Southland Expedition in Luxury with Ponant

Description

Discover sublime New Zealand landscapes with exceptional diversity on this 5 nights’ voyage from Lyttelton to Dunedin onboard Le Lapérouse. You will discover Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound and the well-known Milford Sound − three fjords bordered by majestic cliffs. Enjoy a sense of secluded serenity as you sail through Doubtful Sound, referred to as the ‘Sound of Silence’ and navigate through the ‘eighth wonder of the world’, Milford Sound, with a spectacular backdrop that captivates even the most seasoned of travellers. Watch as the dramatic beauty of the fiords change as you sail towards Ulva Island (Stewart Island), the largest of 20 islands within Paterson Inlet, Stewart Island, and explore this haven for birds and plants with well maintained tracks and walking trails.

Trip Name

Southland Expedition in Luxury with Ponant

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Luxury Length: 127 metres Passenger Capacity: 92 cabins Built: 2017/2018 Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed cabins, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 cabins and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience. Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service. Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel. RESTAURANTS As it is an essential part of French culture, gastronomy will naturally have pride of place aboard this new ship. Through its two restaurants, Le Lapérouse will invite you on a journey to elegance and epicureanism. In a relaxed atmosphere, a first dining area located on Deck 3 and able to seat 70 will serve grilled meats daily, along with a variety of salads and desserts. To the back of Deck 4, you will find a 260 m² panoramic restaurant which can accommodate all of our passengers in a single sitting. Designed differently to that on our other ships, this dining area, which opens onto the outside, will have a buffet of salads, desserts and cheeses at your disposal. Our discreet and attentive crew will provide table service for hot meals. PUBLIC AREAS Like Le Boréal and its sisterships, Le Lapérouse has many common areas that are designed and equipped to meet all of your needs while preserving the intimacy of each passenger. A 140 m² reception area includes: A reception/concierge desk, An excursions desk, The ship’s administrative services, The sales office, manned by our Guest Relations Officer, Our 50 m² boutique which sells clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and various accessories, Toilets accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. A new hydraulic platform with adjustable height provides: Easier boarding than on any other cruise ship, Easier Zodiac embarkation and disembarkation for expeditions, Easier access to the sea for swimming and practising various water sports such as kayaking or paddle-boarding. A pool deck offering: A pool with a panoramic view, equipped with a counter-current swimming system, A pleasant solarium, An outdoor bar and lounge with armchairs and sofas. A 200 m² main lounge which can accommodate all of our passengers to share convivial moments and to host activities organised during the day or evening. Lastly, a theatre that seats 188, equipped with: The latest sound and lighting technology, A LED wall as the stage backdrop, for the projection of high-resolution images and videos.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1. Lyttelton, New Zealand. Embarkation.

Lyttelton is a colourful town, home to a community of nearly3,000 people, brimming with bohemian artists, cafés, quirkyshops and restaurants. This small town has re-invented itselfas one of the most creative communities in the Christchurchregion. Le Lapérouse will be alongside the wharf in Lytteltonwhere your voyage will begin.

Day 2 - Day 2. At Sea.

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Day 3 - Day 3. Dusky Sound & Doubtful Sound, New Zealand.

One of the most remote fiords in the New Zealand’s SouthWest World Heritage Area, Dusky Sound was named byCaptain James Cook in 1773. Dusky Sound is rich in flora andfauna, New Zealand Fur Seals and one of the world’s rarestpenguins – the Fiordland Crested Penguin – can be seen onthe small islets at the entrance to the fiord.Referred to as the ‘Sound of Silence’, there is a secludedserenity that surrounds Doubtful Sound in contrast with thebetter-known Milford Sound. Doubtful Sound is the deepestof the fiords with a maximum depth of 421 m. It contains threedistinct ‘arms’ and several outstanding waterfalls in the areafrom Deep Cove to the open ocean. Your ship will spend timenavigating around Secretary Island through both Thompsonand Doubtful. You can enjoy the spectacular scenery fromthe outer decks of the ship as you sail through the fiords. Ifweather permits, you may have the opportunity to explore thefiord on a Zodiac® excursion.

Day 4 - Day 4. Milford Sound, New Zealand.

Arguably New Zealand’s best-known destination and describedby Rudyard Kipling as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’, MilfordSound is a place of dramatic beauty. Its vertiginous peaksrise from the dark waters of the sound creating a spectacularbackdrop. Milford Sound is breathtaking in any weather andafter rain the two permanent waterfalls of Stirling and LadyBowen multiply with magnificent effect. Guests will have theopportunity to view the spectacular scenery from the outerdecks of Le Lapérouse. If weather permits, you may have anopportunity to explore the fiord on a Zodiac® excursion.

Day 5 - Day 5. Ulva Island. Stewart Island, New Zealand.

Ulva Island is a haven for many species of birds and plants thatare rare or have died out on the mainland of New Zealand.Bird species regularly encountered include; the flightlessStewart Island Weka, South Island saddleback, yellowheadand Stewart Island robin. Ulva Island is not only a birdenthusiast’s paradise, it is also one of the few offshore islandswith a largely undisturbed podocarp forest. Well-maintainedtracks offer easy walking for most people, providing a uniqueopportunity to see rare birds and plants at close quarters in asafe environment.

Day 6 - Day 6. Dunedin, New Zealand. Disembarkation.

Dunedin is New Zealand’s oldest city and is often referredto as the Edinburgh of New Zealand. This city of the south,wears its Scottish heritage with pride and contains some ofthe best preserved Victorian and Edwardian architecture inthe Southern Hemisphere. The Silverpeaks to the North Westprovides a picturesque backdrop and The Otago Peninsula,which lies within the city boundaries and has internationallyrenowned wildlife reserves, including the only mainlandbreeding colony of Northern Royal Albatross. Le Lapérousewill be alongside the inner city wharf in Dunedin.

Day 7 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

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Inclusions

Sail New Zealand’s best known destination, Milford Sound, with its dramatic beauty and vertiginous peaks rising from the dark waters.
Discover the rich flora and fauna of Dusky Sound, such as New Zealand Fur Seals and one of the world’s rarest penguins – The Fiordland Crested.
Navigate Doubtful Sound’s three distinct ‘arms’ and several outstanding waterfalls, from Deep Cove to the open ocean.
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Te Wāhipounamu – South West New Zealand.
Undertake a guided walk on the predator-free sanctuary of Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara.
Gain an insight into the history and the diversity of flora and fauna from your expert expedition team on board and whilst exploring by Zodiac®.