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Passage through the Seychelles – An Island Hopping Adventure from Zanzibar to Mahe

Passage through the Seychelles – An Island Hopping Adventure from Zanzibar to Mahe

From GBP £10,495

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Description

Escape to warmer climes over the winter with a voyage aboard the MS Island Sky in the wonderful Indian Ocean, discovering some of the most beautiful tropical islands on earth in the company of just over 100 fellow guests and our expert onboard team.
Setting sail from Tanzania, we have a full day to explore atmospheric Zanzibar before we enjoy time to discover the beautiful islands off the Tanzanian coast followed by a day discovering Kilwa Kisiwani, a site of exceptional historical interest. We continue to the idyllic islands of the Seychelles which offer the visitor a tropical beauty that is difficult, if not impossible to match anywhere else in the world. Spread out over a vast area of the Indian Ocean, they offer everything from quiet sophistication and enchanting scenery to wild and uninhabited nature reserves, where the very remoteness of the islands has protected them from the worst excesses of mankind.
Our time in the Seychelles will include all aspects of this extraordinary island nation from the lesser known and rarely visited Outer Seychelles where we visit the Aldabra Islands to the developed Inner Seychelles with staggeringly beautiful islands such as Aride and Curieuse. Amongst the highlights of our time in the Seychelles will be the Aldabra Islands, the last breeding ground of the giant tortoise and in addition to seeing some of these endearing creatures we should also encounter dolphins, turtles and whales as well as countless birds including the flightless rail, the last flightless bird in the Indian Ocean. To explore the abundant crystal-clear waters of the vast lagoon and to set foot on atolls which have never been exploited by the hand of man is a rare experience.
We know the region well having operated vessels there for thirty-five years and if ever there was an area perfect for expedition cruising it is here, a timeless world of wonders both below and above the water. With our fleet of Zodiacs we can reach the unreachable, landing on remote beaches, walking through verdant rainforest and national parks and getting close to some unique flora and fauna. Obviously, such beauty and serenity is best enjoyed with a small number of travelling companions and the MS Island Sky is an ideal vessel, offering all the comforts of a larger vessel, but with the added luxury of a small number of passengers and an expert expedition team who will add much to your enjoyment.

Trip Name
Passage through the Seychelles - An Island Hopping Adventure from Zanzibar to Mahe
Days
14
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Small Ship Length: 90 metres Passenger Capacity: 116  Built / refurbished: 1992 / 2010 / 2017 The MS Island Sky is an elegant small ship, offering the atmosphere of a private yacht combined with the comfort of a country house hotel. Accommodating just over 100 passengers in 59 spacious suites, all with outside views and many with private balconies, she provides a refined and intimate cruising experience. Suites are beautifully finished with wood panelling and brass details, and feature marble bathrooms, ample storage, and thoughtful amenities such as dressing gowns, refillable water bottles, and Noble Isle toiletries. Public spaces are equally well designed, with inviting lounges, a well-stocked library, observation decks, and a promenade for enjoying sweeping views. Complimentary Wi-Fi, a clinic with doctor, and a lift serving all decks ensure that modern comforts are seamlessly paired with classic style. Life on board is relaxed, sociable, and far removed from the bustle of large resort-style ships. With open seating in the dining room, guests can enjoy fine à la carte cuisine, enhanced by locally sourced produce and accompanied by included wines. Al fresco meals on the Lido Deck, afternoon tea, and pre-dinner canapés further enrich the dining experience. Days are shaped by enriching talks from Guest Speakers and the Expedition Team, with evenings offering convivial conversation, music in the lounge, or simply time to unwind. With excellent service, a warm atmosphere, and itineraries designed for discovery rather than distraction, the MS Island Sky offers a truly memorable way to explore the world in comfort and style.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 London or Manchester to Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Fly by scheduled indirect flight.
Day 2 - Day 2 Zanzibar.
Arrive and transfer to the MS Island Sky. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we moor overnight.
Day 3 - Day 3 Zanzibar.
Zanzibar’s harbour, crowded with dhows, very much sets the scene for our visit to this Arab-style city with its long narrow streets, bazaars, houses with overhanging balconies and intricately carved doorways. During our morning walking tour, soak up the timeless atmosphere of Stone Town including Livingstone House, Sultan’s Palace, the slave market and the Old Fort. After lunch on board, you can choose to join a tour to a spice farm to experience the various fruits and spices cultivated on the island. Alternatively, travel to Jozani Forest which sustains a variety of wildlife and birds, including the rare red colobus monkey, indigenous to the island.
Day 4 - Day 4 Expedition Day in the Tanzanian Islands.
Today we are in the hands of our Captain and Expedition Leader as we explore the islands off the coast of Tanzania. We hope to use the Zodiacs to land on one of the beaches and offer nature walks or swimming opportunities in the clear waters.
Day 5 - Day 5 Kilwa Kisiwani.
Anchor this morning off Kilwa Kisiwani, a site of exceptional historical interest, where the atmospheric ruins represent a wide sweep of East African coastal history, from the heights of the Swahili and Shirazi trading civilisation to the darker days of slavery and the uprisings against German rule. Once one of Africa’s wealthiest towns, Kilwa Kisiwani is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains the world’s most extensive and best-preserved Swahili ruins. We will spend the morning on a walking tour and see the prominent fort and the Great Mosque which stood at the heart of this ancient city which was once the largest in East Africa. This afternoon we hope to find a local beach to offer the chance to swim, snorkel or take a stroll.
Day 6 - Day 6 At Sea.
Spend the day at sea as we sail to the Seychelles. Maybe watch for wildlife on deck or join a lecture.
Day 7 - Days 7 to 9 Aldabra Islands.
Arriving in the Outer Seychelles we have three days to enjoy the remarkable Aldabra group of islands. Our itinerary will be in the hands of our Expedition Leader and Captain, who will monitor the local conditions to ensure we maximise our time here. Whilst our itinerary is flexible, we hope to call at the island of Assumption which was ruthlessly plundered for its vast deposits of guano in the early 20th century. Happily, peace has returned, and the wildlife of rare birds and green turtles are once again in abundance. Our time here will be spent beachcombing, on nature walks or snorkelling. We will also plan time on Aldabra, the island referred to by Sir Julian Huxley as “One of nature’s treasures and should belong to the whole world”. Aldabra is truly unique, and every time we call at what is believed to be the world’s largest atoll we find something new of interest. Sightings have included the extremely rare white throated rail, while the atoll is also home to the world’s second largest colony of frigate birds and the largest crab, the coconut crab. Whilst exploring by Zodiac it is difficult to know in which direction to look first. The clear blue seas abound with life, the skies are alive with varied birdlife and ashore giant land tortoises forage as they have done for millions of years. We hope to explore Picard Island with a short walk to see some of the numerous tortoises and robber crabs or swim in the lagoon, a vast 17 mile stretch of shallow clear water. From our Zodiacs we can watch the ever-changing undersea world and snorkel in colourful coral waters. Meanwhile at Cosmoledo a huge ring of twelve islands circles a lagoon. Many of the atolls are still to be surveyed and we will explore some of them by Zodiac. This is an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area with all three species of booby found in the Seychelles including the last breeding site for the brown booby. We also hope to spot sooty terns and great frigate birds on land and have the opportunity to see turtles as we swim and snorkel in the lagoon.
Day 8 - Day 10 Farqhuar Islands.
Continuing our journey through the Seychelles we arrive at lunchtime in the Farquhar Group which consists of ten islands and atolls which cover an area of 370 square kilometres. We hope to land on Providence Atoll where our team will lead a nature walk to the old settlement and plantation house which once housed a thriving copra industry or enjoy a chance to swim or snorkel.
Day 9 - Day 11 Alphonse Islands.
There are three islands in the Alphonse group and as we approach them you will understand why they are regarded by many to be the most beautiful of the 115 islands in the Seychelles archipelago. Arriving this afternoon our time will be directed by sea and weather conditions but we hope to call at the tiny and idyllic island of Bijoutier which, rarely visited, is a haven for a variety of seabirds. There will be the opportunity to swim and maybe snorkel in the crystal clear waters. Bijoutier sits between two larger atolls so the ocean current flows passing Bijoutier replenish the coral reefs and make them especially rich in biodiversity.
Day 10 - Day 12 Amirante Islands.
Today we arrive at the 28 islands in the Amirante Group which were discovered by Vasco de Gama in 1501 and are considered to be some of the most pristine and untouched islands in the world. If conditions permit we will visit Poivre Atoll which is made up of three islands. In the past the islands were used for vanilla, nuts, maize, cattle and pig farming but in recent years, the atolls’ landscapes have become a popular nesting ground for bird species like Chinese and blue heron, whimbrels, fodies, noddies and greater frigate birds. The sandy shores are also important nesting grounds for hawksbill and green turtles.
Day 11 - Day 13 Aride & Curieuse, Inner Seychelles.
Spend the morning on Aride, one of the finest and most important seabird islands in the Indian Ocean. Over one million seabirds breed on the island including tropical shearwater, lesser noddy, frigatebirds and roseate tern and also five species unique to the Seychelles such as the Seychelles warbler and Seychelles magpie robin. The island is largely covered in native woodland including the endemic Wright’s gardenia, a shrub with beautifully scented flowers found nowhere else in the world. Over lunch we sail the short distance to Curieuse, a rugged island that was once home to a leper colony and now houses an eco-museum and visitor centre. The island is an important nesting site for hawksbill turtles and boasts endemic vines and mangroves which we will explore during our island walk.
Day 12 - Day 14 Mahe to London or Manchester.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled indirect flight to London or Manchester. Arrive this evening.
Day 13 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
02-01-202815-01-2028GBP £10,495Magellan Deck Standard Suite
02-01-202815-01-2028GBP £10,495Magellan Deck Standard Single
02-01-202815-01-2028GBP £10,995Columbus Deck Superior Suite
02-01-202815-01-2028GBP £10,995Columbus Deck Superior Single
02-01-202815-01-2028GBP £11,295Marco Polo Deck Premium Suite
02-01-202815-01-2028GBP £11,495Marco Polo Deck Corner Suite
02-01-202815-01-2028GBP £12,495Erikson Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite
02-01-202815-01-2028GBP £12,995Explorer Deck Owner's Balcony Suite
02-01-202815-01-2028GBP £13,495Explorer Deck Island Suite

Inclusions

    • Explore the wild Seychelles and Aldabra Atoll – Spend three expedition days exploring remote atolls, pristine lagoons and uninhabited islands by Zodiac, with opportunities to see giant tortoises, turtles, seabirds and other unique wildlife.
    • Discover Zanzibar and East Africa’s Swahili heritage – Explore historic Stone Town, visit Jozani Forest or a local spice farm, and discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kilwa Kisiwani and its remarkable Swahili ruins.
    • Experience the Seychelles by small-ship expedition – Cruise among the Outer and Inner Seychelles, from the remote Farquhar, Alphonse and Amirante Islands to wildlife-rich Aride and Curieuse, with nature walks, snorkelling and beach landings.

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