Historic Spice Route & India's Golden Triangle

Your driver will take you to the port this morning, where you’ll board your ship, Silver Dawn, and check in to your suite. Your cruise doesn’t depart until tomorrow afternoon, so you may wish to take advantage of some of Silversea’s activities around the island. You could take a tour of Singaporean architecture, head out on a self-guided tasting trip around Chinatown’s Food Street and market, or immerse yourself in the ancient art of Feng Shui.

For your final morning, visit Gardens by the Bay with its vast conservatories of plants and flowers. Escape Singapore's heat in the Cloud Forest, a cooled conservatory with one of the world's largest indoor waterfalls, or enjoy perpetual spring in the Flower Dome. Finish your visit with the Skyway, an aerial walkway suspended between Singapore's iconic Supertrees, for a view across the city before you board your ship.

This morning, you arrive at Kuala Lumpur’s Port Klang. Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia, and there’s plenty on offer here, from city orientation trips to historical heritage tours and visits to the limestone Batu Caves, thought to be over 400 million years old. Or, you might wish to join a guided culinary tour, tasting regional delicacies and visiting Malaysian food markets.

If you can tear yourself away from the luxury of your suite with its personal butler service, you may want to explore the expansive facilities across the rest of the ship on this, your first full day at sea. For dinner, you can try one of the eight onboard dining options, ranging from French fine dining at La Dame to Japanese artistry at Kaiseki and Italian pizzas at Spaccanapoli.

You arrive at the island paradise of Phuket in Thailand today, where towering limestone karsts rise out of aquamarine waters ringed by honey-hued, tropical beaches. Here, you can head off to one of the luxurious resorts for some beachfront relaxation, or choose a more active experience. There are speedboat tours around Phang Nga Bay, guided sightseeing island trips, and cooking classes that’ll introduce you to the ingredients and techniques of Thai cuisine.

You have three days at sea now, with the chance to fully experience the sophistication of your ship. After a morning spent simply soaking in the sunshine and serenity from the poolside loungers, you might pop into the Arts Café to peruse the exhibitions of art and sculpture, curl up in the Observation Library with a good book and some impressive seascape views, or head to the Venetian Lounge to catch a movie or theatrical performance.

Another day at sea could give you the ideal opportunity to enhance your training regime with a visit to the Fitness Center. The ship’s full suite of cardio and weight machines boasts stunning maritime aft views, with personal trainers on hand to help perfect your technique. There’s also an outdoor jogging track on Deck 11 or, if you’d rather attend classes, there are plenty of options including Pilates and yoga.

As you continue to sail east across the Bay of Bengal, you may like to immerse yourself in the Sea and Land Taste (S.A.L.T.) offerings onboard. These include complimentary cooking classes in the S.A.L.T. Lab, where you’ll be guided through creating dishes from your destinations. Or, sit in on a S.A.L.T. lecture, listening to guest speakers deep dive into the cuisines of your trip’s locales. Finally, you’ll have the chance to taste specifically prepared regional dishes in the S.A.L.T. Kitchen.

Today, you arrive in the vast natural port of Trincomalee, in the historic heart of Sri Lanka. Onshore activities here could see you soaring over the ruins of the 12th-century city of Polonnaruwa in a helicopter, or spending a day at the Golden Temple of Dambulla, a Buddhist cave shrine and revered UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alternatively, you may wish to head out on a safari in the Minneriya National Park to spend time with the prolific wild elephants.

You have a day to rest and relax at sea today. You may choose to spend it poolside, soaking up the sun on one of the loungers or taking a dip in either the main pool or the whirlpools alongside it. Or, perhaps you’ll head to the Otium Spa and Thermal Suite with its complimentary steam rooms and sauna, and vast range of therapies from hot-stone massages to deep tissue treatments and facials.

This morning you arrive in Galle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that exudes a mélange of Moorish, Dutch, and Portuguese architectural influences. You could join a guided tour of this historic port, taking in everything from its distinctive stilt fishermen to the impressive Galle Fort. Tea lovers have the chance to explore an organic specialty tea plantation at Handunugoda, whereas if you’re keen on bird spotting, you could head up the Madu Ganga River on a safari cruise.

The vibrant, bustling city of Colombo is your next stop. Here, tours explore the cultural and religious heart of the island. You might visit the vast Kelaniya Temple, or the home of Ceylon tea on a plantation visit. If you’re eager to get a taste of Sri Lankan cuisine, you could join the S.A.L.T. culinary experience, where you’ll wander the food markets of Pettah Bazaar before enjoying a demonstration and tasting menu prepared by acclaimed master chef, Dr Publis Silva.

Today, as you sail for India, you may wish to have some pamper time. You could head to the ship’s boutique to browse high-end goods or stop by the salon or barber shop within the Otium Spa. Perhaps you’ll book dinner at Silver Note for a meal accompanied by live blues and jazz, or hit the dance floor at the Panorama Lounge.

You dock in Cochin early this morning, where you’ll have two full days to explore. Cochin’s maritime heritage is evident in its rich architectural and cultural tapestry. You may choose to explore the rural fringes of the city, where you’ll gaze on rice paddies, experience the thrill of a rickshaw ride, and drift along remote backwaters to view traditional weaving techniques and gain an understanding of how the fishermen manage the vast Chinese nets.

Today, you might like to immerse yourself further in the culture of Kerala, perhaps visiting the Dutch Palace and the Jewish Town. Or, you can pay a visit to the home of chef Nimmy Paul, whose book Kitchens of Kerala has become a staple reference of the region’s cuisine. She’ll introduce you to the spices of the area and teach you the basic skills, before giving a full cooking demonstration as she prepares a buffet meal for you.

On your final full day at sea, you may wish to toast your travels and share your stories with fellow passengers. The S.A.L.T. Bar on Deck 4 has an ever-changing menu of locally inspired cocktails to offer, while the Dolce Vita lounge is the hub of social activities — perfect for a pre-dinner drink. After dinner, you could find a seat in Connoisseur’s Corner and enjoy tasting the world-class selection of cognac and whiskey.

You dock in your last port of Mumbai today, where you’ll be immediately enveloped by the electric energy of this fascinating city. Choosing a half-day orientation tour is a good way to start exploring the major sites here. Or, you could invest in a day-long trip deep into the city’s cultural highlights, from meeting the Kolis People in their fishing village, to visiting the 200-year-old community of Matharpacady and eating at Trishna, the esteemed fresh fish restaurant.

Today you will disembark your Silversea cruise and fly to Delhi. On arrival at Delhi Airport, be greeted by your Audley representative and your driver, who will stay with you for your time in India. Drive to your hotel and relax for the evening before embarking on the next leg of your adventure.

Today get a real feel for Delhi, exploring the old and new areas of the city. Starting in the Old City, experience the sights, smells and people of Chandni Chowk Bazaar with your private local guide. Driving over to New Delhi, you will see some of the architectural highlights, including the iconic India Gate.

Check out of your hotel and drive three hours to Agra by road. On arrival, explore the Red Fort with your private guide. Enjoy abundant facilities at your hotel this evening, including views of the Taj Mahal from your room.

Rise early this morning to see the iconic Taj Mahal at sunrise. At this time, the beautiful site is at its quietest, allowing for more of a tranquil experience. Drive onward for about five hours to Jaipur with your driver, via the village of Abhaneri which is home to the beautiful Chand Baoris stepwell. Arriving in Jaipur, you have the evening to relax.

Today enjoy a private guided tour of Amber Fort, the original Maharaja's Palace, which lies 40 minutes outside the city. Following your time at the fort, visit the local Museum of Hand Printing housed in a restored haveli, where you'll learn about this traditional art form. Drive back into the city to explore the sights of Jaipur itself, which is fondly known as the Pink City, including the City Palace and the Palace of the Winds.

Spend the morning relaxing at your hotel. We recommend a leisurely breakfast, followed by some time to simply lay by the pool. This afternoon, join a local guide to explore the textiles, arts and foods that make the Pink City so iconic. Widely acknowledged as the craft capital of India, Jaipur is thriving with workshops in the oldest parts.

After a slow start to the day, travel by road back to Delhi for your final night in India. The drive takes about five hours, but your driver can suggest places to stop along the way if you wish.

This morning you will be transferred to Delhi International Airport to catch your flight home.