Uniworld Boutique River Cruises announces its newest addition to their collection of boutique river cruises and tours—“India's Golden Triangle & the Sacred Ganges” from New Delhi to Kolkata—set to debut in January 2016. The 12-night itinerary includes seven nights onboard the new all-suite Ganges Voyager II, the most ultra-luxurious river cruise ship sailing the Ganges River. For the five-night land portion of the itinerary, luxurious accommodation will be provided at the award-winning Oberoi Hotels and Resorts Collection, including The Oberoi, New Delhi; The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra; and The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur. Guests will stay at the finest hotels as they visit the “Golden Triangle”—one of India's most historic and culturally-rich areas.

“India is one of the world's most complex, colorful, and exotic destinations,” said Guy Young, President of Uniworld. “To experience a 5,000-year-old civilization first-hand and to explore its spiritual heartland, all while staying at some of the world's most spectacular hotels and sailing onboard our new all-suite ship, is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our well-traveled guests.”

The new Ganges Voyager II has a maximum capacity of 56 guests. The all-suite ship features the one-of-a-kind Maharaja Suite, (400 sq. ft.), two Viceroy Suites (360 sq. ft.), two Heritage Suites (280 sq. ft.), and 20 Standard Suites (261 sq. ft.). Comforts and convenience abound with French balconies, cozy sitting areas, and flat-screen televisions. Roomy bathrooms have rain showers, robes, slippers, and Molton Brown bath products. Guests staying in the Viceroy Suites will enjoy daily butler service, laundry service, and one complimentary spa treatment per person. Guest staying in the Maharaja Suite will be treated to additional amenities, including in-suite dining and scented baths in the in-suite deep-soaker tub. Public areas include the Governor's Lounge with onboard entertainment and cultural events, the observation deck with 360-degree views, a spa and fitness center, and the East India Restaurant with menus featuring both Indian-inspired cuisine and Western favorites.

Uniworld's new itinerary presents a broad spectrum of enticing travel experiences: Delhi, India's capital and third largest city; the Taj Mahal, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World; the bazaars, fortresses, and palaces of Rajasthan's Pink City of Jaipur; Mother Teresa's tomb and former home in Kolkata; an enormous Vedic temple in Mayapur; garden-tombs and mosques, colonial-era buildings, and monuments; and fully-hosted excursions to five UNESCO World Heritage Sites—Delhi's Red Fort and Humayun's Tomb, Agra's Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, and Jaipur's Jantar Mantar. While sailing the Ganges, guests will be treated to sights inaccessible by road, as well as to surprising encounters with a variety of wildlife, including freshwater dolphins, parrots, and many other colorful species.

“This itinerary is ideal for travelers seeking exotic new horizons, something completely unlike anything else they've ever experienced,” said Young. “India is an amazing, unforgettable place. It's a journey our guests will rave about the rest of their lives.”

Uniworld will offer an optional extension to Varanasi, revered as the holiest spot on India's holiest river, as well as one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. The two-night extension includes a city tour, a scenic boat ride to observe a Ganga Aarti fire ceremony at sunset, and a private boat ride along the river at sunrise.

Uniworld's new India program will be open to book on October 15, 2014.

For more details, please visit uniworld.com. Join Uniworld's social media community at facebook.com/uniworldrivercruises or twitter.com/uniworldcruises. 

About Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Award-winning Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection—the world's only authentic boutique river cruise line™—features luxurious ships with an average capacity of 130 guests and the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the river cruise industry, as well as included shore excursions, gourmet cuisine, and unsurpassed hospitality. Based in Los Angeles, California, Uniworld offers voyages on 16 rivers in 21 countries throughout Europe, Russia, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and India. Uniworld is a member of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and is highly regarded by discerning travelers, media, and cruise industry experts:

• ·         Listed among the "World's Best River Cruises" by Travel + Leisure, and recognized for the “World's Best Service” in the River Cruise category
• ·         Seven ships listed among Travel + Leisure's “Top 20 River Ships,” with River Countess rated highest of all cruise ships (river & ocean)
• ·         Distinguished as a Condé Nast Traveler “Platinum Circle Member” (an honor bestowed for being on the prestigious Gold List every year for seven years (2008 – 2014)
• ·         Top three ranking on Condé Nast Traveler's “Top Ten” list of cruise lines (river & ocean)
• ·         Named “Best Luxury River Cruise Line” by Cruise International (2012 & 2013)

About The TreadRight Foundation
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is part of a joint initiative with The TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation established by The Travel Corporation to encourage sustainable tourism within our own family of brands and in the places we visit. To date, TreadRight has donated more than US $2 million to sustainable tourism projects around the world. To find out more about our partnership, please visit TreadRight.com.

MEDIA CONTACT

Choy Teh

Public Relations Specialist

UNIWORLD

T: +65 6922 5974

E: choy.teh@travcorp.com.sg