Antara River Cruises has unveiled Nauka Vilas, a private one-suite wooden yacht designed to offer an intimate and bespoke journey along the historic waters of the Hooghly, sailing from and to Kolkata.

Positioned as a private river experience for couples and travellers seeking personalised service, privacy and craftsmanship, Nauka Vilas features just one Luxury Suite, creating an exclusive setting for guests exploring the heritage and history of the Hooghly.

The yacht has been designed with a king bed, an ensuite three-fixture bathroom, walk-in closet and private sun deck that opens into an open-air lounge overlooking the river. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide uninterrupted river views, while hand-finished teak interiors add to the vessel's intimate character.

A dedicated culinary team onboard will also create bespoke menus for guests, further tailoring the experience to individual preferences.

A Bespoke Journey Along the Hooghly

The inaugural itinerary, A Romantic Bespoke Journey on the Hooghly, is an all-inclusive three-night, four-day journey tracing the river's cultural and colonial heritage.

The itinerary begins at Tribeni, a historic confluence town known for its 14th-century Islamic shrine, before continuing through Bandel, with its Portuguese heritage, and Chandernagore, known for its French colonial legacy.

The journey also includes Serampore, with its Danish heritage, before concluding in Kolkata.

Along the way, guests can explore Mughal tombs, terracotta temples, colonial churches and historic riverside settings through curated excursions. Meals, beverages, excursions and transfers are included as part of the experience.

The journey is designed to allow travellers to discover the region's history from the privacy of their own vessel, combining cultural exploration with an intimate river cruise experience.

Commenting on the launch, Raj Singh, Founder and Chairman of Antara Cruises, said, “Nauka Vilas was conceived for travellers who no longer wish to share their journey — not the deck, not the itinerary, not the moment. It is an intimate journey of immersive discovery, reimagined.”

Designed for Private Celebrations

Beyond destination discovery, Nauka Vilas has been conceived for occasions including anniversaries, birthdays, honeymoons and special celebrations.

With its single-suite configuration and fully customisable itineraries, the yacht offers guests the flexibility to tailor their journey according to their preferences, creating a private travel experience on the Hooghly.

Nauka Vilas is currently open for bookings, with fares starting from ₹1,00,000 per night. The fare includes pick-up and drop-off from Kolkata, while itineraries can be customised according to guest requirements.

Experience Details

Vessel: Nauka Vilas
Experience: A Romantic Bespoke Journey on the Hooghly
Duration: Three nights, four days
Departure/Return: Kolkata
Inclusions: Pick-up and drop-off from Kolkata, excursions, meals and beverages
Bookings: Antara River Cruises