Perfumed flower garlands, colonial roots, and lavish afternoon teas welcome you to the former garden city of Colombo. Sri Lanka’s easy breezy city is certainly intoxicating, with its cinnamon dusted air, steaming cups of delicate ceylon, and sassy seaside charm. A place of full sensory immersion, explore tangled streets to sidestep frantic tuk-tuks and gaze in awe at grand colonial buildings turned heritage hotels. Cute cafes usher you inside for sweet lassi, and the walls are made for a pleasantly laxidasical pace of walking. They're perhaps most impressive on stormy days, when you can watch bruised clouds tumble and roil across the sea from this perfect vantage point. Back in the capital, stroll the ornate halls of the National Museum where gilded swords, studded masks, and rare artefacts from the ancient world and colonial times are gathered. Visit the Gangaramaya Temple, to walk among the orange-robed monks who glide between flora-strewn alters, or plunge into the chaos of Pettah - where market cries reach orchestral heights. An incredible gathering of carved Hindu gods decorate the colorful pyramid of the Captain’s Garden Kovil temple - the oldest Hindu temple in the city, which rises majestically from the surrounding railway tracks. Forever the dish of the day, crab is a must in Colombo. Sit down, tuck in your bib and use your hands to crack, scoop and suck out the soft white meat – especially delicious when smothered in lashings of garlic and fiery chili.

Galle is an ancient Muslim port where different political influences from Europe have merged. In fact, the Galle Fort was occupied by the Portuguese, Dutch and British until the late 19th century. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, it is surrounded by the sea on three sides. The surviving Dutch-colonial architecture and narrow streets exude the historic atmosphere of this living fort. The 18th century Dutch church has a splendid wooden memorial to one of the commanders of Galle, while the Arab quarter has a distinctly Moorish touch.
 

Far to the south of Sri Lanka is the city of Hambantota with a colorful and storied traditional Ruhuna past and great promise for the future. This gateway to Sri Lanka is rich in resources and since being upset by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, has put great emphasis on rebuilding and moving progressively into a central role in the development of the southern region of Sri Lanka. Traditionally an agricultural area, the region is also known for having some of the country’s most skilled jewelers and crafts people. The bazaar or ‘pola’ is a popular market place where locals sell produce, goods, and fish.

Built on a truly majestic natural harbor - one of the world’s largest - Trincomalee is a gateway to the deep historical interests of Sri Lanka. Richly cultural and historic, Trincomalee is surrounded by treasured sites, which hark back thousands of years - and hold unprecedented cultural value. Set on the eastern coast of Sri Lanka - on the peninsula that it shares its name with - venture inland to explore some of the world's most majestic and evocative archaeological and holy sites. Or, take it easy and lay back on Trincomalee's plentiful, palm-lined beaches. Boat tours can take you out to cruise among dolphins and whales, or to the reefs of Pigeon Island. A swirl of colonial houses, temples and mosques line the multi-cultural streets of this fascinating destination. Live like a local and start the day with a steaming cup of Ceylon tea and buffalo curd for breakfast before heading out to visit extraordinary sites of ancient worship, as you explore Sri Lanka's incredible UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Head inland to the jaw-dropping Golden Temple of Dambulla, a vast temple, dominated by a gleaming gold Buddha figure. The amazing Ancient City of Polonnaruwa dates back to the 12th century and is an unearthed treasure trove of ruins - famous for its meticulously thought out urban planning. Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka, and you can visit the first capital at the Sacred City of Anuradhapura – a place of immense value to the Buddhist faith. The Sirigiya Rock Fortress is a jaw-dropping collaboration between man and nature, and the incredible fortress sits perched above an almighty 200-metre high slab of rock.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

Rising majestically up from emerald waters, Port Blair in the Andaman Islands has to be seen to be believed. An ex-18th century penal colony, the island is today the capital city in the Andamans as well as being the main entry point for the rest of the archipelago. As with the other islands in the archipelago (86% of the Andamans are covered with forest), wildlife is diverse and plentiful and offers much in the way of amusement: 270 species of birds (including 14 endemic birds) call the islands home. The Asian elephant has been introduced and now thrives in the habitat. Pay a visit to the Mount Harriet National Park to the north of Port Blair for a chance to see these gentle giants undisturbed and unafraid. The jewel in Port Blair’s wildlife crown is of course the underwater life, which is made all the more spectacular by the island’s coral reef. Snorkeling and diving are major pastimes here, and nearby spots such as Mahatma Ghandi Marine Reserve, Corbyn’s Cove and Ross Island are world famous among the diving community for their psychedelic offerings. The aforementioned penal colony was established in 1789. The Cellular Jail, built by the British when the island was under their reign, is today Port Blair's major attraction. The jail has been dedicated as a shrine to the freedom fighters that were held here during India's struggle for independence. Though only three wings remain of the original six, it still gives a fair impression of the conditions under which the detainees were kept here.

Originally chosen by the British as the capital of the Andaman Islands, today Ross Island is characterized by a series of old buildings, left behind from a gilded age of occupancy between 1858 and 1941. Among the relics are a church, bakery, three clubs, printing press, government offices, Chief Commissioner’s house, tennis courts, an ice-making plant and a cemetery – all now in ruins. Creeping vines, fig and banyan tree roots overgrow and encase many of the old buildings giving the place a mysterious, haunting and timeless beauty.

Long Island is a small island off the east coast of India’s Middle Andaman Island and has a population of some 2,000 residents in the southern part of its 18 square kilometres. Dense tropical forests range from tidal swamp to evergreen forests and can only be reached or crossed by narrow concrete footpaths when coming from the south. Secluded Lalaji Bay on Long Island’s eastern shore offers a white sandy beach for relaxation, swimming, snorkeling and bird-watching. Green sea turtles and Olive Ridley turtles are often seen between November and February as their nesting grounds are close by.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

A popular port of entry into Myanmar, Kawthaung was formerly known as Victoria Point. Interestingly enough it has a strong Muslim and Indian influence, in addition to a Buddhist monastery atop the hill to the north of town. The monastery has impressive carved guardian dragons and offers nice views of Kawthaung. The city is diverse claiming people of Bamar, Thai, Shan, Karen, and Mon descent. The most commonly spoken languages are Burmese and Thai, and the economy revolves around rubber, betel nut, cashew nut, coconut and oil palm. Kawthaung has a large port, but the fishing industry is restricted by the government and tourism is beginning to constitute a larger segment of the local economy. The nearby Mergui Archipelago plays a significant role in attracting visitors to the region thanks to the islands’ pristine forests, coral reefs, and wildlife.

Kyunn Tann Shey (Lampi Island) is a large and mountainous island of the Mergui Islands located in the Lampi Group. Lampi is officially uninhabited but does host fishing nomads who stop to camp on the island’s shores. It is rich in biodiversity, mangroves and coral reefs, and is big enough to hold wild animals – for a while it was even rumored to shelter a small herd of elephants. With rainforest and a fringing coral reef, Lampi’s outstanding beauty is enhanced by monkeys and hornbills in the forests, and sea eagles soaring in the blue skies overhead. Lampi was established in 1995 as Myanmar’s first marine national park. Ashore you can witness some of the area’s exotic flora and fauna. The surrounding islands offer beaches regardless of tides. More than 50 white sand beaches and fringing reefs wait to be used for snorkeling, bird-watching and relaxing.

Frost Island is in the ‘Mid-Group’ of the Mergui Archipelago, a chain of roughly 800 islands that lies to the west of southern Myanmar in the Andaman Sea. Most of the archipelago is still largely undiscovered by tourism and many islands are as yet undeveloped. Tiny Frost Island in particular is known for large fig trees growing right on the beach and hundreds of hermit crab residents on its powdery white-sand beaches. The Salone people (known as Moken in Thailand and Malaysia and as Sea Gypsies in English) are the only human inhabitants of this area. A chance to meet them and see their unique boat designs is always a possibility. Frost Island is also rich in options for diving and snorkeling amongst schools of brightly colored tropical fish thanks to the surrounding coral reefs, clear waters, and a long sandy beach on the northern shore.

As one of the 800 islands of the Mergui Archipelago, Shark Island allows you to blur the boundaries between reverie and reality. Inside, your soul stirs and your heart begins to glow: this might just be Utopia. Your hungry eyes feast on white sandy beaches that slope down from verdant jungle edges to clear warm waters.
Soak in the sun, and relax as you gaze out over gently lapping waves, or take a slow stroll up the beach to see what you can spot. Perhaps a Brahminy Kite investigating a potential food item, or in the tree-tops a roost of fruit bats swaying in the light breeze. For refreshment, don your snorkel and fins and slip into the inviting waters to submerge into another world.

Life below the surface at Shark Island isn’t as ominous as its name might suggest (which actually describes the island’s profile). Instead, experience an abundance of colorful life, from the darting territorial damsel fish to the heavy-set and strongly beaked parrot fish. Parrot fish play important roles by grazing on algae that competes with coral, and thus maintain the integrity of reef ecosystems.

The beauty of snorkeling here isn’t just the obvious and brightly colored species of fish. Take the time to study all the intricacies of this underwater world, from the feathery branches of Christmas tree worms to the fine flickering antennae of a shrimp tasting the water from inside a sponge cave. It’s a world waiting to be discovered.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

To call North Sumatra’s Gunung Leuser National Park big is an understatement. It’s vast. It’s epic. At over 3,000 square miles, its behemoth. The park is named after Mount Leuser (10,230 feet) and straddles the border of North Sumatra and Aceh provinces. The range pf ecosystems in the park is astonishing; tropical rain forest, lowland forest, mountainous terrain, freshwater lakes and rivers and alpine meadows are just the beginning. This glorious diversity has earnt the park its place as a UNESCO World Heritage Biosphere Reserve site. Over 120 mammals, 350 species of birds and 4000 plant species are found in the park, including the exponentially rare Sumatran elephant, Sumatran tiger, Sumatran rhinoceros, sambar deer and leopard cat. Wildlife sightings are guaranteed. By following your experienced guide’s advice, trek in silence, wait and listen. You’ll be greeted with a cacophony of squawks and squeals and sightings that will go down in your personal history. Don’t be surprised if you hear the distinct kissing mating calls of orangutan. The Bohorok Orangutan Sanctuary of Bukit Lawang is located on the eastern side of the park and is one of the world’s leaders for orangutan observation. From its inception in 1973 to its temporary closing after a flash flood destroyed it in 2002, the rehabilitation center cared for and released captive orangutans to the wild. Thanks to several international aid agencies, the center was rebuilt in 2004 and continues to do exceptionally fine work.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

When travelling in remote regions tide, wind, ice and weather conditions determine the details of our itinerary. While we will do our best to maintain all suggested activities, some of these may be subject to change. Come with an open mind and a great sense of adventure, together we can turn any voyage into a wonderful Expedition.