BOOK WITH JIGSAW AND ENJOY THE EXCLUSIVE BONUS OF EUR200 ON BOARD CREDIT PER GUEST
If you’re imagining your future self on a voyage of discovery, exploring the iconic coastlines, breathtaking landscapes, ancient cultures, and world-class food & wine of Australia and our neighbours, Ponant’s range of exclusive Close to Home expeditions has an itinerary to match.
And with everything from luxury stateroom accommodation, full meal plan, open bar and Ponant’s enticing guest facilities and intuitive service all included, once on board all you need to do is sit back, relax and take in the ever-changing views.
Here’s our curated selection of Ponant expeditions for 2022 to book now. We hope this inspires you and brings some excitement for when we can travel freely once more. And don’t forget when you book with Jigsaw Travel, you will enjoy the exclusive bonus of EUR200 on board credit per guest.
We also share the latest exciting news from Ponant with the launch of their brand new vessel, Le Commandant Charcot, a hybrid electric polar exploration ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) that will be sailing in the world’s most remote regions: the Geographic North Pole, Northeast Greenland’s National Park, circumnavigation of the Svalbard archipelago, the Bellingshausen Sea, Charcot and Pierre I Islands, Weddell Sea and the Larsen Ice Shelf.
For additional information and to request a travel brochure, reach out via email on enquiries@jigsawtravel.com.au
PONANT’S 2022 CLOSE TO HOME EXPEDITIONS
Australia’s Iconic Kimberley
10 nights (various departure dates in 2022)
Priced from $11,880
Set sail for the wild and grandiose landscapes of Kimberley, with this 11-day expedition cruise from Darwin to Broome.
In one of the most picturesque parts of the region, the Hunter River, you will see wild mangrove forests where saltwater crocodiles live along with many species of birds.
The highpoint of this cruise will undoubtedly be the discovery of the King George River and the majestic Twin Falls, the highest falls in Western Australia.
You will also visit Collier Bay, where you will be able to admire the Montgomery Reef, home to vast expanses of lagoons and immense coral reefs.
With breathtaking falls, abrupt gorges, savannah, calm waters and desolate mountain chains, the wild lands of Kimberley are the promise of an exceptional adventure.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Enjoy regular Zodiac® inflatable boat outings & shore visits to get close to Kimberley nature
- Be guided by Ponant’s highly qualified local expedition team
- Explore landscapes and ancient rock art that is billions of years-old.
- Listen to stories of the Dreamtime from the oldest continuous culture on the planet
- Explore pristine mangrove environments, home to the world’s largest living reptile
- Opportunity to reach the Mitchell Falls by helicopter, from Hunter River
- Witness unique tidal phenomena such as the Horizontal Falls
Natural Treasures of New Zealand
12 nights (2/12/2022 to 14/12/2022)
Priced from $8,570
Set sail aboard Le Soléal for a 13-day cruise from Auckland to Dunedin. and discover New Zealand’s multitude of natural treasures.
Departing Auckland, you will first explore the many treasures of Rotorua from Tauranga: volcanoes, hot springs, geysers, rivers and gorges, and lakes that range in colour from deep blue to orange-tinged.
You will also sail to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, where will be able to learn more about the Maori people on a visit to the Te Papa Tongarewa National Museum.
In Picton, you will discover the Marlborough region, famous for its vineyards and its submerged valleys.
Your ship will then proceed to the east coast of the Southern Island. You will sail to the rocky peninsula of Kaikoura to admire New Zealand’s rich biodiversity.
Then the Banks Peninsula will reveal wonderful landscapes of lush hills and rugged coasts during your calls in the bays of Akaroa, an ancient flooded volcano crater. There you will experience a unique mix of Maori, French and European cultural heritage.
Your ship will first chart a course south-west of the South Island to discover the magnificent Fiordland National Park, which is an integral part of the Te Wahipounamu, a UNESCO World Heritage area. Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound or the better-known Milford Sound: you will discover these fjords shaped by successive glaciations, bordered by majestic cliffs.
You will then drop anchor near Ulva Island, one of the last remaining predator-free natural sanctuaries in New Zealand. Here, you will be able to observe numerous bird species and discover a remarkably well-preserved podocarp forest.
You will finally discover Dunedin, your port of disembarkation.
Surrounded by the blue waters of the Pacific, the twin islands of New Zealand are the promise of an incredible mosaic of contrasting panoramas.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Discover sublime New Zealand landscapes with exceptional diversity.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Fiordland National Park.
- Meet the Maori people, brave warriors with ancestral traditions and customs.
- In Wellington, discover the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum.
- Sailing in the fjords of New Zealand.
- A call at Picton, in the Marlborough region, famous for its vineyards and its submerged valleys.
- Opportunity to observe many species of birds in Ulva Island.
- A passionate lecturer on New Zealand history will be on board
Expedition to New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands – with National Geographic
14 nights (14/12/2022 to the 28/12/2022)
Priced from $13,890
In collaboration with National Geographic Expeditions, Ponant invites you to discover the wild and untouched beauty of New Zealand’s Fiordlands and Subantarctic Islands. Set sail on a 15-day expedition cruise with an exceptional itinerary and allow yourself to be transported to another world where the wildlife rules and you are but visitors.
From Dunedin, the Edinburgh of New Zealand that is a lively student city, with a rich Scottish Heritage, you will reach Ulva Island. This first call on Paterson Inlet is renowned as an extraordinary nature sanctuary. Our team of naturalists and destination experts will be on hand to show you some of the rarest bird species in the world.
You will follow your voyage towards Fiordland National Park, which is part of Te Wähipounamu, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, home to the majestic Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound. You will enjoy a Zodiac® cruise and spot Fiordland Crested penguins, get up close to spectacular waterfalls and enjoy the vistas from the ship’s outer decks.
You will then head to the Snares Islands, a haven for the country’s wildlife with some 35,000 endemic Snares Gorfous and a colony of around 1,000 fur seals before discovering Macquarie Island, part of Australia.
Often described as the “Galápagos of the Southern Ocean”, the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand are among some of the best preserved and protected environments on the planet where you will experience scenery and wildlife like nowhere else on earth. You will be captivated by the breathtaking scenery, meadows of megaherbs forming a colourful tapestry and towering cliffs buffeted by the power of the waves and wind – the playground of the Royal Albatross. With a myriad of penguins patrolling the black sandy beaches it is truly a nature-lover’s dream come true.
Your ship will finally reach Dunedin, the end of your voyage.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- A cruise in collaboration with National Geographic Expeditions offering enrichment with a National Geographic Photographer and an Expert onboard.
- Explore the South West World Heritage Area home to majestic and spectacular Milford, Dusky and Doubtful Sounds.
- Experience a Zodiac® cruise in the fiords and try to spot the rare Fiordland Crested penguin.
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Te Wāhipounamu and its majestic Milford Sound, Dusky Sound and Doubful Sound and New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands (Snares, Auckland and Campbell Islands).
- View breeding populations of New Zealand, Antarctic and Subantarctic Fur Seals, New Zealand Sea Lions and Southern Elephant Seals.
- Explore the Snares, home to more nesting seabirds than the entire realm of the British Isles.
- Undertake a guided walk on the predator-free sanctuary of Ulva Island (Te Wharawhara).
- Gain an insight into the history and the diversity of flora and fauna from your expert expedition team on board and whilst exploring by Zodiac®.
Exploring Australia’s East Coast Islands
9 nights (7/12/2022 to the 16/12/2022)
Priced from $6,790
This spectacular itinerary has been specially designed for travellers looking to discover Australia’s unspoiled islands and turquoise lagoons. You will set sail aboard Le Lapérouse for a 10-day expedition cruise, exploring the treasures of the Great Barrier Reef.
Starting in Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, set sail towards Willis Islets in the Coral Sea Territories featuring no less than 30 separate reefs, along with the spectacular Coral Sea Marine Park and Willis Island, where a monitoring station was established in 1921 to provide cylclone early warnings services to Queensland.
Lying some 50 km to the north-east of the Whitsunday Islands, you will reach Hardy Reef, which boasts the unique marine biodiversity of the area.
The voyage continues its exploration of the Australian coast with Percy Island, whose shallow waters beckon you in for a dip, and Lady Musgrave Island, which is ideal for snorkelling. Both are located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, a gigantic ecosystem of coral reefs.
Your next call will be the Hawkesbury River region in New South Wales, famous for its colourful cliffs and historic townships, and join your expedition team to explore the area in our fleet of Zodiac®.
The end of your cruise will be marked by a disembarkation in the irresistible city of Sydney.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Zodiac® inflatable boat shore visits with your expedition team.
- Many opportunities for swimming, snorkelling and relaxation on unspoiled islands, with white sand beaches and crystal clear water.
- View the remote Willis Islets and their associated cays.
- From Hardy Reef, the possibility to observe some of the world’s most beautiful coral reefs and diverse undersea life.
- Relax on the picture perfect Percy Island.
- After your voyage, possibility to discover Sydney & the Blue Mountains.
- Gain an insight into the incredible biodiversity and natural heritage of the region from your expert naturalist team.
Treasures of the South Australian Coast and Tasmania
7 nights (16/12/2022 to the 23/12/2022)
Priced from $5,000
Aboard Ponant’s stunning Le Lapérouse, enjoy a wonderful new 8-day expedition cruise from Sydney to Hobart, discovering the natural and cultural treasures of the south-eastern coast of Australia and Tasmania.
After sailing out of Sydney and its beautiful harbour, you’ll set a course for NSW’s Jervis Bay area. Renowned for its white-sand beaches bathed in turquoise water, this dynamic and creative region with a rich biodiversity is also a popular refuge for many birds.
Next on your itinerary, Eden on the NSW south coast will reveal its long-associated history with whales and invite you to explore the region’s stunning National Parks and scenic coastline.
On to Maria Island in Tasmania, discover the region’s history and extraordinary wildlife sanctuaries alongside your team of expedition experts.
On the Tasman Peninsula, navigate the rugged coastline and spot the various local marine life including Australian Fur Seals, little penguins and whales, as well as explore the beautiful inland woodland and forests.
Your voyage will end in Hobart, Australia’s second oldest capital, your port of disembarkation.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Zodiac® inflatable boat outings & shore visits with your expedition team.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: former Darlington convict prison (Maria Island)
- Explore Eden’s long-associated history with the whales and the fascinating story of ‘Old Tom’
- Discover the historical heritage and culinary specialities of the Swansea region.
- View the spectacular painted cliffs of Maria Island and Australia’s highest cliffs at Cape Huay
- Gain an insight into the history, culture, and incredible diversity of life from your expert expedition team.
Food, Wine & Yacht Race in Tasmania
10 nights (23/12/2022 to the 2/1/2023)
Priced from $9,380
Explore the best of Tasmania’s natural coastal wonders as well as the island state’s wonderful food and wine on an expedition itinerary on board Le Lapérouse, and celebrate New Year in Hobart with the arrival of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
Starting in culture hub and Australia’s second oldest city Hobart, start your itinerary on Maria Island and discover the local wildlife sanctuaries as well as its rich whaling and penal settlement history with your team of onboard expedition experts.
Next on your itinerary, the Tasman Peninsula will reveal its spectacular culminating dolerites spires rising from the sea, and you will get a chance to spot the region’s varied marine life including little penguins, Australian fur seals and dolphins from our fleet of Zodiac® inflatable boats.
You will get a chance to reach the remote, isolated Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, experiencing more natural wonders, before reaching King Island, where you will have the opportunity to uncover the island’s stories and culture, and sample some of the local produce revered by the world’s top chefs!
Continuing onto the Tamar Valley, follow the Tamar Valley Wine Route and sample some of the region’s gourmet produce. Birders will revel in Ile des Phoques or ‘Seal Island’ is home to several breeding seabird species including little penguins, short-tailed shearwater and fairy prion.
Back in Hobart, your ship will spend two days for you to enjoy the finish line of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and the New Year festivities, as well as Australia’s biggest and longest running food and wine festival, Taste of Tasmania.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Visit the UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site of Port Davey and Maria Island.
- Savour the gourmet produce of King Island.
- Enjoy some of the finest award-winning wines of the Tamar Valley.
- Experience Australia’s biggest and longest running Food and Wine festival.
- View the spectacular painted cliffs of Maria Island.
- Witness Australian fur seals in their natural environment.
- Delve into Tasmania’s colonial history.
- Experience the mining and Maritime History of Tasmania’s North West.
- View the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Constitution Dock.
- Gain an insight into the history, culture and incredible diversity of life from your expert expedition team.
NEWS FROM PONANT – Introducing Ponant’s newest vessel – Le Commandant Charcot
Ponant has recently taken delivery of their exciting new vessel, Le Commandant Charcot, a hybrid electric polar exploration ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Le Commandant Charcot is a Polar Class PC2 ship with just 123 staterooms, accommodating no more than 245 guests. It has been designed with the greatest attention to detail in terms of safety and respect for the environment and features impressive sustainable technologies, such as 100 percent waste sorted on board and waste treatment. The ship will be fitted with facilities and equipment for research, providing the scientific world with a platform for observation, research and analysis to study water, air, ice and biodiversity in extreme polar regions.
With Le Commandant-Charcot, PONANT has imagined and envisaged the cruise voyage of tomorrow. The latest addition to the fleet will allow guests to follow in the footsteps of the great polar explorers in refined surroundings complete with the kind of luxury services never before offered in the farthest reaches of the southern and northern hemispheres. An exciting range of activities will be on offer, including citizen science, lectures by experts, kayaking, hovercraft, hiking, ice fishing and more.
On board, there is an indoor swimming pool, conservatory, panoramic restaurant, the Blue Lagoon outdoor restaurant, the Main Lounge, the Observation Lounge and 135 suites and staterooms, ranging in size from20 to 115 m², each with a private balcony or terrace and providing a warm, understated setting that looks out onto the world beyond. Le Commandant Charcot is fully in keeping with the PONANT philosophy: to provide a rare and exceptional ambiance for every passenger welcomed onboard and reinforce the feeling and sense of sailing on a private yacht. At the rear of decks 6 and 7 are four stunning 94 m² (1,011 ft²) split-level suites equipped with private terraces and Jacuzzis. The 115 m² (1,237 ft²) Suite de l’Armateur (Shipowner’s Suite) on deck 8 features wide sliding glass doors offering stunning panoramic views and opening out onto a 180 m² (1,937 ft²) private terrace.
Le Commandant Charcot will be sailing in the world’s most remote regions: the Geographic North Pole, Northeast Greenland’s National Park, circumnavigation of the Svalbard archipelago, the Bellingshausen Sea, Charcot and Pierre I Islands, Weddell Sea and the Larsen Ice Shelf.
In collaboration with Smithsonian Journeys, Ponant has revealed new itineraries for Winter 2022, exploring Antarctica, Costa Rica and Panama, the Caribbean, and Japan. The sailings will be accompanied by a variety of experts, ranging from geologists and scientists to astrophysicists and historians, and will offer experiences that dive deeper into a destination’s culture, history, cuisine, language, environment and wildlife.
TRAVEL FROM HOME – An Expedition Through the Lens of a National Geographic Photographer with Jason Edwards
In celebration World Photography Day last month, PONANT & NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC hosted a Live Online Event featuring a very special guest – Australian National Geographic photographer, Jason Edwards. Jason and Ponant’s Craig Farrell hosted viewers on a journey through the lens of the camera, exploring the natural wonders that await on Ponant’s incredible expeditions throughout the Kimberley, Antarctica, Melanesia and New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands.
With stunning imagery and insights, it’s a wonderful escape for those of us still stuck in lockdown.
Click the image below to watch the special virtual event …
