This small ship cruise combines the rich cultural heritage of India, the amazing historic sites of lush Sri Lanka, and the stunning natural beauty of the Maldives. Embark your luxurious small ship cruise, the Island Sky, in Mumbai, India. Explore the legendary Elephanta Island and take a fulfililng city tour of Mumbai before setting sail for the colonial beach front cities of Goa, Mangalore, Cochin, and Trivandrum along India's western coastline. We then sail to Colombo, Sri Lanka, and explore the lush green highlands and Buddhist temples of Sri Lanka. We then embark for the Maldives where we explore the Islands and snorlkel around the atolls and coral reefs. Contact one of our India, Sri Lanka, and Maldives travel experts for help planning your trip.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Enjoy a morning at leisure before lunch, then board local boats at the doorstep of the Gateway of India triumphal arch monument for a ride across the bay to visit Elephanta Island. This World Heritage Site has caves with elaborately carved depictions of the Hindu god, Shiva, in various manifestations as destroyer, creator, and preserver. Views of Mumbai’s skyline from the bay are superb. Embark the Island Sky in the evening.
This morning enjoy an orientation tour of Mumbai. In the former British fort area, see elegant colonial buildings such as the Gothic Victoria Terminus railway station, and the Prince of Wales Museum. Drive along famed Marine Drive, passing Chowpatty Beach, to Malabar Hill with its superb views, parks, and Hanging Gardens. Return to the Island Sky this afternoon.
Goa's Portuguese heritage commenced with the establishment of a trading colony in 1510, led by explorer and later viceroy, Vasco da Gama. The successful spice-trading colony endured for centuries, and today its colonial remnants lend a European charm—cobblestoned lanes, whitewashed Catholic churches, and balconied, tile-roofed homes. Explore the distinctive churches, museum, and convent of Old Goa. Visit a traditional Goan home for a cooking demonstration and enjoy a lunch of delectable local cuisine. Enjoy time at your leisure to wander through the old Portuguese district of Fontainhas in the small capital of Panjim.
Drive through the countryside surrounding Mangalore, a pleasant landscape of rolling hills dotted with tea, coffee, and cashew nut plantations. Visit Karkala’s monolithic Gomasteshwara Statue, which was dedicated to a Jain saint, before touring a cashew processing plant.
Explore Cochin, a delightful community which features Portuguese houses, the Dutch Palace (Mattancherry), the Anglican St. Francis Church, and the cantilevered Chinese fishing nets that grace the beaches. To better explore this maze of islands and waterways, board local houseboats for a cruise through Cochin’s backwaters to observe daily life along these languid canals.
Located near India’s southern tip, Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala, is a pedestrian-friendly town spread out over seven hills. Visit the village of Pongumoode and its surrounding rubber plantations to observe the various stages of rubber processing. Then attend a Kalari Payattu demonstration, Kerala’s ancient form of martial arts.
Disembark in the bustling city of Colombo for an excursion into the highlands of Sri Lanka. Pass through lush, rolling countryside and stop in Kandy to explore the stunning Temple of the Tooth. This World Heritage Site was originally part of the Royal Palace complex of the Kandyan Kingdom and is one of the holiest places of worship and pilgrimage for Buddhists around the world. Visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and, time permitting, the Botanical Gardens.
Galle’s historic district is one of the best preserved examples of a European-built fortified city in South Asia, reflecting both colonial and South Asian architectural styles. After breakfast, enjoy a tour of this charming city visiting the Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Art Museum and Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by the Dutch in the 16th century. Keep an eye out for the iconic fishermen of Koggala, who perch precariously on stilts in the surf. Return to the Island Sky for lunch and set sail for the Maldives.
Due to the expeditionary nature of this trip, daily weather and tide conditions will dictate our stops in the Maldives. Step ashore on uninhabited islands for nature walks and beachcombing, meet with friendly locals in traditional villages, and snorkel in warm, translucent waters. Over the next three days, we plan to visit the special, lesser-visited places in the atolls of the northern Maldives.
Uligamu – The northernmost island of the Maldives, superb snorkeling is a hallmark of the area. The underwater topography of the region is fascinating—a dramatic landscape of thilas, pinnacles and submerged coral structures enveloped in brilliant corals and sea fans, and kandus, deep channels that run between atolls and coral-terraced reefs.
Baa Atoll – Made up of about 50 islands, this atoll offers rich biodiversity including large mangroves and unique ring-shaped reef forms known as faru. Recently designated as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, large numbers of manta rays, hawksbill turtles, and frigatebirds can be found here.
Olhahali Island – Covered in lush vegetation, Olhahali boasts broad white sand beaches and one of the finest wide lagoons in the region.
Day 16: Male / Disembark
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Disembark in the morning for a sightseeing tour of Malé. Check in to day rooms at our hotel and enjoy lunch. The remainder of the day and evening are at your leisure. After dinner, transfer to the airport for your independent overnight flight.
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Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Category 1
Magellan Deck. 230 square feet and feature beds that are configurable into two twins or one queen, a sitting area, en suite bathroom, and four portholes.
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Category 2
Columbus Deck. 240 square feet and feature beds that are configurable into two twins or one queen, a sitting area, en suite bathroom, and a large picture window.
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Category 3
Marco Polo Deck. 225 square feet and feature beds that are configurable into two twins or one queen, a sitting area, en suite bathroom, and a large picture window.
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Category 4
Marco Polo Deck. 240 square feet and feature beds that are configurable into two twins or one queen, a sitting area, en suite bathroom, and a large picture window.
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Category 5
Erikson Deck. 270 square feet and feature beds that are configurable into two twins or one queen, a sitting area, en suite bathroom, and patio doors which lead to a private balcony.
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Category 6
Explorer Deck. 325 square feet and feature beds that are configurable into two twins or one queen, a sitting area, en suite bathroom, and patio doors which lead to a private balcony.
Notes
- Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
- Singles may be available at 1.6 times the share rate.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 131 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 131 reviews on
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The staff at Adventure Life made planning my family's trip to the Galapagos Islands as easy as possible. They listened to what we were hoping to experience and made thoughtful suggestions about how to accomplish our vacation goals while meeting the needs of travelers ages 17-76! They patiently answered questions and follow up questions in the months leading up to the trip. They helped us trouble shoot and customize the trip in every way possible. The logistics involved in traveling from Boston to the Galapagos are innumerable. The Adventure Life staff helped us arrange every detail and the team they assembled in the Galapagos was tremendous. I have never done a trip this big before and after working with Adventure Life this time--would not hesitate one second in working with them again.
Jennifer Howard Schroeder
1 day ago
Kevin got right on our request and had us booked within the week
Linda Cummings
2 days ago
The info on the website was laid out very well. I did some comparisons with other tours and found Adventure Life met a lot of what I wanted in an Antarctica trip at the cheapest price. Requested a quote on Claudia contacted me right away. She answered a lot of questions the I had via email even though she offered to discuss via phone call. I’m more of an email person so appreciated how she accommodated that and answered all my questions. And when I was ready to book, she quickly got the ball rolling with getting our spots reserved on the trip my friend and I wanted. Thanks again, Claudia!
Hazel Araza
2 days ago
(1) great information on the website and throughout all the "materials." (2) Jane Packer is great: knowledgeable, responsive, takes a personal interest and tone, seems to care about the customer as a person not a sale.
Larry Bethune
2 days ago
great people doing a wonderful job to make our voyages happen.