Grand Journey of Sri Lanka & the Maldives - MV Yasawa Princess

As soon as you arrive, your senses are overwhelmed by Sri Lanka! The warm tropical air, the colourful wild flowers and the jungle, the striking colours of the saris adorning every woman, the variety of exotic fruits and spices, the beauty of the countryside, the mystique of countless temples and orange-clad Buddhist monks and wild elephants – this is a varied place indeed! Marco Polo, arguably the greatest explorer of all time, described it simply as the finest island in the world!



Sri Lanka has attracted countless invaders and visitors from nearby India, the Arabs, the Portuguese, Dutch and finally the British. The 145 years of British rule left an indelible mark on Sri Lanka’s culture and institutions – from a deep love of cricket to the red pillar-boxes still found on street corners. Today, this fabled island of spices and gems is a vibrant blend of entrancing Buddhist culture, ancient cities, wildlife- rich lowland jungles, home to leopards, elephants and monkeys, a mist-shrouded hill country and tropical palm-fringed beaches.



Sigiriya Rock, an impregnable 5th century palace and fortress clinging to the top of an immense granite monolith soaring up 600 feet is Sri Lanka’s most remarkable sight, with amazing views of the jungle-covered plain below. Around the base of the rock we see beautifully laid out fountains, gardens and bathing pools, incredibly still working, linked by an ingenious web of underground, gravity-fed water channels.



The cave temples of Dambulla, another World Heritage site, highlight Sri Lanka’s extraordinary artistic heritage. Here we visit the Royal Botanical Gardens which also contain, in a typical colonial house, the wartime HQ of Lord Louis Mountbatten and Far Eastern Command, as well as one of Buddhism’s holiest shrines, the Temple of the Tooth.



Sri Lanka was one of the original ‘Spice Islands’ with cinnamon, cochinilla, nutmeg and all manner of other exotic flavours combined with fresh vegetables including peppers, aubergines and okra blending wonderfully with fresh seafood and meat giving a truly unique and delicious cuisine.



Embark on a unique and unforgettable seven-night cruise exploring the best of the Maldives, one of the lowest countries in the world with an average of 1.5 metres above sea level. The best way to explore and travel through this island nation is by boat. So kick off your shoes, forget the news, relax, rejuvenate and enjoy the welcoming hospitality of this unique island nation. What makes these numerous tiny islands so special is that they’re actually the crowns of coral reefs and submerged volcanic mountains



Your days are filled with carefree pleasures, such as relaxing on pearly white-sand beaches in the shade of natural tropical vegetation, taking a dip in crystal waters of sparkling azure hues, and gazing at the glittering night sky. There are plenty of opportunities to snorkel beneath the warm waters of the Indian Ocean and immerse yourself in remarkable underwater worlds. The Maldives is blessed with beautiful reefs and home to fascinating marine life, from colourful tropical fish to whale sharks, manta rays and turtles.