ADVENTURE IN THE BIJAGOS ARCHIPELAGO

Unspoiled nature, encounters with populations respecting their ancestral traditions, observation of exceptional biodiversity: this is the programme that we are proposing during an all-new 8-day circuit in the . You can experience this exceptional cruise, tinged with adventure, aboard Le Dumont-d’Urville.

The Bissagos archipelago, located off the coast of Guinea-Bissau, is one of the most preserved and protected on the planet. Classified as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, it is made up of 88 islands, most of which are uninhabited. Nestling in the heart of an environment which often remains untouched by humans, they offer the rare visitors who explore them the opportunity for a unique and authentic experience.

During your Zodiac® excursions, you will get as close as possible to nature, between pale-sand beaches, mangrove stretching as far as the eye can see, savannah, palm trees and baobabs. Birds of prey, pelicans, monkeys, sea turtles, crocodiles, saltwater hippos and all kinds of snakes are at here. home During your trip, you will also meet the Bidyogo people, particularly on the islands of , and . This will be an opportunity to discover their way of life, which has not changed for thousands of years. Theirs is a matriarchal society centred on the sacred.

ITINERARY

Day 1 DAKAR

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com On the tip of the African continent, the buzzing capital of Day 4 CARACHE ISLAND, BIJAGOS Senegal stretches along the narrow peninsula of Cape Verde. Off the west African coast of Guinea-Bissau, the Bissagos You may be overwhelmed by its sheer size, but Dakar will win archipelago rolls out its 88 islands and islets of black rock and you over with its richly diverse districts, appealing cultural scene white sand in the heart of the Atlantic. Declared a Biosphere and rich natural surroundings. In the historic centre, you'll enjoy Reserve by UNESCO in 1996, this string of islets has the pell-mell of colours and tasty delights in Kermel market. A exceptionally rich land and sea fauna. In the heart of luxuriant visit to the island of Gorée is deeply moving; for several hundred nature, you'll meet the Bijago inhabitants, fascinating men and years this island was the largest slave trading centre on the women who have adapted to and melted in with their natural African coast. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. If you are environment. looking for pristine, unspoilt nature, the wildlife in the heart of Madeleine Islands' national park will not disappoint. Days 5 & 6 ORANGO ISLAND, BIJAGOS

Day 7 CARACHE ISLAND, BIJAGOS Day 2 MAIO ISLAND, BIJAGOS Off the west African coast of Guinea-Bissau, the Bissagos Some 20 kilometres off the coast of , the archipelago rolls out its 88 islands and islets of black rock and Bissau-Guinean archipelago of Bissagos is famous for its white sand in the heart of the Atlantic. Declared a Biosphere abundant biodiversity. The richness of its marine animal and Reserve by UNESCO in 1996, this string of islets has plant life afforded it the status of Biosphere Reserve by exceptionally rich land and sea fauna. In the heart of luxuriant UNESCO. Of the 88 islets and islands in the archipelago, only nature, you'll meet the Bijago inhabitants, fascinating men and 23 are inhabited. At Maio, still called Chediã, you can meet the women who have adapted to and melted in with their natural Bissagos people and get to know their ancestral ways and environment. customs. In this region, cut off from the rest of the world and secluded from Western influences, youﾒll discover how locals Day 8 CARAVELA ISLAND, BIJAGOS really live. Off the west African coast of Guinea-Bissau, the Bissagos archipelago rolls out its 88 islands and islets of black rock and Day 3 CARAVELA ISLAND, BIJAGOS white sand in the heart of the Atlantic. Declared a Biosphere Off the west African coast of Guinea-Bissau, the Bissagos Reserve by UNESCO in 1996, this string of islets has archipelago rolls out its 88 islands and islets of black rock and exceptionally rich land and sea fauna. In the heart of luxuriant white sand in the heart of the Atlantic. Declared a Biosphere nature, you'll enjoy Caravela Island's wild charm and its Bijago Reserve by UNESCO in 1996, this string of islets has inhabitants, fascinating men and women who have adapted to exceptionally rich land and sea fauna. In the heart of luxuriant and melted in with their natural environment. nature, you'll enjoy Caravela Island's wild charm and its Bijago inhabitants, fascinating men and women who have adapted to Day 9 DAKAR and melted in with their natural environment.

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com Disembarkation.

Please Note: Itineraries are subject to change.

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com YOUR SHIP: LE DUMONT D'URVILLE

YOUR SHIP: Le Dumont d'Urville

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Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed staterooms, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new restaurants, Le Dumont d'Urville will invite you on a journey to limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 staterooms and suites elegance and epicureanism. will offer you a truly unique cruising experience. In a relaxed atmosphere, a first dining area located on Deck 3 As the first ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant and able to seat 70 will serve grilled meats daily, along with a spirit, Le Dumont d'Urville will embody the unique atmosphere variety of salads and desserts. that is the cruise line's hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, To the back of Deck 4, you will find a 260 m² panoramic intimacy and comfort. restaurant which can accommodate all of our passengers in a Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience single sitting. Designed differently to that on our other ships, the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the this dining area, which opens onto the outside, will have a possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations buffet of salads, desserts and cheeses at your disposal. Our in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service. discreet and attentive crew will provide table service for hot Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on meals. authenticity and passion for travel. PUBLIC AREAS RESTAURANTS Like Le Boreal and its sisterships, Le Dumont d'Urville has many As it is an essential part of French culture, gastronomy will common areas that are designed and equipped to meet all of naturally have pride of place aboard this new ship. Through its your needs while preserving the intimacy of each passenger. two A 140 m² reception area includes: A reception/concierge desk, An excursions desk, The ship's administrative services, The

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com sales office, manned by our Guest Relations Officer, Our 50 m² boutique which sells clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and various accessories, Toilets accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. A new hydraulic platform with adjustable height provides: Easier boarding than on any other cruise ship, Easier Zodiac embarkation and disembarkation for expeditions, Easier access to the sea for swimming and practising various water sports such as kayaking or paddle-boarding. A pool deck offering: A pool with a panoramic view, equipped with a counter-current swimming system, A pleasant solarium, An outdoor bar and lounge with armchairs and sofas. A 200 m² main lounge which can accommodate all of our passengers to share convivial moments and to host activities organised during the day or evening. Lastly, a theatre that seats 188, equipped with: The latest sound and lighting technology, A LED wall as the stage backdrop, for the projection of high-resolution images and videos. Please click the following links to read more about Ponant and the other Ponant cruise ships.

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com PRICING

ADDITIONAL CHARGES: Port Taxes 590 AUD pp

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com