15 nights onboard Le Lapérouse

Tropical Odyssey between North East Australia and Indonesia

Over 16 days, fall under the spell of the beauty and richness of the Indonesian archipelago and the northern shores of Australia. Aboard Le Lapérouse, take an exceptional expedition cruise with PONANT, sailing from island to island, from idyllic landscapes to unforgettable encounters.

After boarding Le Laperouse in Cairns, your first destination is Lizard Island. Located at the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, this 1,000-hectare Island is home to sublime white sand beaches fringed by coral reefs teeming with life.

Then, you will cross Cape York, where the Pacific and Indian oceans meet.

Further north, you will discover the Asmat region, one of the most isolated and mysterious areas in the world.

Then, you will sail to the heart of Triton Bay. Located within a protected marine environment in the middle of the Coral Triangle, you will enjoy an unforgettable zodiac cruise through the spectacular rainforest-capped karst islands.

Le Lapérouse will continue on to the Indonesian province of West Papua to give you the opportunity to admire the Kiti-Kiti Waterfall. Surrounded by lush vegetation, you will undoubtedly be tempted to swim or snorkel at the foot of this stunning natural site.

In the Moluccas (Maluku Islands), dubbed the Spice Islands, you will discover Banda Neira, shaped by Dutch and Portuguese influences.

After a stopover in the fabulous Barat Daya Islands, you will head for Kalabahi. This authentic destination in the Alor Archipelago provides the opportunity to interact with local people who have preserved their traditional practices and customs.

You will then head to Flores before visiting your final destination of Komodo National Park. This wild and isolated island is home to the famous Komodo dragons.

Your cruise will conclude in Bali, ‘the island of the gods’ with its captivating charm and grace.

The encounters with the wildlife described above illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.

Leaving from: Cairns, Queensland

Cruise ship: Le Lapérouse

Visiting: Cairns, Queensland • Lizard Island National Park, Queensland • Cape York • Asmat, Papua •

Ponant

When searching for a luxury yacht expedition cruise, there’s one name above all else that you need to know – Ponant Cruises. Founded in 1988 by former French Merchant Navy officers, Ponant combines succulent luxury with authentic adventures on all seven continents.

From classic Mediterranean itineraries and Caribbean sailings, to bucket-list expeditions around Greenland and Antarctica, Ponant cruises proudly counteract the banality of mainstream voyages with a unique take on the concept of small-ship cruising. It’s the absolute trip of a lifetime.

184

Passengers

110

Crew

2018

Launched

10700t

Tonnage

128m

Length

18m

Width

Decks

EUR

Currency

Cruise Itinerary

Day 1

Cairns, Queensland, Australia

Day 2

Lizard Island National Park, Queensland, Australia

Day 4

Cape York, Greenland

Day 6

Asmat, Papua, Indonesia

Day 8

Triton Bay, Indonesia

Day 9

Mommon Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia

Day 10

Banda Neira, Indonesia

Day 11

Barat Daya Islands, Indonesia

Day 12

Kalabahi, Indonesia

Day 13

Maumere, Flores, Indonesia

Days 14 - 15

Komodo Island, Indonesia

Day 16

Benoa, Bali, Indonesia

Day 1

Cairns, Queensland, Australia

Tourism is the lifeblood of Cairns (pronounced Caans). The city makes a good base for exploring the wild top half of Queensland, and tens of thousands of international travelers use it as a jumping-off point for activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling trips to the Barrier Reef, as well as boating, fishing, parasailing, scenic flights, and rain-forest treks.It's a tough environment, with intense heat and fierce wildlife. Along with wallabies and grey kangaroos in the savannah and tree kangaroos in the rain forest, you'll find stealthy saltwater crocodiles, venomous snakes, and jellyfish so deadly they put the region’s stunning beaches off- limits to swimmers for nearly half the year. Yet despite this formidable setting, Cairns and tropical North Queensland are far from intimidating places. The people are warm and friendly, the sights spectacular, and—at the right time of year—the beachside lounging is world-class.

Day 2

Lizard Island National Park, Queensland, Australia

Day 4

Cape York, Greenland

Visit the arctic seascape of Cape York, Greenland. Located on the northwestern coast of Greenland in Baffin Bay, Cape York is an important geographical feature delimiting the Melville Bay at its northwestern end and Kiatassuaq Island at its other end. There is a chain of coastal islands that stretches between the two capes, most notably Meteorite Island, named for the discovery one of the world’s largest iron meteorites in Savissivik, a settlement on the island. The iron from this meteorite attracted Inuit migrating from Arctic Canada who used the metal in making tools and harpoons. Visitors to this region will see iconic drifting blue-white icebergs that are shrinking as the earth temperature rises.

Day 6

Asmat, Papua, Indonesia

Western New Guinea (once known as Irian Jaya) is one of the most remote and mysterious regions of the planet. Even today, there are at least 44 tribes that have never had contact with the outside world. The Asmat region, in the south-west corner of the island, is well-known as the realm of head-hunters and cannibals and it maintains its ancient traditions. Start your expedition of the area with a Zodiac® transfer to Syuru village, where you will be met by a multitude of Asmat warrior canoes. Once ashore, enjoy a traditional ceremony among the traditional people of the area.

Day 8

Triton Bay, Indonesia

In 2008, the Kaimana Regency declared a 6000 square kilometer (over 2,300 square mile) Marine Protected Area around the waters of Triton Bay. Conservation International maintains an office in Kaimana and a field station out in Triton Bay where visiting scientists can do their work studying the staggering marine biodiversity of the reserve. It is truly second to none, and the area offers everything from the tiniest pygmy seahorses, to large and graceful whale sharks. Triton Bay is known for its beautiful soft coral gardens as well as nesting green turtles, and a population of coastal Bryde’s whales.

Day 9

Mommon Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia

Day 10

Banda Neira, Indonesia

Banda Neira is the main island and town of the minute Banda Archipelago in the Banda Sea some 2500 kilometers away from Jakarta. Although the Portuguese already contacted the Banda Islands for nutmeg and mace in 1512, it was only ninety years later that the Dutch established a trading post on Neira and neighboring Lonthor to export the spices. Rivalries between the Dutch and the British led to forts being built –the ruins of Fort Nassau and the restored Fort Belgica can be visited on Banda Neira. The area surrounding the town still has nutmeg plantations and several sites relate to the Dutch spice trading time.

Day 11

Barat Daya Islands, Indonesia

Day 12

Kalabahi, Indonesia

Day 13

Maumere, Flores, Indonesia

Days 14 - 15

Komodo Island, Indonesia

Pink Beach earned its name for the way the beach can appear to have a rosy hue in certain lights. The color comes from small flecks of red coral mixed in with the fine white reef sand. With a few trees along the beach for shade, this stretch of coast makes a fine place to relax or enjoy a snorkel or dive in the crystal clear waters. It is possible to spot a striped clown fish nestled among the protective tentacles of its sea anemone host, or to see a grouper lazily swimming by a flamboyant soft coral. The reef here is now protected by law and the maturing corals are a joy to behold.

Day 16

Benoa, Bali, Indonesia

Bali really is as alluring as everyone says. This island, slightly bigger than Delaware, has it all: beaches, volcanoes, terraced rice fields, forests, renowned resorts, surfing, golf, and world-class dive sites. But what sets Bali apart from other nearby tropical destinations is Balinese tradition, and villagers dedicated to celebrating it. The hundreds of temples, dances, rituals, and crafts linked to their ancient Hindu faith aren't a show for tourists, but a living, breathing culture in which visitors are warmly received by the Balinese, who cherish their own identities.

Ship Details

Ponant

Le Lapérouse

Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed cabins, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 cabins and suites∘ will offer you a truly unique cruising experience.

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