Madagascar & South Africa

Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.

Day 1 – Mauritius

Meet at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT from Nosy Be.

You will be transferred to your hotel.

Check-in in your room at official hour. In case of arrival before official check-in, you can enjoy hotel facilities.

A snack or lunch will be served according to your flight arrival time, reconfirmed as close as possible to the departure in your travel books.

Day at leisure.

Dinner included.

Day 2 – Mauritius

After breakfast and check-out, time at leisure depending on your flight schedule.

You will then be transferred to the airport in time for check-in for the PONANT selected flight or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).

Your hotel:

Located on the Blue Bay Peninsula, at the southern tip of the island and 10 minutes from the airport, the Beachcomber Shandrani 4* hotel offers comfortable rooms in a tropical setting between ocean and garden. The complex has a wide range of activities that will allow you to relax: 3 private sandy beaches, 1 swimming pool, a sports center, water activities.

Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.

Your programme includes:

·        1-night accommodation in Deluxe room at Beachcomber Shandrani 4* (local standards) or similar, half board included (diner and breakfast).

·        Beverages package during lunch (mineral water + 1 soft drink or 1 glass of wine or 1 local glass of beer + 1 coffee or tea).

·        Transfers as mentioned in the programme.

·        The services of a local English-speaking assistance during transfers.

Your programme does not include:

·        Personal expenses.

·        Tips for the driver and local guide.

·        Lunch on day 1 if your flight arrive during afternoon.

·        Lunch on day 2.

·        Late check-out.

·        Other services not mentioned in the programme.

Please note:

·        The official check-in time is 2 p.m.

·        The official check-out room time is 12:00.

·        The included transfer from the airport to the hotel on day 1 will be adapted by our local representative depending on the arrival time of your flight from Nosy Be. No activity is planned on this day, only free time to be able to adapt with the flight arrival schedule from Nosy Be that will be confirmed a few weeks before your departure.

Contact of your hotel:

Beachcomber Shandrani
Blue Bay, Le Chaland 51510 (Mahebourg)
Maurice
Telephone : (+230) 603 4100

Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.

Day 1 – Mauritius airport / Chamarel

Meet at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT from Nosy Be.

You will be transferred to your hotel. The lunch is included in case of arrival before 2: 00 pm.

Check-in in your room.

The end of the day is at leisure.

Dinner at the hotel.

Day 2 – Chamarel and Central area

After breakfast, depart for Kot Marie-Michelle, a table d’hôte located in the heart of the island in the village of Midlands (about 1-hour drive).

Surrounded by mountains, sugarcane fields, tea plantations, and hunting grounds, it offers a tranquil escape from the city's hustle and bustle. Kot Marie-Michelle specializes in traditional cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients. Vegetables are sourced from their garden or the village, and spices are roasted over wooden flames and ground manually on a roche-carri, just like the grandmothers of Mauritius used to use. In fact, this table d'hôte is run by two young grandmothers. It provides a unique experience of local life, offering authentic Mauritian cuisine and warm hospitality. The activity includes a culinary discovery before experiencing an authentic lunch (including several local dishes).   

Then reach the Black River Gorges National Park which is an ancient primaeval forest, famous for being the home of endangered species such as the Mauritius Falcon. In earlier times, the extremely hard ebony found in the park was used in making warships in different parts of the world.    
The Gorges Viewpoint offers a spectacular panoramic view of endless green stretches. You will be amazed to discover how high the viewing area is from the gorge. On the right side of the viewpoint, you can see a breathtaking waterfall.       

Continue until the Chamarel Geopark. With distinct colours of red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow, this geological curious happening has 15 metres of highly coloured dunes - an almost surreal, lunar-like spectacle of rainbow-hued sand dunes before your eyes. You will have the chance to view the gorgeous Chamarel waterfall. Three distinct streams plunge down almost 100 metres from the St. Denis River, down into the gorge. The sight of this impressive waterfall against the scenic forests and mountains is truly breathtaking.   

Your day of visit ends at Ebony forest where you discover how rapidly Mauritian forests disappeared and why today Mauritius harbours one of the World’s most threatened flora and fauna populations during this 25-minute guided tour. Visit the native plant propagation nursery and see some of the rarest plants in the world being grown.

Back to your hotel, and end of the day at leisure.

Dîner at the hotel.

Day 3 – Chamarel / South East of Mauritius

Accompanied by your guide, you will depart to discover the scenic south of Mauritius.

After 30-minute drive, start your visit at Bois Cheri, the first tea plantation in Mauritius and dates back to 1892.

Visiting the Bois Chéri Estate is one of the main sites of the Mauritian Tea Route. This is the spot where tea-lovers will get to learn how tea is cultivated, picked and packaged. You will travel back in history throughout this visit and get a surprising feeling of tranquility. You will visit the tea production museum learning more about the history of tea in Mauritius. Nowadays Bois Cheri produces a new range of flavored teas, green teas and herbal teas. You may taste them during your visit. Get ready to be amazed by the richness and freshness of the flavours you are about to taste. The Bois Chéri offers a great panoramic view of the south of the island.

Your morning vissit continues until La Rhumerie de Saint Aubin. Located in the south of the island, this estate is a pioneer in the manufacture of agricultural rum. At l’atelier du Rhum, you can discover traditional techniques and all the process of rum making.   
Prepare a “rhum arrangé” of your choice with seasonal fruits and seal the bottle for a souvenir to bring home. After the rum workshop, enjoy delicious dishes prepared with the rum at Le Saint Aubin restaurant, an old colonial house dating from 1819. 

After your lunch, you can visit the Mini Ferme du Domaine de Saint Aubin, La Maison de La Vanille, where aromatic Vanilla pods are produced, La Serre d ’Anthurium du Domaine de Saint Aubin, Le Jardin Botanique du Domaine de Saint Aubin, Le Moulin du Domaine de Saint Aubin and La Boutique du Domaine de Saint Aubin where you can find other souvenirs.      

Back to your hotel, enjoy an en rout stop at Gris Gris, a beach located at the southernmost tip of the island. Unlike other beaches in the South known for their calm waters, Gris Gris stands out as a unique destination. This little piece of coastline lacks a coral reef, allowing powerful waves to crash upon the shore, providing a mesmerizing spectacle for visitors. Gris Gris offers a stark contrast to the tranquillity of other nearby beaches. At Gris Gris viewpoint, you can witness the relentless force of the waves as they collide with a prominent rock formation, creating a dramatic display accompanied by a resounding roar.     

Back to your hotel, and end of the day at leisure.

Dîner at the hotel.

Day 4 – Chamarel / Mauritius airport

After breakfast and check-out, time at leisure depending on your flight schedule.

You will then be transferred to the airport in time for check-in for the PONANT selected flight or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).You will then be transferred to the airport in time for check-in of the PONANT selected flight.

Your hotel:

The charming boutique hotel Chalets Chamarel is committed to offering you a unique and unforgettable stay, with personalized, top-of-the-range services. Its 11 chalets are perched on the ridges of the Piton La Porte de Chamarel, offering exceptional panoramic views of the west coast on one side and the forests on the other.

Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.

Your programme includes:

·        3-night accommodation in Deluxe Ocean View Chalet at Chalets Chamarel (local standard) or similar, including half board (breakfast and dinner).

·        Meals as mentioned in the programme.

·        Beverages package during lunches mentioned in the programme (on day 2: mineral water, 1 soft drink or 1 rum; during lunch in Saint Aubin on day 3: mineral water, 1 cocktail, tea or coffee shop).

·        Transfers and visits as mentioned in the programme.

·        The services of a local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include:

·        Personal expenses.

·        Other services not mentioned in the programme.

·        Tips for the driver and local guide.  

·        Beverages during dinner at the hotel.

·        Early check-in or late check-out.

·        Optional services  and activities proposed at the hotel.

Please note:

·        It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.

·        The official check-in time is 2:00 p.m.

·        The official check-out time is 11:30 a.m.

·        Hotel accept only guests over 15 years. Booking with children under 15 years is not possible.

·        During visits and outdoor activities, provide comfortable clothing and shoes, sun protection.

·        During visits and outdoor activities, provide comfortable clothing and shoes, sun protection.

·        The program is not recommended for people with reduced mobility.

Contact of your hotel:

Chalets Chamarel 4*
Route Terre des Sept Couleurs
Mauritius
Téléphone : (230) 660 9796

Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.

Day 1 – Durban

Meet at Durban Airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).

You will be transferred to your hotel located on Umlanga area at the north of Durban (transfer time approximately 40 minutes).

Check-in in your room at official check-in or early check-in included for guests with an early flight arrival..

The day is at leisure.

Dinner served at the hotel.

Day 2 - Durban

Breakfast and time at leisure until check-out procedures.

Before check out formalities, you have time of having a relaxing morning either sleeping in or exploring the hotel facilities or the 5kms of beachwalk in front of the hotel.

Meet your local guide at noon for a short road transfer to the Durban Botanic Gardens.

Walk in the beautiful garden settings of the Botanic Gardens. The Durban Botanic Gardens is currently Africa’s oldest surviving botanic garden and remains a national and local asset contributing to plant conservation and education. This 15-hectare botanic garden curates major collections such as cycads, palms, orchids both indigenous and exotic in nature.

Enjoy a lunch in a local restaurant.

Thereafter, a short drive to the Phanzi Museum.

Their exhibitions deal with prejudice, myth, collective memory, histories, customs, traditions, power and loss. And of course, skill and craft and the materials that come to hand.

Then, you will be transferred to the pier, to embark on board your ship.

Your hotel:

The Beverly Hills hotel in uMhlanga has set the standard for luxury, hospitality, and intuitive service since 1964. The hotel takes centre stage on the uMhlanga Rocks beachfront and offers guests uninterrupted ocean views from every room, boutique spa treatments, culinary excellence, and access to our iconic outdoor pool. Positioned between uMhlanga’s famous pier and lighthouse, the accommodation at the Beverly Hills makes the most of the Indian Ocean vistas with private balconies in every room. Classically elegant interiors are complemented by modern luxury amenities like unlimited WiFi, Nespresso machines, pillow choices, and flatscreen DStv.

Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.

Your programme includes:

·        1-night accommodation in Standard room at the The Beverly Hills hotel 5* (local standards) or similar, halfboard included (dinner and breakafast).

·        Transfers and visits as mentioned in the programme.

·        Beverage package during meals (1 mineral water, 1 glass of beer or 1 local glass of wine or 1 soft, tea or coffee).

·        The services of a local English-speaking guide.

·        Early check-in included.

 

Your programme does not include:

·        Tips for the driver and local guide.

·        Personal expenses.

·        Late check-out.

·        Other services not mentioned in the programme.

Please note:

·        It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.

·        This program requires to be able of walking outside (windy and humid weather). We recommend wearing lightweight clothing and comfortable walking shoes, bring sunscreen.

·        Official check-in at 2:00 pm. Early check-in included for guests with an early flight arrival.

·        Optional early check-in proposed in supplement upon availability.

·        Check out time is 11: 00 am.

Contact of your hotel:

The Beverly Hills hotel

1 Lighthouse Road, Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Phone number: +27 31 561 2211

Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.