Tour Sri Lanka And Cruise The Lower Ganges (2021)

Guide

The services of a Travelmarvel Tour Director and Cruise Director

Others

Visit the Pink City of Jaipur Enjoy an indulgent stay at the Taj Bengal in Kolkata Unlock the secrets of Murshidabad’s mysterious Hazarduari Palace Visit the ancient brass-working village of Matiari in West Bengal

Accommodation

14 nights in premium accommodation and 7 nights cruising the Lower Ganges on the RV Rajmahal Stay for two nights at the peaceful Amaya Hills, nestled in the beautiful hilltops of Kandy Two Nights, Kolkata, Taj Bengal Seven Nights, Lower Ganges River, RV Rajmahal Kolkata, Taj Bengal Negombo, Jetwing Lagoon Two Nights, Sigiriya, Aliya Resort and Spa Two Nights, Kandy, Amaya Hills Nuwara Eliya, Araliya Green Hills Hotel Two Nights, Jetwing Yala Two Nights, Heritance Ahungalla Colombo, Cinnamon Grand

Transport

Cruise ship Coach Rail Included flights

Flights

Internal flight included ***International flights before and after the tour are not included***

Meals

48 meals, plus soft drinks, local beers and spirits are included on board your cruise, and regional wines are available with lunch and dinner on board

Not included:

Others

Other activities and services are not included

Optional

Minneriya National Park elephant safari (additional expense) Yala National Park afternoon safari Lunuganga Estate tour (additional expense)

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Arrive Kolkata
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Arrive Kolkata

On arrival at the airport, be met and transferred to your premium hotel, the Taj Bengal.
Day 2 Day 2: Kolkata
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Kolkata

Today you will embark on a sightseeing tour to take in some of Kolkata’s famous landmarks, including the vibrant Mullik Ghat Flower Market. Other highlights include the Howrah Bridge and ‘Nirmal Hriday’, most commonly known as Mother Teresa’s House. Later this evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel.
Day 3 Day 3: Kolkata, Embark Ship, Farakka
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Kolkata, Embark Ship, Farakka

Today, you will be transferred to a local train for the colourful and rustic journey from Kolkata to Farakka. Make your way past bellowing food hawkers and over-laden porters to your rail carriage. Once you’ve settled into your seat, watch the landscapes of India unfold before you. Upon arrival in Farakka, you will be transferred to your river ship for your incredible seven-night cruise.
Day 4 Day 4: Gaur
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Gaur

Discover the city of Gaur. The city is strewn with ancient monuments and the remains of mosques. Rejoin the ship above the Farakka lock gate and make the most of your last evening on board.
Day 5 Day 5: Kalna, Matiari
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Kalna, Matiari

Discover Kalna today, famous for its iconic terracotta temples. It’s onwards through the countryside to Mayapur. See the ISKCON temple, which dominates the town’s skyline.
Day 6 Day 6: Murshidabad
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Murshidabad

Begin with a trip to the Khushbagh garden before enjoying your Insider Experience. Later, see the Katra Mosque before visiting Nashipara and Kathgola Palaces.
Day 7 Day 7: Matiari, Murshidabad
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Matiari, Murshidabad

Explore the riverside village of Matiari. Later, pay a visit to the iconic battlefield of Plassey.
Day 8 Day 8: Kalna, Matiari
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Kalna, Matiari

Discover Kalna today, famous for its iconic terracotta temples. It’s onwards through the countryside to Mayapur. See the ISKCON temple, which dominates the town’s skyline.
Day 9 Day 9: Chandannagar, Kalna
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Chandannagar, Kalna

Cruise to Chandannagar and spend time exploring. See the 18th-century French church and the Dupleix’s House.
Day 10 Day 10: Kolkata, Disembark Ship
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Kolkata, Disembark Ship

Disembark this morning in Kolkata. Visit Victoria Memorial and St Paul’s Cathedral. Tonight, enjoy a delicious dinner at Sonargaon Restaurant this evening.
Day 11 Day 11: Kolkata, Negombo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Kolkata, Negombo

Fly from Kolkata to Negombo in Sri Lanka, where you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel overlooking a lagoon.
Day 12 Day 12: Negombo, Sigiriya
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Negombo, Sigiriya

Today, venture to the World Heritage-listed Dambulla Cave Temple. Home to over 150 incredible Buddha paintings and statues, Dambulla is the largest and most well-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. Explore the five sanctuaries, each containing ornate statues and ancient art relating to the life of Buddha. Later this afternoon, arrive at Aliya Resort and Spa, your home for the next two nights. Tonight, enjoy a special Sri Lankan Welcome Dinner.
Day 13 Day 13: Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa

Today after breakfast, head to the World Heritage site of Polonnaruwa for a tour of its ancient city. Once a prosperous religious centre, it was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in AD993. Explore the fascinating ruins and discover a world of archaeological treasures. Have lunch in Polonnaruwa before returning to the hotel. This afternoon, you may wish to embark on a safari to see the herds of elephants in Minneriya National Park (additional expense).
Day 14 Day 14: Sigiriya, Kandy
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: Sigiriya, Kandy

This morning, visit the World Heritage-listed ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya. Rising 200 metres above the central plains, this spectacular geological formation was once home to an ancient civilisation. If you’re feeling active, climb the open staircases to the top of Sigiriya and take in the impressive views at its summit. Alternatively, visit the Sigiriya Museum. Take a guided tour of the area before departing for Kandy. En route enjoy lunch at a local spice garden. Later today, you will arrive in the historic city of Kandy. Here, depart on a guided tour of Kandy’s major sights, such as the World Heritage-listed Temple of the Tooth. Later, experience a traditional Sri Lankan cultural performance before continuing to your hotel.
Day 15 Day 15: Kandy, Peradeniya
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 15: Kandy, Peradeniya

Today you will visit the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya. Home to over 4,000 species of exotic flora and fauna, the gardens are renowned for their collection of beautiful orchids. You may choose to spend the rest of the day in Kandy exploring at your leisure or simply return to your hotel for an afternoon of relaxation.
Day 16 Day 16: Kandy, Nuwara Eliya
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 16: Kandy, Nuwara Eliya

This morning, journey onwards to the lush, green hills of Nuwara Eliya. En route, visit one of the many famous tea plantations and factories. Here, learn all about the traditions behind the tea making while you sample some of the world’s finest Ceylon tea. This afternoon, take in a tour of Nuwara Eliya.
Day 17 Day 17: Nuwara Eliya, Yala National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 17: Nuwara Eliya, Yala National Park

This morning, head to Nanu Oya to board a unique train for the journey to Ella (subject to availability). As you travel, take in the lush, green hill country. Later, continue to Yala where you’ll check in to your hotel.
Day 18 Day 18: Yala National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 18: Yala National Park

Board a Jeep and venture out on a morning safari in Yala National Park. The park is home to over 32 species of mammals including elephants, crocodiles and sloth bears. Its star attraction, however, is the spectacular Sri Lankan leopard. Spend the afternoon at your leisure, or head out on an optional afternoon safari for a chance to see more of the park’s wonderful wildlife (additional expense).
Day 19 Day 19: Galle, Ahungalla
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 19: Galle, Ahungalla

Journey to Galle, stopping en route for lunch. A fortified city, Galle is steeped in history. Here you’ll depart on a tour and see many of its major landmarks. Admire the Dutch-colonial architecture and marvel at the ancient mosques, churches and grand mansions of this World Heritage-listed city. Continue to your beach-side hotel in Ahungalla.
Day 20 Day 20: Ahungalla
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 20: Ahungalla

The day is free for you to enjoy at your relaxing beach-front hotel. You may like to join an optional tour to the Lunuganga Estate (additional expense).
Day 21 Day 21: Ahungalla, Colombo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 21: Ahungalla, Colombo

After breakfast, depart for the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo. Take a guided tour of the city and see many of its sights. You will also get to explore the city further on a tuk tuk ride.
Day 22 Day 22: Colombo, Depart Negombo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 22: Colombo, Depart Negombo

Your holiday comes to an end this morning with a transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

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22 days tour

Sri Lanka And Cruise The Lower Ganges (2021)

This tour includes:

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Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Sri Lanka And Cruise The Lower Ganges (2021)

Day 1: Arrive Kolkata

Day 2: Kolkata

Day 3: Kolkata, Embark Ship, Farakka

Day 4: Gaur

Day 5: Kalna, Matiari

Day 6: Murshidabad

Day 7: Matiari, Murshidabad

Day 8: Kalna, Matiari

Day 9: Chandannagar, Kalna

Day 10: Kolkata, Disembark Ship

Day 11: Kolkata, Negombo

Day 12: Negombo, Sigiriya

Day 13: Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa

Day 14: Sigiriya, Kandy

Day 15: Kandy, Peradeniya

Day 16: Kandy, Nuwara Eliya

Day 17: Nuwara Eliya, Yala National Park

Day 18: Yala National Park

Day 19: Galle, Ahungalla

Day 20: Ahungalla

Day 21: Ahungalla, Colombo

Day 22: Colombo, Depart Negombo

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