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Treasures of India
Mumbai (ex Bombay) - Colombo
Dates:
23/1/2023
to
1/2/2023
10
days
days
9
nights on board
nights on board
Starting from*
€3,460
30% Ponant Bonus
Guest Speaker 
No single supplement 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...
See detailed itinerary
Your trip in detail
Choose your stateroom
Choose your stateroom
Complete your trip
Complete your trip
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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Ponant Bonus
Prices from
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UUWG45 - B181121
30% Ponant Bonus
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UUFQ45 - Y210122
20% Ponant Bonus
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Prestige Deck 5
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20% Ponant Bonus
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Fully booked
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UUXT45 - A210222
30% Ponant Bonus
€8,380
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Superior Stateroom
Deluxe Stateroom
Prestige Deck 4
Prestige Deck 5
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Prestige Deck 6 Suite
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UUWO45 - A111222
20% Ponant Bonus
€9,310
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Superior Stateroom
Deluxe Stateroom
Fully booked
Prestige Deck 4
Prestige Deck 5
Prestige Deck 6
Deluxe Suite
Prestige Deck 5 Suite
Prestige Deck 6 Suite
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UUWR45 - B171222
25% Ponant Bonus
€8,850
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Superior Stateroom
Deluxe Stateroom
Prestige Deck 4
Prestige Deck 5
Prestige Deck 6
Deluxe Suite
Prestige Deck 5 Suite
Prestige Deck 6 Suite
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UUGI45 - B271222
30% Ponant Bonus
€9,080
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Deluxe Stateroom
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Prestige Deck 5
Prestige Deck 6
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Prestige Deck 5 Suite
Prestige Deck 6 Suite
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UUWZ45 - AU100123
25% Ponant Bonus
€8,860
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Deluxe Stateroom
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Prestige Deck 6
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UUXF45 - BO160123
25% Ponant Bonus
€8,860
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LE LYRIAL
UUXI45 - LY010223
€11,190
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Fully booked
Deluxe Stateroom
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Prestige Deck 5
Fully booked
Prestige Deck 6
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Prestige Deck 5 Suite
Fully booked
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Suite Grand Deluxe
Grand Privilege Suite
Owner's Suite
4/2/2023 to 15/2/2023
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
LE BOREAL
UUXH45 - BO050223
25% Ponant Bonus
€8,860
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Superior Stateroom
Deluxe Stateroom
Prestige Deck 4
Prestige Deck 5
Prestige Deck 6
Deluxe Suite
Fully booked
Prestige Deck 5 Suite
Prestige Deck 6 Suite
Owner's Suite
10/2/2023 to 21/2/2023
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
LE LYRIAL
UUXJ45 - LY110223
25% Ponant Bonus
€8,860
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Superior Stateroom
Deluxe Stateroom
Prestige Deck 4
Prestige Deck 5
Prestige Deck 6
Deluxe Suite
Prestige Deck 5 Suite
Privilège Suite
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14/2/2023 to 25/2/2023
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
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UUGL45 - BO150223
30% Ponant Bonus
€8,950
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Prestige Deck 5
Prestige Deck 6
Deluxe Suite
Prestige Deck 5 Suite
Prestige Deck 6 Suite
Owner's Suite
22/2/2023 to 5/3/2023
Ushuaia
Ushuaia
L'AUSTRAL
UUXC45 - AU230223
30% Ponant Bonus
€8,400
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Deluxe Stateroom
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Prestige Deck 5
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*Price is per person, double occupancy, is based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of cabin to which this price applies may no longer be available.
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Services provided
- Individually-controlled airconditioning
- Stateroom layout: king-size bed, or twin beds, communicating staterooms available (Children welcome)
- Minibar
- Flat screen satellite TV
- Video on demand
- Bose™ Bluetooth speaker
- Desk with stationery
- Safe
- Hermès® bath products
- Dressing table, bath robes, Hairdryer
- Direct line telephone
- 110V American (two flat pins) /220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- 24hr room service
- Inclusive Internet access Wifi
Choose your stateroom category
Packing Checklist
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.
Advice
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 Mumbai.
- After your cruise, possibility of visiting the temples of Colombo.
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.
3 possible excursions
to this stopover
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.
3 possible excursions
to this stopover
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.
4 possible excursions
to this stopover
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.
1 possible excursion
to this stopover
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.
3 possible excursions
to this stopover
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
5 h 30
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:
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
3 h 30
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:
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
4 h 30
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:
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
7 h 45
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:
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
4 h 15
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:
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
7 h 00
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:
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
4 h 00
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:
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
7 h 00
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 t