Sri Lanka, South India, Kerala

Tuesday 11 March

Depart Auckland on Singapore Airlines. Change planes in Singapore, arriving in Colombo late evening and transfer to city hotel.

Wednesday 12 March

After breakfast, enjoy a city tour of Colombo’s harbour and Fort area – home to the country’s administration and banking sector. The multi-ethnic population is reflected in the various religions and cultures. Explore the unique Red Mosque and the Gangaramaya Temple complex before a Welcome dinner tonight.

Thursday 13 March

Our journey takes us north-east, through countryside, to Dambulla. Here, we visit the impressive Dambulla Rock Cave Temple, a World Heritage site. This five-cave temple is one of the largest and best-preserved temple complexes in the country. Housing over 150 Buddha status and exquisite murals, all nestled within a series of caves carved into a massive granite outcrop. 

Friday 14 March

An early morning visit to Sigiriya Rock, the UNESCO Heritage Site rock fortress. If you are not up to climbing the rock for spectacular views, the ancient landscaped gardens (5AD) and frescoes are worth seeing. Continue to Matale to explore a spice garden before continuing to Kandy. 

Saturday 15 March

Today we visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, another World Heritage site. We proceed to the spectacular botanical gardens before an afternoon of leisure and take in a tuk-tuk ride to experience the sights and sounds of Kandy.

Sunday 16 March

After breakfast, transfer to Kandy railway station for a scenic train journey through tea plantations and scenic waterfalls to Nana Oya. Continue by coach to your hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

Monday 17 March

This morning, visit a tea plantation and tea factory. Learn how tea is graded and of course enjoy a cup of pure Ceylon tea. This afternoon we travel onto Yala National Park.

Tuesday 18 March

A day to enjoy Yala National Park where we enjoy a jeep safari to spot elephants, crocodile, the elusive leopard and a myriad of birds are special.

Wednesday 19 March

Coach to UNESCO-listed Galle Fortress built by the Portuguese in 1588 and later extended by the Dutch. See the lighthouse on the southernmost tip and the car free streets which reflect Portuguese, Dutch and British rule

Thursday 20 March

A morning to relax, swim or take a walk on the beach. This afternoon transfer to Colombo airport for the early evening flight to Bengaluru and transfer to a central hotel for a two night stay. Bengaluru, is a modern cosmopolitan city, considered to be one of the big IT centres of India. This forward-thinking city with a mix of new shopping malls is sometimes referred to as the Garden City of India.

Friday 21 March

Following a leisurely breakfast, visit the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens - home of the largest collection of tropical plants in India. It’s also home to a wide range of bird species – parakeets, herons and owls. 

Saturday 22 March

Visit the river island town of Srirangapatna, with its celebrated and impressive 9th century temple. Later journey to Chamundi Hills, site of the 12th century Chamundeshwari Temple with its 1,008 ancient steps leading to the summit. Finally, visit the Palace of Mysore, a blend of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput and Gothic styles that remains one of India’s most popular attractions. 

Sunday 23 March

Morning departure for Nagarhole National Park, established in 1955, where abundant wildlife, including tiger, Indian bison, wild dog, deer, antelope, hyena and elephants, make it one of India’s finest reserves. After lunch, set out on a boat safari that includes parts of Nagarhole’s 640 sq/km. Dine at our lodge tonight.

Monday 24 March

Enjoy a morning safari in an open-air 4 wheel drive vehicle through Nagarhole in search of wildlife.  After our excursion return to the lodge for breakfast. Free time to relax and enjoy the lodge.

Tuesday 25 March

Today we make the five-hour drive to Calicut, dubbed the ‘City of Spices’ in ancient times for its role in the thriving eastern spice trade.  Stop at a spice garden for lunch before continuing to Calicut.

Wednesday 26 March

This morning we explore the vibrant streets of Calicut by tuk-tuk. After lunch, transfer to the railway station to board the train to Kochi (formerly called Cochin). On arrival, transport to our hotel.

Thursday 27 March

A morning walking tour of Mattancherry, part of Old Fort Cochin and the epicenter of the spice trade for centuries. Today reveals Kochi’s multi-layered past, a rich brew of Arab, Portuguese, British and Dutch influences. Begin with the Dutch Palace then see St Francis, India’s first European church (1510) and the burial site of Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama, who died in Kochi in 1524.  Later visit the picturesque Chinese fishing nets unique to Kochi.

Friday 28 March

After breakfast, travel to the serene village of Changankari to embark on your 5-night cruise. The remainder of the day, relax onboard and cruise pass the scenic villages bordering the waterways. 

The Kerela backwaters are known as the Green Venice of the East due to the green coconut trees making the water an emerald shade. The waterways are teeming with life as most villages are connected only through wooden boats. Villages, temples, churches, coir handloom, cultural centres, paddy fields, market places, wooden boat building yards, long snake boats, home hosted meals, beaches, beaches and festivals make this a vibrant living destination.

Saturday 29 March

Drive to the ancient village of Aranmula, home to a family of craftsmen who are skilled at making mirrors out of a special combination of certain metals. Visit Lord Krishna’s Hindu temple, Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy, before a traditional lunch will be served at a beautiful local house located on the bank of Pampa River. We return to the boat and cruise to Champakkulam to experience Kerala’s old spice trade route and visit St. Mary’s Church, one of India’s oldest Christian churches. Finish the day with Kerala’s classical dance performance.

Sunday 30 March

Cruise the narrow, yet harmonious, canals to Kainakari, with a stop at Chavara Bhavan - the ancestral home of the first canonised Catholic male saint of Indian origin.Lunch onboard. Cruise the expanses of land reclaimed from the lake for paddy cultivation. These paddy fields are lying below sea level and are protected by building dykes around them. Complete the day learning about “toddy tapping” and take a relaxing walk at sunset.

Monday 31 March

This morning, enjoy a special escorted canoe ride to watch the migratory and endemic birds of Kumarakom – a cluster of lake lagoons with a backdrop of mangroves, paddy fields and coconut groves. Lunch at an island farm house where there will be a demonstration on the preparation of traditional Syrian Christian cuisine. Cruise through the Thanneermukkom barrage which divides the lake into two – one half with perennial salty water and the other with fresh water enriched by the rivers. 

Tuesday 01 April

At daybreak, join a professional naturalist on a birding expedition. Then sail to the village of Chenganda to meet the people - the coir weavers, coconut harvesters, mussel and prawn farmers and discuss riparian life over a drink of tender coconut water. In the cultural centre of Vaikom, explore the ancient town and watch Kathakali - a traditional dance performance with its own unique blend of movement, music, literature and make-up. Farewell dinner on board.

Wednesday 02 April

Disembark the cruise in Pallippuram and conclude the tour with a Kalarippayattu performance, the martial art form of Kerala. Transfer to Kochi Airport for an evening flight to Singapore.

Thursday 03 April

Change planes in Singapore and arrive Auckland late this evening.