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Peregrine Travel Centre

A Tropical Odyssey in Central America Luxury Cruise

A Tropical Odyssey in Central America Luxury Cruise

From AUD $11,310

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Description

On this 11-day cruise aboard Le Champlain, you will sail the Caribbean Sea discovering the lush landscapes of Central America, exploring the region’s historical cities to learn more about their history, sharing with the local populations and creating unforgettable memories.
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, dive into incredible Mayan history from Santo Tomás de Castilla, as you discover the pyramids and sanctuaries of the Quiriguá archaeological site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From Puerto Limón, sail along the labyrinthine canals of the Tortuguero National Park, in the heart of a tropical forest featuring fascinating fauna and flora, or discover traditional cocoa growing in a Ngöbe village on the island of San Cristóbal, from Bocas Del Toro.
 During your odyssey aboard Le Champlain, expect to hear birdsong and see dense tropical forests and the intertwined roots of mangrove burgeoning with life. On the Rio Dulce, aboard small local boats, discover gorges shaped by the river opening onto lush vegetation, a haven of peace for many birds, such as cormorants, egrets and pelicans. Another little-known and pristine paradise, in Honduras, La Ensenada invites you to discover a unique ecosystem, at theLancetilla Botanical Garden, the largest tropical gardens in the Americas. In Puerto Limón, the Puerto Vargas Reserve, in the Cahuita National Park, is home to exuberant wildlife, including howler monkeys, white-faced capuchin monkeys, sloths, coatis, agoutis… mere steps away from idyllic beaches.
Fans of swimming and immaculate landscapes will not be left out either. In the Caribbean Sea, on the little volcanic island of Providence, a former buccaneer hideout off the coast off Nicaragua, make the most of the abundant turquoise waters and beaches fringed with coconut trees to immerse yourself in the gentleness of the Caribbean. Off the coast of Isla Utila, the Water Caye islet unfurls its stretches of white sand along an azure sea, truly an invitation to lose yourself in thought and relax.
From one port of call to the next, you will also be able to seize the opportunity to share unforgettable moments with local communities. In Santo Tomás de Castilla, the Garifuna community will welcome you with a unique performance of traditional dance and music aboard the ship.  In Panama, on the Bocas del Toro archipelago, famous for its rich underwater and terrestrial biodiversity, you will learn about a different history, that of the country’s largest indigenous community, the Ngöbe-Buglé.

Trip Name
A Tropical Odyssey in Central America Luxury Cruise
Days
11
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Length: 127 metres Passenger Capacity: 92 cabins Built: 2017/2018 Le Champlain, part of the prestigious PONANT EXPLORERS series, masterfully blends the spirit of adventure with refined comfort. Designed to navigate some of the world’s most remote destinations, she offers guests the intimacy of a private yacht alongside discreet luxury and elegant French styling. Her 92 staterooms and suites, all with private balconies, are bathed in natural light, providing a serene retreat after a day of Zodiac® expeditions or fine dining. Every element, from the stylish interiors to the attentive service, reflects PONANT’s dedication to creating a truly authentic voyage. Built with a strong focus on eco-friendly innovation, Le Champlain incorporates the latest environmental technologies to minimise her impact on the oceans she explores. At 430 feet long with a guest capacity of up to 184, she maintains a sense of exclusivity while offering spacious public areas, exceptional cuisine, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Whether gliding through polar waters or sailing to tropical shores, she delivers an unforgettable combination of exploration, sophistication, and respect for the natural world.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 BELIZE CITY
Belize City is the former capital and the country’s largest town. Located on the Caribbean Sea, this lively little town symbolises the fusion of British, Spanish and Maya cultures. The departure point for flights over the Great Blue Hole and the barrier reef, it’s also the ideal gateway for discovering the treasures of Maya architecture: in the heart of the jungle, the grandiose and mysterious ruins of temples and palaces at the Lamanai and Xunantunich sites await you. Another unmissable experience: a trip to the mouth of the Belize River: with a little luck and care, you’ll get a glimpse of manatees, dolphins, crocodiles, iguanas and many aquatic bird species.
Day 2 - Day 2 DULCE RIVER
In the waters of the Rio Dulce flows a part of the Caribbean soul. Lanchas, the motor boats that travel along the river and the Caribbean Sea, are the only way of reaching this small, welcoming town with no overland access to the rest of the country. Here, you are in Garifuna country: the inhabitants, descendent from Jamaican slaves, perpetuate their culture through oral tradition and ceremonies. Garifuna music, which is lively and sounds similar in some respects to reggae, and Garifuna dance, to the beat of drums, have both been classified by UNESCO as “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”.
Day 3 - Day 3 SANTO TOMÁS DE CASTILLA
A port city located in the north-east of Guatemala, on the coast of the Amatique Bay, Santo Tomás de Castilla offers exceptional access to the fabulous Mayan archaeological site of Quiriguá. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, this place takes you back in time, deep into a décor of ruins and vestiges from the 8th century.
Day 4 - Day 4 LA ENSENADA
Lying on the Honduran shores, the small community of La Ensenada will charm you with its gentle way of life and breathtaking landscapes. Make the most of a timeless moment to go and meet the local population and learn more about their day-to-day lives and their customs. The mangrove, a unique ecosystem teeming with life, will also reveal itself to you with the possibility of a river cruise aboard a local boat.
Day 5 - Day 5 WATER CAYE, ISLA UTILA
The Bay Islands archipelago is home to stunning cays, sheltered coral islets with warm, crystal-clear turquoise waters. Off the island of Utila, the white-sand beaches lined with palms and coconut trees and the reefs of the deserted islet called Water Caye offer a picture-postcard setting that will delight fans of swimming and snorkelling.
Day 6 - Day 6 AT SEA
During your day 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 day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, 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.
Day 7 - Day 7  SAN ANDRÉS AND PROVIDENCIA ARCHIPELAGO
The Isla de Providencia, an insular Colombian territory near the coast of Nicaragua, is part of the Archipelago of San Andrés. Nicknamed the “flower of the ocean”, its clear and warm waters and lush tropical forests are surrounded by legends and stories of pirates. The beauty of its underwater life has earned it the title of UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. You’ll be able to discover the island’s natural riches during a walk or while snorkelling. The Isla de Providencia offers an enchanted interlude and the serenity of balanced and preserved nature, home to pretty and colourful houses.
Day 8 - Day 8 PUERTO LIMÓN
We’re pretty sure the little coastal town of Puerto Limón will completely win your heart. It is located on the Caribbean sea. Just beyond the harbour, Playa Bonita creek opens its arms to a haven of beauty rimmed by clear blue waters and shaded by giant peach-palms. If you wish to explore the lush green areas in the town, it’s worth taking a stroll through the lemon groves that give Puerto Limón its name. You’ll have all the time in the world to mosey around the streets scattered with multicoloured wooden makeshift stalls. These makeshift bars with their raffia roofs offer fresh juices blended just for you.
Day 9 - Days 9 - 10 BOCAS DEL TORO
Heavenly stretches of beach with opalescent sand, virgin rainforest, traditional houses in flamboyant colours... the Bocas del Toro Archipelago welcomes you in a gentle, typically Caribbean atmosphere. Anchored to the north-west coast of Panama, this lush and wild Eden is composed of nine main islands surrounded by thousands of verdant islets. Boasting a rich biodiversity, this lost paradise is home to the only national marine park in Panama: Isla Bastimentos. This stunning reserve protects an exceptional marine ecosystem composed of a rich coral reef and more than 200 species of colourful fish.
Day 10 - Day 11 COLÓN
Colón is the second largest city in Panama, at the Caribbean entrance of the Panama Canal. Colón is today an important port, and the free trade zone created in 1953 contributed greatly to the development of the city. Colón was founded in 1850 by Americans working on the Panama railroad connecting the Atlantic and Pacific coasts through the isthmus of Panama; the city rapidly overshadowed the older Caribbean ports of Panama when the canal opened.
Day 11 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
03-12-202513-12-2025AUD $11,310Deluxe Stateroom
03-12-202513-12-2025AUD $12,410Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
03-12-202513-12-2025AUD $22,250Privilege Suite
03-12-202513-12-2025AUD $22,250Privilege Suite Deck 6
03-12-202513-12-2025AUD $22,910Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6
03-12-202513-12-2025AUD $22,910Grand Deluxe Suite
03-12-202513-12-2025AUD $28,000Owner's Suite
03-12-202513-12-2025AUD $12,970Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
03-12-202513-12-2025AUD $13,630Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
03-12-202513-12-2025AUD $17,380Deluxe Suite Deck 6
03-12-202513-12-2025AUD $17,380Deluxe Suite
03-12-202513-12-2025AUD $17,380Deluxe Suite Deck 4
03-12-202513-12-2025AUD $17,380Deluxe Suite Deck 5
03-12-202513-12-2025AUD $20,690Prestige Suite Deck 5
03-12-202513-12-2025AUD $21,570Prestige Suite Deck 6

Inclusions

    • Uncover the secrets of Central America during a cruise exploring six countries, featuring verdant scenery and cultural discoveries.
    • Between the sea, lagoons and mangroves, explore this natural setting where contemplation and serenity mix with the discovery of abundant and extraordinary biodiversity.
    • Ports of call in Bocas del Toro, to explore the mangrove and discover the local communities.
    • Discover the Mayan city of Quiriguá, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    • Encounter the local populations and discover their traditions, including Panama’s largest indigenous community, the Ngöbe-Buglé.
    • The idyllic islet of Water Cay and its turquoise waters.
    • Thanks to the presence of our experienced team of naturalist-guides, you will learn more about the mysteries of this infinitely rich region and experience unique moments on snorkelling trips, hikes or visits using local transport.
    • Landscapes: palm-fringed beaches, blue lagoons, heavenly islands, mangroves, tropical rainforests, coral reefs, rich seabed, rivers, canals.
    • Wildlife: howler monkeys, white-headed monkeys, raccoons, sloths, otters, agoutis, armadillos and porcupines, multicoloured fish, tropical birds including the toucan, green ibis, frigate bird, yellow-crowned night-heron and the boat-billed heron.

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