Welcome to the world of Antara—where timeless elegance and extraordinary journeys come together to create the voyage of a lifetime.
What began in 2000 as a dream for travel industry pioneer and naturalist Raj Singh has today turned into Antara’s thoughtfully designed, well-appointed fleet of ships that sail South Asia’s most iconic rivers.
Welcome to Antara
Antara believes the best way to see South Asia is from the river
THE RIVER
Antara River Cruises sail on the mighty Ganga, Padma and the Brahmaputra, as well other waterways that feed into them.
Antara also sails the four rivers that inundate Bhitarkanika National Park, India’s second largest mangrove forest, in the pristine south-eastern Indian state of Odisha.
Our Story
Re-imagining South Asia journeys since 2009
Heritage River Journeys have curated diverse historical and life experiences for contemporary travelers in South Asia on our cruise ships for nearly two decades.
Raj Singh, the Managing Director, started to explore river cruising in India in the 1990s, turning his focus to the Ganga in the mid-2000s. With the help of the Inland Waterways Authority of India, Inland Water Transport of the Government of West Bengal, and many individual supporters, he dove into the possibilities of cruise tourism. Sailing on an IWAI survey vessel, he plotted an itinerary and imagined anew the possibilities of starting passenger cruising from Kolkata to Varanasi after nearly a break of more than 100 years. Pontoon bridges, varying levels of water, different regimes of state and central government taxation, and the lack of infrastructure were just some of the challenges the companies and their ships have dealt with.
The result is a tourism experience of a very high standard, with hand-built ships that celebrate Indian workmanship and international quality and hospitality.
Antara is all about sustainable, low-impact, low-volume cruise tourism that enhances and supports the local communities, as well as protects the land and wildlife along the waterways .
Antara now has four cruise ships, two catamarans and one private houseboat on the water.
Handmade in india : our indigenous fleet
For centuries the river has been a lifeline for civilizations, conquests, religion, trade, tradition and craft. We often marvel at how land has boundaries but the river cuts through them all, flowing with abandon. There is no better way to see and experience a land, its culture and its people.
FOUNDER
Raj Singh
A lawyer and naturalist by training, Raj Singh is a pioneer of the world of travel and hospitality. He first came to the Ganges seeking adventure, fortune and a unique experience which he embellished with his knowledge to imagine and create superlative cruising experiences for his guests. With over 40 years of work experience in Indian and European travel and wildlife, Mr. Singh is brimming with creative ideas and much wisdom. His years of on-ground assessments and travel to understand the constantly evolving river gave him the impetus to found Heritage River Journeys and establish river cruising in India with the first sail in 2009.
The Vault
All the information, brochures, catalogues, photos, videos and much more stored here.
