Le Laperouse, 15 Night Mythical Sites & Islands of South-East Asia ex Benoa, Bali, Indonesia to Phuket, Thailand

From Bali to Phuket, set off on an all-new 16-day cruise to discover the coasts of South-East Asia. Dive into the Indonesian cultural melting pot, immersing yourself in the diversity of the landscapes featuring jungle, volcanic mountains and white sandy beaches. PONANT invites you to discover the natural jewels and historic cities of Malaysia and Thailand, with their heavenly islands, exceptional natural heritage, and cultural discoveries at the crossroads of Asian and Western influences.

Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. During this cruise, set off to discover Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist compound, appreciate the surrealist landscape of Mount Bromo and explore the historical city of Malacca, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).

Leaving from the “island of gods”, Bali, Le Lapérouse will set sail to Java with a first port of call in Probolinggo, from where you will travel to Mount Bromo. Following a morning departure from the ship, once you reach the top of the crater, you will observe a lunar landscape. The journey will continue to Surabaya, nicknamed “the city of heroes” due to the important role it played in the country’s independence during the Indonesian National Revolution. On the north coast of Java, Semarang, a cosmopolitan city with Chinese, Indo-Arabic and European influences, stands before you. From there, you will set off to discover the incredible site of Borobudur. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this monumental Buddhist temple compound from the 8th and 9th centuries is an artistic marvel with over 500 Buddha statues.

On Bangka Island, a veritable verdant jewel off the east coast of Sumatra, you enjoy unique moments far from overcrowded beaches. Protected by immense granite rocks, Parai Beach, north-east of Bangka Island, is a tropical Eden.

Le Lapérouse will then reach the southern tip of Malaysia and make a port of call in Singapore, a multicultural city rich in contrasts whose Botanic Gardens are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You cross the Strait of Malacca, once a strategic hub of the spice and silk trade, and discover the colourful and multicultural island of Penang, known for its British colonial buildings, its Chinese shops and its mosques.

The ship heads to Langkawi Island, where you will discover scenery including picturesque rice fields and hills covered in rainforest. Your cruise continues along the coast of Thailand. In a sublime setting of emerald water, karstic cliffs, mangrove and white sand, Le Lapérouse also drops anchor off the coast of the uninhabited island of Ko Rok Nok, a paradise for swimming and relaxation.

Your trip will end in the province of Phang Nga, to the north of the island of Phuket. With vast stretches of lush old-growth forest, stunning waterfalls and sublime fine-sand beaches, it is one of the wildest regions in Thailand.