Description
Serenity and tranquillity… Two words that encapsulate the essence of this unique cruise, in partnership with Le Tigre Yoga Club and with the exceptional presence of Elodie Garamond, yoga instructor and founder of Le Tigre Yoga Club. During 12 days, you will have the chance to explore the elements, your emotions and your body, during introductory workshops, exchanges with our wellness professionals, and outdoor activities. A complementary retreat, offering a denser spiritual practice, will also be available for those wishing to take their quest for personal fulfilment and exploration of the elements even further. Oriental fragrances, scents of spice, lush green landscapes, age-old stories: PONANT invites you on a journey to discover a mosaic of peoples and cultures. Sri Lanka and India welcome you on a 12-day cruise aboard Le Jacques-Cartier, between charming towns and surprising nature. Let yourself fall under the spell of these eastern lands bordered by the Indian Ocean and influenced by Buddhist and Hindu traditions. The bubbling Sri Lankan capital Colombo will plunge you into the distinctive atmosphere of the country once known as Ceylon. Renowned for its spices, such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, it is a trading location, a crossroads port between Asia and Europe. Le Jacques-Cartier will set sail for Galle, recognisable by the 16th-century fortifications that encircle the town. The successive Portuguese, Dutch and British colonisations left this city with unique architecture, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a heritage shaped by multiple influences. A little further, Hambantota is the gateway towards the luxuriant heart of the country. On an excursion into the Yala National Park, you will witness Sri Lanka’s abundant wildlife: leopards, elephants, sloth bears, monkeys and almost 200 bird species inhabit this must-see site. In India and the region of Kerala, you will explore the surprising Trivandrum, also known as Thiruvananthapuram. The bastion of the former Travancore royal family between 1750 and 1956, it owes its name to its magnificent temple, the Anantha Padmanabhapuram, a jewel that must not be missed during your port of call. You will sail up the Malabar Coast to arrive in cosmopolitan Kochi. Constructed on a lagoon on the Arabian Sea, between islands and a peninsula, this royal city has kept its yesteryear charm. Set off aboard traditional boats to discover the surrounding fishing villages located in the ‘backwaters’, a network of lakes and canals criss-crossing the region’s dense vegetation. Your last port of call will take you to Goa. This former colony of the Portuguese Indies is prized for its long beaches and its rich cultural heritage, in particular a collection of late 16th-century churches and convents, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Your journey will come to an end in flamboyant Mumbai. The capital of Bollywood films, the most populated city in India – nicknamed of ‘Maximum City’ – conjures up many descriptions and will offer you a unique experience to complete your cruise.