The Essential Seychelles

On this itinerary, Ponant invites you to discover the must-see jewels of the Seychelles. On Mahé, you will board Le Champlain for a 9-day expedition cruise to the heart of this archipelago's Inner Islands for a glimpse of paradise. The first port of call on your journey will take you into the marvellous garden of Cousin Island. Everything in this natural reserve is bursting with life: giant tortoises wander around and birds tweet in the heart of lush vegetation. Then you will sail to Remire Island, an Eden lost in the Indian Ocean.

Discover its abundant fauna as you explore both on...read more land and under water. Fall in love with this idyllic port of call as you walk around the island and snorkel in its sparkling waters. On Curieuse Island, reputed for its red earth and for the Aldabra giant tortoises that have taken up residence there, take an excursion to the heart of the mangrove. You will then explore Aride, an unspoiled delight of the Indian Ocean and home to thousands of birds including some endemic species. Palm trees, granite rock, white sand and crystal-clear water await you on Grande Sœur.

The beaches on this island are each more beautiful than the next, guaranteeing moments of relaxation that will live up to your fantasies of the Seychelles. In Praslin, don't miss the chance to visit the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve. There you will find sea coconuts, gigantic endemic fruits with a very evocative shape, nicknamed the 'love nut'. Before you return to Mahé, Le Champlain will chart a course for the sublime beaches of La Digue, some of the most renowned of the Seychelles. The encounters with the wildlife described above illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.