Paradise Isles Of The Indian Ocean

ITINERARY

DAY 1
VICTORIA, MAHE ISLAND
Victoria is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Seychelles, situated on the northeastern side of Mahé Island, the archipelago’s main island. It is a vibrant city with a mix of cultures and traditions, home to many attractions such as Victoria Market (Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market), Clock Tower & National Museum of History, Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple, The colorful house “Jivan Imports”, Botanical Gardens and more.

DAY 2
BIJOUTIER ISLAND
Tiny Bijoutier Island is popular for beach picnics, snorkelling and wildlife-spotting. You can stroll around the palm-fringed shore of this remote Outer Islands gem in mere minutes, keeping an eye out for spotted tiger cowrie shells and scuttling giant crabs on the white sand. Accessible only at high tide, the circular islet is surrounded by clear, shallow waters and is a sanctuary for soaring frigatebirds and wedge-tailed shearwaters. It’s also a nesting site for turtles.

Expedition Activities (See Optional Activities)

DAY 3
DAY AT SEA
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

DAY 4
COSMOLEDO ATOLL
Cosmoledo Atoll is a group of islands located in the Seychelles. It is known for its white sand flats, lagoon edges, and channels, home to various fish species such as bonefish, milkfish, Indo-Pacific permit, triggerfish, bluefin trevally, and others. The atoll is also home to large populations of endemic birds like boobies, terns, and Frigatebirds. Hawksbill and Green Turtles also nest on the lagoon and its sandy beaches. Cosmoledo is an important bird area and holds Seychelles’ most extensive colonies of all three species of booby that breed in the region, including the last viable population of brown booby.

DAY 5-6
ALDABRA ISLAND
Comprising 13 islands around a lagoon, this massive raised coral atoll is home to the world’s largest tortoise colony. More than 100,000 lumbering giant tortoises inch their way around the isolated archipelago’s protected landscape, which features hundreds of flowering plant and fern species. You might be lucky enough to spot swooping Aldabra drongos - endemic to the islands - or wading pink flamingos. Look out too for scavenging white-throated rails, the only flightless bird remaining in the Indian Ocean.

Expedition Activities (See Optional Activities)

DAY 7
ASSUMPTION ISLAND
A tranquil white-sand beach stretches for miles alongside brilliantly turquoise water on the west coast of Assumption Island. Part of the Aldabra Group, the kidney-shaped island lies more than 1,000 km southwest of Mahé and is known for its colourful butterfly species, including the belenois aldabrensis. You may bump into sauntering giant tortoises or catch a flash of green as an Assumption day gecko scampers past. Keep an eye out for evidence of nesting sea turtles near the shoreline.

DAY 8
DAY AT SEA
Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.

DAY 9
ZANZIBAR
Cosmopolitan Zanzibar Island (Unguja) has a captivating mix of heritage architecture and spectacular beaches. Zanzibar City’s walkable old quarter, Stone Town (Mji Mkongwe), is a lively warren of narrow winding streets dotted with 18th- and 19th-century buildings. Highlights here include the Old Fort, which hosts performances in its outdoor amphitheatre, and the House of Wonders, an 1883 ceremonial palace with a grand clock tower. You’ll also come across stalls heaped with locally grown spices like nutmeg and cinnamon.

Shore Excursion (See Optional Activities)

DAY 10
PEMBA ISLAND
Cloaked in lush vegetation, hilly Pemba Island is famed for its extensive clove farms, peaceful islets and white-sand beaches. The island’s biodiverse forests are a haven for grazing blue duiker (small antelope), and the Pemba flying fox, identifiable by its distinctive rusty-red fur and enormous wingspan stretching over 5 feet. Offshore, you can snorkel or dive in warm water among vibrantly coloured coral teeming with marine life including green turtles, whitetip reef sharks and nudibranchs.

Shore Excursion (See Optional Activities)

DAY 11
LAMU
A storied Swahili settlement and former major trading hub dating back 700 years, Lamu is a delightful seafront town on the island of the same name. Clusters of ornate, well-preserved buildings built from coral stone and mangrove timber fill its maze of narrow streets. As you stroll the tiny alleyways, you can admire intricately carved wooden doors and arcaded facades, or take a peek into hidden courtyards. The fort and museum are fantastic places to learn about Swahili culture.

Shore Excursion (See Optional Activities)

DAY 12
MOMBASA
A dynamic coastal metropolis, Mombasa draws you in with its rich history and beguiling blend of cultures. For centuries, Arabs, Portuguese, Asians and British settlers have lived side by side in the enchanting old town, whose buildings meld African, European and African styles. Perched above the sea, Fort Jesus was built by the Portuguese in the 1590s to protect the city, while the bustling spice market is packed with fragrant stalls selling pepper, ginger and cardamom.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
• One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
• All meals onboard
• Onboard accommodation in a stateroom selected category
• 24-hour room service
• Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
• Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
• One selected shore excursion/expedition activities per port of call (Kayak not included, bookable for a fee on board)
• Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions
• Standard WiFi
• Onboard gratuities & port taxes

DAY 2
BIJOUTIER ISLAND
Expedition Activities

Snorkeling with Swan Hellenic Expedition Team
Included
Snorkel in the lagoon with your onboard marine biologists
Be on the lookout for schools of fish, turtles and rays nearby to the coral reef

Nature Walk with Swan Hellenic Expedition Team
Included
Explore the beach with your onboard guides
Try to see frigate birds, colonies of herons and giant crabs

DAY 5-6
ALDABRA ISLAND
Expedition Activities

Snorkeling with Swan Hellenic Expedition Team
Included
Drift snorkel with your expedition team, from one end of the channel to the other end
Slowly drift over Aldabra's pristine marine world

Nature Walk with Swan Hellenic Expedition Team
Included
Go ashore at this remote research station and learn about the scientific work being conducted
Learn about the Giant Tortoise and the endemic Aldabra Drongo, and try to spot some.

Zodiac Cruise with Swan Hellenic Expedition Team
Included
Zodiac cruise the magnificent coral limestone formations nearby sandy beaches
Explore the coastal world of this magic atoll

DAY 9
ZANZIBAR
Shore Excursion

Highlights Of Stone Town
Duration: 04 h 00 m
Included
Visist Stone Town declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in year 2000 and is a fine example of a Swahili Coastal trading town
See and smell the tropical fruits piled high and the freshly ground spices neatly packed for sale at the City Market
Take some time to learn about the "dark ages" at the East Africa Slave Exhibition, a collection of photographs that documents the role Zanzibar played in it

Sandbank Dhow Adventure
Duration: 06 h 00 m
Optional
Explore Zanzibar's splendid beaches and marine life during this memorable dhow boat and snorkeling adventure to the Sandbank
Relex at Pange Sandbank before your guided snorkeling session on a nearby reef

Half Day Jozani Forest
Duration: 03 h 30 m
Optional
Visit the only natural reserve in Zanzibar
Rare opportunity to view the (endangered) Red Colobus Monkey
Mangrove boardwalk over the swamps

Ruins and Spices of Zanzibar
Duration: 04 h 00 m
Optional
There was a time when the archipelago of Zanzibar produced 90% of the Worlds cloves
Smell, taste, touch and see different spice plants as well some of the fruits in season, some unique to Zanzibar

DAY 10
PEMBA ISLAND
Shore Excursion

Flying foxes of Pemba
Duration: 04 h 40 m
Optional
Enjoy a scenic drive past a lush countryside interspersed with some local villages
Explore the Kidike Flying Fox Sanctuary and learn about the Pteropus voeltzkowi, a species of bat endemic to the island of Pemba
On the way back to the port enjoy a panoramic drive of Chake Chake and a short walk in the market

DAY 11
LAMU
Shore Excursion

Exploring Lamu
Duration: 03 h 00 m
Included
Stroll through the narrow alleys lined with intricately carved Swahili style doors
Listen to the fascinating tales of Lamu's past, revealing the influence of Arab, Indian, and European traders who left an indelible mark on this coastal gem
Explore the vibrant Lamu Museum, where artifacts and exhibits transport you back in time