sign in sign up
<<
Home , Port Louis

CAPE TOWN TO PORT LOUIS EXPEDITION (SILVER CLOUD)

Your bucket list just got bigger. Located halfway between South and Antarctica, the French Southern Territories are some of the least visited islands on Earth. And if you want a travel experience that is genuinely like no other, then make this your next voyage. Birders will no doubt be in their element here, with species upon species of rare and remarkable birds to be found on the islands - think Amsterdam Albatrosses and Kerguelen Pintail.

ITINERARY

Day 1 Sprawling across endless, staggeringly blue coastline, and watched over by the iconic plane of Table Mountain, Cape Town is without doubt one of the world’s most beautiful cities. A blend of spectacular mountain scenery, multiculturalism and relaxed ocean charm awaits in the Mother City, where you can venture out to rolling vineyards, dine in laid back sea suburbs, or spend days exploring cool urban culture. Cape Town’s natural splendour fully reveals itself as the cable car rears sharply to the top of Table Mountain. From the summit, 3,500 feet above sea level, you can let the scale of the panoramic vistas of the city rolling down towards the ocean wash over you. Another heavenly perspective waits at the top of Lion's Head’s tapering peak. A sharp hike and an early start is required, but the views of the morning sun painting Table Mountain honey-gold are some of Cape Town’s finest. Cape Town’s glorious sunshine and inviting blue rollers can be a little deceiving - these oceans are anything but warm at times, with nothing between the peninsula’s end and Antarctica’s icy chill. This cool water has upsides though, bringing a colony of adorably cute African penguins to Boulders Beach. Boarded walkways offer the perfect vantage point to see the cute creatures dipping into the sea and lounging in the sun. Nearby, journey to the end of Africa at the , where you can stand at the bottom of this mighty continent, watching out over the merging waves of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Cape Town’s beauty is counterpointed by the ominous island form, which sits four miles offshore from the bustling restaurants and lazy

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com seals of the lively V&A; Waterfront. A living history lesson, you can sail in the in the western group, it is obvious which animals had been introduced or were ships that transported prisoners out to Robben Island, before a former found there and King, Gentoo, Macaroni and Rockhopper Penguins are all prisoner tells of the traumas of life on this offshore prison. Your guide will known from these islands as are large numbers of petrels and albatross, show you the cramped cells, and render Mandela’s long walk to freedom in Antarctic fur seals and Southern elephant seals. heartbreaking, visceral clarity. Days 12 - 13 At Sea Day 2 At Sea Days 14 - 15 Kerguelen Islands Day 3 Port Elizabeth The Kerguelen Islands were discovered during a French search for ‘Terra Port Elizabeth, or PE, may not have the range of attractions found in Cape Australis’ in 1772 and claimed by in 1893. Today the main island is Town or on the Garden Route, but it's a pleasant town that's worthy of a few home to the only settlement, the Port-aux-Français Research Station, with an days' exploration. There are some beautiful beaches (although you'll need to additional 30 research huts and houses across the island. Known as “Grande visit them early in the day in summer as the wind tends to pick up by midday) Terre” this island is surrounded by some 300 smaller islands and islets and it and some wonderfully preserved historic buildings in the older part of the city, alone covers 6,675 of the archipelago’s 7215 square kilometers. Kerguelen’s called Central. A large part of the town's charm lies in its small size and quiet highest point is Mt. Ross with 1,850 meters and on its western side is Cook environment, but PE is not a total sleepy hollow. If you feel the need for a bit Glacier. Kerguelen’s cold and windy climate can cause snow to fall any day of of nightlife, head to the Boardwalk complex near the beach, for its restaurants, the year. Macaroni and King Penguins are present with large colonies while cafés, theater, and casino, or to Parliament Street in Central, which has the Kerguelen Pintail and Kerguelen Shag, the Kerguelen Tern, and the recently been pedestrianized and has a vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene. Kerguelen Petrel are all endemic. PE is a good base for exploring some other fantastic destinations, both wild and cultural, including Addo Elephant National Park. If you are traveling to any Days 16 - 17 At Sea of the luxury game reserves east of Port Elizabeth (such as those in Addo, Shamwari or Kwandwe), it may be a good idea to spend the night before in PE, as many places advise you to check in before lunch and it could be a Days 18 - 19 Amsterdam Island scramble to get there if you're driving or flying in that morning. Port Elizabeth's Amsterdam rose out of the some 100,000 years ago -the last suburbs can be a little confusing. Humewood and Summerstrand are PE's two recorded eruption occurred in 1792. Halfway between and main coastal suburbs, with Humewood closer to the city center. The Australia, this island was first described by Pigafetta in 1522 and was later Humewood Golf Course, one of South Africa's best, is in Summerstrand, not used as a beacon by the Dutch seafarers heading for India and Indonesia. In Humewood, however (just to keep you on your toes). 1892 France formally took possession, but today the only human inhabitants are the staff members of the Martin-de-Viviès Research Station located on the Days 4 - 6 At Sea northeastern side. Steep cliffs, some of them up to 700 meters, rise on the western side and are home to Yellow-nosed Albatrosses. The extremely rare Day 7 Prince Edward And Marion Islands Amsterdam Albatrosses, with only 100 known mature birds, nest in the central part of the island.

Days 8 - 9 At Sea Days 20 - 23 At Sea

Days 10 - 11 Crozet Islands Days 24 - 25 Port Louis First seen by the French explorer Marion Dufresne in 1772, the five islands Located just off the east coast of , is fast making a and 15 islets form two groups which are separated by 110 kilometers. The name for itself as the tropical paradise of the Indian Ocean. A volcanic island only human settlement since 1963 is the Alfred Faure Station on Île de la approximately 10 million years old, Mauritius is thought to be the peak of an Possession in the eastern group. With names like Pig Island or Penguin Island enormous sunken volcanic chain stretching from the to Réunion. In

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com fact, volcanic lakes and inactive craters can be found scattered throughout the island. Mauritius also boasts a unique marine environment. Surrounded by one of the largest unbroken coral reefs on the planet, conservationists are now campaigning to protect its white coral sand beaches and fragile ecosystem. Though it can be found on the maps of early Arab mariners, Mauritius remained uninhabited until the end of the 16th century. Portuguese became the first European visitors in 1510, however, they did not lay claim to the island. In 1598 Dutch colonists settled on the island, naming it after Prince Maurice of Nassau. The Dutch colonial period saw the development of thriving cane plantations as well as the decimation of the ebony forests and the extinction of the dodo bird and other indigenous wildlife. Eventually abandoning their settlement in 1710, Mauritius lay unclaimed until the arrival of the French five years later. French continued the cultivation of sugar as well as indigo, cloves, nutmeg and other spices, retaining possession of the island until 1810 when it was ceded to Britain at the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Mauritius is now a vibrant cultural mix with impressive mountains, boundless sugar cane plantations and some of the most exquisite beaches and aquamarine lagoons.

Please Note: Itineraries are subject to change.

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com YOUR SHIP: SILVER CLOUD

YOUR SHIP: Silver Cloud

VESSEL TYPE: Luxury Expedition

LENGTH: 157 m

PASSENGER CAPACITY: 200/260

BUILT/REFURBISHED: 1994 Refurbished & Rebranded

After extensive refurbishment, _Silver Cloud_ will be the most Corner spacious and comfortable ice class vessel in expedition DECK 07 - La Terrazza, The Spa at Silversea, Beauty Salon, The cruising. Her large suites, her destination itineraries and her Library unparalleled service make her truly special. Her five dining DECK 06 - Lecture Theatre, The Fitness Centre, Reception/Guest options will tantalise your taste buds and as 80% of her suites Relations, Expedition Desk include a veranda, watching a breaching whale or a few DECK 05 - The Bar, Boutique, Casino cavorting penguins has never been so personal. Broad DECK 04 - Main Restaurant, Le Champagne, Launderette sweeping decks with multiple open spaces and a swimming pool complete what is surely the most distinctive expedition ship sailing today. A limited number of guests, particularly with just 200 in polar waters, mean that _Silver Cloud_ has the highest space to guest and crew to guest ratios in expedition cruising. With her 18 zodiacs, possibilities are almost limitless with ship-wide simultaneous explorations. Finally, a team of 19 passionate and dedicated experts are always at hand to ensure your voyage is enhanced every step of the way. DECK 09 - Observation Lounge, Jogging Track DECK 08 - Pool, Pool Bar, Hot Rocks, The Panorama Lounge, The Connoisseur's

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com INSIDE YOUR SHIP

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com PRICING

0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com