Overview
Luxury Expedition Cruise
5 Star
10-99 Years
AKEWCBI
Itinerary
Rendezvous with your fellow guests and Expedition Team at Heathrow and head to Portsmouth, where your small explorer ship awaits. Renowned for its longstanding maritime heritage and historic dockyard, Portsmouth makes a fitting jumping-off point for your British Isles expedition.
Set some 30 miles off the Normandy coast, Guernsey has been coveted for its prime location since neolithic times. Today, Guernsey's idylic beach resorts and lively capital of St. Peter Port stand juxtaposed against former Victorian and German fortifications. Delve into the island's history as you browse the German Occupation Museum, explore a vast underground wartime hospital complex and pass by the former home of French writer Victor Hugo. Alternatively, walk a scenic clifftop path, sample the ciders and cheeses of a local farm, or visit St. Peter Portand Castle Cornet.
With their peaceful beaches and timeless seaside ports, it's no wonder the Isles of Scilly have been a favorite staycation haunt of the British Royal Family for generations. Make landfall in Saint Mary's, the largest and most populated of the Scilly archipelago to tour a coastal path, explore the island's fort and lighthouse, or hike to uncover Iron and Bronze Age burial chambers. Then, make the short trip to the neighboring Isle of Tresco to stroll the exotic horticultural specimens of Tresco Abbey Gardens.
Your vessel sets a course along the Welsh coast, bringing the sandy shores of Skomer Island into view. Board a Zodiac for a closer look offshore as you keep your binoculars and telephoto lenses at the ready. This stunning National Nature Reserve harbors Atlantic puffins, guillemots and razorbills — a true birders' paradise.
The picture postcard fishing port of Girvan serves as your gateway to Ayr, a lively coastal town famous for its beautiful beaches and rich history. From here, explore Culzean Castle's towering clifftop battlements, lavish 18thcentury interiors, secret follies and landscaped gardens. Or, hike along the Ayrshire Coastal Path with sweeping coastal views.
The Inner Hebrides lie just offshore from the Scottish Highlands, intersected by a myriad of scenic lochs and sounds. Your introduction to this achingly beautiful archipelago is Mull, an isle of grand mountains, seaside villages, sandy beaches and some of the wildest coastal scenery in Europe. Here, visit Duart Castle, tour the charming coastal burgh of Tobermory, sample fine whiskies at a local distillery or sample cheeses produced at a local farm.
The approach to Staffa by sea is breathtaking, with great basalt columns flanking the deep caves of the island. Head ashore to explore Fingal, a sea cave formed by hexagonally jointed basalt. Next, the tiny Isle of Iona welcomes you ashore to discover Iona Abbey, explore the isle's remote southern end or hike to a scenic lookout atop the peak of Dun Í.
Stretching out further into the sea, the Outer Hebrides amplify their sister islands' coastal beauty with shores that could easily be mistaken for those of the Caribbean. Here, set amid the Isles of St. Kilda, the seaside settlement of Hirta harbored an isolated, hardscrabble agricultural community for over 2,000 years. Pass the island's staggering sea stacks and come ashore to explore the deserted stonework settlement, the highest cliffs in all of Britain, and a vital seabird habitat.
Rich in Viking heritage, the landscapes of the Orkneys span rolling hills, dramatic cliffs and wave-swept sea caves. Here, explore historic Kirkwall or the spine-tingling Ring of Brodgar, a mysterious circle of standing stones dating to 2700 BC. Alternatively, hike the coastal trail from Rackwick to the Old Man of Hoy or head to a local distillery to taste a few drams of the Orkneys' finest.
The Isle of May rises from the Firth of Forth five miles off the Scottish mainland, its remote shores guarded by a phalanx of 150-foot basalt cliffs. This windswept isle was once the domain of Vikings and smugglers. Today, the island's puffins rule the roost with prolific colonies rivaling any in Britain. Board a zodiac for a closer look offshore.
Disembark in Edinburgh and head to the airport for your flight home or continue on an extension touring this historic city.
Tour Inclusions
- Cruise for 11 days aboard an exclusive charter of Le Champlain
- Make your expedition your own with a host of included excursion options in every port of call
- Turn back the clock at the mysterious Ring of Brodgar, the ancient seaside settlement of Hirta and the Isle of May, a former haunt of Vikings and smugglers
- Explore Fingal's sea cave, hike the tranquil shores of Loch Trool and scope out the seabird habitats of coastal Wales
- Taste the region's finest with a sampling of ciders and cheeses in Guernsey and a guided whisky tasting in the Orkney Islands
- A&K Support: Round-the-clock, on-call support from A&K's experts
- Guides: English-speaking Resident Tour Director® and local guides
- On Board Wi-Fi: Complimentary Wi-Fi on board and in hotels
- Gratuities: Entrance fees, taxes and all gratuities (except Resident Tour Director)
- Travelling Valet: Mid-journey Traveller's Valet® laundry service
- Travelling Bell Boy: Travelling Bell Boy® service to transfer your bags between hotels
- Transfers: Airport meet-and-greet with private transfers
- EC Food Drink: Food and drink with a la carte menus and unlimited house drinks, including Champagne
- EC Cultural Shore Excrusions: Your choice of expertly guided shore excursions
- EC Onboard Lectures: Engaging onboard lectures and workshops from our acclaimed Expedition Team
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Disruptions to itinerary may occur.
Operator
Specialising in intimate small group journeys with an average group size of 12 guests, when you travel with us you can trust that you will be expertly taken care of every step of the way. From Morocco to Madagascar, Lima to London – experiencing the world with A&K will be a holiday to be treasured forever.
Get to the heart of action: up close and personal with wildlife, accompanied by expert guides and naturalists. Read more
Every luxury expedition cruise is exclusively chartered allowing A&K experts to select the finest of everything. Read more
A&K take care of everything so that you can fully enjoy every breathtaking moment of your adventure. Read more
Cruise Line
Ponant Explorers
184
110
2018
2023
One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm). A bathroom with shower. A private 4 m² balcony with two armchairs. A glazed panoramic swing door and rectangular window. Services provided include 24-hour read more room service, inclusive Wifi internet access, individually-controlled air conditioning, dressing room with shelves and closet, dressing table and hairdryer, Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products, minibar, Nespresso coffee maker, Bose Bluetooth speaker and Flat screen TV.
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 panoramic swing door. Services provided read more include 24-hour room service, inclusive Wifi internet access, individually-controlled air conditioning, dressing room with shelves and closet, dressing table and hairdryer, Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products, minibar, Nespresso coffee maker, Bose Bluetooth speaker and Flat screen TV.
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. read more Services provided include 24-hour room service, inclusive Wifi internet access, individually-controlled air conditioning, dressing room with shelves and closet, dressing table and hairdryer, Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products, minibar, Nespresso coffee maker, Bose Bluetooth speaker and Flat screen TV.
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. read more Two bathrooms with shower. A private 8 m² balcony with four armchairs. Two panoramic sliding bay windows. Additional services provided include champagne and fruit basket upon arrival, an assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day, 24-hour room service, inclusive Wifi internet access, individually-controlled air conditioning, dressing room with shelves and closet, dressing table and hairdryer, Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products, minibar, Nespresso coffee maker, Bose Bluetooth speaker and Flat screen TV.
One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm). A lounge corner with chaise longue and armchair. A bathroom with shower. A private 8 m² balcony with two armchairs. A panoramic sliding bay window. Additional read more services provided include priority boarding, butler service, 24-hour room service, inclusive Wifi internet access, individually-controlled air conditioning, dressing room with shelves and closet, dressing table and hairdryer, Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products, minibar, Nespresso coffee maker, Bose Bluetooth speaker and Flat screen TV.
A bedroom with one king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm). A lounge with sofa bed convertible to a double bed (160 x 190 cm) or a single bed (80 x 190 cm) , armchair, and second TV. A bathroom with read more shower and Baleno bathtub. A private 32 m² terrace with two deckchairs and four-seater dining table. Two panoramic sliding bay windows. Additional services provided include priority boarding, butler service, an assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day, 24-hour room service, inclusive Wifi internet access, individually-controlled air conditioning, dressing room with shelves and closet, dressing table and hairdryer, Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products, minibar, Nespresso coffee maker, Bose Bluetooth speaker and Flat screen TV.
A lounge with armchair, double sofa bed, 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 private 45 m² terrace: 2 deckchairs, read more jacuzzi, and lounge corner with sofa and armchair. Two panoramic sliding bay windows. Additional services provided include concierge service from your reservation until you return from your trip, private return transfer, priority boarding, champagne and fruit basket upon arrival. butler service, a one-hour spa treatment per person (for 2 people) in the well-being space, chosen from the facial and body treatments on offer and premium drinks at the bar.
USD Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Abercrombie & Kent. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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