• Venture into the deep seas on your next visit to India!Rhine Cruise Ship in Emmerich image by Raoulsch from Fotolia.com
  
  Explore the raw beauty of India's coastline aboard a luxurious cruise ship. There are many options you can choose from and you can even pick your own itinerary. A cruise will give you the opportunity to experience and explore the culture and tradition of India's many islands and smaller cities, some of which are rather difficult to access by land or air. It will also ensure that you have access to good food and lodging which can be a problem in the more remote areas.
  
  

Lakshadweep Islands cruises

• Your cruise will start from Kochi in Kerala and extend to Lakshadweep, a group of 200 islands scattered along the Arabian Sea. The ocean bed in the Lakshadweep Islands has a wealth of coral specimens. Many cruising companies offer a five- or six-day package to the more prominent islands. You can disembark during the days at Kavaratti, Kalpeni, Minicoy or Kadmat and go snorkelling. The many gorgeous corals in the sea bed are well-protected and virtually untouched. Water sports and diving expeditions will be arranged by the cruise ship. The islands here have such scenic beauty and you can explore them at your leisure. At Minicoy, you can visit an ancient lighthouse built in 1885.
  
  Cruise Lines India (Mint Valley E-tourism Division)
  
  5th Floor, Metro Plaza Building
  
  Market Road Junction
  
  Cochin, Kerala 682 014
  
  India
  
  011-91-484-239-7550
  
  mintvalley.com
  
  

Ganges and Brahmaputra River Cruises

• Air-conditioned boats, wide sundecks and spectacular views characterize the Ganges and Brahmaputra cruises. Along these rivers, bordering the states of Assam and West Bengal, are some of India's most celebrated wildlife parks, monuments, temples and sanctuaries. In Assam you can visit the army town of Dibrugar, the ancient town of Sivsagar which still harbours remains of Assamese royalty. You can also view the isolated beauty of Manjuli Island and get acquainted with the one-horned rhinoceros at the world heritage site of the Kaziranga national park. In West Bengal your journey will take you through the Sunderbans national park, the world's largest mangrove forest with its eerie swamps and rich and varied wildlife; Patna, famed for its museum and cattle fairs, and other smaller cities and towns riddled with mosques, Hindu monuments and lush mango fields.
  
  Assam Bengal Navigation Co.
  
  1st Floor, Mandovi Apartments
  
  GNB Road
  
  Ambari, Guwahati 781 001
  
  India
  
  011-91-361-260-2223
  
  assambengalnavigation.com
  
  

Andaman Cruises

• The Andamans are a fairly remote island group in Southern India. Tropical rain forests, mangroves and rich coral reefs are characteristic of these islands. A cruise vacation will help you explore the sights better. You can tour spice plantations, view a wealth of bird life, go snorkelling, swimming, or hire the glass bottomed boats for a better view of the treasures of the ocean bed. A three-day cruise will take you from Port Blair (the capital island of the Andamans) to Coral Islands and Ross Islands. You can soak in the sights and the unique culture of the islands' indigenous people. If you take a longer, five-day cruise, then you can enjoy the sound and light show at Viper Island and spend a day at the popular Chiryatapu Beach.
  
  MintValley E-Commerce P Ltd
  
  Tours & Water Sports Division
  
  5th Floor, Metro Plaza Building
  
  Market Road Junction
  
  Cochin, Kerala 682 014
  
  India
  
  011-91-484-239-7550
  
  indianislands.com