Mythical Sites & Islands of South-East Asia - Thailand, Malaysia & Indonesia Cruise

If it's a taste of exotic authenticity you're after, prepare to be spell-bound by the island of Bali, tucked away in the heart of the Indonesian archipelago. The beauty and diversity of its landscapes, the depth and richness of its cultural heritage and the plethora of activities on offer here make Bali a little slice of heaven on Earth. The island's southern coast enthrals with its white sand beaches, its picturesque little fishing villages such as Benoa, and its hills patchworked with terraced rice paddies further inland. Nicknamed 'the Island of Gods' for its sumptuous temples, Bali is the beating heart of Indonesian Hinduism.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

Nestled inside the massive Tengger caldera surrounded by a sea of sand, Mount Bromo is the epitome of desolate beauty. The volcanic complex dates back to about 820,000 years ago and consists of five overlapping stratovolcanoes, each truncated by a caldera. Lava domes, pyroclastic cones, and a maar occupy the flanks of the massif. The surreal lunar landscape has spurned countless legends and myths. Mt Bromo has particular significance for the Hindu Tengger people who believe that this was the site where a brave prince sacrificed his life for his family. After an early departure from the ship guest will travel by bus to Mount Bromo to enjoy this surreal site. 

Surabaya, a dynamic city with colonial heritage, stands before you like an Indonesian jewel at the mouth of the Mas River and along the Madura Strait, in the north of the island of Java. In this cradle of tortured passions and flamboyant fates, you will stroll the maze of narrow streets of this city with a thousand faces, where the fight for Indonesian independence began in 1945. Yet this vibrant and heroic façade hides age-old treasures. Fall under the spell of the Trowulan archaeological site and its emblematic Wringin Lawang gate.

Semarang enjoys a strategic location on the northern coast of Java, making it a cosmopolitan port town and a melting pot of Chinese, Indo-Arabic and European cultures. Before setting off to explore the region's treasures, take a tour of the old town and its smattering of old colonial buildings. Here in Indonesia's most Chinese town, don't miss a trip to the Chinatown district. If it's culture you're after, journey deeper into the green, rolling inland region, passing by volcanoes and rice paddies until you reach the royal town of Yogyakarta and one of its ancient kingdoms, the Borobudur : this Buddhist temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's largest temples.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

The Indonesian Bangka Belitung archipelago, off the eastern coast of Sumatra, is renowned for its beautiful unspoilt beaches and superb diving. Protected by immense granite rocks, Parai Beach, north-east of Bangka Island, is a tropical Eden. Once you're comfortably installed in the shade of palm trees at the water's edge, you'll succumb to the ease and tranquillity of this picture-postcard setting.

Nicknamed the Garden City, Singapore stretches across Malaysia's southern-most region. Experience the vibrant hustle and bustle of this city-state for yourself at the Marina Bay. No too far away is the historic centre, offering up a unique smorgasbord of neoclassical buildings and contemporary towers. Decked out in topiary, the pavements of Orchard Road are also home to countless shopping centres. The colourful markets in Chinatown and Little India are the perfect opportunity to quell hunger pangs in a hawker centre, one of the city's traditional snack bars. Between the two districts, get a slice of history with a trip to the Raffles dock. It was here that Englishman Sir Raffles, the founder of the city, is said to have arrived one fateful day in January 1819.

Lying along the shores of the eponymous Strait, Malacca City has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A witness of the maritime traffic between Asia and the West, the city is inextricably linked to the trade of spices and silk. This cultural oasis will show you the history of a fascinating ancient civilisation, the Baba Nyonya, the descendants of Chinese immigrants who married Malay women. In a Peranakan house in Chinatown, you will discover the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum, which reproduces the interior of a traditional elegant home from the 19th century. The Baba Nyonya were wealthy traders who liked to indulge their taste for sumptuous furniture made from teak and mother-of-pearl, rare jewels and silk brocade.

The leading British trading post of the Far East in the 19th century, this tiny island has a unique atmosphere of both East and West. Known as the “Pearl of the East” in the past, for its many trades of spice, fabrics, and tin, Penang has become one of the most sought-after destinations in Malaysia. George Town, its capital, is home to an extremely rich historical heritage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to discover the Blue Mansion, a real architectural marvel that blends traditional Chinese style with eastern elements.

Langkawi Island or Pulau Langkawi, also known as the “Malaysian paradise”, is the largest island in the eponymous archipelago. Composed of a group of 104 mostly uninhabited islands sitting atop the Andaman Sea, the archipelago, listed as a UNESCO Global Geopark, is brimming with natural wonders. Vast beaches of white sand line the contours of this island. Inland, it features jungle-covered hills, picturesque rice fields, ancient rock formations, and spectacular mountain peaks. The island is also home to several factories processing gamat, a sea cucumber used to produce a cream sought after for its medicinal and cosmetic virtues.

In the district of Ko Lanta in southern Thailand, Koh Rok island is actually two uninhabited twin islands, Koh Rok Nok and Koh Rok Nai. In the heart of a protected national park, Koh Rok Nok presents authentic scenery with lush vegetation, unusual coral reefs and surprising cliffs. At the island’s magnificent, crystal-clear beaches in the east, you will be able to have a wonderful time swimming or discovering the underwater world, brimming with myriad, rather friendly colourful fish.

North of the island of Phuket, the Phang Nga province in southern Thailand is a protected national park since 1981. It is one of the wildest regions in Thailand, with vast stretches of lush old-growth forest, stunning waterfalls and sublime fine-sand beaches. Phang Nga is a province that is rich in traditions and natural beauty. Its bay offers a landscape of limestone karsts that seem to be balancing on the water. It is also home to the island nicknamed “James Bond island”, as an homage to the film Man with the Golden Gun, and to the island of Panyi, an unusual floating village with over 200 houses built on stilts and connected by wooden walkways.

Phuket, the largest island in Thailand, also known as the pearl of the Andaman, has majestic landscapes enhanced by a magnificent colour palette. Its lively, eponymous capital abounds with beautiful 19th-century houses, with embellished façades, and with markets where fruits and vegetables rival each other for flavours amidst street food stalls emanating appetising aromas. Although Phuket is a much appreciated tourist destination, it has still managed to preserve a few pieces of paradise off the beaten track. The charming shores, surrounded by hills with a thick covering of tropical vegetation, and the white sandy beaches make for an idyllic setting, while the underwater life provides a permanent show.

Itineraries are subject to change.