Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises
Ship: Celebrity Millennium
Departs: Mumbai, India
Countries Visited: India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia & Singapore
Sail Date: 21 February 2024
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Itinerary
Day 1: Delhi, India
Arrive into Delhi today, be transferred to the Le Meridien hotel and enjoy a free evening to relax.
Day 2: Delhi – Agra
This morning after breakfast, join your experienced local guide on an exciting half day tour of Delhi. Visit historic Jama Masjid and drive past the Red Fort. Experience the narrow winding lanes best traversed by cycle-rickshaw; they house some of the oldest trading establishments and inhabitants of the Old City.
Later, drive past the Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Palace) and the secretariat buildings, the impressive Rajpath and World War I memorial arch; the India Gate. Later visit Delhi’s most beautiful monument; the Humayun’s Tomb. On the way back to the hotel, notice the contrasting architectural styles, introduced by colonial rulers, mirroring styles from across Europe and adapted to India.
Continue onto Agra this evening, home to the Taj Mahal, where you will be staying at Double Tree by Hilton.
Day 3: Agra – Fatehpur Sikri & Abhaneri – Jaipur
Start the day with a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. The stunning mausoleum immortalized the name of Shah Jahan’s last wife Mumtaz Mahal, “light of the palace”. Built by artisans from neighbouring Islamic countries as well as India, it is aptly described by the poet laureate Tagore as “A tear on the face of eternity”. Decorated with a mosaic of semi-precious stones and Persian calligraphy recreating verses from the Koran, the mausoleum is an important place of pilgrimage as the empress died in childbirth, making her a martyr. At dawn the marble structures glow and gently change colour as the sky brightens.
After returning to the hotel to freshen up and for breakfast, visit mighty Agra Fort. Richly decorated with marble and mosaic, it was in part of this fort-palace that Shah Jahan, who built the Taj Mahal in homage to his wife, spent the last years of his life, imprisoned by his son. The quarters where he was confined have a magical view of the Taj Mahal across the river Yamuna. Enjoy free time to wander the intriguing streets and lane ways of Agra’s old city.
This afternoon stop at Fatehpur Sikri as you continue onto Jaipur. Fatehpur Sikri was built by the Mughals in the 15th century and abandoned within 20 years due to a lack of the water, the ornate buildings and palaces are remarkably well preserved, they offer a somewhat eerie in sight into the grandeur of the Mughal Empire at its peak.
Continue on to Jaipur and be transferred to The Hilton for your hotel stay.
Day 4: Jaipur, India
Spend today exploring the ‘Pink City’ and its historical significance in the region. Start at magnificent Amber Fort, strategically positioned on a hilltop, home to vast halls and the famous entirely mirrored room ‘Sheesh mahal’.
In the afternoon visit the sprawling City Palace, a superb marriage of Rajput and Mughal architecture. The seven storied Chandra Mahal (Moon Palace) is a sprawling complex with multiple courtyards, public buildings, astronomical observatory and zenana mahals (harems). From the City Palace you enter the extraordinary “Jantar Mantar”, an astronomical observatory built in 1827. Instruments resembling massive futuristic structures are actually highly sophisticated instruments which are accurate even today.
Finally, drive though the busy streets for a photography stop at Hawa Mahal, the ornate pink façade an icon of the city. The five storied high ‘screen’ composed of projected windows and balconies protected by fine latticed screens, was designed to enable the ladies of the harem to observe the lively street scenes of the city from a position of privacy.
Enjoy free time this evening.
Day 5: Jaipur – Mumbai, India
Fly from Jaipur to Mumbai today and enjoy an evening at your leisure before spending the night at your hotel Trident Nariman Point.
Day 6: Mumbai, India
Enjoy an excursion to Elephanta Caves, which is just an hour away from Mumbai. The cave temples here were excavated between the 5th and 8th centuries, famous for the magnificently sculpted panels.
Later in the afternoon proceed on a city tour of Mumbai, visiting the Gateway of India, Mumbai’s principal landmark. Visit the “Dhobi Ghat” an open laundry, famous for lines of dyed garments, a nice photography stop well worth a visit.
Day 7: Mumbai, India
Enjoy a leisurely start to the morning and then embark your 12 night luxury cruise to Singapore onboard Celebrity Millennium from Mumbai.
Day 8: Goa, India
Stroll through sacred sites including temples and churches in this Portugese and Hindu influenced civilisation. Goa presents a stunning array of local spices, bustling markets, delicious food and beautiful beaches.
Day 9: At Sea
Enjoy a relaxing day at sea.
Day 10-11: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Colombo is a terrific example of where old meets new in the countries capital. Stroll past colonial architecture and lush gardens in the Fort district, shop traditional marketplaces, step into modern times at Colombo’s countless restaurants, museums and galleries. Enjoy 1 night onboard in port.
Day 12: Hambantota, Sri Lanka
Situated on the southern coast of Sri Lanka is the city of Hambantota, home to the world’s largest group of leopards and elephants. Bundala National Park is filled with migrating birds including the majestic flamingo. A tropical safari is definitely on the cards if you can squeeze it in to your schedule.
Day 13-14: At Sea
Enjoy your relaxing days at sea.
Day 15: Phuket, Thailand
Phuket boasts some of the worlds most stunning coastlines, reef structures, sandy beaches and 5 star resorts. Venture in to the capital to view the juxtaposition of historic structures being absorbed by new shops, restaurants and cafes.
Day 16: Penang, Malaysia
Penang is the northern gateway to Malaysia and is home to the countries oldest British settlement. Georgetown is a must visit, boasting the largest collection of pre-war residences in Southeast Asia and continues to maintain the quintessential heritage thanks to the protection of Penang Heritage Trust.
Day 17: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Explore the capital of Malaysia with it’s futuristic skyline dominated by the Petronas Twin Towers. Look out over the city from the observation deck and indulge in some local street food for a change of pace or maybe some fine dining and shopping.
Day 18: Singapore, Republic of Singapore
Welcome to Singapore! Whether you’re a nature lover, culture buff, thrill-seeker, or cocktail enthusiast, Singapore has a wide selection of leisure offerings within easy reach. Visit Universal Studios, ride the observational Singapore Flyer, wander through the magical Gardens by the Bay. There’s plenty to do in this magical city, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll want to revisit to explore everything on offer. Spend the night onboard Celebrity Millennium in port.
Day 19: Singapore, Republic of Singapore
Disembark Celebrity Millennium in Singapore, farewell your new found friends as you board your flight home or ask about our flexible flights and extend your stay.
