ITINERARY
CRUISE ID: D2725101910
VICTORIA, MAHE ISLAND
DAY 1
Victoria, the capital of Seychelles, is a vibrant city on
Mahé Island's northeastern side, blending diverse cultures
and traditions. Attractions include the bustling stalls of Victoria
Market, the Hindu shrine of Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple and
the colourful "Jivan Imports" store. The Victoria Botanical Garden
features Aldabra giant tortoises and 200 plant species, including
unique trees like the coco-de-mer.
DAY AT SEA
DAY 2
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.
FARQUHAR ATOLL
DAY 3
Farquhar Atoll, Seychelles' largest true atoll, consists of ten
islands, with Ile du Nord and Ile du Sud making up 97 percent of the
landmass. Nearby, Déposés, Ile du Milieu, Lapins,
Banc du Sables and Goëlettes islands complete the atoll. Banc
Fantala appeared in 2016 after Cyclone Fantala. The atoll is renowned
for sooty and black-naped tern colonies, as well as significant sea
turtle breeding.
COSMOLEDO ATOLL
DAY 4
Cosmoledo Atoll in the Seychelles comprises islands known for white
sand flats, lagoon edges and channels, home to fish like bonefish,
milkfish, permit, triggerfish, trevally and more. Hawksbill and green
turtles nest on beaches. An important bird area, Cosmoledo has the
Seychelles' largest colonies of all three booby species, including the
last brown booby population, plus many terns, frigatebirds and other
endemic birds.
ALDABRA ATOLL
DAY 5-6
Aldabra, a massive raised coral atoll consisting of 13 islands
encircling a lagoon, is home to the world's largest colony of 100,000
giant tortoises. The isolated archipelago features a protected
landscape with hundreds of flowering plant and fern species. Endemic
Aldabra drongos and pink flamingos are often seen. The white-throated
rail, the last remaining flightless bird in the Indian Ocean, scours
this unique habitat.
EXPEDITION ACTIVITES
- ZODIAC CRUISE WITH SWAN HELLENIC EXPEDITION TEAM Included
- SNORKELING WITH SWAN HELLENIC EXPEDITION TEAM Included
- NATURE WALK WITH SWAN HELLENIC EXPEDITION TEAM Included
ASSUMPTION ISLAND
DAY 6
The kidney-shaped Assumption Island, a part of the Aldabra Group
located over 1,000 km southwest of Mahé, is renowned for its
diverse butterfly species, such as the belenois aldabrensis. The island
is also home to giant tortoises, Assumption day geckos, and hosts
nesting sea turtles near the shoreline. A tranquil white-sand beach
stretches for miles alongside brilliantly turquoise water on the west
coast.
EXPEDITION ACTIVITES
- NATURE WALK WITH SWAN HELLENIC EXPEDITION TEAM Included
DAY AT SEA
DAY 7
Spend your day at sea enjoying your boutique 5-star ship. Treat
yourself to a spa day, attend an expert-led onboard lecture or enjoy
the ocean views from the deck or the comfort of our Observation Lounge.
ZANZIBAR
DAY 8
Cosmopolitan Zanzibar Island, or Unguja, known as the Spice Island,
features Zanzibar City's UNESCO-listed Stone Town(Mji
Mkongwe)—a lively warren of narrow streets with 18th- and
19th-century buildings. Highlights include the Old Fort, the House of
Wonders, and a spice market with stalls heaped with locally grown
spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. Nearby, Jozani Chwaka Bay National
Park is home to the red colobus monkey, unique to Zanzibar.
SHORE EXCURSIONS
- HALF DAY JOZANI FOREST Optional 3 h 30 m
- RUINS AND SPICES OF ZANZIBAR Optional 4 h 45 m
- HIGHLIGHTS OF STONE TOWN Included 4 h 00 m
- SANDBANK DHOW ADVENTURE Optional 6 h 00 m
PEMBA ISLAND
DAY 9
Cloaked in lush vegetation, hilly Pemba Island is famed for its 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 five feet. Offshore, vibrantly
coloured coral teems with marine life including green turtles, whitetip
reef sharks and nudibranchs.
SHORE EXCURSIONS
FLYING FOXES OF PEMBA ( Journey through picturesque landscapes, passing
lush countryside and local villages) Included 04 h 40 m
LAMU
DAY 10
A Swahili settlement and former trading hub dating back 700 years, Lamu
is a storied seafront town on Lamu Island. Clusters of ornate,
well-preserved buildings built from coral stone and mangrove timber
fill its maze of narrow streets. Tiny alleyways reveal intricately
carved wooden doors, arcaded facades and hidden courtyards. The fort
and museum are fantastic places to learn about Swahili culture. Dhow
cruises visit neighbouring Manda island.
MOMBASA
DAY 11
A dynamic coastal metropolis, Mombasa's rich history comes from a
beguiling blend of cultures. Over centuries, Arabs, Portuguese, Asians,
and British settlers coexisted in the old town, blending African,
European, and Asian architectural 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.
(Click image to view Ship details)
