CRUISE “ADVENTURE IN MADAGASCAR” (Russian-speaking group)
Duration: 15 nights Dates: 12/29/2023 – 01/13/2024
Price: €10,060
Route: Port Louis, Mauritius – Pointe de Galais, Reunion, France – Day at sea – Nosy Be – Sarodrano – Tulear, Madagascar – Belo – Day at sea – Mahajanga, Madagascar – Nosy Tanikeli, Madagascar – Nosy Komba, Madagascar – Nosy Hara – Day at Sea – La Digue – Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles
mega-yacht “Le Champlain”
During an expedition cruise, you will explore the natural resources of Madagascar and get acquainted with the authentic traditions of the local people.
✔UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Biosphere Reserves in the southwest of Madagascar: Nosy Be Island/Belo sur Mer Nature Reserve/Toliara Coastline/Piton Nature Reserve/Reunion Islands
✔Various idyllic landscapes: coral reefs, lagoons, tropical forests or thorny thickets, white sand beaches, granite islands, volcanoes.
✔Rich endemic flora and fauna: colorful fish, green turtles, ring-tailed and red-tailed lemurs, baobabs and chameleons.
✔Acquaintance with one of the last “sea nomads” of the planet – Vezo (Fishing villages and ancestral sea know-how)
Route by day
Day 1. Port Louis, Mauritius
On the northwest coast of Mauritius, discover Port Louis, the country’s multicultural capital. The ever-evolving city, which was once a port of call on the route to India, is home to many cultural and historical treasures. In addition to the city market, where you can discover all the local flavors and find a variety of handicrafts, be sure to visit Fort Adelaide, located in the hills of Port Louis. This citadel dates back to the 16th century and is classified as a national heritage site, offering magnificent views of the surrounding area.
Day 2. Pointe de Galais, Reunion, France
At the end of the 19th century, the construction of the port of Pointe de Galais lasted seven years, and along the way a town called Le Port arose. You will also hear the name “Port Reunion” used to refer to Pointe de Galais, the main port on Reunion Island. In fact, it is the only port in France that serves five functions: naval base, passenger terminal, commercial port, fishing port and marina. The Old Town evokes the area’s rich transportation history. Here you can discover the former home of the Reunion Railway and Harbor Company (1878), an old naval cemetery and a covered market.
Day 3 – 4. Day at sea
During your day at sea, take advantage of the many services and entertainment on board. Visit the spa, relax by the outdoor pool, or attend conferences led by guides.
Day 5. Nosy Be
Nosy Be is an unspoilt paradise of exceptional wild beauty. Situated on a two-kilometer (1.2 mi) coral beach, this island is unique in that it is home to a colony of endemic birds, commonly called red-tailed tropical birds. This reserve, a nesting site for rare birds, is unique in that it is the only breeding site for this species. This Eden, dotted with natural pools, is also home to coral, fish and sea turtles, which you can discover while snorkeling.
Day 6. Sarodrano
Sarodrano is a small village in the southwest of Madagascar in the province of Atsimo Andrefana, at the mouth of the Onilahi River. This fishermen’s village has an authentic and untouched outback charm. You’ll be amazed at the dexterity with which these “sea nomads” steer their canoes to catch fish or maintain their ancestral traditions, such as seaweed farming. If the tide allows, you will have the opportunity to discover the sacred Sarodrano Cave, a natural freshwater pool separated from the sea by just 10 meters of rocks.
Day 7. Tulear, Madagascar
Tulear, located southwest of the island of Madagascar, near the mouth of the Onilai River, is a port city overlooking the Mozambique Channel, inhabited for several centuries and becoming prosperous during the colonial period in the 19th century. Tulear is a cheerful town with unspoilt nature and exceptional flora that will definitely appeal to botany lovers. Visit the Antsokay Arboretum botanical garden with almost 1000 species of Madagascan plants, 90% of which are endemic.
Day 8. Belu
In the southwest of the Menabe region, in the Morondava region, you can admire the scenic beauty of Belo sur Mer. This peninsula, fringed by mangroves, alternates beautiful sandy beaches with cliffs plunging into a sea that ranges in shades from deep blue to crystal clear green. This fishing village is famous for its dhows, Madagascar’s traditional sailing boats, which are built on site in a local craft shipyard.
Day 9. Day at sea
During your day at sea, take advantage of the many services and entertainment on board. Visit the spa, relax by the outdoor pool, or attend conferences led by guides.
Day 10. Mahajanga, Madagascar
A vibrant and cosmopolitan city on the west coast of Madagascar, Majunga, also called Mahajanga, will be a port of call rich in discovery. The former capital of the Kingdom of Sakalava and an important transport hub, due to its advantageous position between Africa and the Middle East. It is known for its outstanding natural sites: the Ankarafantsika National Park, home to many endemic species of animals and plants, or the Cirque Rouge, huge red sandstone formations.
Day 11. Nosy Tanikeli, Madagascar
In the heart of the Nosy Be archipelago, discover Nosy Tanikeli – the “island of a small land”. In addition to a stunning white sand beach bordered by a lagoon with crystal clear waters, the uninhabited island is home to unique marine and terrestrial biodiversity. As a result, the area has been classified as a “marine and coastal protected area” since 2010. This is an ideal place for swimming and snorkeling. Hiking enthusiasts will also be delighted: the stunning walk to the top of the island will allow you to discover the ancient lighthouse, built in the early 20th century, and enjoy magnificent views of the ocean and surrounding islands.
Nosi Komba, Madagascar
Today you will discover Nosy-Kombe, also known as the “Island of Lemurs”. This volcanic island, shaped like a giant tortoise’s shell, is located just off the Madagascar mainland and is covered in dense tropical forest. The local vegetation is home to the curious black lemurs, furry orange-brown and black creatures that are surprisingly agile. Many small beaches and emerald colored waters make Nosy Komba a natural gem visited only by a select few.
Day 12. Nushi Hara
The limestone rock formations rising from the water make Nosy Hara exceptional and instantly recognizable. Located northwest of Madagascar, the island is a protected area due to its incredible biodiversity. This is a true open-air aquarium, home to about 280 marine species. Be enchanted by this untouched gem, it’s the perfect spot for snorkeling.
Day 13 – 14. Day at sea
During your day at sea, take advantage of the many services and entertainment on board. Visit the spa, relax by the outdoor pool, or attend conferences led by guides.
Day 15. La Digue
La Digue Island is the concentration of all the beauty of the Seychelles. Turquoise waters that seem to beg for a dip, lush vegetation harboring giant turtles, fine sand beaches fringed by coconut palms and surrounded by those iconic large granite rocks with their pink highlights like the famous Anse d’Argent spring: postcard perfect.
Day 16. Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles
After breakfast, disembarkation.
The cruise program and route can be changed by the captain and expedition leader.
Included in the price:
- Accommodation in the selected cabin;
- Full board on board (including dinner on the first day and breakfast on the last);
- Open bar;
- Disembarking and excursions according to the program;
- Services of an experienced expedition team;
- Port dues;
- Unlimited Wi-Fi on board
When booking a cruise:
Deposit to confirm booking 25% of the total cost of the cruiseFinal payment 35 days before the start of the cruise
Not included in the price
- International and domestic air travel;
- Accommodation and excursion program before and after the cruise;
- Tip;
- Medical insurance, luggage insurance and trip cancellation risks;
- Personal expenses (communications, laundry, spa, doctor on board).
When booking a cruise:
Deposit to confirm booking 25% of the total cost of the cruiseFinal payment 35 days before the start of the cruise
Luxury mega-yacht “Le Champlain”
Le Champlain is the fifth mega-yacht in the new Ponant Explorers series. She is equipped with innovative and environmentally friendly equipment, elegantly designed cabins, spacious suites with large windows and panoramic lounge areas.
You will find yourself in a luxurious environment that will be a pleasant addition to the content of the cruise and your wanderlust.
Gastronomic art is an important part of French culture, so special attention is paid to cooking on board Le Champlain. Fine European cuisine is served in two restaurants with casual seating.
Specifications
Year of construction 2020
Length 131 m
Width 18 m
Displacement 9976 t
Speed 12.5 knots
Passengers 184 people
Crew 112 people
Flag France
Mega-yacht is equipped with a multi-sensory underwater space “Blue Eye”.
Underwater lounge with cetacean-shaped windows to see ocean life without leaving the yacht.
Echolocators installed in the lounge capture all sounds occurring within a radius of several kilometers, creating an acoustic immersion in the underwater world.
Acoustic and musical accompaniment – the development of music designer Michel Redolfi.
Photo gallery of the expedition
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