Scenic Group has announced the expansion of its luxury river cruise and land touring portfolio with the deployment of Scenic Aura on India’s Hooghly River. Scheduled to enter service in October 2027, the boutique vessel will introduce a new collection of itineraries combining river cruising with land programmes across India and Sri Lanka.
During its inaugural season, running from October 2027 through March 2028, Scenic Aura will accommodate a maximum of 44 guests, offering all-inclusive sailings through the cultural and historical regions of West Bengal. The programme incorporates a range of Scenic Freechoice excursions and Scenic Enrich events designed to highlight major cities, religious landmarks and riverside communities, complemented by extended land journeys throughout India and Sri Lanka.
Scenic Group indicated that the deployment marks an important step in the company’s expansion strategy and was developed in response to growing guest interest in culturally immersive travel experiences. The itineraries were designed to provide exclusive access to destinations and experiences across the Indian subcontinent while maintaining the high level of inclusions and personalised service associated with the Scenic brand.
The new India and Sri Lanka programme consists of 5 itineraries ranging from 17 to 25 days. At the centre of each journey is a 9-night all-inclusive cruise on the Lower Ganges and Hooghly River, a waterway that passes through some of India’s most historically significant regions. The itineraries combine river cruising with overland exploration of North India, South India, Rajasthan and Sri Lanka.
A series of exclusive Scenic Enrich experiences has been incorporated into the programme. These include a traditional high tea at Kathgola Palace in Murshidabad, visits to the Hooghly Imambara and the ISKCON global headquarters, and encounters with local artisans in Matiari. Guests will also explore the historic streets of Murshidabad by traditional toto vehicle, including visits to landmarks such as the Katra Mosque.
Prior to entering service, Scenic Aura will undergo a redesign led by Scenic Group’s yacht design partner, MKM Yachts. The refurbishment is intended to create an intimate boutique river cruise experience, with further details of the vessel’s updated interiors expected to be released at a later date.
The ship’s accommodation will feature spacious suites equipped with private balconies, separate sleeping areas and Scenic Sun Lounges. The all-inclusive product will encompass dining across multiple venues, beverages throughout the day, in-suite minibars, Wi-Fi, wellness facilities, a swimming pool, yoga programmes and fitness amenities. Land programmes will include selected hotels, internal transportation, gratuities and small-group touring limited to 25 participants.
According to Scenic Group, early demand for the inaugural Hooghly River season has been strong, particularly among members of its loyalty programme. With capacity limited to 44 guests per departure, the company expects the first season to attract considerable interest ahead of the release of full itinerary details and final pricing, which are scheduled to be confirmed in November 2026.