Program
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In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.
This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.
Join PONANT aboard Le Lapérouse for an 8-day cruise on an exceptional itinerary to discover the rugged landscapes of the Scottish Isles and the beauty of the Norwegian fjords.
Begin your voyage in Glasgow, Scotland's cultural capital with a rich artistic and architectural heritage.
Your ship will first sail to the charming fishing port of Tobermory in the fabled Hebrides, whose distillery produces a renowned single malt scotch whisky, for a visit to Duart Castle, the ancestral home of Clan Maclean on the Isle of Mull.
From Portree, spend a day on the unparalleled Isle of Skye. Or, not to be missed on the mainland is Eilean Donan, one of the most recognizable castles in the world and an iconic symbol of Scotland.
Your ship sails next towards Kirkwall, Orkney, where numerous seabirds, such as dunters and ringed plovers, take residence. The Standing Stones of Stenness, built around 5,400 years ago, are a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.
Le Lapérouse then sails for Lerwick, the main port in the Shetland Islands. Nearby is the Jarlshof prehistoric and Norse settlement, where Neolithic people first settled more than 4,000 years ago – it is one of the most spectacular excavated sites in the British Isles.
Next cross the North Sea and sail towards Olden. From this small and charming village, located a few miles from Jostedalsbreen National Park, home to one of the last ice caps in Europe, admire the magnificent Briksdal Glacier.
End your voyage in Flåm where you will board the Flåm Railway to take a beautiful train journey high into the mountains of western Norway. View stunning rivers, waterfalls, and cultural landscapes around every corner.
You will disembark in Bergen, famous for its Hanseatic wharf, Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage site which still carries traces of the rich historic past of the city founded by the Vikings.
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Le Lapérouse, First in the PONANT EXPLORERS series, Le Lapérouse takes you in comfort and style to the most remote destinations on the globe.
- An essential component of French culture, gastronomy naturally holds a special place on board.
- The cosy and refined atmosphere of the lounges and bars are perfect for relaxing, socialising or simply enjoying the moment – whatever your mood.
- In partnership with SOTHYS™ and KÉRASTASE / L’Oréal Paris, the spa offers a wide range of treatments, massages, hairdressing services, as well as a sauna and a fitness room perfect for self-care and well-being.
- With its water blending into the surrounding landscapes, the pool is perfect for relaxing in the sun. From the marina platform, embark on your sea excursions or water activities in complete tranquility.
- Comfortably seated, you can attend conferences given by the guests and teams of naturalists, as well as the various shows, concerts, and performances organised by professional dancers and musicians.
Information
In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.
- A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call.
- Engaging discussions onboard with two Smithsonian Journeys Experts, including archaeologist Colleen Batey and astrophysicist Michelle Thaller.
- An exceptional itinerary to discover the beauty of the Norwegian fjords and the rugged landscapes and rich cultural heritage of the Scottish Isles.
- UNESCO World Heritage sites en route: Bryggen, Heart of Neolithic Orkney
- A sailing through the spectacular fjords of Norway, with two stops to visit a glacier and embark on a train journey on the famed Flåm Railway.
- A discovery of two archipelagos in the north of Scotland – Shetland and Orkney – to delve into the Neolithic and Viking history that abounds there.
- An opportunity to visit Eilean Donan castle on the Scottish mainland and to sail the waters of storied Loch Ness.
- A chance to tour a distillery and sample the region’s famous scotch whisky.
- Shore excursion in each port of call + transfers included