New Guinea Odyssey
PONANT invites you to embark on board Le Soléal for an 17-day tropical expedition cruise to discover the sublime natural landscapes of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
From Darwin, you will be sailing in the Maluku Islands, dubbed the “Spice Islands”. You will sail to the Kei Islands, located in the heart of the Moluccas. These hidden jewels, surrounded by incredibly blue water, are home to some of Indonesia’s most beautiful white sandy beaches. You will discover Banda Neira, shaped by Dutch and Portuguese influences.
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 Soléal will continue to sail in the Indonesian province of West Papua to allow you to admire the superb natural site of Kitikiti Waterfall where you could enjoy a swim or snorkel surrounded by lush nature, both on land and under water.
As you voyage across Western New Guinea you will experience the spectacular Cenderawasih Bay, with an unforgettable opportunity to swim with whale sharks.
Your ship will then set sail for Papua New Guinea, a fascinating land that is home to no fewer than 700 ethnic groups within a highly diverse yet mainly unexplored, ecosystem.
In the village of Kopar, situated at the mouth of the Sepik River, you will be welcomed with cultural performances and will witness life in a traditional village.
Your call at Tufi, will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your voyage. You will fall under the charm of this picturesque region, dubbed the “Scandinavia of the Tropics”, with its deep fiords or locally known ‘rias’ formed through volcanic activity. In this unique setting the local Papuan tribes will share their customs, beliefs and artwork with you.
You will then head north along the coast to Madang, nicknamed "the most beautiful city in the South Pacific”. Within this attractive province with great geographical diversity, 170 different languages are spoken.
Your call at Tufi will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your voyage. Dubbed the “Scandinavia of the Tropics”, you will be charmed by the picturesque vista of Fjords and lush mangrove forests where you will be welcomed by Papuan tribes keen to share their culture and art with you.
The encounters with the wildlife described above illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.
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.
Like Le Boréal and L’Austral, the two sister ships that preceded it, Le Soléal further reaffirms PONANT's signature approach: to take passengers to the farthest reaches of the planet onboard five-star ships offering top-of-the-range services.
