Day 1 – Kolkata
Your West Bengal river journey begins in the vibrant city of Kolkata, where you are warmly welcomed at the airport and transferred to the wharf to board Scenic Aura.
Day 2 – Serampore > Chinsura
After an early morning visit to Kolkata’s flower market, one of the largest in India, step ashore at Serampore to explore one of Bengal’s most intriguing Danish colonial settlements, once described as the best-kept European town in India. Visit the historic St. Olav’s Church, built in 1806, along with the Governor’s House and the Denmark Tavern. This afternoon, Scenic Aura calls at Chinsura, where you will visit the iconic Hooghly Imambara, one of West Bengal’s most revered Shia pilgrimage centres.
Day 3 – Mayapur
Admire the nearly completed Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, part funded by Alfred Ford and due for completion in November 2027, with opening celebrations planned through to March 2028. Engage with the welcoming Hare Krishna community and stroll through the vibrant pilgrims’ bazaar, a sensory celebration of colour, fragrance and devotion.
Day 4 – Murshidabab > Baranagar > Azimganj
This morning, arrive in Murshidabad, once the powerful seat of the Nawabs of Bengal and the region where the British East India Company began its expansion in India. Marvel at Hazarduari Palace, known as the Palace of a Thousand Doors, of which 100 are false. Built in 1837 and designed by Duncan Macleod, it is now one of the largest site museums under the Archaeological Survey of India.
Visit the exquisite Kathgola Palace, where a signature Scenic Enrich High Tea awaits within its storied walls.
This afternoon, the ship will move to Azimganj and Baranagar, smaller cities in the municipality in Murshidabad district. In Azimganj visit the serene Jain temples, and the intricate temples of the Jainism, an ancient Indian religion centred on spiritual purity, self-discipline, and disciplined nonviolence (ahimsa) to all living creatures. In Baranagar visit the 260-year-old ornate terracotta Char Bangla Temples, a unique complex of four terracotta temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Day 5 – Khushbagh > Plassey
Step ashore to explore the tranquil village of Khushbagh, known as the “Gardens of Happiness” where history and rural life intertwine. A serene early morning journey past farmland leads to a beautifully preserved mosque complex built by Nawab Ali-Wardi-Khan, where the Nawab, his family and his grandson Siraj-ud-Daulah are laid to rest. Nearby lies the historic site of the Battle of Plassey (1757), fought on the banks of the Hooghly River. This victory by the British East India Company under Robert Clive marked a turning point, leading to British control of Bengal.
Day 6 – Matiari
Today’s destination is the village of Matiari, renowned for its long-standing tradition of copper and brass craftsmanship. Watch master artisans transform recycled metals into beautifully handcrafted pots, platters and decorative pieces using techniques passed down through generations. This visit offers an authentic glimpse into a living cultural tradition.
Day 7 – Kalna > Phulia
Arrive this morning in the ‘City of Temples’, Kalna, which flourished in the late 18th century under the patronage of the Maharajas of Bardhaman. Explore the Rajbari complex, home to several remarkable temples, including the Lalji Temple built around 1739, the Krishna Chandra Temple with its 25 decorated spires, the Vijay Vaidyanath Temple dedicated to Shiva, and the intricately detailed Pratapeswar Temple.
Spend the afternoon at Phulia (Fulia) weaving village where artisans craft hand-woven cotton and silk saris. The weaving history of the town is inextricably linked to the settlement of skilled refugees from Bangladesh who came down here after India’s Partition. It is famous for its Phulia Tangail saris, similar to the Dhakai Jamdani in technique with the motifs spaced out, but softer in feel.
Day 8 – Chandernagore
Stroll the elegant riverside promenade, lined with French colonial buildings. Visit the Dupleix Palace, the former French Governor’s residence and now a museum, and the Sacred Heart Church, a fine example of French Gothic design built in 1691. Visit the former Hotel de Paris built in 1878, now the sub–Divisional Court and a reminder of the town’s colonial past.
Day 9 – Kolkata
Your final full day returns you to the captivating streets of Kolkata. Visit Mother Teresa’s Mother House of The Missionaries of Charity before embarking on a private heritage tram tour, a nostalgic way to glide through the city. Continue to Tipu Sultan Masjid and the Victoria Memorial and Gardens before returning to the ship for lunch.
Day 10 – Kolkata > Colombo > Negombo
This morning, disembark Scenic Aura in Kolkata and transfer to the airport for your flight to Colombo. Be welcomed to Sri Lanka before transferring to Negombo, a vibrant coastal town known for its rich fishing heritage and colonial influences. Check into your luxury boutique hotel for the next two nights, Wattura Resort & Spa, with mesmerising views over the water.
Day 11 – Negombo
Travel to Muthurajawela Wetlands Sanctuary to explore one of Sri Lanka’s important ecological reserves at the southern end of the Negombo Lagoon. Enjoy a relaxing boat ride through mangroves and waterways while observing a variety of bird species, butterflies, reptiles and other wildlife in their natural habitat.
This evening, join an in-depth walking tour exclusively designed by a local expert. Visit the remains of the town’s former fort, which saw fierce battles between the Dutch and Portuguese in the 17th century before being converted into a prison by the British in the late 1800s.
Day 12 – Negombo > Pinnawala > Anuradhapura
This morning, journey towards Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. En route, visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975, and learn about its captive elephant care and breeding program.
Continue to the sacred city of Anuradhapura, widely acknowledged as Sri Lanka’s first ancient kingdom and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Afterwards, check in to Uga Ulagalla, a resort hidden amidst acres of greenery and centred around a historic 150-year-old mansion, and relax in your Pool Villa for a two-night stay.
Day 13 – Anuradhapura
Spend a relaxing day at Uga Ulagalla, enjoying the luxurious property and its serene surroundings. Unwind in the comfort of your villa, take in the beautiful landscapes, and experience the exceptional amenities the resort has to offer. This is the perfect opportunity to rest, rejuvenate, and soak in the peaceful atmosphere of this exquisite retreat.
Enjoy a scenic excursion to Nachchaduwa, a tranquil lake fringed by natural beauty.
Day 14 – Polonnaruwa > Minneriya > Sigiriya
Check out and drive to The World Heritage-listed historical city of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s second ancient capital after the fall of Anuradhapura. Set beside a vast man-made lake, its remaining city walls, temples and dagobas reveal the grandeur of this once-opulent garden city.
After lunch, embark on an exciting safari in Minneriya National Park, renowned for its large gatherings of wild elephants. Check in to Water Garden Sigiriya for the night. Set within a meticulously designed landscape of winding streams and lush greenery,
Day 15 – Sigiriya > Dambulla > Kandy
Scenic Freechoice:
This early morning, choose your Scenic Freechoice activity. Climb the famous ‘Lion’s Rock’ at Sigiriya, a UNESCO-listed rock fortress and ancient city dating back to the 5th century and admire its frescoes and panoramic views over the Cultural Triangle.
After check-out, continue to Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its rock-cut caves, statues and richly painted Buddhist murals preserved over centuries.
Enjoy lunch at a traditional spice garden to learn about the cultivation and uses of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, pepper, and other aromatic herbs in Sri Lankan cuisine. Then travel to the sacred city of Kandy, the last capital of the Sinhala kings before British rule, now part of Sri Lanka’s UNESCO-listed cultural heartland.
Check in to TheTrees Kandy for two nights, a luxury boutique sanctuary nestled among century-old trees with elevated views over Kandy Lake and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
Day 16 – Kandy
Explore this cultural city by tuk tuk visiting the lush Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and the revered Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
Day 17 -Kandy > Hatton
Tea is synonymous with Sri Lanka, and today you journey into its misty highlands. Board a train for a scenic ride through emerald hills and tea estates to Hatton in the Nuwara Eliya District, one of the country’s most celebrated tea-growing regions.
Day 18 – Hatton
Scenic Freechoice:
This morning, choose your Scenic Freechoice excursion. Join the resident tea planter for a visit to a working tea factory and learn about the journey of Ceylon tea from leaf to cup, finishing with a tasting of different grades. Alternatively, enjoy a guided kayak on Castlereagh Lake or take a guided bike ride through the surrounding trails.
Day 19 – Hatton > Balapitiya
Today journey to Geoffrey Bawa’s Lunuganga Estate, the former country home of Sri Lanka’s renowned architect. Explore the beautifully landscaped gardens, art-filled spaces and tranquil corners that showcase his pioneering vision of tropical modernism.
After lunch in the estate gardens, continue to the Madu River for a relaxing cruise through one of Sri Lanka’s most picturesque wetland ecosystems. Arrive in Balapitiya and check in to Aavya Cove Villas, a boutique retreat overlooking a stunning palm-fringed stretch of coastline.
Day 20 – Balapitiya > Galle
Arrive in Galle and explore Galle Fort with a local expert. Walk along the ramparts overlooking the Indian Ocean, discover boutique shops, cafés and museums, and absorb the unique blend of Dutch, Portuguese and British heritage within this iconic coastal fortress.
Day 21 – Galle
Enjoy a leisurely morning before choosing your Scenic Freechoice dining experience for lunch. Join a ‘Cooking with Mama’ experience inside Galle Fort, learning to prepare authentic Sri Lankan dishes in a welcoming, home-style setting. Alternatively, opt for a Cinnamon Influence lunch that includes a guided experience tracing Sri Lanka’s famed cinnamon from plantation to plate, followed by a menu infused with its distinctive flavours.
Day 22 – Galle > Colombo
This morning, travel to Colombo and visit the Natural History Museum, Sri Lanka’s largest museum, showcasing the island’s rich cultural and historical heritage. Explore ancient artefacts, royal regalia, traditional art and archaeological treasures that trace Sri Lanka’s long and layered past
Day 23 – Colombo
Scenic Enrich
Begin your final day with a Scenic Enrich guided walk through Colombo led by local expert Mark Forbes. Discover colonial buildings, colourful streets and hidden corners as he shares stories that bring the city’s past and present to life.
