Luxury Sri Lanka, Maldives & Seychelles

Your luxury Indian Ocean adventure begins in vibrant Colombo, the economic capital of Sri Lanka. The city has a very rich history and culture which is certainly worth exploring, so you may wish to book a couple of extra days here before your cruise to discover its temples, welcoming beaches, picturesque streets and the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Dambulla, Polonnaruva and Sigiriya. Embarkation will begin around 4pm, with departure at 6pm.

Our first stop will take us to one of Sri Lanka’s oldest cities, the beautiful Galle. Once the country’s most major city thanks to its large port, Galle was colonised by the Portuguese and later by the Dutch, and still bears many traces of this colonial past, making it a very interesting place to stop. Galle’s old town is a Unesco World Heritage Site and with it’s ancient mosques and churches, fortifications, grand mansions and museums, rambling lanes dotted with stylish cafes and boutiques is simply a delight to explore.

A number of optional excursions will be available in Galle including a visit to the Handunugoda Tea Estate which is the only producer of Virgin White tea in Sri Lanka, a trip to experience the ever-famous stilt fishermen in Koggala, a visit to Galle Fort, a chance to see a turtle hatchery and a river safari along the Madhu, famous for its bio-diversity as well as being an Eco-reserve. These excursions are optional and incur an additional cost.

Today will be spent at sea relaxing before our next adventures. Make use of the many luxury facilities and amenities onboard including the swimming pool, spa, fitness suite and observation lounge.

As we arrive in the beautiful Maldives our first visit will be to Rasdhoo, one of the smallest yet most impressive atolls in the archipelago. The atoll is made up of five islands, only 3 of which are inhabited, and sits at the heart of a stunning lagoon protected by a coral reef. This area will offer our first chance to discover the incredible underwater water of the Maldives, and a snorkelling or diving excursion may reward in sightings of rays, hammerhead sharks and the emblematic turtles.

After spending 2 days around the Rasdhoo atoll, we will then make our way to the incredible UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, one of the Maldives’ most famous atolls. In this perfectly preserved tropical paradise you can enjoy more opportunities for snorkelling or diving, or simply relax on the spectacular white sand beaches lined with palm trees and crystal-clear waters. A truly picture-postcard scene!

As we sail way from the Maldives and make our way towards the Seychelles we will now spend 3 truly relaxing days at sea. Soak up the sun by the pool, look out for marine wildlife in the waters below, book an indulgent treatment in the spa, chill out with a cocktail and a good book, and enjoy the many amenities of this luxurious vessel.

Our penultimate adventure takes us to the second largest island in the Seychelles, the fascinating Praslin Island. Our main draw here will be a trek inland to reach a stunning tropical rainforest where you can find the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve. In this veritable plant sanctuary, several endemic species of palm trees can be observed, as well as the famous sea coconut, which can weigh up to 20 kg and is sometimes called “coco fesse” because its shape calls to mind a pair of buttocks. Please note, this excursion is optional and may incur an additional charge. There will also be time today for some diving and snorkelling in the surrounding turquoise waters. Alternatively, you may wish to simply relax on the picture postcard beaches soaking up the typical Seychelles views.

Your last stop will be the magnificent and world renowned Anse Source d’Argent beach on the wonderful island of La Digue. A perfect picture postcard scene, La Digue exemplifies everything about the Seychelles and its striking beauty. The turquoise waters invite you for a swim or a snorkel in search of the giant tortoises, the emblematic large granite rocks with their pink highlights are a sight to behold, and the beaches fringed with coconut trees are simply unforgettable. What a way to end your adventure!

An optional island tour is available today for an additional cost.

Arrival back in Victoria on Mahé, the main island of the Seychelles, signals the end of our voyage, and after breakfast it will sadly be time to disembark. For advice on extending your stay here please ask one of our destination experts.