9D8N The Essential Seychelles
9D8N The Essential Seychelles
Luxury cruise aboard to experience a truly exceptional sea voyage with a difference. Discover expeditions to the majestic landscapes of the Artic and the Antarctic. Great choice for couples, solo travelers and those who love small-ship cruising. Ponant Cruises offers exceptional bilingual service, world-class dining and elegantly-appointed accommodation and public areas in terms of the onboard experience. Choose a cruise on an Explorer Class vessel, you will benefit from several expedition-style features. Relaxing in the Blue Eye Lounge, an underwater multi-sensory environment that boasts comfortable seating and privileged views of life beneath the waves. Ponant’s expedition ships also carry a fleet of Zodiacs deployed frequently throughout each itinerary for sightseeing excursions and trips ashore.
Tour Deal
~ PONANT Bonus Discount up to 30%
~ First Time Cruiser EUR 250
~ No Single Supplement on selected departure
Travel Period: from Now till March 28, 2023
Tour Highlight
~ Landing in Zodiac® inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.~ Explore 8 islands with their emblematic Seychelles landscapes.
~ Observe wildlife animals in their natural habitat
~ Possibility of observing tortoises on Curieuse.
~ Possibility of diving (PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent) with an experienced instructor on board and of snorkelling with your expedition team.
What To Expect
On this itinerary, PONANT invites you to discover the must-see jewels of the Seychelles. Board for a 9-day expedition cruise to the heart of this archipelago’s Inner Islands for a glimpse of paradise.-
Day 1: ARRIVE VICTORIA, MAHE (EMBARKATION)
Embarkation from 16h00 to 17h00. Departure at 19h00. Your cruise ship ready for boarding.
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Day 2: SAINTE ANNE MARINE NATIONAL PARK
Lying off the coast of Mahé, the Sainte Anne Marine National Park has been protecting the natural riches and exceptional sea beds of the verdant islands and turquoise lagoons of Sainte-Anne, Longue, Ronde, Moyenne and Cerf since 1973. These dream islands with their white sandy beaches edged with granite rock, crystal-clear waters and coconut trees promise unforgettable moments of relaxation and discovery. These colourful reefs and granite rocks and their large swathes of seagrass are home to a multitude of tropical fish as well as sea turtles, dolphins and several species of ray, including the manta ray.
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Day 3: DESROCHES ISLAND
Coconut trees, she-oak, white-sand beaches, warm and clear waters: everything here is conducive to daydreaming and relaxation in an intimate setting where the blue sky completes the picture postcard. You are on Desroches Island, the largest in the Amirantes group in the Outer Islands of the Seychelles. This 6 km long coral atoll covered in lush vegetation is surrounded by spectacular seabeds where encounters with sharks and manta rays are not uncommon. On the beach, you may be lucky enough to observe sea turtles, there to lay their eggs. In the island’s north, a lighthouse that is still in operation stands guard, and the small village is home to a chapel and a cemetery.
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Day 4: CURIEUSE ISLAND
Situated off the coast of Praslin, Curieuse has a distinguishing feature: its red earth. Discovered in 1768 by the French explorer Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne, it was ravaged by a fire in 1771 and then home to a leper colony of which a few vestiges still remain. Declared a national marine park in 1979, it is home to many underwater species, which can be discovered while scuba diving or snorkelling in the idyllic waters of the Indian Ocean. But above all, Curieuse is renowned for the hundreds of Aldabra giant tortoises that live there. It is highly likely that you will get the chance to meet these fascinating reptiles. Along with Praslin, it is also the only island on which the sea coconut grows wild.
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Day 5: ARIDE ISLAND
Aride is an island in the Seychelles situated a few kilometres north-west of Praslin. Listed as a nature reserve, this pearl of the Indian Ocean will seduce you with the beauty of its landscapes of wild cliffs and fine-sand beaches. Protected from human impact and sometimes called “bird capital”, it is home to several endemic plants as well as exceptional wildlife. Most notably, it is the refuge of an impressive number of seabirds (Seychelles magpie-robins, terns, noddies, and more), and reptiles, such as Wright’s skinks, which can be found in the island’s wooded areas. Sea turtles can also be observed on the island’s beaches.
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Day 6: GRANDE SŒUR
Located 6 km north of La Digue, Grande Sœur Island is renowned for its two sumptuous beaches and its translucent waters, protected by a coral reef. An ideal spot for snorkelling and observing the sea turtles that co-exist here with the many multi-coloured fish. The pristine Grande Sœur Island is considered to be one of the most beautiful islands in the Seychelles.
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Day 7: PRASLIN ISLAND
Situated some forty kilometres away from Victoria, Praslin is the second largest island in the Seychelles. Its idyllic beaches where granite rocks nestle in immaculate sand correspond perfectly to how we imagine the Seychelles to be. They invite visitors to dive into the turquoise waters, which are ideal for snorkelling. In the centre of the island, hidden in the heart of a stunning tropical rainforest, lies the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this veritable plant sanctuary, several endemic species of palm trees can be observed, as well as the famous sea coconut, which can weigh up to 20 kg and is sometimes called “coco fesse” because its shape calls to mind a pair of buttocks.
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Day 8: LA DIGUE ISLAND
La Digue Island is a veritable concentration of all the beauty of the Seychelles. Located 6 km south-east of Praslin, this small piece of land that looks like paradise is the third-largest island in the Seychelles, despite its modest size (5 km by 3 km)! Turquoise waters just asking you to swim in them, lush vegetation sheltering giant tortoises, beaches of fine sand fringed with coconut trees and surrounded with those emblematic large granite rocks with their pink highlights like at the famous Anse Source d’Argent: the perfect picture postcard… Authentic and preserved, the island follows a peaceful rhythm, with the only means of transport along its little roads being bikes or traditional oxcarts.
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Day 9: DEPART VICTORIA, MAHE (DISEMBARKATION)
Disembarkation at 07h00. Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Whats Included
~ 8 nights shipboard on Ponant Cruise~ All meals & drinks onboard (excluding premium brands)
~ Safety & port charges
~ 24 hour room service (special selection)
~ Butler service (special selection)
~ Free unlimited WIFI onboard
~ Evening entertainment and events
Whats Excluded
~ International Air Ticket~ Airport transfer
~ Travel Insurance & Visa
~ Gratuities
Where to Visits
Information
~ PONANT Bonus Discount up to 30%
~ First Time Cruiser EUR 250
~ No Single Supplement on selected departure
Travel Period: from Now till March 28, 2023
Tour Highlight
~ Landing in Zodiac® inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.~ Explore 8 islands with their emblematic Seychelles landscapes.
~ Observe wildlife animals in their natural habitat
~ Possibility of observing tortoises on Curieuse.
~ Possibility of diving (PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent) with an experienced instructor on board and of snorkelling with your expedition team.
What To Expect
On this itinerary, PONANT invites you to discover the must-see jewels of the Seychelles. Board for a 9-day expedition cruise to the heart of this archipelago’s Inner Islands for a glimpse of paradise.-
Day 1: ARRIVE VICTORIA, MAHE (EMBARKATION)
Embarkation from 16h00 to 17h00. Departure at 19h00. Your cruise ship ready for boarding.
-
-
Day 2: SAINTE ANNE MARINE NATIONAL PARK
Lying off the coast of Mahé, the Sainte Anne Marine National Park has been protecting the natural riches and exceptional sea beds of the verdant islands and turquoise lagoons of Sainte-Anne, Longue, Ronde, Moyenne and Cerf since 1973. These dream islands with their white sandy beaches edged with granite rock, crystal-clear waters and coconut trees promise unforgettable moments of relaxation and discovery. These colourful reefs and granite rocks and their large swathes of seagrass are home to a multitude of tropical fish as well as sea turtles, dolphins and several species of ray, including the manta ray.
-
-
Day 3: DESROCHES ISLAND
Coconut trees, she-oak, white-sand beaches, warm and clear waters: everything here is conducive to daydreaming and relaxation in an intimate setting where the blue sky completes the picture postcard. You are on Desroches Island, the largest in the Amirantes group in the Outer Islands of the Seychelles. This 6 km long coral atoll covered in lush vegetation is surrounded by spectacular seabeds where encounters with sharks and manta rays are not uncommon. On the beach, you may be lucky enough to observe sea turtles, there to lay their eggs. In the island’s north, a lighthouse that is still in operation stands guard, and the small village is home to a chapel and a cemetery.
-
-
Day 4: CURIEUSE ISLAND
Situated off the coast of Praslin, Curieuse has a distinguishing feature: its red earth. Discovered in 1768 by the French explorer Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne, it was ravaged by a fire in 1771 and then home to a leper colony of which a few vestiges still remain. Declared a national marine park in 1979, it is home to many underwater species, which can be discovered while scuba diving or snorkelling in the idyllic waters of the Indian Ocean. But above all, Curieuse is renowned for the hundreds of Aldabra giant tortoises that live there. It is highly likely that you will get the chance to meet these fascinating reptiles. Along with Praslin, it is also the only island on which the sea coconut grows wild.
-
-
Day 5: ARIDE ISLAND
Aride is an island in the Seychelles situated a few kilometres north-west of Praslin. Listed as a nature reserve, this pearl of the Indian Ocean will seduce you with the beauty of its landscapes of wild cliffs and fine-sand beaches. Protected from human impact and sometimes called “bird capital”, it is home to several endemic plants as well as exceptional wildlife. Most notably, it is the refuge of an impressive number of seabirds (Seychelles magpie-robins, terns, noddies, and more), and reptiles, such as Wright’s skinks, which can be found in the island’s wooded areas. Sea turtles can also be observed on the island’s beaches.
-
-
Day 6: GRANDE SŒUR
Located 6 km north of La Digue, Grande Sœur Island is renowned for its two sumptuous beaches and its translucent waters, protected by a coral reef. An ideal spot for snorkelling and observing the sea turtles that co-exist here with the many multi-coloured fish. The pristine Grande Sœur Island is considered to be one of the most beautiful islands in the Seychelles.
-
-
Day 7: PRASLIN ISLAND
Situated some forty kilometres away from Victoria, Praslin is the second largest island in the Seychelles. Its idyllic beaches where granite rocks nestle in immaculate sand correspond perfectly to how we imagine the Seychelles to be. They invite visitors to dive into the turquoise waters, which are ideal for snorkelling. In the centre of the island, hidden in the heart of a stunning tropical rainforest, lies the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this veritable plant sanctuary, several endemic species of palm trees can be observed, as well as the famous sea coconut, which can weigh up to 20 kg and is sometimes called “coco fesse” because its shape calls to mind a pair of buttocks.
-
-
Day 8: LA DIGUE ISLAND
La Digue Island is a veritable concentration of all the beauty of the Seychelles. Located 6 km south-east of Praslin, this small piece of land that looks like paradise is the third-largest island in the Seychelles, despite its modest size (5 km by 3 km)! Turquoise waters just asking you to swim in them, lush vegetation sheltering giant tortoises, beaches of fine sand fringed with coconut trees and surrounded with those emblematic large granite rocks with their pink highlights like at the famous Anse Source d’Argent: the perfect picture postcard… Authentic and preserved, the island follows a peaceful rhythm, with the only means of transport along its little roads being bikes or traditional oxcarts.
-
-
Day 9: DEPART VICTORIA, MAHE (DISEMBARKATION)
Disembarkation at 07h00. Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Whats Included
~ 8 nights shipboard on Ponant Cruise~ All meals & drinks onboard (excluding premium brands)
~ Safety & port charges
~ 24 hour room service (special selection)
~ Butler service (special selection)
~ Free unlimited WIFI onboard
~ Evening entertainment and events
Whats Excluded
~ International Air Ticket~ Airport transfer
~ Travel Insurance & Visa
~ Gratuities
Cancellation Policy
~ Postpone or cancel free of charge up to 10 days after the booking is confirmed
~ From 10 days after the booking is confirmed to 365 days prior to departure: EUR 150 plus RM100 refund admin fees per guest per cruise for the cruise service only
~ From 364 to 211 days prior to departure: 10% of total price
~ From 210 - 91 days prior to departure: 25% of total price
~ Cancellation within 90 days prior to departure: 100% of total price
Payment Terms
~ Deposit payment of 25% must be received within 10 days after the booking is confirmed.
~ Balance payment must be made 90 days prior to departure
~ Booking made within 90 days prior to departure require full payment at the time of booking
