Entlang des Orinocos

This overland must be pre-booked and prepaid at least 60 days prior to your cruise.

Any reservation made after this deadline will be confirmed onboard based on availability.

A minimum of participants must be booked in order to operate this tour.

100% of total cost will be billed for cancellations made less than 60 days before departure.

You will disembark with the ship’s tenders to the pier “Royal” located on the island Ile Royale. There, board a catamaran and after one hour sailing you will reach Pariacabo, where you will board your coach.

Leave the port to discover the Guiana Space Centre, better known as the Centre Spatial Guyanais (CSG).

Located near Kourou, the space centre is a French and European launch base that was first used in 1973. You will visit the space centre by coach and also on foot, notably the Jupiter control centre, inaugurated in 1996, which coordinates all the operational requirements of the centre. Often compared to an airport’s control tower, Jupiter is the nerve centre for the Ariane 5 launches. Your visit will continue with the discovery of the Space Museum, a veritable temple of information on space activity around the world. Covering some 12,900 square feet (1,200 m²), a series of thematic circuits, interactive animation, film projects, models and other modules tells the exciting tale of man's space adventure. The museum is also home to a multimedia space and a boutique.

At the end of the visit, you will rejoin your coach to head to Kourou’s port and embark onboard your catamaran for the sailing back, and join the ship’s tender at the island Ile Royale.

• We advise you to wear light cotton clothing and comfortable shoes, avoid synthetic materials, and bring a jacket for the air-conditioned areas. Remember to bring your ID documents with you.  Large bags and sharp objects are strictly forbidden. Wheelchairs and walking sticks are not permitted for the visit to the space centre. We remind you that a 1-hour sailing (one way) by catamaran is involved in your tour.

Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organizes your transfer between the port of disembarkation and the airport.

Fort-de-France

After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local representative.

First you will be taken to Morne Savon, a hilly suburb of Balata where is located the church of Balata. The church of Balata is a small replica – scaled down to a fifth of the original monument - of the Sacré-Coeur Basilica in Paris. The pure white Dome and bell tower contrast with the lush vegetation of its surroundings. Built in 1925, its offers an impressive panorama over the city of Fort-de-France. If the church is opened and there is no mass celebrated, you will get the opportunity to visit its interior during this photo stop.

You will them spend about one hour at Balata Botanical Garden created in 1982 by the expert botanist Jean-Philippe Thoze. Inspired by his journeys, this garden is an epic floral works of art made out of roses, hibiscus, orchids, and many other plants. Today it contains about 3,000 varieties of tropical plants from around the world. It is organized around the family house built in a typical creole style. You will experience a nice stroll in the quiet, shady paths lined with colorful flowers appealing to the eyes as much as to the smell.

You will continue your exploration to the village of Le Francois for the visit of the Habitation Clement. The Habitation Clement stands an important place in the architectural and industrial patrimony of Martinique. It has been recognized as a Historic Monument by the Ministry of Culture. The term ‘Habitation’in its Creole sense, describes a property and its structures dedicate to agricultural or commercial purpose. You will get the chance to visit the domain, the main house and the distillery. At the end of your visit, enjoy a Rum tasting.

You will then join the restaurant where your lunch will be served. After lunch, you will be transferred to the airport in time for check-in of the PONANT selected flight.

Your programme includes :

• Lunch with beverage package: mineral water + 2 glasses of wine + 1 coffee or tea, served at Cap Est Lagoon Resort & Spa (or similar).

• Transfers and visits as mentioned in the programme.
• Services of a local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include:

• Access to leisure amenities (including the outdoor swimming pool) at Cap Est Lagoon Resort & Spa 4*, is restrictive to overnight stay.
• Tips for the driver and local guide.
• Personal expenses and other services not mentioned in the programme.

Please note :

• To visit the Church of Balata, it is advisable to respect dress codes (covering the upper body and legs below the knees). It is not permitted to visit the church during masses.

Duration of the visits are given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed. For the times of your PONANT flight, please contact your travel agent; they are also shown on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.

Enjoy a moment of relaxation in the midst of lush forest, in an idyllic riverside setting. At Wapa Lodge, everything is designed with your wellbeing in mind. This relaxing programme will be the perfect prelude to your cruise.

Day 1 - Cayenne

Meet and greet at the airport by our English-speaking local representative.

Transfer to the Royal Amazonia hotel.

Check-in your room.

After dinner, evening at leisure.

Day 2 - Wapa Lodge

You will leave the hotel in the early morning and head to Kourou, 80 minutes away by road.

When you arrive in Kourou, you will be welcomed by the lodge manager and will sail in a motorized pirogue to the Wapa Lodge camp (around 30 minutes by water). Once you arrive in the camp, the manager will inform you of the various activities available during the day on site: forest walks, observing the flora and fauna, kayak and paddle or relaxation including a 30-minute massage.

You will have lunch there.

At the end of the day, you will return to the pirogue and be transferred to the port of Dégrad des Cannes to board your ship.

Your hotel:

Modern, chic and designer, the Royal Amazonia 4* hotel is attractive for its subtle blend of contemporary décor and high-end facilities, coupled with a refined atmosphere with an oriental feel. The hotel’s bedrooms are spacious and comfortable. One hour of access to the spa is included in your package. Everything here is designed to help you relax.

Your programme includes:

• 1 night accommodation at the Royal Amazonia 4* Hotel (or similar).
• Full board.
• Beverage package included during meals (mineral water + 1 beer or 1 glass of wine or 1 soft drink + 1 tea or coffee).
• Transfers as mentioned in the programme.
• Service of a local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include:

• Tips for the driver and the local guide.
• Personal expenses.
• Other services not mentioned in the programme.

Please note:

• This post-cruise programme is limited to 30 participants.

Hotel contact:

Hotel Royal Amazonia

45 rue de l'Ara bleu - Route de Zéphir

97300 CAYENNE (Guyane Française)

Telephone number: +594 39 15 15

Fax: +594 30 13 13

Durations are indicative and the order of visits may change. For the times of your PONANT flight, please contact your travel adviser; they are also shown on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.