The Indo-British joint-venture company, Assam Bengal Navigation, was formed in 2002. ASSAM BENGAL NAVIGATION is the first and only company with experience of setting up and operating long-distance river cruising in India. The Brahmaputra cruises feature visits and attractions such as wildlife viewing (both by jeep and on elephant back), village walks, visits to tea gardens etc. Cruises on the Hugli include sightseeing of temples, towns and villages, whether by bus, cycle rickshaw or on foot. their highly trained staff have extensive knowledge and expertise of local conditions on both rivers and the smaller group size guarantees a friendly cruise atmosphere.
Brahmaputra River Cruises
The Brahmaputra cruises feature visits and attractions such as wildlife viewing (both by jeep and on elephant back), village walks, visits to tea gardens, exploring country towns in cycle rickshaws, barbecues on deserted river islands, dance performances, and visits to craft workshops.
Hughli River Cruises Cruises on the Hugli include sightseeing of temples, towns and villages, whether by bus, cycle rickshaw or on foot.
ABN Rajmahal launched in February 2014, a boat specifically designed for water levels on the Ganges. She will boast 22 spacious cabins: 14 doubles on the upper deck, 4 doubles on the main deck and 4 singles, all of which will have full length French balconies. The dining room features a saloon with bar, while other facilities include a small Mimasa spa, library and vast sun deck with demountable canopy. She has been specially designed with extra-shallow draught, triple engines and low air draught, for the pioneering City of Light cruises between Patna and Varanasi.
The ABN Charaidew II entered service in 2019 and brings a boutique option to the Brahmaputra. There are 18 comfortable cabins in total, all with French balconies.The decor reflects a sense of homecoming to Assam, with touches of colonial elegance. There is a comfortable saloon and bar, dining room, a big open sundeck, gym, and a small spa onboard which offers a wide range of treatments
The ABN Charaidew is a 38m long twin-engine steel hulled passenger boat. She was converted by ABN in 2003 to provide 10 twin-bedded & 2 double leadded en-suite cabins. All cabin accommodation is on the upper deck, as is a bar and saloon opening onto a front deck. A dining room with full length opening glass doors on each side is on the lower deck, while a large top sundeck offers additional comfortable open-air seating in shade or sun.
The ABN Sukapha joined the ABN Charaidew in October 2006. Its design and features are similar to those of the ABN Charaidew. She is also powered by twin engines. Her 12 cabins are equally roomy with comfortable chairs by the picture windows for relaxing in privacy. The spacious saloon has French windows opening onto a front balcony deck and the dinning room again has glass doors down each side. Again, the large sundeck offers the opportunity to relax on comfortable cane rattan chairs and sunloungers.