandinavian design, featuring floor-to-ceiling glass doors leading to private verandas. Public areas are set to include a spa and fitness centre, as well as an open-air Sky Bar on the upper deck.

The purpose-built vessel reflects Viking’s vision of delivering refined, culturally immersive journeys tailored for river exploration.

The “Wonders of India” itinerary commences and concludes in Delhi, enveloping the river voyage with visits to the famed Golden Triangle. Group tours will visit iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Taj Mahal in Agra and the Palace of Winds in Jaipur. Along the river, guests will encounter Guwahati’s temples, traditional riverside villages, and wildlife habitats in Kaziranga National Park—including sightings of one-horned rhinos and buffalos—as well as culturally significant river islands like Majuli.

Enhancement options for the itinerary include pre- or post-cruise extensions to destinations such as Dubai, Kathmandu (Nepal), Cochin, and Mumbai—all offered with full guidance.

Viking’s Chairman and CEO noted that India’s profound cultural and natural richness has long drawn explorers and that the new river voyages offer a deeper way to experience the country along the comfort of a modern riverboat—a sentiment reflecting Viking’s shift from mere port calls to immersive inland discovery.

Currently, the “Wonders of India” voyages are open for booking through July 31, 2025. Special offers include up to US$5,000 in savings per couple for North American travellers, airfare from US$999 per person, and a refundable US$25 deposit.

In introducing the Viking Brahmaputra, Viking boldly expands its river cruise presence into South Asia. The vessel and its flagship itinerary bridge cultural heritage and riverscape exploration, marking a strategic departure from ocean port visits to meaningful inland immersion aboard a vessel designed for India’s waterways.