Best of Lanka & Cruising on Ganges

Tour Type:
Small Group Journeys
Start:
Colombo
Duration:
19 Days
End:
Kolkata
Departs:
Guaranteed Departure Min Pax: 02

Starting From

AU$ 5624
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This tour combines culture and relaxation taking in some of Sri Lanka’s finest historical, archaeological and natural treasures whilst not forgetting the pleasures of a few days by the sea. Tour the ‘Cultural Triangle’ visiting the ancient cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, the sacred cave temple of Dambulla and the inspiring sky citadel of Sigiriya. Travel to the bustling city of Kandy where you may explore the Temple of the Tooth Relic and the magnificent Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. Travel to Nuwara Eliya and enjoy the misty experience of the tea garden. Finish the trip with a few days at a charming boutique hotel with miles of beaches right at your doorstep. Exploring India through its river gives the opportunity to witness untouched and yet to be explored rural India and its true culture. Setting sail from Kolkata-downstream/Farrkha-upstream along the intimate Ganges sidestream, the River Hooghly, which flows from Farakka on the main river down to Kolkata. Experience French, British and Dutch influence and explore deeper into the rich and diverse history of the region, Murshidabad, the capital of the Nawabs, the battlefield of Plassey, little known Bengali Terracotta temples and monuments of the medieval Islamic capital of Gaur.
Starts Ends Twin Price (AU$) Solo Price (AU$) Status
2020
13-Sep 01-Oct 6998 On Request Reserved
18-Oct 05-Nov 8116 On Request Reserved
15-Nov 03-Dec 8116 On Request Reserved
13-Dec 31-Dec 5924 On Request Reserved
2021
17-Jan 04-Feb 8416 On Request Reserved
14-Feb 04-Mar 8416 On Request Reserved
28-Mar 15-Mar 5624 On Request Reserved

Itinerary

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DAY 1

Meet and assistance on arrival at the airport by tour executive and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

DAY 2

Travel to Dambulla the hub of the cultural triangle. Afternoon visit the 2nd-century cave temple of Dambulla and stay three nights.

DAY 3

Enjoy an excursion to Anuradhapura, ancient capital between 5th century BC - 9th century AD and the centre of the island’s Buddhist civilization. Afternoon enjoy catamaran ride on the Habarana Lake and evening free to relax.

DAY 4

Today take an excursion to the ruins of Polonnaruwa and witness a collection of rich architecture, extraordinary ancient irrigation methods and huge man-made reservoirs. Afternoon enjoy jeep safari to see a herd of wild elephants and various wildlife at Minneriya national park.

DAY 5

Morning visit impressive 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress. This world heritage site consists of the remains of a palace on the top of the rock. Later continue towards Kandy, en-route stop at Matale Spice Gardens. Stay two nights in Kandy.

DAY 6

Today, your guide will take you on a tour to explore Kandy at your own leisure. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a UNESCO world heritage site. You will visit the Temple of the Tooth relic, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Gem Museum and in the evening, witness a traditional Kandan dance accompanied by live music.

DAY 7

After breakfast, proceed to Nuwara Eliya. This hill station, known as ‘Little England’ since its adoption by colonial British tea planters. Stay two nights.

DAY 8

Morning visit a Tea Plantation and Factory to observe the process of turning a raw green leaf into the finished product. Afternoon enjoy High Tea and evening free to relax or explore this small town.

DAY 9

Today travel to a beach resort, the rest of the day is free to relax and stay two nights.

DAY 10

Today you can choose to relax and enjoy the beach or after breakfast enjoy a half-day excursion to Galle, famous as the Tarshish of the Bible and the Port where the Portuguese first landed in Sri Lanka.

DAY 11

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before travelling back to Colombo. Tour finishes by late afternoon with direct transfer to the International airport.

DAY 12

After a leisurely breakfast, the morning is free until midday later checkout in time to be transferred to the railway station to board the express train to Farakka followed by transfer to the ship. Stay seven nights on board.

DAY 13

This morning cruise along a straight canal section to Jangipur, here we enjoy a full-day tour of Gaur. This quiet, the deserted place was once one of India’s great cities, first under the Hindus in the 12th century, then as the Muslim capital of Eastern India from the 14- 16th century.

DAY 14

This morning moor at the delightful sleepy village of Baranagar with three gorgeous miniature terracotta temples to which you walk through the fields. After lunch continue to Murshidabad where the Nawab’s great Hazarduari Palace built-in 1837 dominates the waterfront and later great Katra Mosque and Nashipara Palace before driving out to see the Katgola Palace.

DAY 15

Sail downstream a short distance then walk to the silk weaving village and Khushbagh, a peaceful Mughul-style garden enclosing the tombs of Siraj- Ud-Daulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal and his family. Continue downstream past the old British cantonment of Berhampur to the battlefield of Plassey. You can walk through the fields to the commemorative obelisk and narrow bustling bazaars.

DAY 16

Visit the brassworking village of Matiari where you can see the whole primitive process of beating out brass water pots and other vessels. Continue through the countryside to Mayapur to visit the vast new ISKCON temple which dominates the skyline.

DAY 17

Continue down to the country town of Kalna. Take rickshaws to explore the culture and see the unique Shiva temple with concentric rings made up of 108 shrinelets and later visit the imposing Imambara at Hooghly for an opportunity to step back in time and relive a slice of Islamic history in Bengal.

DAY 18

Sail downstream – past fine waterfront buildings and the old Dutch settlement at Chinsura – to land at Chandernagore, a French possession until 1950. Visit the 18thcentury church and Dupleix’s House, the erstwhile Governor-General of French India, before continuing down to Barrackpore.

DAY 19

Early this morning, cruise under the Howrah Bridge to central Kolkata and disembark after breakfast. Tour finish with direct transfer to the airport by afternoon.

Inclusion

11 nights luxury accommodation

07 nights onboard ship

Group assistance and transfers

Sightseeing as specified

Meals as specified

THO Tour Manager Colombo-Colombo (minimum 06 people)

Cruise Tour Manager onboard ship

Local English-speaking guide

Entry fees and monument charges

Economy class airfare Colombo-Kolkata

Express train ride

Cultural show

Catamaran ride

Wildlife safari at Minneriya National Park

Tea tour & high tea

Bottled water while travelling

All current collectable taxes

 

Exclusion

Any International Airfare

Airport taxes and Visa fee

Early check-in or late check out 

Meals other than specified above

Tips & Gratuities

Travel & Medical Insurance

Camera and video permits

Expenses incurred due to flight / train cancellation or delay

Any expense of a personal nature, like drinks, laundry, telephone calls, mini bar, etc

Any optional excursion or tour

Any other expense not mentioned in the prices include column

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