Sri Lanka & Southeast Asia Voyage: Tea, Temples and Tranquility

Your package begins as you fly from the US to your destination.

Arriving in Singapore, you’ll check into your hotel for an overnight stay. This dynamic city-state rewards even a brief visit — take a stroll along the waterfront, explore the lively hawker centers, or simply soak up the atmosphere ahead of embarkation tomorrow

Step aboard the Diamond Princess^®, the crown jewel of Princess Cruises. Enjoy freshly crafted sashimi at Kai Sushi, watch street artists perform in the lively Atrium, or take in a stunning production show at the state-of-the-art theater.

Port Klang serves as the gateway to Malaysia’s vibrant capital. Head inland to explore Kuala Lumpur’s extraordinary skyline, wander the colonial heart of the city, or discover the ornate Batu Caves just a short drive away.

Thailand’s largest island delivers white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and a rich cultural heritage. Explore the ornate temples of the island’s interior, wander the Sino-Portuguese lanes of Phuket Old Town, or simply find a quiet stretch of shoreline and unwind.

A natural paradise of jungle-clad mountains and calm cerulean bays, Langkawi rewards exploration. Take the cable car to the peak of Gunung Mat Cincang for sweeping island views, or linger on one of the island’s uncrowded beaches.

George Town, Penang’s UNESCO-listed capital, is one of Southeast Asia’s great street-food cities. Wander its colorful murals and historic streets, sample char kway teow fresh from a wok, or explore the ornate clan temples that line the waterfront.

Cam Ranh is the gateway to Nha Trang, Vietnam’s sun-drenched coastal city. Beyond its sweeping bay and clear waters, the region offers ancient Cham towers, vibrant markets, and mud-bath spas that have made it one of the country’s most popular escapes.

The city once known as Saigon hums with energy and history. Explore the War Remnants Museum, duck into incense-filled pagodas, and fuel up on bánh mì from a street-side stand — all against a backdrop of French colonial architecture and soaring glass towers.

Thailand’s dynamic capital rewards the journey from port. Gilded temple spires rise above the Chao Phraya River, the Chatuchak Weekend Market sprawls across dozens of city blocks, and the rooftop bars of Silom offer a panorama that few cities can match.

Disembarking in Singapore, you’ll transfer to the airport and fly to Colombo, before continuing to Negombo on Sri Lanka’s west coast. Check in this evening with the beach and the warm Indian Ocean just steps away.

After a morning visit to Negombo’s lively fish market, you’ll transfer north to Dambulla for a guided tour of the remarkable Cave Temple complex — five ancient shrines carved into a granite outcrop, their walls alive with centuries of Buddhist murals and statuary.

A visit to a rural school offers a glimpse into everyday Sri Lankan life, before you continue to Anuradhapura — one of the ancient world’s great capitals, its ruined stupas and sacred Bodhi tree spread across a vast archaeological landscape.

The morning belongs to Sigiriya, the fifth-century rock fortress that rises sheer from the jungle plain. After the descent, cool towels and fresh tropical fruit await before you continue to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s cultural capital, nestled among mist-draped hills.

Visit the 16th-century Temple of the Tooth, home to the Buddha’s sacred relic, then ride a tuk-tuk to a village market before cooking a traditional curry lunch at a local family home. The afternoon brings a visit to a Kandyan dance school, where you’re welcome to try the drums.

Board the train in Kandy and settle in for one of Asia’s most celebrated rail journeys, climbing through cloud-draped tea country as waterfalls tumble alongside the tracks. Your hilltop hotel sits above Hatton, surrounded by over an acre of working tea estate.

Spend the morning at the tea plantation and factory adjoining your hotel, learning how Sri Lanka’s celebrated teas are grown, processed, and graded. The afternoon slows to a perfect pace with High Tea served in the hotel garden, the hills of the highlands stretching out before you.

A second scenic railway journey carries you from Hatton to Ella, winding through arched bridges and jungle-green hillsides. You’ll then transfer south to Yala, checking in to a resort on the edge of the national park with the rest of the day at leisure.

Rise before dawn for a game drive through Yala National Park, home to one of the world’s densest populations of leopards, alongside elephants, sloth bears, and a vivid array of birdlife. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at the resort.

The coastal road south offers a final flourish — a stop in the historic fort town of Galle before continuing to Colombo. Sri Lanka’s capital blends colonial heritage with a modern energy, and an evening in the Fort district or Pettah bazaar makes a fitting farewell.

Your package complete, today you’ll check out of your hotel and head to the airport for your flight home.