Travel Advice
Duration
7 Nights
Journey Type
Cruise only (Please call for flight options)
Ports
7 Ports
3 December
Setting sail from Dunedin
It's an odd concept - Edinburgh, but on New Zealand's South Island. Visitors are amazed by the extraordinary Victorian and Edwardian buildings dating back to the gold rush, which bring to mind the city's Scottish roots - not least when the sound of the pipes echoes through the streets. Of course the region was inhabited by Māori long prior to the European arrival, so a rich history abounds. Meanwhile outside the city, the extraordinary natural beauty and wildlife of the Otago peninsula are on hand, home to New Zealand fur seals, Hooker's sea lions, yellow-eyed penguins, and the only mainland royal albatross colony in the world.
Our tip
Rail buffs will love the Taieri Gorge railway, the perfect way to see the fantastic scenery.
4 December
At sea
5 December
New Zealand: Milford Sound
Milford Sound is New Zealand’s most iconic sight, a breathtaking fjord crowned by the soaring Mitre Peak. Despite a remote location, on the western coast of the South Island, the fjord attracts thousands of visitors every year, such is the beauty of this raw and unspoilt landscape.
6 December
New Zealand: Doubtful Sound
7 December
New Zealand: Dusky Sound
Dusky Sound is one of the most isolated fjords in Fiordland National Park, situated on the southwest coast of the South Island. In the rainy season hundreds of waterfalls cascade down the sheer cliffs, and you may spot wildlife including fur seals, dolphins and the rare Fiordland crested penguin.
8 December
New Zealand: Snares Islands
The Snares Islands are the northernmost of New Zealand’s subantarctic islands, renowned for their incredible birdlife. Endemic species include the Snares penguin, Snares snipe and Snares tomtit, and some three million sooty shearwaters come here to breed during the austral summer.
9 December
New Zealand: Ulva Island
In 1997 Ulva Island was declared free of rats following a successful eradication programme, and the island is now a sanctuary for bird species that have become extinct on the New Zealand mainland, including the Stewart Island Weka, South Island saddleback, yellowhead and Stewart Island robin.
10 December
Arriving in Dunedin
Don't miss
Larnach Castle rises high above the harbour – wonderful views, and great gardens and grounds too, the best place for high tea!
Your home from home
Sleek and stylish, Ponant's wonderful Explorer yachts blend luxury and intimacy with a discreet elegance and tasteful décor.
What we love
Named after six of France's most famous explorers, Le Champlain, Le Lapérouse, Le Bougainville, Le Dumont d'Urville, Le Bellot and Le Jacques Cartier offer exciting and adventurous itineraries in the utmost comfort. Technologically advanced, with the latest in environmentally friendly hardware, the new ships embody Ponant's trademark élan and flair, with just 92 spacious rooms and suites, a stylish pool deck and an intimate, refined onboard ambience.
| Capacity | 184 Guests |
|---|---|
| Crew | 110 Staff |
| Style | Refined with a wonderful mix of a modern super yacht and nautical tradition, all with a French flair. |
| Inclusions |
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Tailor-make your trip
Ways to make it better
Our favourite hotel near Dunedin
Up the coast at Oamaru, the charming Pen-y-bryn Lodge is a heritage homestead - and perfectly placed to visit the blue penguins!
Explore the South Island
Visit the Catlins Coastal Rain Forest and Curio Bay – next stop Antarctica!
