Excursion Mid-voyage land adventure: agra, the taj mahal and colombo tour at Cochin

Agra is home to some of the most important landmarks in India, and around the world. The day after flying into Delhi, drive to Agra, once the capital of the great Mughal Empire and repository of some of the Mughals' most famous monuments, the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Both the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Experience the mesmerising beauty of the Taj Mahal at sunrise and sunset, enter the mausoleum and stroll around the extensive grounds. Inside the red, sandstone walls of the massive, 16th-century Agra Fort, see fairy-tale palaces and audience halls whilst exploring the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. Following an overnight stay in Colombo, your Mid-Voyage Land Adventure concludes on Day Four with a tour of the city, National Museum and Gangarama Temple before embarking the ship.

Duration: Four Days/Three Nights

Departure: Cochin

Re-join ship: Colombo

Reserve by: At least 90 days prior to sailing.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This Land Adventure is a small group luxury tour, providing bespoke cultural and sightseeing experiences. We limit the tour to a small group in order to ensure your experience is a high-quality one. Spots are available on a first come, first serve basis. If the program fills up, you'll be accommodated on a space-available basis. Advanced booking is required at least 90 days prior to sailing date via Silversea Reservations. We suggest booking early to secure your spot(s).

Please be advised that a minimum number of participants is required for this program to run as described. In rare cases when the minimum number of participants is not met, Silversea reserves the right to offer the program at an increased rate based on private arrangements or to cancel your specific departure for a refund. The self-cancellation fee, unless otherwise advised, is 90 days or sooner to initial sailing date at the rate of 100% program fare per person. The payment for your Land Adventure is due in full on the same date as your final payment due for your cruise. Per Silversea's general payment terms, bookings made within 120 days of sailing require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner.

All Land Adventures are non-transferable and non-refundable within 120 days of sailing, with the exception of cancellation by Silversea. Our family-friendly land programs require adult accompaniment of any guests under the age of 18. All Land Adventures are owned by independent contractors, and Silversea makes no representations and assumes no responsibility for the services provided by these operators. Silversea and our local operators make every effort to ensure your land program runs as described. Our local operators reserve the right to modify tour sequence, sites visited and venues mentioned due to operational reasons.

VISA INFORMATION:

Guests must be in possession of Indian visa obtained prior to joining the cruise. It is the responsibility of each guest to obtain all appropriate visas before cruising.

LOCAL CURRENCY:

The local currency is the Indian Rupee; however, Euros and US Dollars are well-accepted by most vendors; local ATMs are available in some locations visited, and credit cards are accepted in most larger shops and hotels (there is no shopping stop planned during the program).

Experience the mesmerising Taj Mahal, massive, awe-inspiring Agra Fort and a treasure trove of other 'crown jewels' of India during this unforgettable, four-day, three-night excursion to Delhi, Agra and Colombo.

DAY ONE - Cochin/Delhi

Depart the ship and transfer to Cochin airport for a scheduled late evening, approximately three-hour and half flight to Delhi. Dinner will be served on board the flight. Upon arrival, you are met and taken to The Oberoi New Delhi Hotel.

Overnight accommodation at The Oberoi - New Delhi.

DAY TWO - Delhi/Agra

After breakfast at the hotel, board a coach for the scenic, approximately 3.5-hourd drive to Agra, with a comfort stop en route. Agra was the capital of the Mughal dynasties in the 16th century and 17th centuries, and repository of many of the Mughals' most famous monuments. The city has long astonished visitors with sites dating back to the Mughal Empire.

Agra Fort

Upon arrival in Agra, a visit is made to the Agra Fort, the town's second-most important attraction after the Taj Mahal. This massive fort's 1.5 mile-long (about 2.5 km-long), red sandstone walls contained the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. It is comprised of fairy-tale palaces, audience halls and two beautiful mosques. Founded in the 16th century, the vast complex underwent many additions by subsequent rulers. Here, Shah Jehan was held captive by his son, and spent his days gazing out from his room towards the Taj Mahal across the river. Following your visit, re-board your coach and proceed to your hotel for lunch and check-in, followed by some free time at your leisure.

Sunset Taj Majal Visit

In the late-afternoon, depart for a special sunset visit to the Taj Mahal, Shah Jehan's enduring monument to love. This beautiful mausoleum of pure white marble is an architectural marvel of astonishing beauty, and offers a breath-taking image as soon as you emerge from the arched entry gateway. Emperor Shah Jehan, fifth of the great Mughals, was devoted to his wife Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel of the Palace). She died at the age of 39 giving birth to her 14th child. He resolved to build his wife a memorial surpassing anything the world had ever seen in terms of beauty and extravagance. Twenty-thousand labourers and skilled craftsmen from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy were put into action to construct this unrivalled masterpiece. The rays of the setting sun make this monument a wonder to behold. You can enter the mausoleum, and stroll around the extensive grounds. Following your visit, re-board your coach for the drive back to the hotel.

Dinner and overnight at The Oberoi Amarvilas - Agra.

DAY THREE - Agra/Delhi/Colombo

Depart for an early-morning visit to the Taj Mahal, and a sunrise view of the magnificent, world-renowned mausoleum. The most unusual story about the Taj is that there might have been two of them. The Emperor intended to build a second tomb in black marble, a negative image of the white Taj for his wife, Mumtaz. Tragically, before he could begin, he was deposed by his son and imprisoned in the Agra Fort, where he remained until his death, spending the rest of his life looking out along the river to the final resting-place of his wife. Shah Jehan and Mumtaz Mahal are now both buried in the underground chamber of the Taj Mahal.

Sunrise Taj Mahal

The rays of the rising sun that await you at the Taj Mahal are truly awe-inspiring. You can enter the mausoleum, and take a stroll around the extensive grounds. Following your visit, re-board your coach and drive back to the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for the approximately 3.5-hour drive back to Delhi. After lunch at a local hotel, transfer to the airport for your evening flight to Colombo. Dinner is served in-flight. Upon arrival, transfer to the Shangri-La Hotel for check-in.

Overnight at the Shangri-La Hotel - Colombo.

DAY FOUR - Colombo

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for an orientation tour of Colombo. Along the way, drive past the commercial district of the city, and through Pettah's bazaar area. The views are more peaceful as you drive past Vihara Mahadevi Park, now renamed after a Sinhalese queen. It was formerly known as Victoria Park, when originally created by the British as a botanical garden for tropical species. Across the street is the imposing, neo-Classical Town Hall. A visit is made to Cinnamon Gardens, a former cinnamon plantation turned upscale residential district.

National Museum, King of Kandy Regalia Collection

Next, delve deeper into this culture during a visit to the elegant, white, colonnaded National Museum (closed on full-moon days and national holidays). View the fascinating and sometimes scary mask collection, which has its share of demons, including Prince Maha Kola, wearing a diadem of interwoven snakes. Another gallery contains a display of outstanding Hindu and Buddhist bronzes. One group of statuettes is connected with the cult of Shiva, and includes a fine sculpture of Shiva as 'lord of the dance'. Some of the images are mobile; not intended to be worshipped in the most sacred places, but destined for ritual processions around the temple or through the streets of the town. The museum also houses a collection of the regalia of the King of Kandy.

Gangarama Temple

Your final stop is at the bustling Gangarama Temple, the nicest and most intimate of all Buddhist temples in Colombo. At the conclusion of your visit, transfer to the pier and embark the ship.

Please note: This Mid-Voyage Land Adventure requires an extensive amount of walking, at times over uneven, cobblestone and gravel surfaces, with many steps to climb at the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Colombo National Museum, and Gangarama Temple. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. The driving distance between Delhi and Agra is approximately 3-3.5 hours in each direction. Coaches, guides and equipment are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of those found on other excursions. Pack lightly; the luggage weight restriction is limited to 33 pounds (about 15 kilograms). Lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection are recommended. Proper attire is required to enter the temples; shorts and bare shoulders are not permitted. Shoes must be removed for the visits to the Sikh Temple and Gangarama Temple. The tour itinerary and sequence are subject to change without prior notice, and airline alterations to the flight schedules may affect the tour itinerary, tour sequence and/or programme content.

Programme Includes:

· One-night stay at The Oberoi (or similar) - New Delhi

· Two-night stay at The Oberoi Amarvilas (or similar) - Agra

· One-night stay at Shangri-La (or similar) - Colombo

· Scheduled flights, Economy-Class: Cochin/Delhi and Delhi/Colombo (Business-Class may be requested at a supplemental charge per flight, and is subject to availability. The availability of Business-Class flights is based on equipment utilised and each segment is quoted separately, if available)

· Three breakfasts, two lunches and one dinner, plus two in-flight dinner (drinks included)

· All sightseeing and transfers as per itinerary

Not Included:

Indian visa, Sri Lankan visa, any meals and drinks not specified above, charges incurred by the airlines for excess or overweight luggage, gratuities to drivers and tour guides, laundry, telephone calls, cancellation insurance, and other personal items.

All Land Adventure fares are subject to change and are not guaranteed until payment is received in full by Silversea. All Land Adventures are non-transferable and non-refundable within 90 days of sailing. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by someone 18 years of age or older. All Land Adventures are owned by independent contractors and Silversea makes no representations and assumes no responsibility for the services provided by these operators. Land Adventures may be modified by the operators at their sole discretion.