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Kimberley Coast to the Top End (Le Bellot)

Kimberley Coast to the Top End (Le Bellot)

From NZD $13,795

Description

Kimberley Coast to the Top End – 10 day Small Ship Cruise from Broome to Darwin aboard Le Bellot.

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
These once-in-a-lifetime moments allow you to experience an unforgettable world of exclusive moments, incredible cultures and charming surprises

Trip Name
Kimberley Coast to the Top End (Le Bellot)
Days
10
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition / Cruise Ship Length: 131 metres Passenger Capacity: 184 Built: 2019-2020 Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed staterooms, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 staterooms and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience. As the first ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Bellot will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort. 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. 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. In a relaxed atmosphere, an outdoor grill on Deck 3 will serve grilled meats with a variety of salads and desserts. PUBLIC AREAS Le Bellot 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 Arrive Broome, Embark Ship
Welcome to Broome, a former pearling port and an ideal stepping stone to your Kimberley Coast adventure. After your arrival on the stunning Indian Ocean coast, we will transfer you to your luxury ship, Le Bellot. Get to know your Expedition Team and APT Cruise Director at a welcome briefing before dinner.Stay: 10 Nights, Le Bellot
Day 2 - Day 2 Adele Island, Buccaneer Archipelago
Wake to the promise of adventure at sea as the Buccaneer Archipelago sprawls out before you with its more than 800 islands, Le Bellot charts a course for Adele Island, an important location for breeding seabirds including the lesser frigatebird and the brown booby. Led by your Expedition Team Leader, you’ll board a Zodiac and skim across the turquoise waters of Adele Reef to your island destination. The reef is bursting with coral and marine life, such as reef sharks and stingrays. Later, back aboard, cocoon yourself in Le Bellot’s refined setting and watch the amber glow of a Kimberley sunset before dinner this evening.
Day 3 - Day 3 Talbot Bay, Horizontal Falls
Signature ExperienceToday your ship cruises through to Talbot Bay, known for its massive 12-metre tides that create the unique Horizontal Falls. Subject to tidal conditions, you’ll board an exhilarating ride through the falls on a specially designed high-powered fast boat. Hold on tight as the boat zips across Talbot Bay to the mouth of the falls before making its way through the churning waters.Explore Talbot Bay before transferring to a Zodiac to explore Cyclone Creek. Accompanied by your Expedition Team Leader, you’ll weave nimbly past the dramatic folds of rock formations, keeping a look out for local wildlife.
Day 4 - Day 4 Raft Point, Montgomery Reef
Signature ExperienceDepart with your expedition team to discover Montgomery Reef by Zodiac. The reef ‘rises’ out of the ocean as the tidal waters cascade rapidly down into the surrounding channels. By Zodiac you’ll get up close to see this natural phenomenon for yourself.Step onto dry land at Raft Point to visit an ancient Wandjina rock art site. The unique figures depicted in these artworks are ritually repainted each year, but scientific estimates date the originals as far back as 5,000 years. You’ll be joined by a local Indigenous guide when available.
Day 5 - Day 5 Prince Frederick Harbour, Hunter River, Mitchell Falls
You are transported to Prince Frederick Harbour today, which is home to towering red cliffs and tangled mangroves. With its extreme tides and pristine ecosystems, the harbour is rich in wildlife including mudskippers and saltwater crocodiles. Keen birdwatchers should keep a careful eye out for kingfishers, egrets, herons and white-bellied sea eagles. Stepping out from the sleek comfort of
Le Bellot to your trusty Zodiac, it’s hard to believe you’re at Australia’s final frontier, this time to explore the Hunter River and Naturalist Island. As your day of discovery draws to a close, you might choose to set out on a thrilling helicopter flight to see the Mitchell Falls in all its splendour from above (flight at own expense).
Day 6 - Day 6 Bigge Island
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCEApproximately six kilometres from the mainland, Bigge Island is ripe for discovery today. It’s well known for its Indigenous rock art, created by the Wunambal people, and you’ll explore a network of caves throughout the island. Here, discover paintings that display fascinating examples of first-contact art and Wandjina figures.You continue to cruise north along the Kimberley Coast towards your final destination, Darwin, bound for another encounter with ancient art.
Day 7 - Day 7 Swift Bay
Explore this maze of islands, inlets and peninsulas, believed to have been named by explorer Lieutenant Phillip Parker King after novelist Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels. Most significant here are extraordinary examples of Wandjina and Bradshaw (Gwion Gwion) rock art, estimated to have been created between 5,000 and 13,000 years ago. They can be seen in caves close to the water’s edge, mainly painted on rock overhangs.
Day 8 - Day 8 Vansittart Bay, Jar Island
This morning join your Expedition Team on an intriguing discovery. Walk across salt flats to view the wreckage of a US Air Force DC3 which crash-landed near Vansittart Bay during World War II. Later, visit Jar Island and discover the island’s outstanding rock art gallery. During your exploration here, you’ll see more examples of Bradshaw (Gwion Gwion) paintings, dating back more than 20,000 years.
Day 9 - Day 9 Koolama Bay, King George River and Falls
Signature ExperienceAnticipation builds as your Zodiac approaches King George Falls, which plunge 80 metres over a soaring sandstone cliff. Edge closer to this epic cascade and learn how it turns to a raging torrent during the monsoonal wet season.Wake this morning as your ship cruises into Koolama Bay. Hear how this harbour was renamed following the Japanese bombing of the MV Koolama in 1942. Next, it’s onto the King George River. Join your expedition team and jump aboard a Zodiac to meander through the river’s gorge system, passing mangrove-fringed coves and sheer red cliffs.
Day 10 - Day 10 Day at Sea
Relax and ease into a full day at sea, enjoying the endless horizon. Perhaps take a swim in the onboard pool, pamper yourself in the wellness area, or head below deck to Le Bellot’s underwater observation area for a stunning window into marine life below the ocean’s surface.
Day 11 - Day 11 Disembark Ship, Depart Darwin
Arriving into Darwin today means it’s time to say goodbye to your ship. You’ll disembark and we’ll transfer you either to Darwin airport or to your Darwin hotel.
Day 12 - Please Note:
Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
28-05-202106-06-2021NZD $13,795Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
28-05-202106-06-2021NZD $13,995Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
28-05-202106-06-2021NZD $14,695Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
28-05-202106-06-2021NZD $18,695Deluxe Suite. From
28-05-202106-06-2021NZD $23,195Privilege Suite. From
28-05-202106-06-2021NZD $25,895Grand Deluxe Suite
28-05-202106-06-2021NZD $28,095Owner's Suite
17-06-202126-06-2021NZD $13,795Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
17-06-202126-06-2021NZD $13,995Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
17-06-202126-06-2021NZD $14,695Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
17-06-202126-06-2021NZD $18,695Deluxe Suite. From
17-06-202126-06-2021NZD $23,195Privilege Suite. From
17-06-202126-06-2021NZD $25,895Grand Deluxe Suite
17-06-202126-06-2021NZD $28,095Owner's Suite
07-07-202116-07-2021NZD $13,795Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
07-07-202116-07-2021NZD $13,995Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
07-07-202116-07-2021NZD $14,695Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
07-07-202116-07-2021NZD $18,695Deluxe Suite. From
07-07-202116-07-2021NZD $23,195Privilege Suite. From
07-07-202116-07-2021NZD $25,895Grand Deluxe Suite
07-07-202116-07-2021NZD $28,095Owner's Suite
27-07-202105-08-2021NZD $13,795Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
27-07-202105-08-2021NZD $13,995Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
27-07-202105-08-2021NZD $14,695Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
27-07-202105-08-2021NZD $18,695Deluxe Suite. From
27-07-202105-08-2021NZD $23,195Privilege Suite. From
27-07-202105-08-2021NZD $25,895Grand Deluxe Suite
27-07-202105-08-2021NZD $28,095Owner's Suite

Inclusions

    • King George River and Falls. Explore the sandstone gorge carved by King George River to the 80 metre cascade of King George Falls, the highest in WA.
    • Phenomenal Montgomery Reef. Witness the tidal phenomenon of Montgomery Reef as it rises out of the water.
    • Spectacular Horizontal Falls. Board a high powered fast-boat to ride the massive tide at the spectacular Horizontal Falls.

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