Guest Speaker 
Deluxe Stateroom
15% Ponant Bonus
19 m2
2
Treasures of India
Mumbai (ex Bombay) - Colombo
Dates:
23/1/2023
to
1/2/2023
days
nights on board
PONANT invites you to discover the wonders of India and Sri Lanka, during a 10-day cruise from Mumbai to Colombo. Let yourself fall under the spell of these eastern lands bordered by the Indian Ocean and influenced by Buddhist and Hindu traditions.
You will board Le Champlain in Mumbai, India’s cultural and economic capital. Make sure you visit the Elephanta Caves, a Hindu sanctuary on an island off the coast, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station (formerly known as Victoria Terminus), a remarkable example of Victorian neo-gothic architecture: both sites are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Then, you will discover Goa, a former colony of the Portuguese Indies. Goa is prized for its beaches and its rich cultural heritage, in particular a collection of late 16th-century churches and convents, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Your ship will then arrive in Kerala, on Malabar Coast, in south-western India. From Cochin, a former royal town where the air is rich with the aroma of cardamom and cloves, this port of call will also be the opportunity to discover, aboard traditional boats, the fishing villages settled along the banks of the “backwaters”, a network of lakes and canals that criss-cross the lush landscapes of Kerala. Then you will set sail towards Trivandrum, where you will have the opportunity to visit Padmanabhapuram Palace, one of the finest examples of traditional Kerala architecture.
In Galle, you will be able to admire the fortifications of the old town, testimony to its Portuguese and Dutch heritage and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Finally, Le Champlain will call at Colombo, the Sri Lankan capital located at the crossroads of the sea trade between Europe and Asia.
Ref : EC230123
Your itinerary
Discover cultural and natural treasures of Sri Lanka and India. UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the churches and convents of Goa, the Elephanta Caves and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station (formerly...
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Your trip in detail
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Additional services
For more peace of mind, PONANT selects flights and takes care of your transfers for your trip as well as shore visits before and after the cruise.
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LE JACQUES-CARTIER
- New
LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
L'AUSTRAL
4/11/2022 to the 20/11/2022
- New
LE LAPEROUSE
9/11/2022 to the 23/11/2022
LE LYRIAL
*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
Services provided
- 24h room service
- Butler service and priority boarding : Owner’s suite, Grand de Luxe Suite, Privilege Suites, Prestige Suite Deck 6
- Inclusive Internet access Wifi (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Selection of Hermès top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar included
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Two ADA staterooms
Select your stateroom category
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
Depending on the itinerary and the program of your cruise, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
ACCESSORIES:
- Polarized sunglasses
- Swimsuit (for the Spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
- Hat/cap
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Highlights
- Discover cultural and natural treasures of Sri Lanka and India.
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the churches and convents of Goa, the Elephanta Caves and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station (formerly known as Victoria Terminus) in Mumbai; and in Sri Lanka, the old town of Galle and its fortifications.
- Overnight in Cochin: discover Kerala’s lush landscapes during an excursion in the “backwaters”: rivers edged with palm trees, rice paddies, fishing villages.
- Overnight in Mumbai: visit of the city, its architectural heritage, the Elephanta Caves and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum.
- Before your cruise: possibility of discovering Agra, Jaipur and the emblematic Taj Mahal.
- After your cruise, possibility of visiting the temples of Colombo and the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Dambulla and Polonnaruwa.
Ports of Call & Excursions
23 January 2023 24 January 2023 - Mumbai (ex Bombay)
Embarkation 23/1/2023 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Departure 24/1/2023 at 6:30 pm
Mumbai, a fascinating city located on the Arabian Sea, will give you a real immersion in Hindu culture. You will be able to discover the Elephanta Caves that are home to collection of rock art typical of the cult of Shiva. Don’t miss out on visiting the Gandhi Museum and House, dedicated to the memory of the man who played a vital role in the emancipation and independence of India, or the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station (formerly known as Victoria Terminus), the finest example of Victorian architecture in India. In the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya museum, you will find very fine collections of sculptures, miniatures and portraits of the man who would become King George V.
25 January 2023 - At sea
Arrival 25/1/2023
Departure 25/1/2023
During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
26 January 2023 - Marmugao (Goa)
Arrival 26/1/2023 early morning
Departure 26/1/2023 late afternoon
Marmugao is a sub-district of South Goa located in the state of Goa, in India. This is where the state’s main maritime port is to be found. Renowned around the world for its climate, the beauty of its beaches, its rice paddies and its waterfalls, Goa will surprise you with the cultural and religious heritage of its old town. It has a great many 16th- and 17th-century churches, making up a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Basilica of Bom Jesus but also Hindu temples and mosques. The Goa Chitra Museum, Goa’s main ethnographic museum, is also worth a visit.
27 January 2023 - At sea
Arrival 27/1/2023
Departure 27/1/2023
During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
28 January 2023 29 January 2023 - Cochin
Arrival 28/1/2023 early morning
Departure 29/1/2023 late afternoon
An important port in the South-West of India, Cochin (Kochi) is one of the most beautiful on the Malabar Coast where the scent of cardamom mingles with cloves. It was here that Vasco de Gama disembarked over 500 years ago. But how many Phoenicians, Greeks, Arabs and Romans dropped anchor before him in the turquoise waters of the Arabian Sea? So many nations, at a time when pepper from Malabar was almost as precious as gold, left these shores laden with precious spices. Today, the city, a surprising metropolis with multiple identities, has a rich cultural and natural heritage combining former colonial residences, ancestral fishing methods and charming landscapes in the backwaters.
30 January 2023 - Trivandrum
Arrival 30/1/2023 early morning
Departure 30/1/2023 early afternoon
Capital of the State of Kerala, Trivandrum boasts a rich and colourful past. Constructed on seven hills, the “green city of India”, as Gandhi called it, is home to sumptuous Victorian buildings, vestiges of British colonisation. You will also be able to admire superb examples of traditional architecture, such as Padmanabhapuram Palace. A former residence of Kerala princes, this elegant wooden palace from the 16th century is composed of three levels evoking the shape of a Far Eastern pagoda. Entering and roaming its maze of galleries, halls and corridors is like plunging into the lavish life of the Travancore kings.
31 January 2023 - Galle
Arrival 31/1/2023 midday
Departure 31/1/2023 early evening
Discover Galle, one of Sri Lanka’s oldest cities. Thanks to its commercial port, from which were exported spices and precious stones, Galle was once the country’s most major city. Colonised by the Portuguese and later by the Dutch, today it still bears traces of this colonial past. When your ship calls here, have a wander around the old town and its fortifications, which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage. Built by the Portuguese at the end of the 16th century, they are perfectly preserved. To learn more about daily and rural life in Sri Lanka, do not miss the visit to the Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Art Museum in Koggala, not far from Galle.
1 February 2023 - Colombo
Arrival 1/2/2023 early morning
Disembarkation 1/2/2023 at 7:00 am
A former trading post along the Silk Route, the old quarter of Colombo offers you the fabulous sight of its picturesque streets. The city was known to Arab, Persian and Chinese traders as early as the 8th century and this former village, nestled between two dunes, was a trading post on the mythical Spice Route. Today the economic capital of Sri Lanka, the city offers picture-postcard scenery with its beaches stretching languorously along the south-western coast of the country. Here the sand dazzles you and the sea invites you to dream...
Caves of Elephantas
From the pier, board your coach to visit the Gateway of India, the city’s most widely recognised landmark. Built in 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary, the archway was originally conceived as an entry point for people arriving on steamers from England. Today, the gateway serves as a launching point for your own exploration of the Elephanta Temple. Embark aboard a motor boat and enjoy the approximately one hour and thirty-minute cruise to Elephanta Island.
More than a thousand years ago, Hindu craftsmen carved columns and sculptures out of a series of caves, located on an island off the shores of Mumbai. They created a temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Portuguese named the island Elephanta, after the discovery of a large statue of an elephant, near the spot where they docked their ships.
From the jetty you will walk approximately 15 minutes to the base of the long stairway which leads to the caves. Enter the temple and discover a magnificent sculpture of Shiva as Nataraj, showing an enraptured expression as he removes the veil of ignorance. The most outstanding sculpture is a bust of Trimurti: the three-faced Shiva representing the Hindu trinity, Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. In other panels, Shiva is depicted as servant of humanity as he brought the River Ganges to Earth. At his most fearsome, he crushed the demon of Andhaka.
Finally, re-board your motorboat for your way back to Mumbai.
- This tour involves 0.6 miles (1km) of walking on uneven, slippery ground with approximately 125 long steps each way. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun and from mosquitoes. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered). Boats are non-air conditioned but are covered. Guests are advised to mind their belongings at all times and not carry large denominations of money. Please note that transfer durations are calculated on the basis of fluid traffic and Mumbai is a crowded city. It is likely that these schedules may vary.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Mumbai masalas
From the pier, board your coach and head to Chor Bazaar, which means thieves’ market. The famous market is a must-see of Mumbai, with its colourful and vibrant stalls, displaying a myriad of wares ranging from electrical and household goods to antiques and teak furniture. This remarkable sight will reveal the authenticity and the charm of Mumbai. Explore the stalls, discovering everything from genuine bargains to mass-produced junk ranging from clocks, paintings, toasters, old maps, china, rocking chairs and delicate crystals.
Re-board your coach and head to Colaba Causeway for time at leisure. Whether you choose to walk along the waterfront admiring the grand Taj Mahal Palace hotel or wander around the bustling streets of Colaba, your senses will be all active in this mix of scents and colours. Take the opportunity to try your hand at haggling for some local souvenirs to take back home.
Then, get back to your coach and make your way back to the pier.
- This tour involves 0.3 miles (500m) of walking on flat ground with few steps and 1 hour of free time. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and light clothes, bring water from the ship and protect yourself from the sun and from mosquitoes. Chor Bazaar will be very crowded; guests must stay with the guide at all times. Guests are advised to mind their belongings at all times and not carry large denominations of money. Please note that transfer durations are calculated on the basis of fluid traffic and Mumbai is a crowded city. It is likely that these schedules may vary.
Price range:
Find out more
€: the excursion price is less than €50.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Culture of Mumbai
From the pier, embark your coach to visit one of the most famous markets in Mumbai—Crawford Market. It is housed in a building that looks like something out of Victorian London but is overrun with a crazy riot of local colour, including the chaotic wholesale cloth market with a tremendous variety of fabrics across hundreds of indoor stalls.
Continue your drive to the Churchgate Railway Station. Spend some time watching the dabbawalas, members of the Mumbai Tiffin Box Suppliers Association. Every day, 4,000 of these intrepid entrepreneurs deliver fresh, home-cooked food from 100,000 suburban kitchens to offices in the downtown area. The meals are carried, dangling from shoulder-poles and bicycle handlebars, or stacked on decorated handcarts, to their hungry recipients.
Your next visit will be to one of the oldest surviving structures in Mumbai: the temple complex of Banganga. It is situated at the southern side of Malabar Hill close to the Arabian Sea. At the centre of the complex lies a rectangular pool of holy water where locals bathe as part of their ritual. They believe the waters have special healing powers. The source of the spring is said to be an underground offshoot of the Ganges, and the waters are considered just as sacred as those of the great river itself.
Returning to the city centre, you will drive past the Haji Ali Shrine situated on a small islet. It is a mausoleum to a Muslim saint. Believers come here to ask his help as it is said that the saint is very responsive to the prayers of pilgrims. Continue your excursion with an orientation drive through Mumbai passing prominent landmarks such as Flora Fountain, the university and Victoria Terminus. The latter is a most remarkable railway station, inspired by St Pancras Station in London. It was built during Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee year and is an extraordinary conglomeration of domes, spires, Corinthian columns and minarets. The first train in India left from this station in 1853. Nowadays, half-a-million commuters use the station every day.
After the visit, drive back to the pier.
- This tour involves 0.7 miles (1.2km) of walking on uneven ground with steps. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and clothes and protect yourself from the sun and from mosquitoes. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered). Guests are advised to mind their belongings at all times and not carry large denominations of money. Order of visits may change or operate in reverse due to traffic/other unforeseen circumstances.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Ethnographic museum & Portuguese mansion
From the pier, board your coach for the 1¼ hour-drive to Goa Chitra Museum, the first and only ethnographic museum of Goa. The museum has a unique collection and display of original farming implements and other ancient tools of trade, set against the backdrop of a traditional organic farm.
Goa Chitra is a monumental testament to one man single-handed quest to collect and preserve Goa timeless agrarian technology and lifestyle. There are currently more than 4,000 artefacts on display here: collectibles pottery, farming tools, musical instruments, ancient carts and palanquins. Goa Chitra also showcases an organic farm for the cultivation of various vegetables, herbs, spices, sugar cane and rice?–?all staples of the area. Founded and administered by Victor Hugo Gomes, the Goa Chitra Museum has been rated by the Archaeological Survey of India as the “top contemporary museum” in India.
Next, passing by the Holy Spirit Church Square, proceed for the Figueiredo Mansion, belonging to the most influential family of Goa for over 400 years. Built in 1590, the Figueiredo Mansion predates the Taj Mahal by decades. It was designed by Jesuit priests from nearby Rachol Seminary to accommodate a newly converted goan family?–?the Podiars, who took the name Figueiredo. The house sumptuous interior stands in studied contrast to the natural beauty of the paddy fields and coconut trees that surround it. In the 18th century, as the family was rising in power, the house was suitably augmented to achieve its current proportions.
After the visit, enjoy an authentic goan lunch.
On the way back to the pier, a stop will be made at the Mormugao market with its strong Portuguese influence. Here, you can see fresh fruits and colourful local vegetables.
- This tour involves approximately 1 km (0.6 mi) of walking. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Churches of Old Goa
From the pier, embark your coach and take the direction of the basilica of Bom Jésus. Goa has many impressive churches and convents, all of which have become UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Today, visitors come and appreciate the imposing façades and altars of these wonderfully well-maintained churches. The legendary 16th-century missionary Saint Francis Xavier tomb lies at the basilica of Bom Jesus and is visited by pilgrims from all over the world.
A short walk will lead you to the Saint Catherine cathedral, which was commissioned to be “a grandiose church worthy of the wealth, power and fame of the Portuguese who dominated the seas from the Atlantic to the Pacific”. With its exterior Tuscan design, it is still larger than any other church in Portugal and said to be the largest in Asia.
Not far from the cathedral, discover the church of Saint Cajetan, modelled on Saint Peter’s in Rome. Its neoclassical facade, with twin towers flanking the great dome, disguises an interior that is pure, unrestrained baroque.
Finally, you will visit the Saint Augustin tower. The church was built on top of the Monte Santo (Holy Hill), between 1597 and 1602 by Augustinian friars who landed in Goa in 1587. The church was considered as one of the three great Augustinian churches in the Iberian world along with El Escorial and the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora. Currently, only half the tower remains, and it is one of the most visited landmarks in Goa.
- The drive to and from Old Goa takes approximately 1½ hour in each direction. This tour involves approximately 1 km (0.6 mi) of walking. Photo and video are not allowed inside the churches and the cathedral. appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees covered). We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Farniente on Goan beach
The wonderful land of contrasts – Goa, is also renowned for its beaches. Your destination is the Caravela Beach Resort.
Caravela Beach Resort is one of the finest luxury beach hotels in Goa. As one of the first few five-star hotels in Goa, it enjoys the distinct and unparalleled advantage of proximity to the beach and is in the midst of lush greenery around the property. The hotel features one of Goa’s largest pools, a 9-hole golf course and an Ayurveda Centre.
Included in your programme are: round-trip transfers, a non-alcoholic welcome beverage, buffet lunch, access to showers, pool area and a lounge chair on the beach.
- The drive to and from the resort takes approximately 1½ h in each direction. This tour is not guided, however a local representative will accompany you during the entire programme and answer any questions you may have while at the resort. Bring your swimsuit and protect yourself from the sun. Beach towel from the hotel is provided. Beverages with lunch are limited to bottled water, one local beer and tea or coffee.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Harbour cruise & Kathakali performance
From the pier, take a short transfer to the boat jetty and embark on a small boat for an idyllic trip through the waters of the city. For centuries, these canals have provided a safe and efficient means of transportation for goods and people moving between the heartland and the port towns along the coast.
In the comfort of your boat, glide along shimmering waterways past the Gundu and Vypeen islands. Get a glimpse of the large, graceful Chinese fishing nets that line the shore of Fort Cochin. Observe Kerala lifestyles as your boat drifts past old harbour buildings and private homes.
At the end of the one-hour cruise, your boat will drop you off at the jetty at Fort Cochin. Most of Cochin historical buildings are located in Fort Cochin, constructed in 1500 by Portuguese general Alfonzo de Albuquerque. Albuquerque arrived with half a dozen ships bearing settlers and five friars, and built the first European church in India, St. Francis Church. It is a short and pleasant walk along green and leafy streets to a typical English village green. In one corner stands the Church of St. Francis.
Spend a few minutes watching how the Chinese fishing nets are operated. Said to have been introduced by traders from the court of Kublai Khan, they cantilever over the harbour and operate by a system of weights and levers. The nets, on wooden frames, are raised periodically to check the catch.
Your walk will end at the nearby Greenix Village, dedicated to presenting and promoting the various facets of Kerala’s art and culture. A private Kathakali performance and some light refreshments await you at this venue. Kathakali is one of the oldest theatre forms in the world. It originated in the area of south-western India now known as the state of Kerala. It is a well-developed dance drama, where the actors depict characters from the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. The Kathakali dance performance is very dramatic and is enacted with elaborate masks and costumes. Kathakali recitals are emotive and narrative, and combine dance with dialogue to bring myth and legend to life in the temple courtyards of Kerala.
- This tour involves approximately 2 km (1.2 miles of walking). At St. Francis Church, you may have to remove your shoes to enter. On Sundays, the visit of St. Francis church will be limited to a photo-stop. Wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Alleypey backwaters cruise by houseboat
One of the highlights of Kerala is the backwaters and their traditional houseboats that glide through one of India’s most beautiful and tranquil landscapes, a rural expanse of verdant coconut groves and rice paddies.
Depart Cochin by coach for a 1 ¾-hour journey passing through small villages where the locals go about their daily life. On arrival in Alappuzha (formerly known as Alleppey), board your houseboat. Care is taken to use only natural products when building these boats. Bamboo mats, sticks and wood of areca palm are used for the roofing, coir mats and wooden planks for the flooring, and wood of coconut trees and coir for beds. For lighting though, solar panels are used.
The term “backwaters” refers to the intermeshed network of rivers, lakes, canals and lagoons that tie together the coastal and interior regions south of Cochin. For centuries, these canals provided a safe and efficient means of transportation for goods and people moving between the heartland of Kerala and the port towns along the coast. Even today, traditional barges, or kettuvallams, haul coconut, pepper, rice and other goods along the waterways.
Relax on board while drifting along shimmering waterways lined with dense tropical vegetation and observe rural Kerala lifestyles from the comfortable boat deck.
The landscape ranges from narrow canals walled in with thick greenery, to open vistas of brilliant green paddy fields or large open lagoons. Peering through the trees, you will see churches, mosques and temples. On the water edge, notice villagers bathing and scrubbing their clothes, and sometimes washing their buffaloes.
As your cruise comes to an end, stop for lunch at a resort located on the shores of the lagoon surrounded by green palm trees.
After lunch, get back to your boat for a short transfer back to your coach for your journey back to Cochin.
- This tour involves very little walking. The transfer to and from Alleppey takes approximately 1 ¾ hour in each direction. The houseboat cruise takes approximately 2 ½ hour. The houseboat is not air-conditioned but offers shade. Protect yourself from the sun. Each houseboat has a capacity of 35 guests.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Life in Viakom
An hour’s drive from Cochin is the village of Viakom, a temple town surrounded by the backwaters of Kerala. One of the oldest villages in Kerala, Viakom offers a good depiction of rural life, where education and employment are of a high standard and life is simple.
On arrival, you will be given a traditional welcome by the villagers before strolling through the village to see what a typical day is like here. Watch the ladies weaving coir ropes from dried coconut husks, see straw mats being woven out of wild pineapple leaves and watch the local potter create a range of pots and vases, depicting ethnic designs in clay. Visit the inside of a local house and interact with the family members.
Then take a short walk to a small jetty where you board a local country-made canoe for a short leisurely cruise down the narrow canals. These narrow canals range from 1.2 metre (4 feet) in depth before entering into the main backwaters, which are much deeper. The canoe ride passes through coconut palm groves posing as a canopy in providing shade and a cool atmosphere.
Walking to the outskirts of the village, you will be able to visit a khadi weaving centre where you can see villagers produce hand-spun and hand-woven cloth out of cotton, silk or wool yarns. Khadi is not just a cloth in India but a whole movement started by Mahatma Gandhi, who promoted the idea that Indians could be self-sufficient on cotton and free from the high-priced goods and cloths which the British were selling them.
- This tour involves approximately 1 km (0.6 mile) of walking. You will be sitting on plastic chairs on the canoe. Embarkation and disembarkation of the canoe are done directly along the shoreline, there will be staff to help you get in and out. Wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Highlights of Cochin
A trading port since ancient times, Cochin has a relaxed seaport lifestyle that has changed little over the centuries. From the pier, embark your coach and start your journey, by the sea. Discover the large, graceful Chinese fishing nets that line the shore, first introduced by traders from the Court of Kublai Khan.
Then, enjoy a short and pleasant walk to the typical English village green. In one corner stands the Church of St. Francis, said to be the oldest European church in India. Its simple style is only enhanced by the handsome floor tiles that line the main aisle. Another sign of architectural simplicity of the church is the punkahs, or large cloth fans. Suspended above the parishioners and operated manually from outside the church, the fans are a relic from colonial times.
Continue to the Indo Portuguese museum, which currently houses some outstanding collections and is well known for its artistic and architectural marvels, witness of the strong Portuguese influence.
Finally conclude your tour by stopping at a local synagogue. The surrounding area which you will discover on foot, is still called Jew Town, and is a fascinating mix of antique shops, warehouses, and spice auction rooms.
- This tour involves approximately 650m (0.4 mile) of walking, on uneven ground with steps. At St. Francis Church, you may have to remove your shoes to enter. Photos or videos are not allowed at the Portuguese Museum. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Kuthiramalika Palace & art gallery
Be introduced to Trivandrum, the easy-going and energetic capital of Kerala, filled with Victorian-style buildings, major art museums and 200-year-old Travancore maharaja palaces. Your tour includes the visits of the following sights (order of the visits may vary to avoid overcrowding):
Kuthiramalika Palace, built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal of Travancore. During your visit, marvel at its collections of the royal family such as wood carvings, paintings and various priceless artwork.
Chithralayam Art Gallery, hosting a collection of rare historical photos of the city, various celebrations, the royal family members and Travancore, an Indian kingdom (1729-1949) .
Sree Padmanabaswami Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture. You will only see the temple from the pathway, as non-Hindus are not allowed within the courtyard.
Chalai Market is an old shopping area, with a market spread through a narrow 2 km (1.2 mi) road.
Panoramic drive through the town via MG Road to discover the contrast between Trivandrum heritage and Indian modern life.
- This tour involves approximately 500 m (0.3 mi) of walking. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun. You will be asked to remove your shoes to enter the art gallery and palace.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Virgin white tea & Galle fort
The only producer of Virgin White tea in Sri Lanka resides about 45 minutes away from the port city of Galle at the Handunugoda Tea Estate. While originally produced in China for the Imperial Emperor, the estate has taken on the task of recreating the exact recipe and following the tradition that ensures that the only human part that comes into contact with the tea is the lips.
On arrival, make your way to the owner’s bungalow, sit and enjoy a cup of tea and cake while asking him about the tea process and plantation. After tea, make your way down to the plantation itself where you are able to watch the plucking process while listening to an informative explanation on the culture of tea. Then, head into the factory, where you are able to see the old machinery still in use. Your tour will finish with the opportunity to taste a great number of different teas including the Virgin White tea.
From here, you will make your way back to Galle to explore the fort which was originally built by the Portuguese and then modified by the Dutch during the 17th century. Even today, after 400 years of existence, it looks new and polished with reconstruction work done by the Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka.
Step back in time, as your guide brings the colourful history of the fort to life, during a guided walking tour. Weave your way along the narrow lanes, pass through the courtyard to the Dutch Hospital shopping complex, before viewing the Lighthouse, Clock Tower and the Ramparts.
Before heading back to the pier, enjoy some time at leisure inside the Galle fort premises. You may like to purchase some souvenirs.
- This tour involves 0.3 miles (500m) walk on uneven path with steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. It is possible to purchase souvenirs inside the Tea shop in the estate. Please note that only Sri Lankan Rupees and USD will be accepted. Drones are not allowed.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Stilt fishermen & virgin white tea
The only producer of Virgin White tea in Sri Lanka resides about 45 minutes away from the port city of Galle at the Handunugoda Tea Estate. While originally produced in China for the Imperial Emperor, the estate has taken on the task of recreating the exact recipe and following the tradition that ensures that the only human part that comes into contact with the tea is the lips.
On arrival, make your way to the owner’s bungalow, sit and enjoy a cup of tea and cake while asking him about the tea process and plantation. After tea, make your way down to the plantation itself where you are able to watch the plucking process while listening to an informative explanation on the culture of tea. Then, head into the factory, where you are able to see the old machinery still in use.
From here, make your way to Koggala to experience the ever-famous stilt fishermen engaging in their daily catch. Stilt fishing is an age-old fishing method in Sri Lanka and remains as a scenic icon in the southern coastal belt today. Notice how carefully balanced the fishermen are as they position themselves on the thin stilt during the low tide to fish in the rising waters of the high tide. It is a picturesque sight
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. It is possible to purchase souvenirs inside the Tea shop in the estate. Please note that only Sri Lankan Rupees and USD will be accepted.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Galle city tour
From the pier, board your coach and travel to Koggala for a visit to the Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum. The museum currently holds over a thousand artifacts of Sri Lankan rural life, providing a vast and unique storehouse of knowledge of local folk culture and technology going back several centuries. Sections are dedicated to Buddhist religious artifacts, the evolution of the Sinhala alphabet, an agricultural village, musical instruments and much, much more.
From here, you will make your way back to Galle to explore the fort which was originally built by the Portuguese and then modified by the Dutch during the 17th century. Even today, after 400 years of existence, it looks new and polished with reconstruction work done by the Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka.
Step back in time, as your guide brings the colourful history of the fort to life, during a guided walking tour. Weave your way along the narrow lanes, pass through the courtyard to the Dutch Hospital shopping complex, before viewing the Lighthouse, Clock Tower and the Ramparts.
Before heading back to the pier, enjoy some time at leisure inside the Galle fort premises. You may like to purchase some souvenirs.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Le Champlain
Like the rest of the PONANT EXPLORERS series, Le Champlain successfully manages to subtly combine the desire to explore the remotest regions of the planet with the comfort and privacy of a cosily intimate ship.
To the innovative and environmentally friendly equipment are added elegant design and a unique atmosphere in keeping with the whole PONANT universe. Your dream of a cruise onboard a cosily intimate ship is thus made possible through the combination of an authentically genuine voyage experience together with discreet luxury.
Up to 184 Guests
92 staterooms & suites
118 crew members
Spa
2 restaurants
Decks
Guest Speaker
Aboard your ship, an English-speaking lecturer will enlighten you about the culture and history of your destination to deepen your knowledge of the origins of local traditions, the history of emblematic sites, and stories involving famous personalities and those of major historical significance. During on-board lectures or on your shore visits, this expert will be there to share their precious knowledge with you throughout your PONANT cruise.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
THE JEWELS OF INDIA: AGRA AND JAIPUR (4 NIGHTS)
Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Take advantage of five days to explore the marvels of Agra and Jaipur. Learn the history of the Mughal builders and visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal, mausoleum of white marble. Visit the Pink city of Jaipur and the impressive Amber Fort. Reach Mumbai by plane and enjoy a panoramic tour of the ancient Bombay before embarking. This programme will be an ideal prelude to your cruise.
Day 1 - New Delhi
Meet at the New Delhi airport in the Arrival Hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local English-speaking representative off the flight selected by PONANT or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).
You will be transferred to Shangri-La's - Eros Hotel 5*.
Check-in your room.
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 2 - New Delhi/Agra
Breakfast and check out.
You will depart the capital city of India by coach to the city of Agra, approximately a 4.5-hour drive.
Check-in your room at the hotel ITC Mughal 5*.
Lunch will be served at the hotel.
Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today, a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices of red sandstone and white marble, narrow allies and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains.
You will depart the hotel for an afternoon tour which will take you first to Agra Fort. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565 AD and is predominantly made of red sandstone. The vast halls echo the voices of a bygone era and transport the visitor back through the passage of time.
Continue with the visit of Itimâd-Ud-Daulâ mausoleum (also known as baby Taj).
The Tomb of Itimâd-Ud-Daulâ was constructed by the Mughal queen Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628 where her father Itimad Ud Daula was buried. Itimad Ud Daula or Mirza Ghiyas-ud-din or Ghiyas Beg was the father of Nur Jahan, the Mughal empress and wife of Jahangir. He was later also made a minister and a trusted treasurer in Akbar's court. It was as a tribute to him, that Nur Jahan built the mausoleum after his death. The first example of a tomb built on a riverbank in India, the Itimad Ud Daula tomb houses the body of Mirza Ghiyas Beg, the father Mughal Empress Noor Jahan who again was Emperor Jahangir's wife.
Then, return to the hotel and enjoy dinner included.
Day 3 - Agra/Jaipur
After an earlier breakfast, explore the iconic Taj Mahal in the morning to discover this architectural marvel, the highlight of the day.
Commissioned by Mughul emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, this beautiful mausoleum in pure white marble is an architectural marvel. Built as a lasting love between 1632 and 1648, its unique beauty and intricate execution contribute to its place as one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World. This famous monument stands for a lasting love.
The glory of this monument is strangely undiminished by the crowds of tourists who visit each day, as small and insignificant as ants in the face of this immense and captivating monument.
Then, you will return to the hotel for having breakfast and rest.
After lunch, you will be taken to Agra Railway Station to embark on board the train to Jaipur (approximately 4-hour).
Jaipur, "The City of Victory", was first intended to be "Sawai Jaipur", named after the boy After earlier breakPrince who commissioned it - Maharaja Jai Singh II - a warrior, astronomer and politician who reigned over the Mughals from 1699 to 1743. Today's Jaipur is pink and visually described as the city shaded with the autumn colours of a sunset. Although originally the walls were render-set and pigmented the colour of red sandstone, Jaipur's universal coat of pink only came in 1876 to coincide with the visit of the Prince of Wales (King Edward VII). Almost the entire city was given a coat of pink paint, thus giving it the name "The Pink City".
Upon arrival in Jaipur, transfer to the Jai Mahal Palace 5*.
Check-in followed by time at leisure.
Dinner included.
Day 4 - Jaipur
After breakfast, proceed for an excursion to Amber Fort, stop en route at Hawa Mahal for photos. Known as the "Palace of the Winds", its beautiful façade is probably the most photographed in Jaipur, with its ornately carved windows designed so the ladies of the palace could look out onto the streets unobserved.
Upon arrival at Amber Fort, tour the chambers and hallways of the palace, famous for the excellence of its design and decoration. Within the complex is Ganesh Pol, an imposing gateway painted with the images of the elephant-headed god, Ganesh.
The merging of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles is captured in the Sukh Niwas and Jas Mandir apartments and the Charbagh Garden, with its perfectly proportioned landscaping. Pierced screen windows offer views from different vantage points & shimmering mirrors cover the walls of Sheesh Mahal.
Continue to the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing (AMHP). The museum displays a varied selection of block printed textiles alongside images, tools and related objects - all chosen to provide an in-depth look into the complexity of this ancient tradition.
Like crafts worldwide, the block printing industry faces serious challenges trying to keep pace with modern manufacturing. The Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing addresses this fragile situation primarily through education. Dedicated to the art of block printing, AMHP strives to inform both textile specialists and public alike; but more importantly, the artisans themselves are encouraged to visit and view their craft in a unique and inspirational way.
You will then shuttle to a local hotel for lunch.
In the afternoon, visit the Jantar Mantar Observatory. It was built in the 1700s but still appears to be futuristic. It houses unique instruments for measuring the harmony of the heavens!
Continue your visit to the City Palace to discover the Maharaja's private collection of textiles and the armoury.
Then proceed to Albert hall by a cycle rickshaw for a photo stop. Albert Hall gets its name from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the inspiration for its design. The exquisitely built Albert Hall is housed in the centre of Ram Niwas Garden. Sir Swinton Jacob conceptualised and designed it, using styles from the Indo-Saracenic architecture, and the Prince of Wales laid the foundation stone of the building in 1876.
Return to your hotel and enjoy some free time to relax before dinner.
Day 5 - Jaipur/Mumbai
Following an early breakfast and check-out, transfer to airport for the morning flight to Mumbai. Upon arrival, you will be taken to a local restaurant for lunch.
After lunch, you will depart for a panoramic drive around Mumbai city highlights. You will pass by the Gateway of India Indo-Saracenic archway built in 1911, the Victoria Terminus railway station built during Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee year, the University established in 1857 and the Clock tower.
The tour will end at the port to embark aboard your ship.
Your hotels:
The five-star hotel Shangri-La's - Eros New Delhi is situated at the heart of the bustling capital of New Delhi. With panoramic views from the Horizon Club, and luxurious facilities, the hotel provides a peaceful escape. Rooms offer modern amenities. The hotel has a fitness centre and a spa.
Sprawled over 24 acres of luxurious gardens, and near the Taj Mahal, ITC Mughal hotel 5* in Agra is a tribute to the Mughal architecture. It comprises of 233 rooms and suites, recreating a little paradise in the luxury of a Royal Refuge. It has two stunning Swimming Pools, and one of the largest spa in the country.
Built in 1745, the Jai Mahal Palace 5* is a stunning piece of Rajasthan's heritage, set amidst 18 acres of landscaped gardens. It has been the residence of three Prime Ministers of the princely state of Jaipur. It is now a luxury five-star hotel located in the heart of the Pink City. The 100 rooms and suites are equipped with all modern-day comforts.
Higher categories of rooms are available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel agent for further detail.
Your programme includes:
- 1-night accommodation in Deluxe room at the Shangri-La's - Eros Hotel, New Delhi (or similar) including breakfast.
- 1-night accommodation in Mughal Standard room at the ITC Mughal Hotel, Agra (or similar) including breakfast.
- 2-nights'accommodation in Luxury room at the Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur (or similar) including breakfast.
- Meals as mentioned on the programme.
- Beverages package during meals (mineral water + 1 soft drink or 1 local beer + 1 coffee or tea).
- Transfers, visits, activities, and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.
- Porterage at hotels and airports.
- Services of local English-speaking guides.
- Train journey Agra-Jaipur by exclusive AC coach.
- A flight in economy class: Jaipur-Mumbai.
Your programme does not include:
- Visa fees.
- Tips for the drivers and local guides.
- Overweight baggage.
- Personal expenses.
- Meals, drinks, and all services not mentioned in the programme.
Please note:
- It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.
- This programme is not recommended for people with back pain or motion sickness due to some long transfers by coach.
- We strongly recommend that all guests contact their medical practitioners prior to travel for advice on the appropriate anti malaria precautions and/or any other inoculations, vaccinations etc.
- We advise you to wear light cotton clothing (avoid synthetic materials) and comfortable shoes. To visit temples, it is advisable to respect dress codes (covering the upper body and legs below the knees.) It will be chilly especially in the early morning and late evening, please pack warm clothes.
- Baggage allowance: 1 piece of baggage with a maximum of weight of 15 kg for the flight Jaipur-Mumbai. We have included 15 extra kg, so you can check-in 1 piece of baggage of a maximum weight of 30 kg. Hand baggage: 1 piece with a maximum weight of 7 kg and the sum of three dimensions shall not exceed 115 cm (56 x 36 x 23 cm) or (22 x 14 x 9 inches). Battery, power bank, mobile charger etc. are not allowed in check-in baggage.
- It will be chilly especially in the early morning and late evening, please pack warm clothes.
- Visits include walking on flat and some uneven surface (from 100 to 800 meters depending the place).
Contact of your hotels:
The Shangri-La's - Eros, New Delhi
19, Ashoka Road, Janpath, Connaught Place,
New Delhi, 110001 India
Telephone: + 91 11 4119 1919
The ITC Mughal, Agra
Fatehabad Rd, Taj Ganj,
Agra, 282001, India
Telephone: + 91 562 402 1700
The Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur
Jacob Road, Civil Lines,
Jaipur, Rajasthan 302006 India
Telephone: + 91 141 222 3636
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : €2,492
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.
TRANSFER FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE PIER OF MUMBAI
Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your transfer between the airport and your port of embarkation.
Mumbai
Meet at Mumbai airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT.
You will depart the airport by coach and be directly taken to the pier to embark on your ship.
Your programme includes:
- Transfers as mentioned in the programme.
- Services of a local English-speaking guide.
Your programme does not include:
- Tips for the driver and local guide.
- Personal expenses
- Other services not mentioned in the programme.
To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : €80
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.
BACKWATERS BY HOUSEBOAT
This overland must be prebooked and prepaid at least 60 days prior to your cruise. Any reservation made after this deadline will be confirmed on board based on availability.
A minimum of participants must be booked in order to operate this tour. 100% of total cost for cancellations made less than 60 days before departure.
These backwaters represent a unique geological formation and are the basis of a distinct lifestyle. Tranquil and alluring, they offer you the experience of a lifetime. Traveling through the backwaters of Kerala is a marvellous experience with the simple, unique pleasures it offers. Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the beautiful backwaters of Kerala in a Kettuvalom (houseboat). Kettuvaloms of Kerala are giant country crafts that were used in the early days to transport goods from the isolated interior villages to the towns.
Day 1:
From the pier, board your vehicle for the two-hour drive covering approximately 70 kms (45 miles) to Alleppey. Your journey will pass through Fort Cochin for a photo stop at the Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Cathedral.
On arrival in Alleppey, board a traditional rice barge (houseboat) for an overnight stay. Leisurely explore the Kerala backwaters while enjoying the comfort of your houseboat. Fringing the coast of Kerala and winding far inland is a vast network of lagoons, lakes, rivers and canals.
Now converted to beautiful dwellings, the houseboats are accommodated with fully furnished bedrooms with adjoining bathrooms, sundeck, open lounge, kitchenette and a crew including a chef, a guide and oarsmen.
Enjoy a traditional lunch that will be served on board.
Float through the placid waters passing palm-fringed canals, lakes and villages and take the time to observe the wild life. Dinner will be served on board.
Day 2:
Breakfast onboard the houseboat and disembarkation.
Follow your guide on a walking tour of Allepey and its famed Mukkackal street. The town is built around a Konkani Brahmin settlement called Mullackal, known for its revered Bhagavathy Temple. Walking in Mullackal is an exhilarating community experience – joyful and vibrant in all respects. Vendors selling spices such as cloves and pepper sit cramped together on this busy road, each competing to sell his product. The scent of flowers and spices is overwhelming in the streets . Most of the shopping for weddings in the region takes place here, and the streets are filled with an air of urgency and jubilation.
Enjoy a TUK TUK ride through the town of Alleppey before boarding your coach for the 2-hour drive to Cochin.
After lunch in a hotel, visit Jew Town, stroll around antique stores, boutiques, and curio shops.
Your Houseboat:
Traditional rice barge (houseboat) for an overnight stay.
Your programme includes:
- Transfers, visits, activities and entrance fees as per programme.
- Meals mentioned in the programme:
- 1 breakfast
- 2 lunches and 1 dinner including 1 bottled water or 1 soft drink and tea or coffee.
- 1 night onboard a traditional houseboat
- Local English-speaking guide.
Your programme does not include:
- Personal expenses.
- Tips for guide and driver.
- Meals, drinks and all services not mentioned in the programme.
Please note?–?Important information:
- The bedrooms onboard the houseboat are air-conditioned, the common areas are not
- Due to government rules no liquor will be served onboard the houseboat
- The houseboat will be moored on the lake at night and will not be moving
- This program involves some long drives Cochin-Alleppey-Cochin (approximately 4 hours)
- It is recommended that guests bring along binoculars, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and comfortable flat shoes.
- This tour is NOT suitable for guests in wheelchairs and those with mobility issues.
- Like on all tourist sites of interest, guests are advised to mind their belongings at all times and not to carry large amounts of cash.
Total : €590
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.
Caves of Elephantas
From the pier, board your coach to visit the Gateway of India, the city’s most widely recognised landmark. Built in 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary, the archway was originally conceived as an entry point for people arriving on steamers from England. Today, the gateway serves as a launching point for your own exploration of the Elephanta Temple. Embark aboard a motor boat and enjoy the approximately one hour and thirty-minute cruise to Elephanta Island.
More than a thousand years ago, Hindu craftsmen carved columns and sculptures out of a series of caves, located on an island off the shores of Mumbai. They created a temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Portuguese named the island Elephanta, after the discovery of a large statue of an elephant, near the spot where they docked their ships.
From the jetty you will walk approximately 15 minutes to the base of the long stairway which leads to the caves. Enter the temple and discover a magnificent sculpture of Shiva as Nataraj, showing an enraptured expression as he removes the veil of ignorance. The most outstanding sculpture is a bust of Trimurti: the three-faced Shiva representing the Hindu trinity, Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. In other panels, Shiva is depicted as servant of humanity as he brought the River Ganges to Earth. At his most fearsome, he crushed the demon of Andhaka.
Finally, re-board your motorboat for your way back to Mumbai.
- This tour involves 0.6 miles (1km) of walking on uneven, slippery ground with approximately 125 long steps each way. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun and from mosquitoes. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered). Boats are non-air conditioned but are covered. Guests are advised to mind their belongings at all times and not carry large denominations of money. Please note that transfer durations are calculated on the basis of fluid traffic and Mumbai is a crowded city. It is likely that these schedules may vary.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Mumbai masalas
From the pier, board your coach and head to Chor Bazaar, which means thieves’ market. The famous market is a must-see of Mumbai, with its colourful and vibrant stalls, displaying a myriad of wares ranging from electrical and household goods to antiques and teak furniture. This remarkable sight will reveal the authenticity and the charm of Mumbai. Explore the stalls, discovering everything from genuine bargains to mass-produced junk ranging from clocks, paintings, toasters, old maps, china, rocking chairs and delicate crystals.
Re-board your coach and head to Colaba Causeway for time at leisure. Whether you choose to walk along the waterfront admiring the grand Taj Mahal Palace hotel or wander around the bustling streets of Colaba, your senses will be all active in this mix of scents and colours. Take the opportunity to try your hand at haggling for some local souvenirs to take back home.
Then, get back to your coach and make your way back to the pier.
- This tour involves 0.3 miles (500m) of walking on flat ground with few steps and 1 hour of free time. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and light clothes, bring water from the ship and protect yourself from the sun and from mosquitoes. Chor Bazaar will be very crowded; guests must stay with the guide at all times. Guests are advised to mind their belongings at all times and not carry large denominations of money. Please note that transfer durations are calculated on the basis of fluid traffic and Mumbai is a crowded city. It is likely that these schedules may vary.
Price range:
Find out more
€: the excursion price is less than €50.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Culture of Mumbai
From the pier, embark your coach to visit one of the most famous markets in Mumbai—Crawford Market. It is housed in a building that looks like something out of Victorian London but is overrun with a crazy riot of local colour, including the chaotic wholesale cloth market with a tremendous variety of fabrics across hundreds of indoor stalls.
Continue your drive to the Churchgate Railway Station. Spend some time watching the dabbawalas, members of the Mumbai Tiffin Box Suppliers Association. Every day, 4,000 of these intrepid entrepreneurs deliver fresh, home-cooked food from 100,000 suburban kitchens to offices in the downtown area. The meals are carried, dangling from shoulder-poles and bicycle handlebars, or stacked on decorated handcarts, to their hungry recipients.
Your next visit will be to one of the oldest surviving structures in Mumbai: the temple complex of Banganga. It is situated at the southern side of Malabar Hill close to the Arabian Sea. At the centre of the complex lies a rectangular pool of holy water where locals bathe as part of their ritual. They believe the waters have special healing powers. The source of the spring is said to be an underground offshoot of the Ganges, and the waters are considered just as sacred as those of the great river itself.
Returning to the city centre, you will drive past the Haji Ali Shrine situated on a small islet. It is a mausoleum to a Muslim saint. Believers come here to ask his help as it is said that the saint is very responsive to the prayers of pilgrims. Continue your excursion with an orientation drive through Mumbai passing prominent landmarks such as Flora Fountain, the university and Victoria Terminus. The latter is a most remarkable railway station, inspired by St Pancras Station in London. It was built during Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee year and is an extraordinary conglomeration of domes, spires, Corinthian columns and minarets. The first train in India left from this station in 1853. Nowadays, half-a-million commuters use the station every day.
After the visit, drive back to the pier.
- This tour involves 0.7 miles (1.2km) of walking on uneven ground with steps. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and clothes and protect yourself from the sun and from mosquitoes. Appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered). Guests are advised to mind their belongings at all times and not carry large denominations of money. Order of visits may change or operate in reverse due to traffic/other unforeseen circumstances.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Ethnographic museum & Portuguese mansion
From the pier, board your coach for the 1¼ hour-drive to Goa Chitra Museum, the first and only ethnographic museum of Goa. The museum has a unique collection and display of original farming implements and other ancient tools of trade, set against the backdrop of a traditional organic farm.
Goa Chitra is a monumental testament to one man single-handed quest to collect and preserve Goa timeless agrarian technology and lifestyle. There are currently more than 4,000 artefacts on display here: collectibles pottery, farming tools, musical instruments, ancient carts and palanquins. Goa Chitra also showcases an organic farm for the cultivation of various vegetables, herbs, spices, sugar cane and rice?–?all staples of the area. Founded and administered by Victor Hugo Gomes, the Goa Chitra Museum has been rated by the Archaeological Survey of India as the “top contemporary museum” in India.
Next, passing by the Holy Spirit Church Square, proceed for the Figueiredo Mansion, belonging to the most influential family of Goa for over 400 years. Built in 1590, the Figueiredo Mansion predates the Taj Mahal by decades. It was designed by Jesuit priests from nearby Rachol Seminary to accommodate a newly converted goan family?–?the Podiars, who took the name Figueiredo. The house sumptuous interior stands in studied contrast to the natural beauty of the paddy fields and coconut trees that surround it. In the 18th century, as the family was rising in power, the house was suitably augmented to achieve its current proportions.
After the visit, enjoy an authentic goan lunch.
On the way back to the pier, a stop will be made at the Mormugao market with its strong Portuguese influence. Here, you can see fresh fruits and colourful local vegetables.
- This tour involves approximately 1 km (0.6 mi) of walking. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Churches of Old Goa
From the pier, embark your coach and take the direction of the basilica of Bom Jésus. Goa has many impressive churches and convents, all of which have become UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Today, visitors come and appreciate the imposing façades and altars of these wonderfully well-maintained churches. The legendary 16th-century missionary Saint Francis Xavier tomb lies at the basilica of Bom Jesus and is visited by pilgrims from all over the world.
A short walk will lead you to the Saint Catherine cathedral, which was commissioned to be “a grandiose church worthy of the wealth, power and fame of the Portuguese who dominated the seas from the Atlantic to the Pacific”. With its exterior Tuscan design, it is still larger than any other church in Portugal and said to be the largest in Asia.
Not far from the cathedral, discover the church of Saint Cajetan, modelled on Saint Peter’s in Rome. Its neoclassical facade, with twin towers flanking the great dome, disguises an interior that is pure, unrestrained baroque.
Finally, you will visit the Saint Augustin tower. The church was built on top of the Monte Santo (Holy Hill), between 1597 and 1602 by Augustinian friars who landed in Goa in 1587. The church was considered as one of the three great Augustinian churches in the Iberian world along with El Escorial and the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora. Currently, only half the tower remains, and it is one of the most visited landmarks in Goa.
- The drive to and from Old Goa takes approximately 1½ hour in each direction. This tour involves approximately 1 km (0.6 mi) of walking. Photo and video are not allowed inside the churches and the cathedral. appropriate dress is recommended to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees covered). We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Farniente on Goan beach
The wonderful land of contrasts – Goa, is also renowned for its beaches. Your destination is the Caravela Beach Resort.
Caravela Beach Resort is one of the finest luxury beach hotels in Goa. As one of the first few five-star hotels in Goa, it enjoys the distinct and unparalleled advantage of proximity to the beach and is in the midst of lush greenery around the property. The hotel features one of Goa’s largest pools, a 9-hole golf course and an Ayurveda Centre.
Included in your programme are: round-trip transfers, a non-alcoholic welcome beverage, buffet lunch, access to showers, pool area and a lounge chair on the beach.
- The drive to and from the resort takes approximately 1½ h in each direction. This tour is not guided, however a local representative will accompany you during the entire programme and answer any questions you may have while at the resort. Bring your swimsuit and protect yourself from the sun. Beach towel from the hotel is provided. Beverages with lunch are limited to bottled water, one local beer and tea or coffee.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Harbour cruise & Kathakali performance
From the pier, take a short transfer to the boat jetty and embark on a small boat for an idyllic trip through the waters of the city. For centuries, these canals have provided a safe and efficient means of transportation for goods and people moving between the heartland and the port towns along the coast.
In the comfort of your boat, glide along shimmering waterways past the Gundu and Vypeen islands. Get a glimpse of the large, graceful Chinese fishing nets that line the shore of Fort Cochin. Observe Kerala lifestyles as your boat drifts past old harbour buildings and private homes.
At the end of the one-hour cruise, your boat will drop you off at the jetty at Fort Cochin. Most of Cochin historical buildings are located in Fort Cochin, constructed in 1500 by Portuguese general Alfonzo de Albuquerque. Albuquerque arrived with half a dozen ships bearing settlers and five friars, and built the first European church in India, St. Francis Church. It is a short and pleasant walk along green and leafy streets to a typical English village green. In one corner stands the Church of St. Francis.
Spend a few minutes watching how the Chinese fishing nets are operated. Said to have been introduced by traders from the court of Kublai Khan, they cantilever over the harbour and operate by a system of weights and levers. The nets, on wooden frames, are raised periodically to check the catch.
Your walk will end at the nearby Greenix Village, dedicated to presenting and promoting the various facets of Kerala’s art and culture. A private Kathakali performance and some light refreshments await you at this venue. Kathakali is one of the oldest theatre forms in the world. It originated in the area of south-western India now known as the state of Kerala. It is a well-developed dance drama, where the actors depict characters from the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. The Kathakali dance performance is very dramatic and is enacted with elaborate masks and costumes. Kathakali recitals are emotive and narrative, and combine dance with dialogue to bring myth and legend to life in the temple courtyards of Kerala.
- This tour involves approximately 2 km (1.2 miles of walking). At St. Francis Church, you may have to remove your shoes to enter. On Sundays, the visit of St. Francis church will be limited to a photo-stop. Wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Alleypey backwaters cruise by houseboat
One of the highlights of Kerala is the backwaters and their traditional houseboats that glide through one of India’s most beautiful and tranquil landscapes, a rural expanse of verdant coconut groves and rice paddies.
Depart Cochin by coach for a 1 ¾-hour journey passing through small villages where the locals go about their daily life. On arrival in Alappuzha (formerly known as Alleppey), board your houseboat. Care is taken to use only natural products when building these boats. Bamboo mats, sticks and wood of areca palm are used for the roofing, coir mats and wooden planks for the flooring, and wood of coconut trees and coir for beds. For lighting though, solar panels are used.
The term “backwaters” refers to the intermeshed network of rivers, lakes, canals and lagoons that tie together the coastal and interior regions south of Cochin. For centuries, these canals provided a safe and efficient means of transportation for goods and people moving between the heartland of Kerala and the port towns along the coast. Even today, traditional barges, or kettuvallams, haul coconut, pepper, rice and other goods along the waterways.
Relax on board while drifting along shimmering waterways lined with dense tropical vegetation and observe rural Kerala lifestyles from the comfortable boat deck.
The landscape ranges from narrow canals walled in with thick greenery, to open vistas of brilliant green paddy fields or large open lagoons. Peering through the trees, you will see churches, mosques and temples. On the water edge, notice villagers bathing and scrubbing their clothes, and sometimes washing their buffaloes.
As your cruise comes to an end, stop for lunch at a resort located on the shores of the lagoon surrounded by green palm trees.
After lunch, get back to your boat for a short transfer back to your coach for your journey back to Cochin.
- This tour involves very little walking. The transfer to and from Alleppey takes approximately 1 ¾ hour in each direction. The houseboat cruise takes approximately 2 ½ hour. The houseboat is not air-conditioned but offers shade. Protect yourself from the sun. Each houseboat has a capacity of 35 guests.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Life in Viakom
An hour’s drive from Cochin is the village of Viakom, a temple town surrounded by the backwaters of Kerala. One of the oldest villages in Kerala, Viakom offers a good depiction of rural life, where education and employment are of a high standard and life is simple.
On arrival, you will be given a traditional welcome by the villagers before strolling through the village to see what a typical day is like here. Watch the ladies weaving coir ropes from dried coconut husks, see straw mats being woven out of wild pineapple leaves and watch the local potter create a range of pots and vases, depicting ethnic designs in clay. Visit the inside of a local house and interact with the family members.
Then take a short walk to a small jetty where you board a local country-made canoe for a short leisurely cruise down the narrow canals. These narrow canals range from 1.2 metre (4 feet) in depth before entering into the main backwaters, which are much deeper. The canoe ride passes through coconut palm groves posing as a canopy in providing shade and a cool atmosphere.
Walking to the outskirts of the village, you will be able to visit a khadi weaving centre where you can see villagers produce hand-spun and hand-woven cloth out of cotton, silk or wool yarns. Khadi is not just a cloth in India but a whole movement started by Mahatma Gandhi, who promoted the idea that Indians could be self-sufficient on cotton and free from the high-priced goods and cloths which the British were selling them.
- This tour involves approximately 1 km (0.6 mile) of walking. You will be sitting on plastic chairs on the canoe. Embarkation and disembarkation of the canoe are done directly along the shoreline, there will be staff to help you get in and out. Wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Highlights of Cochin
A trading port since ancient times, Cochin has a relaxed seaport lifestyle that has changed little over the centuries. From the pier, embark your coach and start your journey, by the sea. Discover the large, graceful Chinese fishing nets that line the shore, first introduced by traders from the Court of Kublai Khan.
Then, enjoy a short and pleasant walk to the typical English village green. In one corner stands the Church of St. Francis, said to be the oldest European church in India. Its simple style is only enhanced by the handsome floor tiles that line the main aisle. Another sign of architectural simplicity of the church is the punkahs, or large cloth fans. Suspended above the parishioners and operated manually from outside the church, the fans are a relic from colonial times.
Continue to the Indo Portuguese museum, which currently houses some outstanding collections and is well known for its artistic and architectural marvels, witness of the strong Portuguese influence.
Finally conclude your tour by stopping at a local synagogue. The surrounding area which you will discover on foot, is still called Jew Town, and is a fascinating mix of antique shops, warehouses, and spice auction rooms.
- This tour involves approximately 650m (0.4 mile) of walking, on uneven ground with steps. At St. Francis Church, you may have to remove your shoes to enter. Photos or videos are not allowed at the Portuguese Museum. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Kuthiramalika Palace & art gallery
Be introduced to Trivandrum, the easy-going and energetic capital of Kerala, filled with Victorian-style buildings, major art museums and 200-year-old Travancore maharaja palaces. Your tour includes the visits of the following sights (order of the visits may vary to avoid overcrowding):
Kuthiramalika Palace, built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal of Travancore. During your visit, marvel at its collections of the royal family such as wood carvings, paintings and various priceless artwork.
Chithralayam Art Gallery, hosting a collection of rare historical photos of the city, various celebrations, the royal family members and Travancore, an Indian kingdom (1729-1949) .
Sree Padmanabaswami Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture. You will only see the temple from the pathway, as non-Hindus are not allowed within the courtyard.
Chalai Market is an old shopping area, with a market spread through a narrow 2 km (1.2 mi) road.
Panoramic drive through the town via MG Road to discover the contrast between Trivandrum heritage and Indian modern life.
- This tour involves approximately 500 m (0.3 mi) of walking. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun. You will be asked to remove your shoes to enter the art gallery and palace.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Virgin white tea & Galle fort
The only producer of Virgin White tea in Sri Lanka resides about 45 minutes away from the port city of Galle at the Handunugoda Tea Estate. While originally produced in China for the Imperial Emperor, the estate has taken on the task of recreating the exact recipe and following the tradition that ensures that the only human part that comes into contact with the tea is the lips.
On arrival, make your way to the owner’s bungalow, sit and enjoy a cup of tea and cake while asking him about the tea process and plantation. After tea, make your way down to the plantation itself where you are able to watch the plucking process while listening to an informative explanation on the culture of tea. Then, head into the factory, where you are able to see the old machinery still in use. Your tour will finish with the opportunity to taste a great number of different teas including the Virgin White tea.
From here, you will make your way back to Galle to explore the fort which was originally built by the Portuguese and then modified by the Dutch during the 17th century. Even today, after 400 years of existence, it looks new and polished with reconstruction work done by the Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka.
Step back in time, as your guide brings the colourful history of the fort to life, during a guided walking tour. Weave your way along the narrow lanes, pass through the courtyard to the Dutch Hospital shopping complex, before viewing the Lighthouse, Clock Tower and the Ramparts.
Before heading back to the pier, enjoy some time at leisure inside the Galle fort premises. You may like to purchase some souvenirs.
- This tour involves 0.3 miles (500m) walk on uneven path with steps. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. It is possible to purchase souvenirs inside the Tea shop in the estate. Please note that only Sri Lankan Rupees and USD will be accepted. Drones are not allowed.
Price range:
Find out more
€€€: the excursion price is between €100 and €150.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Stilt fishermen & virgin white tea
The only producer of Virgin White tea in Sri Lanka resides about 45 minutes away from the port city of Galle at the Handunugoda Tea Estate. While originally produced in China for the Imperial Emperor, the estate has taken on the task of recreating the exact recipe and following the tradition that ensures that the only human part that comes into contact with the tea is the lips.
On arrival, make your way to the owner’s bungalow, sit and enjoy a cup of tea and cake while asking him about the tea process and plantation. After tea, make your way down to the plantation itself where you are able to watch the plucking process while listening to an informative explanation on the culture of tea. Then, head into the factory, where you are able to see the old machinery still in use.
From here, make your way to Koggala to experience the ever-famous stilt fishermen engaging in their daily catch. Stilt fishing is an age-old fishing method in Sri Lanka and remains as a scenic icon in the southern coastal belt today. Notice how carefully balanced the fishermen are as they position themselves on the thin stilt during the low tide to fish in the rising waters of the high tide. It is a picturesque sight
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. It is possible to purchase souvenirs inside the Tea shop in the estate. Please note that only Sri Lankan Rupees and USD will be accepted.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
Galle city tour
From the pier, board your coach and travel to Koggala for a visit to the Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum. The museum currently holds over a thousand artifacts of Sri Lankan rural life, providing a vast and unique storehouse of knowledge of local folk culture and technology going back several centuries. Sections are dedicated to Buddhist religious artifacts, the evolution of the Sinhala alphabet, an agricultural village, musical instruments and much, much more.
From here, you will make your way back to Galle to explore the fort which was originally built by the Portuguese and then modified by the Dutch during the 17th century. Even today, after 400 years of existence, it looks new and polished with reconstruction work done by the Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka.
Step back in time, as your guide brings the colourful history of the fort to life, during a guided walking tour. Weave your way along the narrow lanes, pass through the courtyard to the Dutch Hospital shopping complex, before viewing the Lighthouse, Clock Tower and the Ramparts.
Before heading back to the pier, enjoy some time at leisure inside the Galle fort premises. You may like to purchase some souvenirs.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
Price range:
Find out more
€€: the excursion price is between €50 and €100.
The price of the excursion will be available approximately two months prior to the cruise departure.
The complete programme of excursions, including up-to-date prices, will be provided with the Travel book that you will receive before the departure of your cruise.
PONANT also allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately two months prior to the cruise* departure. Billing is done on board.
*Excluding Expedition cruises.
According to availability, price per passenger.
A GLIMPSE OF COLOMBO
Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your day time between your port of disembarkation and the airport.
Colombo
After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local English-speaking representative.
Discover the highlights of Colombo. You will visit first the famous Gangarama Temple a 30 minutes’drive from the harbour. Built in the 1800s, Gangarama Temple is the most important place of Buddhist learning and worship in Colombo. Packed with worshippers, tourists, clouds of incense, chanting, the temple complex has a library, a museum and an extraordinarily eclectic array of bejewelled and gilded gifts presented by devotees and well-wishers over the years.
You will then start a panoramic tour by coach of the city of Colombo, Sri Lanka's commercial capital and largest city, a blend of both historic value and modern vibes. Dating back over 600 years, Colombo was a trading hub for sea merchants and colonial rulers. One of the first things you will notice on your tour is how diverse the city has become. Buddhist temples, Hindu temples, mosques, and churches reflect the various beliefs practised all over the island and the beautiful facades of the old, colonial buildings contrast with the modern but elegant shopping arcades that have been developed inside. Your panoramic tour will take you past the Pettah bazar area, the Wolfendhal Dutch Church, the Old Parliament complex, The Bandaranaike International Memorial Hall, Nelum Pokuna Theatre, Viharamahadevi Park, the Independence Square and the National Museum. A stop will be made to purchase souvenirs.
You will have lunch in a local restaurant, and then, you will proceed to Kelaniya Buddhist Temple on the outskirts of Colombo city. Kelaniya is an active Buddhist temple, built on a site believed to have been visited by the Buddha himself, over 2,000 years ago. It is said that here he preached his doctrine to a gathering of serpent-kings. Today human worshippers come to lay sprigs of lotus flowers around the great white dagoba, light oil lamps, and sprinkle the base of the Tree of Enlightenment with purifying water. Artistic highlights of the temple are the very fine carvings and lovely frescoes, fascinating geometrically patterned ceiling paintings, and three important images of the Buddha - two in a sitting position and one in a reclining pose. Adorning the outer walls is more light-hearted work - rows of whimsical characters and elephants in bas-relief.
After the visit, you will reach an hotel near the aiport where you will enjoy a tea break before being transferred to the airport, in time for check-in for the PONANT selected flight.
Your programme includes:
- Transfers and visits as mentioned in the programme.
- Lunch with beverage package (mineral water + 1 soft drink or 1 local beer or 1 local glass of wine + 1 coffee or tea).
- Tea break including 1 coffee or 1 tea + 3 snacks (1 savory and 2 sweets).
- Services of a local English-speaking guide.
Your programme does not include:
- Visa fees if necessary.
- Dinner.
- Tips for the driver and local guide.
- Personal expenses.
- Other services not mentioned in the programme.
Please note:
- We strongly recommend that all guests contact their medical practitioners prior to travel for advice on the appropriate anti malaria precautions and/or any other inoculations, vaccinations etc.
- We advise you to wear light cotton clothing (avoid synthetic materials) and comfortable shoes. To visit temples, it is advisable to respect dress codes (covering the upper body and legs below the knees.) We suggest bringing along a pair of thick socks as the pavement will be hot.
- A moderate amount of activity is involved with this tour
- We recommend that you drink bottled water and avoid ice.
Duration and order of the visits may vary. For the times of your PONANT flight, please contact your travel agent; they are also shown on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents. In the event of schedule changes of PONANT’s selected flight, your programme will be adapted to ensure the most seamless and enriching experience. The content of your revised programme will be updated on the PONANT website, in My Ponant space and on the PONANT app. The final programme will also be sent to you along with your cruise documents.
Total : €130
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.
UNESCO HERITAGE SITES OF SRI LANKA (2 NIGHTS)
Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Take advantage of three days to discover Sri Lanka once called by sailors “the Paradise Island” because of its natural resources. Visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a National Park. Immerse yourself in the Sri Lankan culture and enjoy your stay in a beautiful resort. This programme will be a pleasant conclusion to your cruise.
Day 1 - Colombo/Dambulla/Kandalama
Your piece of luggage for the cruise will be stored in Colombo during this Post-cruise programme. You will find it at Colombo Airport for check-in of the PONANT selected flight.
We recommend that you take a small suitcase for your stay in Kandalama.
After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local representative.
You will depart the hotel for a-two-hour panoramic city tour of Colombo.
The city of Colombo, Sri Lanka’s commercial capital and largest city, is a blend of both historic value and modern vibes. Dating back over 600 years, Colombo was a trading hub for sea merchants and colonial rulers, and one of the first things you will notice on your tour is how diverse the city has become. The wide array of Buddhist and Hindu temples, mosques and churches reflect the various beliefs practised all over the island and the beautiful facades of the old, colonial buildings contrast with the modern shopping arcades. Your tour takes you past the Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple, the Pettah bazar area, the Wolfendhal Dutch Church, the Old Parliament complex, The Bandaranaike International Memorial Hall, the Theatre, the Independence Square and the National Museum.
Afterwards, drive to Kurunegala (approximately a-three-hour drive). Enjoy lunch en route.
After the lunch, continue to Dambulla, and visit the Cave Temples.
Dating back to the first Century BC, Dambulla is a vast cave complex, converted into a rock temple which is still regarded today as one of the most important Buddhist monasteries. Covering the rock ceiling is the largest collection of paintings in Sri Lanka within a cave temple, and surrounding you is the highest number of Buddha statues found in one single place. As you wander through the temple, notice the serenity and the exceedingly well-preserved nature of the place. It is no wonder the Rock Temple has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Then, you will be transferred to the hotel Heritance Kandalama 5*. Check-in your room.
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 2 - Polonnaruwa/Kandalama
After breakfast, depart this morning for the ancient city of Polonnaruwa.
An interesting blend of archaeological monuments, Polonnaruwa was the second kingdom of Sri Lanka and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its iconic man-made reservoir was appropriately named Parakrama Samudra, or “the sea of Parakrama”, due to its enormous size. Look out for the famous Gal Viharaya or “Rock Temple”, where one will see four colossal statues of the Buddha cut into the stone, reflecting peace, serenity and strength. Polonnaruwa also boasts ruins of ancient palaces, intricately carved moon stones and royal baths.
Afterwards, visit a nearby hotel for lunch.
After lunch, continue onwards to Habarana to visit a National Park in the area. There are three main parks in the area famous for its high density of Elephants. You will be taken to visit one of the parks depending on the Elephant movements.
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 3 - Kandalama/Colombo airport
After breakfast, enjoy a morning at leisure.
Check-out followed by lunch at the hotel.
Drive downhill to the north western coastline of Negombo (approximately a-four-hour drive.)
You will enjoy a dinner with cultural performance, and then you will be transferred to the airport for check-in of the PONANT selected flight.
Your hotel:
Located in the heart of Sri Lanka's cultural triangle, the Heritance Kandalama Hotel 5* is a contemporary architectural wonder hand designed by Geoffrey Bawa, a famous Sri Lankan architect. Nestled on the hills, this hotel is built in harmony with the lush jungle. Its unique situation offers beautiful views over the Kandalama lake and the rock of Sigiriya. Chic and minimalist, rooms have a bathroom with glass walls that allow to admire the natural landscape. During your time at leisure, you can enjoy its three swimming pools. You can also indulge yourself with a gourmet stopover in one of its bars and restaurants as well as a relaxing break at the spa (additional charge and subject to availability).
Higher categories of rooms are available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel agent for further detail.
Your programme includes:
- 2-night accommodation in Superior room at the hotel Heritance Kandalama 5*, local standards (or similar) including breakfast.
- Meals as mentioned in the programme.
- Beverage package during meals: bottled water + 1 soft drink or 1 local beer or 1 local glass of wine + 1 coffee or tea.
- Transfers and visits as mentioned in the programme.
- Services of a local English-speaking guide.
Your programme does not include:
- Visa fees if necessary.
- Tips for the driver and local guide.
- Early check-in and late check-out.
- Personal expenses.
- Other services not mentioned in the programme.
Please note:
- This tour is not recommended for guests with mobility difficulties. Walking conditions on this tour are mostly flat and paved, however, there may be some steps and uneven surfaces to negotiate at times. Guests who participate on this tour must be able to walk at least short distances and / or climb a few steps. Guides will identify steps and areas of uneven terrain as required.
- Dambulla visit involves climbs. It is a unique experience which can be a bit difficult depending on your fitness level. However, if you are not able to climb, you could return to the coach after visiting a newly temple and a museum.
- This programme is not recommended for people with back pain or motion sickness due to the duration of transfers by coach.
- We strongly recommend that all guests contact their medical practitioners prior to travel for advice on the appropriate anti malaria precautions and/or any other inoculations, vaccinations etc.
- We advise you to wear light cotton clothing (avoid synthetic materials) and comfortable shoes. To visit temples, it is advisable to respect dress codes (covering the upper body and legs below the knees.) We suggest bringing along a pair of thick socks as the pavement will be hot.
- We recommend that you drink bottled water and avoid ice.
- Please take a small suitcase for this Post-cruise programme, while your big piece of luggage for the cruise (1 piece per person) will be stored in Colombo by our local representative. Your will find your luggage at Colombo Airport before check-in your international flight. Please make sure that your last name/first name are clearly mentioned.
Contact of your hotel:
Heritance Kandalama
PO Box 11, Dambulla
Sri Lanka
Telephone: (+94) 66 5555 000
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : €1,150
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.