Overview

Some trips are life changing, altering our perception of the world forever. In the waters of the Pacific Ocean, sail on an incredible odyssey taking you from the shores of Tahiti to the legendary Easter Island. Over 15 days aboard Le Boréal, (re)discover the shared mysteries of these faraway places and the captivating beauty of their extraordinary landscapes.

Leave Papeete and the island of Tahiti in your wake to reach the coast of the stunning Bora Bora. This island, whose name translates to ‘first-born’ in English, is also called Mai te pora (‘created by the gods’) by the Polynesians, since only divine will could have created an Eden such as this. Admire its turquoise lagoon, a garden for the coral life and multicoloured fish, overlooked by cliffs covered in lush vegetation, and take in the gentleness of Polynesia. A little further on, Moorea awaits you and invites you to discover Polynesian culture, notably by visiting one of the island’s pearl farms that are among the treasures of the island nation Now it is time for Le Boréal to leave behind the Society Islands to take you to the Tuamotu Archipelago and the Anaa atoll. It is said that ship captains can recognise it from a great distance as the pale green of its lagoon is sometimes reflected in the clouds!

Far from the major maritime routes, you now find yourself in the Gambier archipelago, one of the most unspoiled destinations in Polynesia. Appearing on the horizon is the small village of Rikitea where St Michael’s Cathedral stands proudly, entirely built from coral and timber.

Crystal-clear waters, abundant vegetation, endemic wildlife… You will sail to the Pitcairn Islands, a subtropical ecosystem whose capital, Adamstown*, is like a charming small village.

Finally, you will reach the intriguing and fabulous Easter Island, lying approximately 3,700 km (2,300 miles) away from the continent. This legendary land will reveal its mysteries to you through its undeciphered ‘rongorongo’ inscriptions carved into wooden tablets, but also and above all through its famous moais or ‘walking statues’ facing the endless expanse of ocean and now classified as World Heritage by UNESCO.

Trip Highlights

An unforgettable expedition cruise in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, to discover the treasures of French Polynesia, the Pitcairn Islands, and the mysterious Easter Island.
Zodiac outings and shore visits with your expedition team.
From Hanga Roa, discovering the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ahu Tahai and its enigmatic moai statues.
Discovering the Rapa Nui culture on Easter Island and the ties it shares with Polynesia and particularly the Marquesas Islands.
Diving into the Polynesian culture through its ancestral arts and crafts, pearl farming and vanilla production.
Visiting St Michael’s Cathedral, built in Rikitea in the Gambier Islands in 1840.

Day 1 :

PAPEETE, TAHITI ISLAND

Capital of French Polynesia, the city of Papeete is on the north-west coast of the island of Tahiti. You’ll find a relaxed atmosphere here,where urban buzz combines with the legendary laid-back Polynesian lifestyle. Culture is not lacking. You can enjoy sites narrating the history of the archipelago, including the colonial cathedral and the Maison de la reine Marau. The Vaipahi public gardens will win you over by their abundant plant-life. The large municipal market offers local specialities: fresh fruit, spices and all kinds of fish abound on their stalls.

Day 2 :

BORA BORA, SOCIETY ISLANDS

Paradisiacal atoll of the archipelago of the Leeward Islands, west of French Polynesia, mythical Bora Bora offers a natural spectacle of captivating beauty. You’ll be won over as much by the white sandy beaches as by its famous lagoon, one of the most beautiful in the world, where colourful fish frolic in waters of incomparable turquoise. The island is covered with tropical vegetation, and dominated by the majestic outline of Mount Otemanu. A promenade through this volcanic landscape will enable you to discover a number of villages and meet local communities.

Day 3 :

MOOREA ISLAND

A part of the Windward Island archipelago just to the west of Tahiti, famous Mo'orea will leave you with a series of unforgettable images and memories. Bask on its heavenly beaches, enjoy a dip in the turquoise waters of its lagoon, and soak up its luscious vegetation and the heady flowers that carpet the inland areas. Get the most out of this natural gem with a trip to the Mo'orea Belvedere. Exceptional views of Mount Rotui unfurl before your eyes, with the Opunohu Bay and its valley to the left, and the famous Cook's Bay, surrounded by notched, cathedral-style peaks, to the right.

Day 4 :

ANAA, TUAMOTU ISLANDS

All the beauty of Polynesia is concentrated in Anaa Atoll, somewhere in the waters of the Pacific. Here, the most beautiful shades of blue and green are on display to create a heavenly setting. For the inhabitants of the Tuamotu archipelago, Anaa Atoll is intrinsically associated with the raids conducted by the so-called Parata warriors of old. In 1983, the island was completely destroyed by a cyclone that left behind only the Saint-Etienne de Tematahoa church, which remains standing elegantly on the edge of the beach to this day, against a backdrop of coconut trees. Featuring moments of relaxation and a dive into the history of Polynesia, the stop at Anaa promises to be unforgettable.

Day 5 :

AT SEA

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 centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will 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 will be 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.

Day 6 :

AT SEA

Day 7 :

RIKITEA, GAMBIER ISLANDS

Discover Mangareva, which means “floating mountain” in Polynesian. Located in the Gambier Islands, surrounded by a magnificent coral reef and blessed with generous vegetation, this island, a cradle of Catholicism, has exceptional cultural heritage, with many vestiges of religious buildings dating from the 19th century. Nestling in the heart of this historic site with idyllic landscapes, do not miss the small village of Rikitea, where one of Polynesia’s wonders, Saint Michael’s Cathedral, stands proudly, entirely built from coral and timber.

Day 8 :

AT SEA

Day 9 :

ADAMSTOWN, PITCAIRN ISLAND

If you’ve got a taste for adventure and you love discovering wild, remote lands, you’ll definitely be won over by the Pitcairn islands. This tiny British territory is mainly composed of atolls right in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Rimmed by steep cliffs several hundreds of metres high, the volcanic Pitcairn Island is to be explored on foot. In Adamstown, the only village on this 5-square-kilometre land, you’ll meet the 50 sole inhabitants of the entire archipelago. The call to Pitcairn is suject to weather and sea conditions.

Day 10 :

AT SEA

Day 11 :

AT SEA

Day 12 :

HANGA ROA, EASTER ISLAND

The main town of legendary Easter Island, Hanga Roa is also its only urban area. Bathed by the Pacific Ocean, this picturesque Chilean town is an excellent base for exploring the islandﾒs spectacular treasures, particularly the moai, the famous enigmatic monumental statues. The Polynesian Hanga Roa culture and its traditional houses are a sheer delight. As evening approaches, wend your way to the charming fishing port where, weather permitting, you can admire the captivating light of the setting sun.

Day 13 :

HANGA ROA, EASTER ISLAND