Treasures of the Indies

An ancient trading post on the Silk Road, Colombo offers you the fabulous spectacle of its picturesque streets in the old town. Known as early as the 8th century by Arab, Persian and Chinese traders, this ancient village, nestled between two dunes, served as a trading post on the mythical Spice Route. Now the economic capital of Sri Lanka, the city offers postcard-perfect scenery with its beaches stretching lazily along the southwestern coast of the country. Here, the colour of the sand dazzles you and the sea makes you dream.

Discover Galle, one of the oldest cities in Sri Lanka. With its trading port, from which spices and precious stones were exported, Galle was once the country’s main city. Colonised by the Portuguese and then the Dutch, it still bears the marks of its colonial past. During your stopover, take a walk through the old town and its fortifications, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by the Portuguese at the end of the 16th century, they are perfectly preserved. If you want to learn more about Sri Lankan rural and daily life, don’t miss the Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Art Museum in Koggala, not far from Galle.

Capital of the state of Kerala, Trivandrum has a rich historical past. Built on seven hills, the “green city of India” as Gandhi called it, allows you to admire sumptuous Victorian buildings, vestiges of the English colonization. You can also discover superb examples of traditional architecture, such as the Padmanabhapuram Palace. Formerly the home of the princes of Kerala, this elegant 16th century wooden palace has three storeys reminiscent of the pagodas of the Far East. To enter and walk through its labyrinth of galleries, halls and corridors is to plunge into the heart of the lavish life of the Travancore kings.

Cochin (Kochi), an important port in southwest India, is one of the most fascinating places on the Malabar coast, where the scent of cardamom and cloves mingle. It was here that Vasco da Gama landed 500 years ago. But how many Phoenicians, Greeks, Arabs and Romans were there before him to drop anchor in the turquoise waters of the Arabian Sea? So many peoples who, at a time when the value of Malabar pepper rivalled that of gold, left loaded with the precious spices. Today the city, a surprising metropolis with a multiple identity, offers a rich cultural and natural heritage combining old colonial houses, ancestral fishing methods and enchanting backwaters.

During your day at sea, enjoy the many services and activities on board. Relax at the spa or keep fit at the gym. Depending on the time of year, you can also enjoy a swim in the pool or sunbathing. This non-stop day will also be an opportunity to attend the conferences and shows offered on board, to do some shopping in the shop or to meet the Ponant photographers in the space dedicated to them. Lovers of the open sea will go to the upper deck of the ship to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps have the chance to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude between comfort, rest and entertainment.

Marmugao is a locality in the South Goa district of the state of Goa, India. It is home to the state’s main seaport. Known worldwide for its climate, beautiful beaches, rice fields and waterfalls, Goa is also known for its cultural and religious heritage. It has many churches from the 16th and 17th centuries, including the Basilica of the Good Jesus, as well as Hindu temples and mosques. The Goa Chitra Museum, Goa’s first ethnographic museum, is also worth a visit.

During your day at sea, enjoy the many services and activities on board. Relax at the spa or keep fit at the gym. Depending on the time of year, you can also enjoy a swim in the pool or sunbathing. This non-stop day will also be an opportunity to attend the conferences and shows offered on board, to do some shopping in the shop or to meet the Ponant photographers in the space dedicated to them. Lovers of the open sea will go to the upper deck of the ship to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps have the chance to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude between comfort, rest and entertainment.

Mumbai, a fascinating city on the Arabian Sea, offers a real immersion in Hindu culture. You can discover the Elephanta caves, which house a series of rock paintings typical of the Shiva cult. Don’t miss the Gandhi House Museum, dedicated to the memory of the man who played a key role in India’s emancipation and independence, or Victoria Station, the finest example of Victorian architecture in India. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya has a fine collection of sculptures, miniatures and portraits of the man who became King George V.