Islands, Cities and Volcanoes of Indonesia

From Singapore to Bali, set sail aboard Le Lapérouse for a brand-new 15-day expedition cruise to the heart of fascinating Indonesia. Take a unique trip to discover the world's largest archipelagic state, featuring ancient temples and modern cities, impenetrable jungle and majestic volcanoes, historic towns and chains of idyllic islands. And of course, there will be precious encounters with a diverse population. The glorious shoreline of West Malaysia will emerge slowly before you.

You will cross the Strait of Malacca, once a strategic hub of the spice and silk trade, and discover the...read more historic city of Melaka, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a fascinating mix of Asian, Portuguese and Dutch heritage. Next, Le Lapérouse will round the northern tip of Sumatra via Banda Aceh. The city has been entirely rebuilt after being ravaged by the Boxing Day 2004 tsunami. You will sail along the west coast of Sumatra and discover the Simeulue archipelago, which includes the Banyak Islands.

This mix of atolls, cays and islets features numerous beaches of white sand, coral reefs, and clear, warm tropical waters. There, you will discover Pulau Asok, a lagoon ideal for beach walking and swimming thanks to its gently sloping, unspoiled beaches lined with coconut trees. Further south, the Nias Archipelago is known for its unique megalithic culture and its spellbinding traditional music. You will then reach the Mentawais, a group of heavenly islands edged with beaches of white sand and covered in jungle.

You will stop at one of these deserted beaches to swim and explore the underwater environment with a mask and snorkel. Le Lapérouse will then call at Bengkulu, a former trading centre of the British East India Company, before setting a course for the south-western tip of Java. On the edge of the Sunda Strait, you will discover Ujung Kulon National Park. In addition to being a place of great natural beauty and of geological interest, notably for the study of island volcanoes, the park contains the largest remaining area of lowland rainforest on the island.

It also includes the Krakatau Nature Reserve, and you will have the chance to observe the volcano during a unique sailing experience. When your ship calls at Semarang, a cosmopolitan city with Chinese, Indo-Arab and European influences, you will visit the incredible site of Borobudur. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this monumental Buddhist temple compound from the 8th and 9th centuries is an artistic marvel with over 500 Buddha statues.

Finally, you will reach Probolinggo, one of the access points to Mount Bromo. This active volcano in the Tengger mountains stands 2,329 metres tall in the middle of a protected nature reserve. Your journey will end on the paradisiacal and enchanting island of Bali. Renowned for the kindness of its inhabitants, Bali offers beautiful discoveries including lush paddy fields, sacred ceremonies, and abundant marine life.