At 50 m (164 ft) long and drawing only a shallow draught, ABN Rajmahal is built to go where larger vessels cannot, carrying guests deep into stretches of the Ganges and Hooghly rivers that few travellers ever see by water. On board, elegance sets the tone: hand-blocked cotton fabrics, traditional Indian-inspired interiors and a saloon complete with library and bar create an atmosphere closer to a bygone era of river travel than a modern cruise.
Accommodation is split across 22 cabins—14 twin or double cabins on the upper deck, four twin or double cabins on the main deck, and four single cabins offered with no supplement—each with a French balcony, air conditioning and an ensuite bathroom stocked with Kama Ayurveda toiletries.
Days follow the rhythm of the river: single-seating meals blending Assamese and continental flavours, complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water throughout the day, and afternoons on the wide, canopied sundeck watching the riverbank slip by. A small onboard spa adds a further layer of ease to days otherwise built around history and the river itself. Ashore, expert guides lead small groups through the temples, markets and villages that line the route, while cultural performances and welcome and farewell receptions bookend the journey.