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St Francis Church, CochinPRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel %u2022 11 nights aboard the MS Island Sky on a full board basis %u2022 House wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch and dinner %u2022 Shore excursions %u2022 Noble Caledonia onboard team including Guest Speaker %u2022 Gratuities %u2022 Transfers %u2022 Port taxes.Not Included: Travel insurance, Indian visa, Sri Lankan visa.%u00a3Brochure Price Special Offer PriceMagellanColumbusMarco PoloMarco PoloEriksonExplorerExplorerMagellanColumbusStandardSuperiorPremiumCornerDeluxe BalconyOwner%u2019s Balcony SuitesIsland Suite Standard for sole useSuperior for sole use%u00a38295%u00a38495%u00a38795%u00a39295%u00a310495%u00a310995%u00a311495%u00a39295%u00a39495%u00a37795%u00a37995%u00a38295%u00a38795%u00a39995%u00a310495%u00a310995%u00a38795%u00a38995Deck Suite CategoryPRICES PER PERSONBased on double occupancySPECIAL OFFER %u2013 SAVE %u00a3500 PER PERSONFOR A LIMITED TIME ONLYChinese fishing nets, Cochin Gateway of India, Mumbaiinclude the serene Kerala backwaters at Alleppey where we will board a local boat for a cruise past colonial warehouses and coconut thatched houses. 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. We will also spend time in Cochin to explore the diverse mix of cultures and religions that together, with its strong trading past in spices and silks, make for a fascinating city. Discover Mattancherry Palace with its ornately decorated rooms including some marvellous ancient murals and see the oldest European church in India, St Francis, and the ruins of the fort. On our first evening as we moor overnight, we will enjoy a Kathakali performance on board after dinner. Based on the subject from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and stories from Saiva literature, Kathakali is one of the main forms of classical dance drama of India and indigenous to Kerala.Day 8 At Sea. Relax on board as we spend the day sailing to Sri Lanka.Day 9 Galle, Sri Lanka. Arrive this morning in Sri Lanka and the port of Galle from where we take a walking tour of the impressive Galle Fortress. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the port where the Portuguese first landed in Sri Lanka in the 16th century and was then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century. Also see the maritime museum, which is housed in an old Dutch house, the lighthouse, mosque and church before taking a stroll through the narrow streets with its shuttered mansions and cloistered courtyards. Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon at leisure to explore Galle further at your own pace or join the guided tour to a nearby tea plantation where we will learn about the growing processes and enjoy a tasting.Days 10 & 11 Hambantota for Bundala National Park, Yala National Park & Kataragama. We have one and a half days in Hambantota from where we will visit some of the region%u2019s highlights. We will explore Bundala National Park, a haven for birdwatchers and Sri Lanka%u2019s first declared Ramsar wetland. Located in the deep south of the island, the diversity of the park lies in its landscape, from dry thorny scrubland to sand dunes and salt marshes, to mangroves and lagoons. Take a jeep through the park and discover close to 200 species of bird as well as many species of butterflies, crocodiles, elephants, and deer. Also known as Ruhunu, Yala National Park was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and is now home to 44 varieties of mammals and 215 bird species. This vast region of arid scrub interspersed with pockets of dense forest and open patches of grassland hosts one of the highest densities of leopards in the world. On a Jeep safari we also hope to see sloth bears, jackals, wild boar and elephants. In addition there will be a chance to visit Kataragama, one of the three most important religious sites in Sri Lanka and a popular place of pilgrimage for the Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and the indigenous Vedda communities of Sri Lanka and South India. According to Buddhists this was one of the 16 places visited by Buddha during his visits to Sri Lanka. We will explore the religious complex built across the Menik Ganga which contains buildings from all three religions including the mosque, temple, the small archaeological museum and the principal shrine of the god Kataragama. Day 12 Colombo. Sri Lanka%u2019s commercial capital and largest city dates back over 600 years having been a trading hub for sea merchants and colonial rulers. 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. There will be a choice of activities today and you may wish to join a cultural tour including the Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple, the National Museum and Independence Square. Alternatively visit the Kelaniya Buddhist Temple, located on the outskirts of the city. It is said that Buddha visited and preached his doctrine to a gathering of serpent-kings. Today 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. We can see the fine carvings and lovely frescoes, fascinating geometrically patterned ceiling paintings, and three important images of Buddha.Day 13 Colombo to London. Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London. Arrive this evening.Elephanta Island Leopard, Yala National Park