Our story
How it began
Assam Bengal Navigation is an Indo-British, family-owned joint venture, brought to you by the Phookans in India and the Brocks in England. “A meeting of minds” best describes the first encounter between Andrew Brock and Ashish Phookan in Guwahati, Assam, in 2001 — both, it turned out, had been quietly pondering how to begin river cruising on the Brahmaputra.
The company was formed in 2002, bringing together expertise in responsible tourism, a feel for global markets, and a deep, lived knowledge of East India. In 2003 we pioneered long-distance river cruising in India; in 2007 we became the first to cruise the Hooghly. Two decades on, with four ships and houseboats, ABN is the most experienced operator on India’s greatest Himalayan rivers.
Our milestones
A meeting of minds
Andrew Brock and Ashish Phookan meet in Guwahati — both dreaming of cruising the Brahmaputra.
ABN is founded
The Indo-British joint venture is formed by Andrew & Grania Brock and Ashish & Jahnabi Phookan.
We pioneer river cruising in India
The first long-distance cruises on the Brahmaputra in Assam.
National Tourism Award
Honoured with the Indian National Tourism Award for Innovation.
First on the Hooghly
The first to run cruises on the Lower Ganges, between Kolkata and Farakka.
Royal guests
We host HRH Prince William & Catherine, the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, at Diphlu River Lodge.
The most experienced on the river
Four ships and houseboats across the Brahmaputra and the Ganges.
Our family
Two families, two countries, one shared love of India’s great rivers — now into a second generation.
Andrew Brock
Chairman. Eton & Oxford; Asian river navigation in his blood — his grandfather was a Director of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company.
Ashish Phookan
Managing Director. A background in wildlife travel and tea; founded Jungle Travels India in Guwahati in 1989.
Jahnabi Phookan
Co-founder. A champion of sustainable livelihoods for rural women; former National President of FICCI’s women’s wing, FLO.
Antara Phookan
Second generation. Director of Business Development & Design — reimagining the fleet with the vernacular craft of Assam and Bengal.
Diphlu River Lodge
We also own and operate the award-winning eco-safari lodge, Diphlu River Lodge, set in a prime position on the edge of Kaziranga National Park — and the childhood home of Ashish Phookan.
In 2016, we were proud to welcome HRH Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, to the lodge — a quiet measure of the place ABN holds in this corner of India.
In good company
Among the world’s top 10 adventure cruises.
Among the world’s 40 best cruising holidays.