Tour & Cruise 579(T)	Cruise 579
India & Sri Lanka
15 Dec 2024-4 Jan 2024 20 days Fares from �4770	19 Dec 2024-4 Jan 2024 16 days Fares from �3675

Tour & Cruise 579(T) Pre-Cruise Tour: Golden Triangle of India
Fri 15- Sat 16 Dec UK - Delhi	"Tour & Cruise" passengers fly from London to Delhi. On arrival transfer to the Hotel Taj Palace. Our afternoon's city sightseeing explores New Delhi and Old Delhi, including the Red Fort, built in Mughal times.
Sun 17 Dec Delhi - Agra	We travel to Agra and transfer to the Taj View Hotel. View the magical Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. This afternoon enjoy a visit to Sikandra, where we see the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal.
Mon 18 Dec Agra - Bharatpur - Fatepur Sikri - Jaipur	Drive to Jaipur, via Bharatpur bird sanctuary and the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri. We transfer to the Hotel Jai Mahal for two nights.
Tue 19 Dec Jaipur	Morning ascent to Amber Fort on elephant back, followed by sightseeing in this romantic pink sandstone city including the Old Palace.
Wed 20 Dec Jaipur - Mumbai (Bombay)	This morning we travel to Delhi via Sikandra and take a flight to Mumbai to embark Minerva.
Cruise 579 Itinerary
Tue 19-Wed 20 Dec London - Mumbai (Bombay)	"Cruise Only" passengers fly from London to Mumbai to join Minerva.
Thu 21 Dec Mumbai (Bombay)	A morning's sightseeing of Mumbai, including the Prince of Wales Museum.
Fri 22 Dec Goa	We spend the day in the former Portuguese colony of Goa. There will be time to luxuriate on one of Goa's sun-drenched beaches.
Sat 23 Dec At Sea - Kochi (Cochin)	A day at sea as Minerva navigates the tropical waters of the Malabar Coast before arriving in Kochi. In the evening we enjoy a display of the ritualistic Kathakali dance.
Sun 24 Dec Kochi (Cochin)	Our sightseeing of this multi-ethnic city will include the Dutch Mattancherry district, including Fort Cochin; the Chinese fishing nets and Jew Street. We also explore the famous Kerala
Mon 25 Dec At Sea	A day of traditional festivities as Minerva heads south towards Sri Lanka - "Island of Serendipity".
Tue 26 Dec Colombo	Our full-day excursion travels through verdant, paddy field covered scenery to the hill-station of Kandy, with its much venerated Temple of the Tooth.
Wed 27 Dec Galle	After a morning at sea we call at the sleepy port of Galle with its predominantly Dutch influence.
Thu 28 Dec At Sea	Time to enjoy Minerva's on board facilities or catch up on some reading.
Fri 29 Dec Chennai (Madras)	A full day of visits in Chennai where we see Fort St George with its excellent Raj memorabilia and visit the intricately sculpted shore temple at Mahabalipuram.
Sat 30- Sun 31 Dec At Sea	Minerva charts her course through the Bay of Bengal as we relax on board and celebrate the advent of the New Year.
Mon 1 Jan Hooghly River	We begin our transit up the Hooghly River heading for the city of Calcutta.
Tue 2- Wed 3 Jan Calcutta	We arrive in the extraordinary city of Calcutta on Tuesday at lunchtime. Our visits will include the Victoria Memorial and a look at life on and around the Maidan, the city's enormous central park.
Thu 4 Jan	Arrive in the UK after an overnight flight.

Dr Robert Anderson The many different aspects of Indian art, history and religion are amongst his favourite interests. He will look more closely at these in relation to the areas visited.

The Revd Rupert Bursell Canon of St Albans Cathedral and Chancellor of the Dioceses of Durham and St Albans. He will explore the history of India through the ages.

Oliver Miles CMG Entered the Diplomatic Services in 1969 and in the Arab World has worked in Lebanon, Jordan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and UAE. He was the last serving Ambassador to Libya in 1984. International diplomacy and politics are his speciality.