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The sun lights up this beautiful tropical forest.

Indian Ocean Odyssey: Seychelles, Maldives, and Sri Lanka

Example 19 Day Cruise aboard National Geographic Orion
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Enjoy a balance of wildness and culture while exploring these strings of tiny tropical islands with pristine ecosystems. Snorkel or dive with huge manta rays and whale sharks, hike among strange and mammoth palm trees for a land-of-the-lost experience, and see the markings of Persian, Greek, and Chinese influences all the way up to Portuguese and Dutch colonial times. On this 19-day voyage discover vivid undersea life, and keep an eye out for the blue whales that live here year-round. Plus, explore an ancient seaport and traditional tea plantation in Sri Lanka.
Boat in the MaldivesSnorkelers interacting with a friendly whale shark.Golden Buddha of Dambulla, Sri LankaA snorkeler walking along a white sandy beach.The sun lights up this beautiful tropical forest.
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive in Mahé, Seychelles

  • 1 Dinner
Arrive in Mahé, Seychelles. Check into your hotel for the night, Le Méridien Fisherman’s Cove, with an opportunity to relax and enjoy the beach. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner at the hotel.

Day 2: Mahé / Embark

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The morning is yours to spend at your leisure. After lunch, take a brief tour of Mahé before transferring to the pier and embarking National Geographic Orion.

Day 3: Silhouette / Curieuse

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Idyllic Silhouette is a steep and forested island that offers a choice of walks and the chance to see the work of the Seychelles Giant Tortoise Conservation Project. The giant tortoise of the Seychelles was almost extinct because tortoises were taken for food by early sailors. Only a small number remain, and you are able to see some up close. Hikers can opt for easy walks or more strenuous ones, before we return to our ship and sail to Curieuse. Here there is time on the beach to enjoy the warm waters, with a chance to snorkel, kayak, or dive. This evening, plan for a sunset barbecue dinner ashore, prepared by your ship's crew.

Day 4: Praslin / La Digue

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Praslin is famous for its unique palm forest, the Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is home to the rare coco-de-mer. This palm has mammoth fan-shaped fronds and a seed weighing up to 40 pounds - the largest leaf and seed in the tree kingdom. Some trees are over 900 years old.

La Digue is a photogenic island with powdery white sand beaches and giant granite boulders. Visit Anse Source d’Argent, the most famous beach in the Seychelles, for a swim. Explore the island by open vehicle or bicycle, and walk through the forest reserve to look for the rare Seychelles black parrot and paradise flycatcher.

Day 5: Aride

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Tiny Aride is one of the most important seabird breeding grounds in the Indian Ocean, with large populations of shearwaters, lesser noddies, white (or “fairy”) terns, roseate terns, sooty terns, tropicbirds and a host of others, including the very rare and endangered Seychelles magpie-robin. It also has a couple of endemic plant species. Spend the morning here, making a Zodiac landing on the beach and hiking up a trail for great views. Mid-afternoon, set sail across the Indian Ocean for the Maldives.

Day 6-8: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
If you haven't already, spend these days familiarizing yourself with the ship and her amenities as you cruise the open ocean.

Day 9: Gan, Addu Atoll, Maldives

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Make landfall at the southernmost atoll of this archipelago, with a visit to the WWII Royal Air Force outpost at Gan. Swim and snorkel in crystalline Maldive waters.

Day 10: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
As your ship cruises on to the next locale, relax on board and enjoy the view!

Day 11: Malé Atoll, Maldives

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Although this tiny island nation has a long and fascinating human history, it is perhaps most well known today for its clear turquoise waters and abundant marine life. Today experience both aspects, with a brief morning visit to the bustling capital of Malé, and an afternoon immersed in warm Indian Ocean waters at a nearby island.

Day 12-14: Northern Atolls, Maldives

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
These days are dedicated to exploring the more remote reaches of the northern islands, including the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll. More than 1,000 fish species, including manta rays and whale sharks, are sure to delight snorkelers and scuba divers, while birdwatchers experience thrills on Zodiac cruises to sight tropicbirds and frigatebirds. The Maldives are also known for a diversity of cetaceans, so you can search for dolphins and possibly even blue whales from the deck of the ship as you explore these crystalline waters.

Day 15: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Your last day on the open water is a chance to reflect on all you’ve seen and done, to look at photographs your shipmates have taken, and to rest up for the final leg of your journey.

Day 16: Laccadive Sea / Galle , Sri Lanka

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Dedicate this morning to searching out the marine mammals for which this part of the Indian Ocean is known, so bring your binoculars and join us on deck. Later, your ship passes under the ramparts of the 400-year-old Galle Fort on approach to the harbor. On an afternoon tour of this fascinating city, take in its Portuguese and Dutch colonial architecture and learn of a history that includes Persian, Arab, Greek, Roman, and Chinese influences. Return to your ship for the night.

Day 17: Galle, Sri Lanka

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Historically known as Gimhathiththa, the ancient seaport of Galle is also thought to be the site from which ivory, peacocks and cinnamon were shipped to the court of King Solomon. Today it’s the base from which we explore a bit of southern Sri Lanka. Choose to learn about traditional Sri Lankan culture with visits to a folk museum and a Ceylon tea plantation, or spend your day searching for wildlife on a guided river safari.

Day 18: Disembark in Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Disembark and tour Colombo this morning before transferring to your hotel for the evening.

Day 19: Return home

  • 1 Breakfast
Depart on your homeward flight.

Ship/Hotel

National Geographic Orion

Keep in shape in the exercise room aboard the National Geographic Orion
The National Geographic Orion is sleek and at your service
The lovely National Geographic Orion

Dates & Prices

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Per person starting at
$19,930
National Geographic Orion's Category 1 Cabin.
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Category 1
Cat 1 #316, 318-321. Cabins feature a luminous oval window and configurable beds: two single beds, two beds converted to a queen-size bed, or a queen size bed. An armchair, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls complete the amenities. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door.
Your  Category B Stateroom on the National Geographic Orion
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Category 1 Single
Cat 1S #301, 322, 323. These solo cabins feature a window or two portholes, a queen-size bed, except for #301 which has a double bed, writing desk and chair, climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a roomy shower stall with a glass door.
A Category A Stateroom on the National Geographic Orion
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Category 2
Cat 2 #302-312, 314, 315, 317. Cabins feature a luminous oval window and configurable beds: two single beds, two beds converted to a queen-size bed, or a queen size bed. An armchair, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls complete the amenities. Marble bathrooms are generously sized, and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door.
A lovely category 3 suite on the National Geographic Oion
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Category 3
Cat 3 Suite with Window #401-412, 414-419. These suites feature a sitting area with a large window, a sofa–except slightly smaller #401 & #402–an armchair or two, writing/laptop desk, reading lamps, flat screen TV, & climate controls. Beds are configurable (call for details). Marble bathrooms include a spacious shower stall with a glass door.
National Geographic Orion's Category 3 Cabin.
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Category 3 Single
Cat 3S Suite with Window #512. This solo suite features two beds and two large windows, plus two armchairs and small table, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls. The marble bathroom is generously sized and includes a spacious shower stall with a glass door.
National Geographic Orion's Category 4 Cabin.
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Category 4
Cat 4 Deluxe Suite with Window #511, 515. These two suites feature separate sleeping and sitting areas, with a chair and armchair and a two-cushion sofa facing an expansive window. Beds are configurable (call for details). Ample storage, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls complete the amenities.
National Geographic Orion's Category 5 Cabin.
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Category 5
Cat 5 Suite with French Balcony #501, 503-506, 508. These spacious suites feature open living areas and sliding glass doors opening to a shared French balcony. Beds are configurable (call for details.) A sitting area with arm chairs and a sofa, a writing/laptop desk, well-placed reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls complete the decor.
National Geographic Orion's Category 6 Cabin.
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Category 6
Cat 6 Owner’s Suite with French Balcony #502, 507, 509*, 510. These large, elegant suites feature a French balcony, with the exception of #509 which has double windows. Each provides a separate living area with a sofa and two arm chairs, except for #502, which uniquely offers a 'soaking tub with a view' in addition to a shower stall and expansive vanity.

Notes

Single supplement varies by itinerary. A solo traveler matching program may be available but is subject to availability.
Included
  • 14 Breakfasts, 13 Lunches, 14 Dinners

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