This Ponant all-new 11-day Expedition cruise aboard Le Lapérouse will take you to discover the wonders and ancestral tribes of Papua New Guinea. You will board your ship in Cairns. With its many colonial buildings, its picturesque port and its exceptional panorama over the surrounding natural environment, this city in the north-east of Australia is sure to win you over.
Le Lapérouse 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. Your call at Tufi, will...read more 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. Its festival showcases this richness and offers colourful exhibitions of "songs" interpreted by many of the cultural groups of the province. They include the mysterious Asaro Mudmen, who re-enact a warrior episode from their history wearing masks of mud, their bodies coated in clay.
In the heart of the Solomon Sea you will discover the splendid turquoise waters and white sand beaches of the uninhabited islands of the Lusançay archipelago. These paradisiac coral islets offer the promise of sumptuous moments of swimming and snorkelling to discover fabulous seabeds. The encounters with the wildlife described above illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.
Cruise Itinerary
Arrive
Depart
Day 1:Cairns
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17:00
Day 2: Cruising At Sea
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Day 3:Alotau
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Day 4: Tufi
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Day 5: Tami Islands
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Day 6:Madang
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Day 7: Morobe Harbour
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Day 8: Lusancay Islands
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Day 9: Samarai Island
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Day 10: Cruising At Sea
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Day 11:Cairns
09:30
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Note: Ship ports may not be located in the starting & ending cities listed. Transfers to and/or from the ship port may be required.
Life Onboard Le Soleal
Brochure
Ponant Luxury Cruises (2023-24)
Discover our range of incredible luxury expeditions and yacht-style voyages in 2023, exploring Antarctica, the Norwegian Fjords, Caribbean & Latin America, The Indian Ocean & Persian Gulf and Oceania & Polynesia. Includes a range of trailblazing polar explorations aboard Le Commandant Charcot. If you are a travel agent, please email brochures.aus@ponant.com...more with your details and number of copies to be ordered.
Availability Click on prices below to view cabin upgrades and details
Note Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Ponant. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Ponant. These 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.