Indonesian Temples & Volcanoes

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.

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.

Far off the beaten path, the Belitung Islands are like a smaller version of the Seychelles. Located south-east of Sumatra, this string of islands is listed as a UNESCO Global Geopark and, between its pearly beaches, dense forests and crystal-clear waters, will reveal fascinating blocks of granite that seem to rise up out of the depths of time. A veritable Eden, Belitung invites travellers to put their odyssey on hold for a moment and be swept away by the gentle way of life that soothes this unique setting in Indonesia.

Krakatoa, or Krakatau, is a name familiar to most, though few know where it is located. Lying in the Sunda Strait, between Java and Sumatra on the Pacific ring of fire, is the site of the largest volcanic eruption in modern history. The 1883 eruptions culminated with a colossal blast that literally blew Krakatau apart. The noise was heard over 4,600 km away. Eruptions since 1927 have built a new cone known as Anak Krakatau ("The child of Krakatau") that is still active, with its most recent eruptive episode having begun in 1994. Quiet periods of a few days alternate with spectacular Strombolian eruptions. Guest activities will be determined by the level of volcanic activity on the day and may involve ship based viewing or zodiac tour.

Situated at the westernmost tip of Java, Ujung Kulon National Park includes the eponymous peninsula and the Krakatoa volcano nature reserve. A natural sanctuary for Asian wildlife, the park is home to numerous species of wild animals. You will be enraptured by the exceptional beauty of this place, its forests, its jagged coastline and its islands.

Not far from Kumai in the south of Borneo, discover the magnificent Tanjung Puting National Park, one of Indonesia’s must-see sites. Listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, you will explore it from a zodiac, surrounded by tropical rainforest. People tend to come here particularly for the orang-utans. These fascinating primates have been part of a rehabilitation programme here for several years. For what is sure to be a moving experience, you may see them in their natural habitat.

During your cruise, your ship will take you to discover Karimunjawa, an idyllic archipelago composed of 27 small islands, far-removed from the modern world. At the place where the Pacific Ocean meets the Indian Ocean, translucent waves matching the colour of the horizon crash on long beaches of immaculate white sand. Listed as a Marine National Park, these stunningly beautiful islands lined with coral reefs are an extraordinary natural heritage. Equipped with a mask and tuba, we invite you to discover a fascinating underwater world where dizzyingly bright multicolored marine life will reveal itself.

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.

Anchored in the heart of the Java Sea, halfway between the Indonesian islands of Java and Borneo, Bawean invites serenity. Known for its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, the island is surrounded by coral reefs and sandbanks, offering an ideal setting for a moment of relaxation by the ocean.

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.

Menjangan Island, located inside the West Bali National Park, is Bali’s premier destination for world-class diving, pristine coral reefs, and untouched wildlife. Meaning “Deer Island” in Javanese, this uninhabited marine reserve is famous for the wild Java rusa deer that swim in its turquoise waters and roam its white-sand beaches. Far removed from the crowded beach clubs of southern Bali, it offers a tranquil, eco-protected escape.

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.