PonantEU310127
Madagascar and Seychelles: Natural Treasures of the Indian Ocean – with Smithsonian Journeys
Date
2027-01-31
Duration
10 nights
Departure Port
Victoria
Seychelles
Arrival Port
Nosy Be
Madagascar
Rating
Luxury
Theme
—
Ponant
Le Dumont-d'Urville
Ponant Explorers
Launched
2019
Refitted
—
Tonnage
9,976 GT
Passengers
184
Cabins
92
Crew
118
Length
430 m
Width
18 m
Speed
13 knots
Adults Only
No
Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1
Victoria
Depart 18:00
Victoria is the world's smallest capital city, heart of the Seychelles archipelago on the granite island of Mahé, where endemic coco de mer palms, spectacular beaches framed by massive boulders, and a vibrant Creole market culture converge. Must-do experiences include browsing the Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market, hiking the Copolia Trail through endemic forests, and swimming at Anse Intendance beach. May through September offers the coolest, driest conditions for exploration.
Day 2
Day 2
La Digue
Depart 23:59
La Digue is the smallest inhabited granitic island in the Seychelles, where ancient granite boulders frame the world-famous Anse Source d'Argent beach and bicycles remain the primary transport. Visitors cycle through tropical splendour, spot the endangered Seychelles paradise flycatcher, and feast on Creole cuisine of grilled snapper, octopus curry, and vanilla-scented ladob. AIDA, Azamara, Emerald Yacht Cruises, and Ponant call on Indian Ocean itineraries, with April-May and October-November offering the calmest seas and most reliable sunshine.
Day 3
Day 3
Aride Island
Arrive 06:30Depart 12:00
Aride Island is a Seychelles nature reserve hosting the Indian Ocean's densest seabird populations, with over a million birds across ten breeding species, plus endemic plants and pristine coral reefs. Must-dos include guided walks through nesting colonies of tropicbirds and noddies, snorkeling the surrounding reef, and observing the endemic Wright's gardenia. October through April offers calmer seas and peak seabird breeding activity.
Day 3
Day 3
Curieuse Island
Arrive 13:30Depart 18:30
Curieuse Island is a Seychelles nature reserve where 300 Aldabra giant tortoises roam freely, the world's largest seed — the coco de mer — grows wild, and turquoise marine park waters teem with turtles and reef sharks. Must-dos include close encounters with giant tortoises, hiking through coco de mer palms, and snorkelling the marine park between Curieuse and Praslin. Visit April through October for calm seas and comfortable conditions.
Day 4
Day 4
Remire Island
Arrive 10:00Depart 18:00
Remire Island is a private coral island in the Seychelles where giant Aldabra tortoises roam beneath coconut palms, pristine reef snorkeling begins at the beach, and guests have the entire island to themselves. Must-dos include snorkeling the house reef for turtles and tropical fish, sharing the beach with century-old tortoises, and savoring Creole grilled fish caught from the surrounding waters. The Seychelles are a year-round destination, with May–September offering the calmest seas and best underwater visibility.
Day 5
Day 5
Saint François Atoll
Arrive 08:00Depart 13:30
Saint Francois Atoll is an uninhabited coral ring in Guadeloupe's remote dependencies, offering pristine Caribbean reef ecosystems, world-class snorkeling in crystalline lagoon waters, and important nesting habitat for sea turtles and seabirds. Must-dos include snorkeling the healthy coral gardens, watching magnificent frigatebirds and nesting boobies, and experiencing the utter solitude of a Caribbean atoll with no permanent inhabitants. Visit December through May for the driest conditions and calmest seas.
Day 6
Day 6
Farquhar Islands
Arrive 07:00Depart 18:00
Farquhar Islands, Seychelles is a distinctive port city where deep cultural heritage meets authentic local atmosphere, featured on itineraries by Emerald Yacht Cruises. Must-do experiences include exploring the vibrant local markets for regional specialties and fresh seafood, and discovering the waterfront quarter where maritime heritage meets contemporary energy. The optimal time to visit is November through April, when dry season brings clear skies and calm seas.
Day 7
Day 7
Antsiranana
Arrive 08:00Depart 23:59
Antsiranana, Madagascar is a distinctive port city where deep cultural heritage meets authentic local atmosphere, featured on itineraries by AIDA. Must-do experiences include exploring the vibrant local markets for regional specialties and fresh seafood, and discovering the waterfront quarter where maritime heritage meets contemporary energy. The optimal time to visit is November through April, when dry season brings clear skies and calm seas.
Day 9
Day 9
Nosy Hara
Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00
Nosy Hara is a pristine limestone archipelago off northern Madagascar, protected as a national park and featuring surreal tsingy rock formations, vibrant coral reefs, and deserted white sand beaches. Must-dos include hiking among the razor-sharp limestone pinnacles, snorkeling over healthy coral gardens with sea turtles, and watching for humpback whales from August through November. Visit during the dry season from April through November for calm seas, clear underwater visibility, and comfortable conditions.
Day 10
Day 10
Nosy Komba
Arrive 07:00Depart 11:30
Nosy Komba is a volcanic island off northwestern Madagascar famous for its habituated black lemurs that climb onto visitors' shoulders, set amid primary forest and surrounded by coral reefs and traditional fishing villages. Must-do experiences include interacting with the friendly lemurs, purchasing the island's exquisite hand-embroidered textiles, and snorkeling the surrounding reefs with sea turtles. The dry season from April through November offers the best weather, with September through November providing warm seas and the chance to encounter whale sharks in the surrounding channel.
Day 10
Day 10
Arrive 13:00Depart 18:00
Day 11
Day 11
Nosy Be
Nosy Be is Madagascar's "perfumed island" off the northwest coast, where ylang-ylang and vanilla plantations meet pristine marine reserves and humpback whales migrate through the Mozambique Channel. Must-dos include snorkelling the Nosy Tanikely reserve with sea turtles, swimming alongside whale sharks, and buying vanilla pods at the Hell-Ville market. Visit September through November for whale season and dry weather.
Day 1
Victoria
Depart 18:00
Victoria is the world's smallest capital city, heart of the Seychelles archipelago on the granite island of Mahé, where endemic coco de mer palms, spectacular beaches framed by massive boulders, and a vibrant Creole market culture converge. Must-do experiences include browsing the Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market, hiking the Copolia Trail through endemic forests, and swimming at Anse Intendance beach. May through September offers the coolest, driest conditions for exploration.
Day 2
La Digue
Depart 23:59
La Digue is the smallest inhabited granitic island in the Seychelles, where ancient granite boulders frame the world-famous Anse Source d'Argent beach and bicycles remain the primary transport. Visitors cycle through tropical splendour, spot the endangered Seychelles paradise flycatcher, and feast on Creole cuisine of grilled snapper, octopus curry, and vanilla-scented ladob. AIDA, Azamara, Emerald Yacht Cruises, and Ponant call on Indian Ocean itineraries, with April-May and October-November offering the calmest seas and most reliable sunshine.
Day 3
Aride Island
Arrive 06:30Depart 12:00
Aride Island is a Seychelles nature reserve hosting the Indian Ocean's densest seabird populations, with over a million birds across ten breeding species, plus endemic plants and pristine coral reefs. Must-dos include guided walks through nesting colonies of tropicbirds and noddies, snorkeling the surrounding reef, and observing the endemic Wright's gardenia. October through April offers calmer seas and peak seabird breeding activity.
Curieuse Island
Arrive 13:30Depart 18:30
Curieuse Island is a Seychelles nature reserve where 300 Aldabra giant tortoises roam freely, the world's largest seed — the coco de mer — grows wild, and turquoise marine park waters teem with turtles and reef sharks. Must-dos include close encounters with giant tortoises, hiking through coco de mer palms, and snorkelling the marine park between Curieuse and Praslin. Visit April through October for calm seas and comfortable conditions.
Day 4
Remire Island
Arrive 10:00Depart 18:00
Remire Island is a private coral island in the Seychelles where giant Aldabra tortoises roam beneath coconut palms, pristine reef snorkeling begins at the beach, and guests have the entire island to themselves. Must-dos include snorkeling the house reef for turtles and tropical fish, sharing the beach with century-old tortoises, and savoring Creole grilled fish caught from the surrounding waters. The Seychelles are a year-round destination, with May–September offering the calmest seas and best underwater visibility.
Day 5
Saint François Atoll
Arrive 08:00Depart 13:30
Saint Francois Atoll is an uninhabited coral ring in Guadeloupe's remote dependencies, offering pristine Caribbean reef ecosystems, world-class snorkeling in crystalline lagoon waters, and important nesting habitat for sea turtles and seabirds. Must-dos include snorkeling the healthy coral gardens, watching magnificent frigatebirds and nesting boobies, and experiencing the utter solitude of a Caribbean atoll with no permanent inhabitants. Visit December through May for the driest conditions and calmest seas.
Day 6
Farquhar Islands
Arrive 07:00Depart 18:00
Farquhar Islands, Seychelles is a distinctive port city where deep cultural heritage meets authentic local atmosphere, featured on itineraries by Emerald Yacht Cruises. Must-do experiences include exploring the vibrant local markets for regional specialties and fresh seafood, and discovering the waterfront quarter where maritime heritage meets contemporary energy. The optimal time to visit is November through April, when dry season brings clear skies and calm seas.
Day 7
Antsiranana
Arrive 08:00Depart 23:59
Antsiranana, Madagascar is a distinctive port city where deep cultural heritage meets authentic local atmosphere, featured on itineraries by AIDA. Must-do experiences include exploring the vibrant local markets for regional specialties and fresh seafood, and discovering the waterfront quarter where maritime heritage meets contemporary energy. The optimal time to visit is November through April, when dry season brings clear skies and calm seas.
Day 9
Nosy Hara
Arrive 08:00Depart 18:00
Nosy Hara is a pristine limestone archipelago off northern Madagascar, protected as a national park and featuring surreal tsingy rock formations, vibrant coral reefs, and deserted white sand beaches. Must-dos include hiking among the razor-sharp limestone pinnacles, snorkeling over healthy coral gardens with sea turtles, and watching for humpback whales from August through November. Visit during the dry season from April through November for calm seas, clear underwater visibility, and comfortable conditions.
Day 10
Nosy Komba
Arrive 07:00Depart 11:30
Nosy Komba is a volcanic island off northwestern Madagascar famous for its habituated black lemurs that climb onto visitors' shoulders, set amid primary forest and surrounded by coral reefs and traditional fishing villages. Must-do experiences include interacting with the friendly lemurs, purchasing the island's exquisite hand-embroidered textiles, and snorkeling the surrounding reefs with sea turtles. The dry season from April through November offers the best weather, with September through November providing warm seas and the chance to encounter whale sharks in the surrounding channel.
Arrive 13:00Depart 18:00
Day 11
Nosy Be
Nosy Be is Madagascar's "perfumed island" off the northwest coast, where ylang-ylang and vanilla plantations meet pristine marine reserves and humpback whales migrate through the Mozambique Channel. Must-dos include snorkelling the Nosy Tanikely reserve with sea turtles, swimming alongside whale sharks, and buying vanilla pods at the Hell-Ville market. Visit September through November for whale season and dry weather.
Cabin Categories
Deluxe Suite Deck 3
Suite
290 m²Max 3
1
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
An armchair and sofa (90 x 190 cm)
A bathroom with shower
A private 6 m² balcony with two armchairs
A glazed panoramic swing door and panoramic window
King or Twin ConfigurationSofa BedShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTV+13
View Details
Deluxe Suite Deck 4
Suite
290 m²Max 3
2
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
An armchair and sofa (90 x 190 cm)
A bathroom with shower
A private 6 m² balcony with two armchairs
A panoramic slidging bay window
King or Twin ConfigurationSofa BedShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTV+13
View Details
Deluxe Suite Deck 5
Suite
290 m²Max 3
3
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
Champagne and fruit basket on arrival
One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
An armchair and sofa (90 x 190 cm)
A bathroom with shower
A private 4 m² balcony with two armchairs
A panoramic sliding bay window
King or Twin ConfigurationSofa BedShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTV+13
View Details
Deluxe Suite Deck 6
Suite
290 m²Max 3
4
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
An armchair and sofa (90 x 190 cm)
A bathroom with shower
A private 6 m² balcony with two armchairs
A glazed panoramic swing door and panoramic window
King or Twin ConfigurationSofa BedShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTV+13
View Details
Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6
Suite
484 m²Max 4
GDS
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation)
Champagne and fruit basket on arrival
Butler service
An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day
A bedroom with one king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
A lounge with sofa convetible to a double bed (160 x 190 cm), armchair, and second TV
A bathroom with shower and Balneo bathtub
A private 32 m² terrace with two deckchairs and four-seater dining table
2 panoramic sliding bay windows
King or Twin ConfigurationShowerToiletries ProvidedFree Wi-FiSafeHair Dryer+12
View Details
Owner's Suite
Suite
484 m²Max 4
OS
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
Private return transfer
Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation)
Champagne and fruit basket on arrival
Butler service
An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day
A lounge with armchair, double sofa bed (160 x 190 cm), and second TV
A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
A bathroom with shower, Balneo bathtub and smart mirror
A one-hour spa treatments per person (for 2 people) in the well-being space, chosen from the facial and body treatments on offer
Included premium pass: access to a selection of premium spirits at the bar
A private 40 m² terrace: 2 deckchairs, jacuzzi, and outdoor lounge area with sofa and armchair
Two panoramic sliding bay windows
King or Twin ConfigurationShowerBathToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableButler Service+14
View Details
Prestige Deck 5 Suite
Suite
8
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
Champagne and fruit basket on arrival
An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day
A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
A lounge with convertible sofa to a king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm), armchair, second TV, and sliding courtesy door
Two bathrooms with shower
A private 8 m² balcony with four armchairs
Two panoramic sliding bay windows
View Details
Prestige Deck 6 Suite
Suite
9
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation)
Champagne and fruit basket on arrival
Butler service
An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day
A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
A lounge with convertible sofa to a king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm), armchair, second TV, and sliding courtesy door
Two bathrooms with shower
A private 8 m² balcony with four armchairs
Two panoramic sliding bay windows
View Details
Privilege Suite Deck 5
Suite
344 m²Max 3
10
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation)
Butler service
One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
A lounge area with chaise longue and armchair
A bathroom with shower
A private 8 m² balcony with two armchairs
A panoramic sliding bay window
King or Twin ConfigurationSofa BedShowerToiletries ProvidedButler ServiceTV+12
View Details
Privilege Suite Deck 6
Suite
344 m²Max 3
11
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation)
Champagne and fruit basket on arrival
Butler service
An assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day
One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
A lounge area with chaise longue and armchair
A bathroom with shower
A private 8 m² balcony with two armchairs
A panoramic sliding bay window
King or Twin ConfigurationSofa BedShowerToiletries ProvidedButler ServiceTV+12
View Details
Deluxe Stateroom
Balcony
204 m²Max 2
D
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) and TV
A bathroom with shower
A private 4 m² balcony with two armchairs
A glazed panoramic swing door and rectangular window
King or Twin ConfigurationShowerToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableTVFree Wi-Fi+11
View Details
Prestige Deck 4
Suite
409 m²Max 4
5
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
One chaise longue
A bathroom with shower
A private 4 m² balcony with two armchairs
A panoramic sliding bay window or glazed panoramic swing door
King or Twin ConfigurationToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableButler ServiceSafeHair Dryer+14
View Details
Prestige Deck 5
Suite
409 m²Max 4
6
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
One chaise longue
A bathroom with shower
A private 4 m² balcony with two armchairs
A panoramic sliding bay window or glazed panoramic swing door
King or Twin ConfigurationToiletries ProvidedRoom Service AvailableButler ServiceSafeHair Dryer+14
View Details
Prestige Deck 6
Balcony
7
In addition to the common services provided to all our suites and staterooms:
One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm)
One chaise longue
A bathroom with shower
A private 4 m² balcony with two armchairs
A panoramic sliding bay window or glazed panoramic swing door
View Details
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