India & the Maldives with Sri Lanka & Lakshadweeps
« All Odyssey (ZE) cruise options
- Day 1 Male, Maldives
- Day 2 Male / Embark Odyssey
- Days 3-5 Olhahali Island / Baa Atoll / Utheemu Island
- Day 6 At Sea / Kochi (Cochin), India
- Day 7 Kochi
- Days 8-9 Lakshadweep Islands
- Day 10 Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
- Day 11 Colombo, Sri Lanka / Kandy
- Day 12 Galle
- Day 13 At Sea
- Day 14 Chennai (Madras), India / Disembark
- Day 15 Chennai / Return Home
| Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||||
| Category 1/ A-Deck | Category 2/ Main | Category 3/ Main | Category 4/ Lido | Category 5/ Bridge | Category 6/ Balcony Suite | Owners Suite | |
| Dec 3 '12 |
$10,980 | $11,880 | $12,780 | $13,980 | $15,380 | $16,880 | $20,180 |
- All rates are quoted in USD and are based on double occupancy. Single rates may be available at 1.7 times the share rate.
Deposit & Payment Day 1 Male, Maldives
Arrive in Male and transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 2 Male / Embark Odyssey
After a morning at leisure and lunch at your hotel, take a tour of the Maldives’ tiny capital city. This evening embark the Odyssey and set sail.
Days 3-5 Olhahali Island / Baa Atoll / Utheemu Island
Superb snorkeling and diving are hallmarks of this area and 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 atoll and coral-terraced reef. Over the next three days, discover the special, lesser-visited places in the atolls north of Male. Following are a sampling of the sites possibly visited, with daily weather and tide conditions dictating the actual itinerary.
Serene Olhahali Island boasts one of the finest wide lagoons in the region. The Baa Atoll, made up of about 50 islands offers rich biodiversity including large mangroves and unique ring-shaped reef forms known as faru. A UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, large numbers of manta rays, hawksbill turtles, and frigatebirds can be found here. Step ashore on Utheemu, the most famous of the northern Maldives, a cultural treasure-trove and the birthplace of a 16th-century sultan who fought to drive out the occupying Portuguese.
Day 6 At Sea / Kochi (Cochin), India
Relax in the soft Indian Ocean breezes as your lecture series begins. This afternoon arrive in Kochi. Enjoy leisure time to relax or explore on your own with an overnight pier side.
Day 7 Kochi
Your exploration of Kochi reveals this delightful community’s mélange of international influences: Portuguese houses, the Dutch Palace (Mattancherry), the Anglican St. Francis Church, and the cantilevered Chinese fishing nets that grace the beaches. Board local houseboats for a leisurely cruise through Kochi’s maze of backwaters. Watch locals going about their traditional day-to-day lives and see cottage industries such as rope-coir-making and toddy tapping. Enjoy an evening performance of Kathakali dance on board your ship.
Days 8-9 Lakshadweep Islands
Situated about 200 miles east of Kochi, the idyllic and ultimately photogenic Lakshadweep archipelago—36 islands and their atolls and coral reefs—comprise the smallest Union Territory of India. Stunning lagoons, colorful birds, profuse marine flora and fauna, swaying palms, and pristine beaches make this an island paradise.
During your time here visit several islands. Stroll along lovely, unspoiled beaches and explore the underwater realm with daily snorkel, dive, and glass bottom boat excursions. Feel the stress of the holiday season melt away as the sun slips below the horizon and enjoy a festive Christmas Day feast in paradise. Daily weather and tide conditions determine the course, with stops planned on Tinnakara, a lush uninhabited island covered with wild almond, coconut, and breadfruit trees and Cheriyam, a small islet ringed by a vast shallow lagoon. The shallow waters that surround these pristine islands are perfect for snorkeling and diving and the colorful hard and soft corals teem with hundreds of marine species.
Day 10 Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
Located near India’s southern tip, Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, is a pedestrian-friendly town spread out over seven hills. Visit the nearby village of Pongumoode and its surrounding rubber plantations and enjoy a rickshaw ride; learn about tapioca, from plant to harvest; and watch a rubber leaf press demonstration. Also attend a Kalari Payattu demonstration, Kerala’s ancient form of martial arts.
Day 11 Colombo, Sri Lanka / Kandy
Graced by lush tropical forests, white-sand beaches, and rich biodiversity, it’s no wonder Sri Lanka was once lauded by Marco Polo as the “finest island of its size.” In addition to its unspoiled natural beauty, the country has a fascinating history over 3,000-years old, which is also one of the longest documented histories in the world, and is one of the few remaining centers of the Buddhist religion and culture in South Asia.
Today disembark in the bustling city of Colombo for an excursion into the highlands of Sri Lanka, passing through lush, rolling countryside dotted with tea plantations. In Kandy explore the stunning Temple of the Tooth which houses the tooth of Buddha. 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. Also visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and, time permitting, the Botanical Gardens.
Day 12 Galle
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. A tour of this charming city visits the Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Art Museum; Poorvarama Temple; and Galle Fort, a World Heritage Site, built by the Dutch in the 16th century. Drive along the coast, keeping an eye out for the iconic fishermen of Koggala, who perch precariously on stilts in the surf. Return to the ship this afternoon and set sail for Chennai.
Day 13 At Sea
Your lecture series continues, recapping the highlights of your adventures.
Day 14 Chennai (Madras), India / Disembark
Chennai is an ancient city that boasts a rich cultural heritage. During the colonial period it was the capital of the Madras Presidency, one of the largest areas of India under British control. During this time the city flourished as a great metropolitan center. Arrive Chennai in the early morning and set out for an exploratory tour that incorporates both colonial history and the dynamic energy of modern life as you visit the National Art Gallery and Museum, San Thome Cathedral, the South Indian Temple, Fort St. George Museum, and drive along Marina Beach. Transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 15 Chennai / Return Home
Transfer to the airport this morning for your independent flight home.
Itinerary Notes
INCLUDED: Accommodations in included hotels and on board Odyssey as outlined in the itinerary; all onboard meals; all group meals on land; group transfers; services of the expedition staff, including lectures, briefings, slide/film shows; all group activities and excursions; landing and port fees; $50,000 of emergency sickness/accident medical expenses and $75,000 in evacuation insurance; all gratuities. Pre-extension includes all of the above, and domestic air fare within India.NOT INCLUDED: All air transportation except as listed above; excess baggage charges; airport arrival and departure taxes; transfers for independent arrivals and departures; passport and/or visa fees; accident/baggage/cancellation insurance; items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar charges, alcoholic beverages, e-mail/Internet/fax/telephone charges.
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is 25% trip cost per person, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, and Discover. Alternatively, you can send a check to our Missoula, Montana, office or register online at: https://www.adventure-life.com/forms/fourways.php
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure.
Final payment by bank transfer, check or Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or Amex. Credit Card payments subject to 3% convenience fee and maximum $15,000 charge.
Booking last minute? No problem! Please contact one of our trip planners, and we can get you on your way if booking less than 130 days prior to departure.
Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
| Days Prior to departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| 120 days or more | $600 |
| 119-60 days | 55% cruise cost |
| 59-0 days | 100% cruise cost |
Odyssey (ZE)
- Ship Highlights
- Passengers : 110
One of the finest adventure ships afloat, the Odyssey is a 110-passenger luxury expedition vessel, ideally suited for cruising in off-the-beaten-path locales. On all Odyssey expeditions, guests have access to a fleet of Zodiacs, which allows remote landings anywhere nature or curiosity dictates.
All cabins on a Clipper Odyssey cruise have an ocean view, safe, minibar, individually controlled heat/air conditioner, in-room music system, and sitting area with sofa. Beds can be configured for twin or queen-size sleeping arrangements, and all cabins have an en suite bathroom complete with shower and small bathtub. In the comfort of their cabin, passengers can track the progress of their expedition on the Global Positioning System broadcast—a highlight of a Odyssey voyage for adventure-minded guests.
Additional facilities include a gourmet kitchen featuring American and international cuisine, dining room, lounge, small library and gym, outdoor pool, and gift shop. An elevator services all passenger cabin decks.
A fleet of Zodiac landing craft can be launched in minutes to take passengers ashore in places where no infrastructure exists. The vessel is equipped with state-of-the-art satellite navigation and communication equipment including telephone, fax, and email.
An outdoor swimming pool, dedicated jogging track, and two sun decks offer ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. Inside, the spacious public areas of the ship include two lounges, a small library, and a single seating dining room.
An experienced cruise staff, physician, and onboard lecturers accompany all voyages to enhance the passengers’ enjoyment of the places visited.
All meals are prepared to order on board. The ship's chefs, graduates of the finest American culinary schools, combine the highest quality American ingredients with the influences and spices of the places the Odyssey visits. The resulting "fusion cuisine" provides a taste of the destinations visited.
| Cabins | |
|---|---|
 | Category 1/ A-Deck A Deck, Outside Double Cabin with sitting area, portholes. Approx. 185 sqft |
 | Category 2/ Main Forward Main Deck, Outside Double Cabin with sitting area and a window. Approx. 175 sqft |
| Category 3/ Main Main Deck, Outside Double Cabin with sitting area and a window. Approx. 175 sqft |
 | Category 4/ Lido Lido Deck, Outside Double Cabin with sitting area and a window. Approx. 175 sqft |
 | Category 5/ Bridge Bridge Deck, Outside Double Cabin with sitting area and a window. Approx. 230 sqft |
 | Category 6/ Balcony Suite Bridge Deck, Outside Suite with private veranda. Approx. 230 sqft |
 | Owners Suite Bridge Deck, Outside Suite with separate bedroom and private veranda. Approx. 310 sqft |
