Islands, cities and volcanoes of Indonesia

Bali is an island in the Indonesian archipelago known for its varied landscapes, cultural sites, and local traditions. The southern coast features white sand beaches and small fishing villages like Benoa, while inland areas are marked by terraced rice fields. Often referred to as the "Island of Gods," Bali plays a central role in Indonesian Hinduism and is home to many temples.

Mount Bromo is located within the Tengger caldera and is surrounded by a plain of volcanic sand. The volcanic complex is about 820,000 years old and includes five overlapping stratovolcanoes, along with lava domes, pyroclastic cones, and a maar. The area holds cultural importance for the Hindu Tengger people, who associate it with a local legend about a prince’s sacrifice. After leaving the ship early in the day, guests travel by bus to visit the site.

During your journey 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 center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or 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 are 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.

Semarang enjoys a strategic location on the northern coast of Java, making it a cosmopolitan port town and a melting pot of Chinese, Indo-Arabic and European cultures. Before setting off to explore the region's treasures, take a tour of the old town and its smattering of old colonial buildings. Here in Indonesia's most Chinese town, don't miss a trip to the Chinatown district. If it's culture you're after, journey deeper into the green, rolling inland region, passing by volcanoes and rice paddies until you reach the royal town of Yogyakarta and one of its ancient kingdoms, the Borobudur : this Buddhist temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's largest temples.

During your journey 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 center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or 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 are 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.

Situated at the westernmost tip of Java, Ujung Kulon National Park includes the eponymous peninsula and the Krakatoa volcano nature reserve. A natural sanctuary for Asian wildlife, the park is home to numerous species of wild animals, including the last known population of Javan rhinoceroses, estimated at some sixty individuals. You are enraptured by the exceptional beauty of this place, its forests, its jagged coastline and its islands.

Krakatoa, or Krakatau, is a name familiar to most, though few know where it is located. Lying in the Sunda Strait, between Java and Sumatra on the Pacific ring of fire, is the site of the largest volcanic eruption in modern history. The 1883 eruptions culminated with a colossal blast that literally blew Krakatau apart. The noise was heard over 4,600 km away. Eruptions since 1927 have built a new cone known as Anak Krakatau ("The child of Krakatau") that is still active, with its most recent eruptive episode having begun in 1994. Quiet periods of a few days alternate with spectacular Strombolian eruptions. Guest activities are determined by the level of volcanic activity on the day and may involve ship-based viewing or zodiac tour.

The British East India Company founded Bengkulu in 1685 as their new commercial center for trade, after the Dutch expelled them from Java. In 1714, the British built Fort Marlborough to protect their trading establishment. However, the trading center was never financially viable because of its remoteness and the difficulty in procuring pepper. Despite these difficulties, the British persisted, maintaining a presence there for over a century, eventually ceding it to the Dutch as part of the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824. Like the rest of present-day Indonesia, Bengkulu remained a Dutch colony until World War II. Today, guests have the opportunity to undertake a guided tour by bus of the city of Bengkulu, including a visit to Fort Marlborough.

With their long sandy beaches lined with coconut trees, their old-growth forest home to several endemic species of primates, and their hunter-gatherer tribes living in harmony with nature, the Mentawai Islands are one of Indonesia’s most authentic destinations. And despite seeing an influx of wave riders for some time now due to the heavenly surfing conditions, this archipelago remains one of Indonesia’s most unspoiled.

The geographic isolation of the Nias islands have resulted in a unique megalithic culture. One of the most unique cultural traditions still in practice is Stone Jumping, a manhood ritual that sees young men leaping over two-meter stone towers in a rite of passage. The higher they jump; the better chance they have of acquiring a wife. The tradition was originally designed to train the young men for warfare and defence. In addition, the traditional music of Nias, performed mostly by women, is noted worldwide for its haunting beauty. Today you have the opportunity to visit a traditional village and witness unique cultural performances that serve as the primary form of spiritual expression.

With their palm trees, beaches of fine, immaculate white sand, and crystal-clear sea, the tropical Banyak Islands are the stuff of dreams. This archipelago of 99 islands — most of them uninhabited — is especially popular with surfers and is attracting a growing number of travelers seeking an earthly paradise. The Banyak Islands are also home to Sumatra’s top snorkeling spots, featuring stunning underwater forests of colorful coral.

Banda Aceh is the capital and largest city in the province of Aceh, Indonesia, located on the north-western tip of Sumatra. On 26 December 2004, the city was hit by a tsunami caused by a 9.2 magnitude earthquake in the Indian Ocean. The disaster killed 167,000 inhabitants, injured countless others and destroyed more than 60% of the city's buildings. With the assistance of domestic and international aid an enormous effort has been made to rebuild since that fateful day. Join your expedition team and local guides for a bus tour visiting the Tsunami Museum, memorial and educational center along with other historical and cultural landmarks including the Baiturrahman Mosque, one of the city’s dominant landmarks.

During your journey 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 center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or 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 can 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.

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 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 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.

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 center, 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 centers. The colorful markets in Chinatown and Little India are the perfect opportunity to quell hunger pangs in a hawker center, 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.