RV Charaidew II

The 2019-built RV Charaidew II cruise ship is a steel-hulled, twin-engined vessel. The luxury riverboat is owned by the company ABN (Assam Bengal Navigation) and often chartered by major travel companies and cruise brands like Noble Caledonia (UK), Phoenix Reisen (Germany), and National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions.

ABN Charaidew II cruises in India, on the Brahmaputra River, a transboundary river in South Asia. Itineraries are roundtrips leaving from homeport Kolkata/Calcutta.

The newbuild riverboat is a modern vessel blending comfort with India's traditional charm. The design features a shallow draught allowing safe navigation to the Brahmaputra's less-traveled and seldom-visited regions.

The 3-deck boat features Assamese interior decor, all French Balcony staterooms, a modern wellness complex, gourmet dining (including Western and Indian cuisines), and premium service by a qualified staff and crew.

Decks and Cabins

ABN Charaidew II staterooms (17 total) are all air-conditioned and each has a French Balcony (floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening to a Juliet Balcony). Category 3 cabins additionally have a private step-out veranda and larger bathrooms with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Main Deck cabins (Category 1) are sized 170 ft2 (16 m2) and have French balconies and Queen beds (non-convertible to twins).

Upper Deck cabins (Category 2) are sized 240 ft2 (22 m2) and also have French balconies. Each cabin has two twin beds (convertible to a double).

Upper Deck's two Deluxe Cabins (rooms 1 & 2, in Category 3) are the ship's largest accommodations (sized 350 ft2/33 m2). Each features a French Balcony plus a private (bow-facing) terrace. They have a King-size bed (non-convertible to twins), a larger bathroom (with floor-to-ceiling windows), and a lounge area (with a sofa/couch).

Standard cabin amenities include hairdryer, minibar, digital safe (in the closet), tea/coffee making facilities, a vanity/writing desk with chair, ample storage space (wardrobe and under-bed storage), en suite bathroom (toiletries, bathrobes, slippers).

The boat has 3 decks, of which 2 with cabins.

Shipboard facilities

The spacious and cosy Bar Lounge looks out over the bow, with an outside terrace accessed via sliding glass doors. There is a Bar in the Saloon, while in another corner is the location of a well-stocked library. The Lounge offers nightly entertainment, including dance and song performances by local artists. Daily scheduled activities include cooking demonstrations, lectures, and trivia games.

The single-seating Main Dining Room is a complimentary Restaurant serving a mixture of Western and Assamese (traditional Indian) cuisine. A vegan and a vegetarian option are always included in the menu. Most dietary requirements are accommodated, given previous notice. Traditional Assam teas are served complimentary.

The boat's wellness facilities include a Spa (rooms for massages and treatments) and a Fitness Center (Gym). 

The spacious Sundeck has a roof-covered, open-air lounge with comfortable seating. The top deck is an expansive Sun Deck with plenty of seating, both outdoors and shaded, and the Sundeck Bar serves soft drinks, wines, and beers.

Coffee and tea are served at all facilities.

Laundry service is also available. 

Lindblad itineraries

When chartered by NatGeo-Lindblad, ABN Charaidew II operates two itineraries - the 18-day "India by Land and River: Taj Mahal, Safaris and the Brahmaputra", and the 11-day "India Expedition: Kolkata, Kaziranga and the Brahmaputra River".

"India by Land and River: Taj Mahal, Safaris and the Brahmaputra" itinerary

The cruisetour itinerary is between New Delhi and Kolkata (downstream), and the reverse, Kolkata to New Delhi (upstream).

It is inclusive of a pre-cruise hotel stay in New Delhi (at Taj Mahal Hotel), a domestic flight to Jabalpur, follows the bus travel to Bandhavgarh NP (a hotel stay at Oberoi Vindhyavilas Wildlife Resort).

On Day 5, is the transfer back to Jabalpur and the flight back to New Delhi for an overnight stay at Taj Mahal Hotel.

On Days 7-8 is the travel to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal. En route is visited the Agra Bear Rescue Facility to watch sloth bears and other wildlife species. In Angra is an overnight stay at ITC Mughal.

On Days 8-9 is the flight from New Delhi to Kolkata and a 2-night stay at The Oberoi Grand Hotel or ITC Royal Bengal Hotel. In North Kolkata are visited “The Black Town" and the Bengali Quarter.

On Day 10 is the travel from Kolkata to Jorhat for embarking the ship on the Brahmaputra River.

Following the river cruise, on Days 17-18, passengers disembark the ship in Guwahati and fly to Kolkata, where an overnight stay at Taj Taal Kutir (or similar) hotel is included.

"India Expedition: Kolkata, Kaziranga and the Brahmaputra River" itinerary

The cruisetour itinerary is a roundtrip from Kolkata.

On Day 1 is the arrival in Kolkata, for an overnight stay at The Oberoi Grand Hotel or ITC Royal Bengal Hotel.

On Day 2 is visited North Kolkata's “The Black Town”, the Jain Temple Complex, the Bengali Quarter, and Kumartuli.

On Day 3 is the flight from Kolkata to Jorhat (ship embarkation for the Brahmaputra River cruise.

On Day 4 is visited Majuli Island.

On Day 5 is visited a traditional village, the Kaziranga National Park, and an overnight anchorage at Biswanath Ghat (aka Gupta Kashi).

On Days 6-7 are visited Biswanath, Kaziranga NP and Silghat.

On Day 8 is visited the Kaliabor Tea Estate in Silghat (Assam tea producer) and Singri Pahar.

On Day 9 is visited Pandu.

On Days 10-11 is the ship debarkation (in Guwahati) and the flight to Kolkata for an overnight stay at Taj Taal Kutir (or similar) hotel.

Note: You can see the CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.