Scenic Partners With ABN to Expand Brahmaputra River Cruises

Scenic Group has announced a long-term partnership with Assam Bengal Navigation (ABN) to expand onto India’s Brahmaputra River. The agreement supports Scenic’s commitment to have two ultra-luxury river ships operating in India by 2029-30.

The Brahmaputra program will add another river to Scenic’s India offering, following the previously announced October 2027 debut of Scenic Aura on the Hooghly River in West Bengal.

The partnership was confirmed after a meeting in Delhi involving Glen Moroney, Scenic Group’s founder and chairman; Ashish Phookan, ABN’s founder and managing director; and Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, India’s Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

“India offers extraordinary potential for luxury river cruising,” Moroney said. “Our partnership with Assam Bengal Navigation gives us the benefit of deep local expertise and an established operating platform.”

ABN was founded in 2002 and began Brahmaputra cruises the following year. Its operating experience also extends to the Ganges.

Phookan said: “This partnership brings together our operating experience and knowledge of India’s rivers with Scenic’s global luxury cruise expertise, brand and international distribution.”

Scenic’s planned Brahmaputra offering will provide access to wildlife, remote riverside communities and cultural traditions distinct from those featured in its West Bengal program. The company sees the expansion as part of a longer-term plan to develop additional river cruises and land journeys across India and the wider region.

Scenic Aura prepares for its India debut

Scenic Aura’s inaugural 2027-28 collection pairs 10-night Hooghly cruises with land journeys in India and Sri Lanka. The ship will accommodate 44 guests, with an all-inclusive program featuring visits to cities, sacred sites, historic palaces and artisan communities.

Built in 2016 and originally designed for Irrawaddy River cruising, Scenic Aura has 22 suites, each with a private balcony. Accommodation ranges from approximately 258 to 755 square feet.

Scenic described demand for the inaugural season as exceptionally strong and said only limited availability remained. The company cited that response as reinforcing its decision to expand in India, although the announcement did not provide booking totals or occupancy figures.

Travel advisors and guests can check remaining Hooghly departures through Scenic’s reservations team. Pre-registration for Brahmaputra updates and priority booking access is also available through the company and preferred travel advisors.

The partnership announcement did not identify the vessel that will serve the Brahmaputra or disclose detailed itineraries, fares or a launch date.