Dates

Overview

In the Canaries archipelago, the volcanic islands rise from the Atlantic Ocean like mirages. In these lands of a thousand contrasts, lunar landscapes with crimson and ashen reflections, valleys covered in lush vegetation, craggy coves and sand dunes blend beautifully. At the heart of these majestic islands, where nature reigns supreme, PONANT invites you to enjoy a surprising interlude on this 8-day cruise aboard Le Bellot or Le Lapérouse. A special Ponant TIMELESS EXPEDITION – Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, selected from a range offered by Ponant.

Expedition Highlights

• A journey to the heart of the Canary Islands, lands of contrast featuring lunar landscapes and lush valleys.
• Discover the seven islands in the Canaries: Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, La Palma, El Hierro, La Gomera.
• UNESCO World Heritage Site: Garajonay National Park in La Gomera.
• Make the most of an excursion included* per person per port of call during your cruise thanks to the selection made by our destination experts.
• Landscapes: volcanoes, calderas, mountain peaks, green hills, cliffs, lakes, shrubs, flowers, forests, beaches.
• Discover the picturesque Santa Cruz de la Palma with its sumptuous palaces and its charming old town featuring colonial architecture.
• Discover Arrecife in Lanzarote and its moonscapes.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

A stopover in sunny climes, Las Palmas is located on the north-east coast of Gran Canaria. A few streets away from Puerto de la Luz port, you’ll discover the vast Las Canteras beach, bordered by the town’s characteristic palms. You’ll find these palms all over Las Palmas, in the streets and squares, especially on the plaza de Santa Ana in the heart of the historical district. It feels like you’ve travelled back in time here, as you stand looking at the tall houses beside the Santa Ana cathedral. Very close by, you can visit the Casa de Colón, a museum dedicated to the famous explorer. The museum is housed in the palace belonging to the island’s former governor. Chances are, you’ll be drawn to the covered Vegueta market to partake in some daily life along with the locals and taste some unfamiliar dishes.

Day 2 – Arrecife de Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Established on a coast sprinkled with cliffs, Arrecife has a pleasant beach and a lagoon full of charm, Charca de San Ginés, where the fishermen anchor their boats. The city also offers historic and cultural landmarks, such as San Gabriel Castle, a former defensive fort of the city.

Day 3 – Puerto del Rosario, Canary Islands

Surrounded by turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the capital of the island of Fuerteventura is located in the autonomous community of the Canary Islands. Puerto del Rosario, a harbor city, will charm you with its storekeepers, its white houses and picturesque seafront.

Day 4 – Los Cristianos, Canary Islands

Discover the charming village of Los Cristianos, in the south of the island of Tenerife. While the former fishing town is edged by some beautiful fine-sand beaches, it is also known for the two protected nature reserves that surround it – Mount Chayofita and Mount Guaza. Both are ideal for hiking and for admiring the captivating views, facing the North Atlantic. Authentic and festive, Los Cristianos is also famous for its many water-based activities, ranging from scuba diving to snorkeling and water sports.

Day 5 – Santa Cruz de La Palma, Canary Islands

The capital of the island of Palma, Santa Cruz de la Palma is the pearl of the Canaries. Founded in 1493 by the conquistador Alonso Fernández de Lugo, the city has preserved a large and atypical architectural heritage from its colonial past, with its traditional Canarian houses adorned with brightly colored wooden balconies, its cobbled streets, its sumptuous palaces and its numerous religious buildings. The Santa Catalina Castle is the symbol of the city. This 16th-century military fortification helped defend the city from repeated attacks by French privateers.

Day 6 – La Estaca, Canary Islands

With its particularly pleasant climate, El Hierro, the youngest of the Canary Islands, invites you to discover enchanting panoramas in an atmosphere of unrivalled calm and serenity. You will be captivated by the untouched natural environment, featuring a majestic volcano, lush forests, sheer cliffs and natural pools. Besides the treasures on land, you will also have the chance to discover its underwater environment. Teeming with life, it is a paradise for diving enthusiasts, since the island is home to the Punta de la Restinga Marine Reserve, its thousands of colorful fish and stunning underwater volcanic landscapes.

Day 7 – San Sebastián de La Gomera, Canary Islands

La Gomera rises from the water like a mirage. This volcanic island in the Canaries features jagged cliffs, valleys covered in palm trees, and beaches of black sand bathing in crystal-clear waters. But its greatest treasure lies at its heart: an exceptional laurisilva, a laurel forest whose prehistoric vegetation has been preserved thanks to the microclimate on the island. This unique ecosystem, common a few million years ago in the tropics, forms the Garajonay National Park, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Like the birds, the Guanches contribute to the poetry of the island too, with their whistled language called Silbo Gomero, listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Day 8 – Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

Disembarkation at 7:00 AM. Prepare for your return flight home – or stay on to enjoy more of the Canary Islands.

PRE- AND POST-CRUISE PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE TO SEE AND EXPERIENCE MORE OF SPAIN AND THE CANARY ISLANDS.