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Between India & Asia (Le Bellot)

Between India & Asia (Le Bellot)

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Description

PONANT invites you to discover the wonders of Asia, during a 14-day cruise aboard Le Bellot through the Bay of Bengal. From Sri Lanka to Singapore, fall under the spell of these eastern lands marked by Buddhist and Hindu traditions.

Le Bellot will leave from Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, located at the cross roads of the maritime trade routes between Europe and Asia. During your port of call in Galle, admire the fortifications of this old town, testimony to its Portuguese and Dutch heritage and a UNESCO World Heritage site. From your next stop in Trincomalee, you will have the opportunity to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Polonnaruwa and Dambulla.

Your ship will then chart a course north to reach Chennai, formerly Madras, in India. This will be the occasion to discover the ancient temple of Kapaleshwara, dedicated to Shiva and built in the 7th century BC, as well as Kanchipuram, one of the seven Indian holy cities, and Mamallapuram.

In a sublime setting of emerald water, karstic cliffs, mangrove and white sand, Le Bellot will then drop anchor in Thailand. You will discover the sumptuous landscapes of the uninhabited island of Koh Rok Nok, close to Koh Lanta archipelago, a paradise for swimming and relaxation, before reaching the wonderful karstic islets of Phang Nga Bay.

Lastly you will sail the Malacca Strait, the former strategic crossroads on the silk and spice roads, to discover the beautiful cities of Penang (Georgetown) and Malacca. Influenced by Malaysian and Chinese cultures, these cities, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, are home to many remains of the European colonial period.

Conclude your journey by disembarking in Singapore, where this Asian cruise will draw to an end. You will be seduced by the unique multicultural atmosphere of this city-State, a major commerce hub on the edges of the Orient.

Trip Name
Between India & Asia (Le Bellot)
Days
14
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition / Cruise Ship Length: 131 metres Passenger Capacity: 184 Built: 2019-2020 Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed staterooms, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 staterooms and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience. As the first ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Bellot will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort. Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service. Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel. RESTAURANTS As it is an essential part of French culture, gastronomy will naturally have pride of place aboard this new ship. To the back of Deck 4, you will find a 260 m² panoramic restaurant which can accommodate all of our passengers in a single sitting. Designed differently to that on our other ships, this dining area, which opens onto the outside, will have a buffet of salads, desserts and cheeses at your disposal. Our discreet and attentive crew will provide table service for hot meals. In a relaxed atmosphere, an outdoor grill on Deck 3 will serve grilled meats with a variety of salads and desserts. PUBLIC AREAS Le Bellot has many common areas that are designed and equipped to meet all of your needs while preserving the intimacy of each passenger. A 140 m² reception area includes: A reception/concierge desk, An excursions desk, The ship’s administrative services, The sales office, manned by our Guest Relations Officer, Our 50 m² boutique which sells clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and various accessories, Toilets accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. A new hydraulic platform with adjustable height provides:   Easier boarding than on any other cruise ship, Easier Zodiac embarkation and disembarkation for expeditions, Easier access to the sea for swimming and practising various water sports such as kayaking or paddle-boarding. A pool deck offering: A pool with a panoramic view, equipped with a counter-current swimming system, A pleasant solarium, An outdoor bar and lounge with armchairs and sofas. A 200 m² main lounge which can accommodate all of our passengers to share convivial moments and to host activities organised during the day or evening. Lastly, a theatre that seats 188, equipped with: The latest sound and lighting technology, A LED wall as the stage backdrop, for the projection of high-resolution images and videos.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 COLOMBO
A former trading post along the Silk Route, the old quarter of Colombo offers you the fabulous sight of its picturesque streets. The city was known to Arab, Persian and Chinese traders as early as the 8th century and this former village, nestled between two dunes, was a trading post on the mythical Spice Route. Today the economic capital of Sri Lanka, the city offers picture-postcard scenery with its beaches stretching languorously along the south-western coast of the country. Here the sand dazzles you and the sea invites you to dream...
Day 2 - Day 2 GALLE
Discover Galle, one of Sri Lanka’s oldest cities. Thanks to its commercial port, from which were exported spices and precious stones, Galle was once the country’s most major city. Colonised by the Portuguese and later by the Dutch, today it still bears traces of this colonial past. When your ship calls here, have a wander around the old town and its fortifications, which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage. Built by the Portuguese at the end of the 16th century, they are perfectly preserved. To learn more about daily and rural life in Sri Lanka, do not miss the visit to the Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Art Museum in Koggala, not far from Galle.
Day 3 - Day 3 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 4 - Day 4 TRINCOMALEE
A large port city in the north-east of Sri Lanka, Trincomalee will be your gateway to two exceptional sites. The Golden Temple of Dambulla, a rock temple listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is sure to fill you with wonder. Its Buddhist mural paintings, its caves and its famous statue of reclining Buddha heighten the beauty of this place that is like none other in the world, created over 2,000 years ago. The other cultural gem you will be able to discover: the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa. Also listed as UNESCO World Heritage, it is home to the vestiges of a fabulous garden-city from the 12th century. There, you will be able to admire the Gal Vihara, an exceptional site featuring four statues of Buddha carved out of rock.
Day 5 - Days 5 - 6 CHENNAI (EX MADRAS)
Called Madras in the days of the British East India Company, Chennai is now the economic capital of South India. Mingling intoxicating flavours, colours and rhythms, Chennai is also the cradle of the traditional Indian music and cuisine from the south. Don’t miss your chance to discover Mahabalipuram, a group of sanctuaries carved out of rock and thousands of statues from the 7th and 8th centuries, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gigantic bas-reliefs such as the famous Descent of the Ganges, and temples, such as the magnificent Shore Temple, built out of granite on a promontory that juts out into the Bay of Bengal, celebrate the glory of Shiva in an artistic outpouring unlike any other.
Day 6 - Days 7 - 9 AT SEA
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Day 7 - Day 10 KO ROK NOK ISLAND
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Day 8 - Day 11 PHANG NGA
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Day 9 - Day 12 PENANG (GEORGETOWN)
The leading British trading post of the Far East in the 19th century, this tiny island has a unique atmosphere of both East and West. Known as the “Pearl of the East” in the past, for its many trades of spice, fabrics, and tin, Penang has become one of the most sought-after destinations in Malaysia. George Town, its capital, is home to an extremely rich historical heritage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to discover the Blue Mansion, a real architectural marvel that blends traditional Chinese style with eastern elements.
Day 10 - Day 13 MALACCA
Lying along the shores of the eponymous Strait, Malacca City has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A witness of the maritime traffic between Asia and the West, the city is inextricably linked to the trade of spices and silk. This cultural oasis will show you the history of a fascinating ancient civilization, the Baba Nyonya, the descendants of Chinese immigrants who married Malay women. In a Peranakan house in Chinatown, you will discover the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum, which reproduces the interior of a traditional elegant home from the 19th century. The Baba Nyonya were wealthy traders who liked to indulge their taste for sumptuous furniture made from teak and mother-of-pearl, rare jewels and silk brocade.
Day 11 - Day 14 SINGAPORE
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.
Day 12 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

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Inclusions

    • A cruise to discover the cultural and architectural treasures of 5 countries in Asia: Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
    • UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Galle and its fortifications; from Trincomalee, the historic city of Polonnaruwa and the golden Temple of Dambulla; Malacca and Georgetown (Penang), historic multicultural cities in the Strait of Malacca, marked by their Asian, Dutch, Portuguese and British heritage.
    • In Chennai, the chance to visit a number of temples and sites dedicated to Hinduism as well as the Government Museum and its beautiful collection of bronzes.
    • Paradisiac landscapes of the Koh Rok Nok Island and Phang Nga Bay: karstic islets, white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, luxurious flora and extraordinary marine fauna.
    • After your cruise: in Singapore, possibility of visiting the city areas and temples.

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