Embark Silver Discoverer this afternoon and depart on your exciting 14-day expedition. After a mandatory safety drill, head out onto the Pool Deck for a ‘Sail Away’ party, leaving Mumbai behind. Later during the afternoon, the Expedition Team and important crew members are introduced. In the evening enjoy the first of many fine dining experiences in The Restaurant and relax in the Discoverer Lounge or on the open decks.

This afternoon, drive from Mormugao, Goa’s most important harbor, to Velho Goa (“old Goa” in Portuguese) to be able to see the Bom Jesu Basilica and the churches and convent of old Goa, which have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Quite close to the Bom Jesu Basilica is the gigantic Se Cathedral built in Portuguese-Gothic style. Its bell, known as the “Golden Bell” for its sound, is said to be one of Goa’s largest. 

You could also visit one of Goa’s famous spice farms to see, smell, and taste some of the local spices and to find out how black pepper, cardamom, nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, chilies, and coriander look like before consumption or see the landscape and fluvial system from sea level in a kayak.  

Silver Discoverer takes a southerly course through the Laccadive Sea to reach the Lakshadweep Islands, formerly known as the Laccadive Islands. The Hotel and Galley Teams do their utmost to pamper you while at sea, and your Expedition Team has several presentations and talks, as well as the Recap & Briefing at hand to inform and to entertain you.

Thinnakara Island and Bangaram Island share a vast lagoon and coralline banks. The actual lagoon area amounts to 125 square kms. Thinnakara is a tiny teardrop-shaped island within the magnificent lagoon. The sun-drenched beaches and the swaying palms form a perfect backdrop to the spectacular marine flora and fauna. The shallow lagoon with crystal-clear water, the coral reef, and the blue lagoon invite to spend the entire day in the water, swimming or snorkeling, discovering graceful schools of fish in the water, or looking ashore for hermit crabs on the beach and seabirds in the lush coconut groves.

Silver Discoverer reaches another of the rarely visited atolls of the Lakshadweep Islands. South of Thinnakara, this atoll has three little islands at the northern, eastern, and southwestern corner of the reef. The Marine Biologists look for the perfect snorkeling site and other experts are there to help you. Conditions permitting, walk along the beach, beachcombing, looking for birds or explaining the local botany ashore during the morning.

In the afternoon, Silver Discoverer heads towards mainland India, giving your team of experts another chance at presenting interesting topics relevant to the area.

Have a leisurely breakfast and attend a pertinent lecture presentation about one of the many facets of India while you approach the state of Kerala and southern India’s port of Cochin. Because of the location between China and Europe and the spice trade, the port and town with the easy access to the sea used to be called “Queen of the Arabian Sea”.

Around mid-day, you can expect to be welcomed with a traditional Kerala shinkari melam, a group of musicians playing traditional instruments. Use the afternoon and the following day to get a better insight into this port and the surrounding area and drive through one of India’s most beautiful and tranquil landscapes to visit Alleppey, the “City of Canals” or “Venice of the East”, located south of Cochin between the Arabian Sea and Lake Vembanad, India’s longest lake.

Alleppey’s port was opened to foreign trade by the British in the late 18th century to end the Dutch commercial supremacy in Cochin. Today prawn farming and coconuts form the basis for the city’s economy. Board a houseboat and cruise the river, lake, and canals, collectively known as “the Backwaters”, and have a look at old colonial warehouses and typical thatched local homes. Brilliant green paddy fields where farming is done below sea level give way to views of village life and glimpses of churches, mosques and temples. While you cruise the “Backwaters”, a typical Keralan snack with tea, south Indian coffee, and fruit juices is served.

After the cruise reach a special location, beautifully illuminated by hundreds of oil lamps giving it an earthly spiritual feel, for an exclusive Mohiniyattam performance that is done by Keralan women in traditional attire. After this exceptional presentation, you can be treated to a special Syrian Christian dinner, mixing Indian and European influences.

The following morning board local cruise boats to reach Fort Cochin. In Cochin walk through the Heritage city to see the wonderful array of architectural styles dating back to the Portuguese, British, and Dutch periods, before the East India Company took over in 1814. There are Portuguese churches including the oldest Portuguese church in India going back to the year 1503, a Jewish synagogue, as well as mosques and Hindu temples. During the walk visit the Indo-Portuguese Museum and finally the David Hall Gallery. Here a prominent historian talks about the history of Cochin and the spice trade, followed by a Kalaripayattu (martial arts) performance.

Following the performance you are treated to a special Mopilah lunch catered by celebrity chef Mrs. Faiza Moosa. The Mopilah are Muslims from the Malabar region and known for their food. While you are there, Mrs. Moosa presents autographed copies of her cookbooks.

From the gallery you can take local Tuk-Tuks (open 2-seater taxis) to reach the Mattancherry Palace built by the Raja of Kochi. Visit the Palace, walk to the Jewish Synagogue and Dutch Palace, and have some spare time to wander around Jew Town, looking at souvenir and antique shops before being taken back to Silver Discoverer by local boats.

Today you can head north for Thiruvananthapuram, the “Evergreen City of India”. It is the largest city in this part of India and also the capital of the state of Kerala. The Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the world’s richest temple, can be found in Thiruvananthapuram. Uncounted objects in gold and silver, some of them studded with precious stones, have been guarded inside the temple in various vaults that are rarely if ever opened. Estimates of the objects’ value, seen so far on few occasions supervised by members of the Indian government and the royal families involved, go into the billions of US dollars. Unfortunately you can neither see these objects, nor can you enter the temple (unless you profess Hindu faith), but outside views are quite spectacular too.

Instead of Thiruvananthapuram you might choose to drive south to Chakala to visit Padmanabhapuram, the largest wooden palace in India, dating back to the 16th century. The palace is a fine specimen of Keralan architecture with antique interiors, intricate rosewood carvings, and sculpted décor. The sheer size, style, and materials are overwhelming – the palace used to feed 2000 people on a daily basis with a hall able to accommodate everyone. Part of this excursion is a typical Sadya lunch and a Kathakali dance performance.

Sadya is a festive vegetarian meal served on banana leaves and is usually reserved for important temple festivals or other special celebrations. The Kathakali dance has evolved over the last 400 years to become the most popular and sacred dance drama of Kerala. Rigorous training is needed to attain complete control of the body to be able to render all its nuances through hand gestures and facial expressions. The themes presented usually center on the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, two of the great Indian epics.

While Silver Discoverer is sailing through the Laccadive Sea on a southeasterly course, experts offer talks and presentations about Sri Lanka. The Chef might explain some of the secrets behind the preparation of culinary highlights, or the Bar Team might tempt you with special cocktails or wine tasting. The outer decks are there to relax and unwind, although you might also want to help your naturalists looking for marine life or seabirds from the bridgewing. After lunch, approach Galle and Sri Lanka.

As soon as you have been cleared into Sri Lanka, explore the ancient port of Galle and surrounding area. Visit Galle and its magnificent fort. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 as the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in South and Southeast Asia showing the interaction between European architectural styles and South Asian traditions, it is surrounded by the sea on three sides. Some of the colonial Dutch architecture has survived and the National Museum of Galle uses a building going back to 1656, the oldest remaining Dutch building in the fort. The three galleries have collections not only going back to the Portuguese, Dutch, and British periods, but also include displays of the 15th-century expeditions of Chinese Admiral Zheng He.

On Day 10 visit a working tea plantation near the small village of Akuressa. This privately owned property is the only organic tea factory in southern Sri Lanka. The head planter introduces you to the fascinating process of tea production. Walk the fields, see the picking of the tea leaves by the local women, and partake in a tea tasting session. 

Afterwards enjoy a special seafood barbecue lunch at what is considered one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka. A group of Sri Lankan Baila musicians perform during the lobster, king prawn, tiger prawn, crab fish, and shellfish barbecue. Golden sand, a protected bay, and excellent swimming later permit you to return refreshed to your ship.

Early in the morning, start from the fishing port of Kirinda for a visit to Yala National Park. Yala began as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and in 1938 it was declared a National Park. Situated in the southeast of Sri Lanka, the park covers 979 square kilometers. A wide variety of wild animals live in the park, including one of the highest densities of leopards in the world. Of the 215 bird species known six are endemic. Another important factor of the park is the conservation of Sri Lankan elephants. Within the park use 4WD vehicles with local trackers and naturalists and learn about the leopards, with information on the animal, its habitat, and the conservation work that has gone (and is going) on to protect the animals. Enjoy a Champagne brunch at a scenic spot in the forest. As a special treat, one Sri Lanka’s leading conservationists talks about birding and conservation in Sri Lanka.

From Trincomalee there are two options for full-day tours. Both destinations are UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the first option is to drive to the former capital of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa. Dating back to the 12th century, the ancient city is an excellent example of how irrigation systems were planned to be able to maximize the use of rain. Its ruins and statues are still today overpowering. The excursion to Polonnaruwa includes a visit to the museum where by special arrangement the museum’s curator is at hand to answer any questions. 

A special buffet lunch is arranged in the wilderness, and while you have your meal, a traditional Sri Lankan folk show takes place for you.

Alternatively travel to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sigiriya - the city of the Rock Fortress. Sigiriya is Asia’s best-preserved city center dating back to the first millennium. Its particular interest goes back to the 5th century, when parricidal King Kassapa fled to the peak of reddish gneiss known as Lion’s Rock. This massive column of rock was used for the construction of his palace. It is known that the area had been in use for centuries and was used as a Buddhist monastery after Kassapa died. A massive wall defends part of the lower city. Various features have been overgrown by the forests and while one part has not yet been fully excavated, the other part is known to have been the aristocratic quarter with terraced gardens, canals and fountains. 

On arrival in Sigiriya, visit the museum to get a good overview of the fortress, its history, the objects found, and those excavated. Here too the museum’s curator is at your disposal to answer any questions that you might have regarding the legendary citadel. To see the top one has to climb special staircases. At the summit of the rock is the fortified palace with its ruined buildings, its cisterns, and its rock sculptures. Apart from the archaeological remains of the palace and city, Sigiriya is famous for the “Mirror Wall”. The surface of the rock had been polished to such an extreme that one could see one’s reflection. Halfway up the rock, within an inaccessible rocky shelter in the vertical wall of the western face, are rock paintings known as 'The Maidens of the Clouds', 21 beautiful female figures. The climb is not easy and takes approximately 2 hours. A sumptuous Sri Lankan lunch, well deserved after the climb, is served at a nearby hotel before returning to Silver Discoverer.

Your final day at sea gives you a chance to attend last presentations or seminars, taste some culinary specialties, perhaps comparing Sri Lankan and Indian food, and edit your many photos before the onboard Photographer/Videographer presents the official Voyage DVD, highlighting the many interesting objects, animals, and sights seen and activities done.

Following breakfast, disembark Silver Discoverer.