Description
Between the volcanic archipelagos of Cape Verde and the Canary Islands, PONANT invites you to an unforgettable 11-day interlude, leaving from Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This journey aboard Le Lapérouse will take you into the heart of uniquely and wildly beautiful landscapes, featuring majestic volcanos, lush green valleys, isolated inlets, verdant cliffs and historic cities with multiple sources of heritage.
Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. During this cruise, wander the virgin expanses of the island of Santo Antão from Mindelo, admire the natural beauty and stunning scenery of the Teide National Park from Los Cristianos, or discover the cultural heritage of Praia’s historic town centre. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).
From Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the emblematic island of Gran Canaria, your ship will sail west to reach the vibrant town of Los Cristianos. Succumb to the charms of its atmosphere unlike any other, its mythical Mount Teide, the highest mountain in Spain, and its long stretches of fine sand lapped by the turquoise waters of the Atlantic. You will then discover Lanzarote, also called ‘island of fire’.
After a call in à Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Le Lapérouse will then drop anchor at La Gomera. This tiny island with lush vegetation is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its biosphere reserve. This island is also renowned for its whistling language, Silbo, that the inhabitants use to communicate from one valley to another.
Le Lapérouse will then sail further south, heading for Cape Verde. On the Islands, formed from volcanic lava and sculpted by the power of the Atlantic’s waves, you will experience the raw beauty of incomparable nature. Soft music rises from Mindelo, the music of Cesária Évora, “the Barefoot Diva”, who is inextricably linked to her island and her town, where she remains revered. The pastel colours of the façades and the former colonial buildings dot the Cape Verdean towns and villages that you will discover from the sea. Then, you will explore Praia, the capital of Cape Verde with its diverse influences, planted with tamarind and silk trees. Wherever you go, you will be captivated by the markets with their bright colours and fragrance-filled stalls.
The final port of call of this journey is Dakar, the Senegalese capital renowned for the appeal of its districts and its diverse natural environment.