Itinerary Details

Ayubowan and Welcome to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, that derives much of its vibrancy from its age-old spice trade, which also brought in European colonial powers. Colombo combines ancient heritage with the colonial architecture.

On arrival, you will be met by your private chauffeur-guide and driven to your hotels outside of Colombo (1 hr drive). Your chauffer-guide will stay with you for rest of your trip.

Overnight: Negombo

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Today you will be driven into the cultural center of Sri Lanka, Sigiriya, where thriving ancient kings used to rule the lands. Relax and enjoy the beautiful countryside views, or stop to try a street-side snack.

Overnight: Sigiriya

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Today explore the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, rising dramatically from the central plains, the enigmatic rocky outcrop of Sigiriya is perhaps Sri Lanka’s single most dramatic sight. Near-vertical walls soar to a flat-topped summit that contains the ruins of an ancient civilization.
Continue to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa — a fascinating scattering of temples and palaces where a thriving community once lived over 800 years ago. Later enjoy a safari at Minneriya National Park and watch the world’s largest wild Asian elephant gathering.

Overnight : Sigiriya

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En route to Kandy stop by the imposing Dambulla Caves containing hundreds of relics of Buddha statues. This is accessed by climbing a long staircase cut into the rock — if you think the climb might be unsuitable, we can suggest an alternative cave temple with fewer steps.

Overnight : Kandy

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Continue your exploration of Kandy with your chauffeur-guide with a visit to the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens. Take your time to walk around and soak up the huge variety of plant life. Later visit the Temple of the Toot, this remarkable Buddhist temple is where the relic of Buddha’s Tooth is kept. Preserving the Relic of Buddha in this haven of refuge, it was declared that whoever houses and protects it is automatically given the power to rule the country.

Note* – It can be quite busy during the evening ceremony, please let your driver know if you would prefer to see it at a quieter time.

Overnight : Kandy

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This morning drive to the station to catch your train to Nuwara Eliya, an incredibly scenic journey through the central hills which takes around four and a half hours. Your chauffeur-guide is there to meet you at your final stop to take you to your hotel.
Later visit a local tea factory to learn the process how two fresh tealeaves and a bud are converted in to that fine brown dust we call tea. You may like to participate in ‘Make your own Tea’ programme where you shadow the tea pickers and blend your own tea.

Overnight : Nuwara Eliya

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You will be transferred in time to Prayagraj airport for your flight to Guwahati.
Relax at the hotel.

Overnight : Radisson Blu Hotel, Guwahati

Guwahati

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After breakfast transfer to ship from airport and explore this pleasant Assami city visiting the Nilachai Hill temple and Commonwealth Graves. Late afternoon cast off upriver.

Overnight : Pandaw Cruise

Cruise

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Sail all day making headway against strong currents through the lush Assami countryside stopping for some exercise in a village of market gardens.

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Exploring the town by trishaw we visit the De Parbatia temple with its richly carved portals and Cole Park with its collection of medieval carvings collected from across the region.

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After an early breakfast, drive for some two hours to the Nameri National Park at the foot of the blue hills of Arunachal Pradesh, the old North East Frontier Agency. Here, we take a float trip of around two hours down the Jia-Bhoreli River through the park. There are excellent bird-watching opportunities here (look out for the great Hornbills) and, perhaps, the chance of sighting wild elephants. After lunch, take a village walk before returning to the ship. Continue upstream, passing below a seemingly endless new bridge across the vast width of the riverbed, to moor at Silghat

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Jeep safari to Kaziranga an area of approximately 430 sq kms, this UNESCO World Heritage is home to the world’s largest population of the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros as well as the Indian Wild Water Buffalo. It has the highest density of Royal Bengal Tigers withone every five sq. km. The park an incredibly rich biodiversity hotspot with its marshy swamps and thickets of elephant grass, this park supports large populations of Indian elephants, Indian bison, swamp deer, and capped langurs.
Besides wildlife, Kaziranga National Park is also a birding paradise. A few of the bird species found here are the oriental honey buzzard, black-shouldered kite, white-tailed eagle, himalayan griffon to mention a few.

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Return downstream to visit a tea estate and historic plantation house on the way. Learn about the tea production process from start to finish in this idyllic setting.

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Sailing down past Guwhati moor here in the afternoon to see silk production from the cocoon, to spinning and weaving to make the typical saree worn by Assami women.

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Disembark in the morning and transfer to airport to board your next flight for onward journey.