Cruises in May, June, July and August Le Lapérouse - launched staterooms & suites only

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1 Cruises in May, June, July and August 2019 Le Lapérouse - launched staterooms & suites only

2 experience anything so thrilling again... But in just a few seconds, the virgin coasts of the Kimberley filled me with incomparable emo on. Michelle B. July 2017

3 A journey Each morning L Austral reveals another perspec ve of this vast area endowed with an incomparable combina on of colour and light. Jade coloured seas, blinding blue purple hues merge. A land from before me, where ancient indigenous rock art reveals man s habita on for tens of thousands of years in an environment most would consider uninhabitable. Our fleet of Zodiacs perform the perfect ship to shore transfers. Helicopters rising, doors open, cameras clicking enroute to Mitchell Falls. In the Hunter River mangroves a primeval saltwater crocodile waits pa ently, its yellow eyes alert... The ominous sound of silence. Add in the naviga onal challenges of massive dal changes - our guests burs ng with smiles as they return from tackling the Horizontal Falls - and this expedi on leaves me impressed. I cannot wait to return. Captain Jean-Philippe Lemaire, on his return from the Iconic Kimberley cruise in July 2017 L Austral in Prince Frederick Harbour, on the 8th July

4 Lying in the north-west region of Australia, the Kimberley is one of the last unspoilt areas in the world. With its waterfalls, steep gorges, savannas, pris ne mangrove environments and distant mountain chains, the untamed lands of the Kimberley promise you an extraordinary adventure. On board Le Lapérouse, a luxury, ultramodern ship launched in 2018, and during numerous trips aboard a Zodiac accompanied by the Expedi on Team, you can admire this unique biodiversity, one of the most intact marine environments in the world, including saltwater crocodiles and large colonies of nes ng seabirds. Why go on an Expedi on to the Kimberley with PONANT? To enjoy an unforge able experience on board Le Lapérouse, a superb modern small expedi on ship, launched in 2018, featuring a movable marina pla orm and world-first mul -sensory underwater lounge; To join our local and highly qualified Expedi on team; To take part in regular Zodiac trips to explore the Kimberley coast up close; To marvel at landscapes billions of years old, and view ancient rock art sites; NATURALIST To listen to stories of the Dream me from the World s oldest con nuing culture; To explore pris ne mangrove forests, home to the largest rep le on Earth, the saltwater crocodile; To admire the incredible power and scale of the des at the Horizontal Falls ; To witness the world s largest popula on of migra ng humpback whales. 4

5 The prospect of an incredible expedi on voyage, in luxurious comfort On board Le Lapérouse, our new small expedi on ship with only 92 staterooms and suites, you have the privilege of exploring the farthest reaches of the globe while enjoying luxury service. Whichever cruise you choose, you are guaranteed PONANT s trademark excep onal comfort and service: The inaugural Kimberley voyages on Le Laperouse, a new eco-friendly expedi on ship, latest genera on, launched in June The comfort of luxurious spacious cabins, all with a private balcony. Facili es including an infinity pool, a world-first mul -sensory underwater lounge and a moveable marina. Refined design, an in mate atmosphere and a deligh ully French lifestyle. Refined, delicate gastronomy prepared by French chefs. A discreet, considerate bilingual French-English speaking crew who a end to your every wish. Chic, stylish and in mate, imbued with French ambiance, this is a PONANT Expedi on cruise. 5

6 The short-eared rock wallaby A small, playful, marsupial belonging to the macropod family, the rock-wallaby can be recognised by its short grey coat, orange-yellow legs and striped tail. It par cularly likes arid environments, where it seeks out cool caves and fissures and can be spo ed leaping around the using its long tail as a balance. Unlike a lot of other macropods, this species prefers to live in small groups consis ng of a single The saltwater crocodile Earth s largest and one of the deadliest living rep les, the saltwater crocodile has the broadest distribu on of any other crocodile. Sal es are formidable, opportunis c predators that feed on prey both large and small, including They have the strongest bite of any modern animal. Males can reach up to 6 metres and weigh up to do not grow larger than 3 metres long. 6

7 The green sea turtle The green sea turtle is the most common species along the Kimberley coast, and is easily iden fiable with its heart-shaped brown shell, which can be up to a metre long. Green sea turtles nest along the pris ne shoreline and coastal islands of the Kimberley Coast. They can live for more than 100 years. Northern Australia contains the largest number of nes ng green sea turtles, and you might be lucky enough to see one during your Expedi on along the Kimberley coast. The Australian humpback dolphin The Australian humpback dolphin was recently iden fied as a separate species of humpback dolphin. It lives between northern Australia and southern New Guinea. While all humpback dolphins have a very visible hump, the Australian species has a smaller dorsal fin than its cousins living in the Atlan c and Indian oceans, and is dark grey in colour. The black-necked stork The black-necked stork is famous for its spectacular plumage: it has a jet-black head, wings and tail contras ng with the whiteness of the rest of the plumage and its long bright red legs. The male and female are similar in size and colour, and can only be told apart by the colour of their iris (yellow with the females and black with the males). This spectacular bird is found along the coastal region and freshwater waterways of Tropical and Sub tropical Australia. 7

8 Ponant s Expedition Team Here are some of the Naturalist Guides you will have the pleasure of mee ng on board, depending on the cruise you choose. Mick Fogg Expedi on Leader As an award-winning wildlife photographer and adventurer, Mick has spent the past 17 years leading Expedi ons and photographing some of the world s most remote des na ons from Antarc ca to South East Asia. He has contributed to ar cles on the Kimberley to newspapers and magazines around the world. His photographs have been published in a long list of travel and natural history publica ons. Mick joined PONANT in 2014 as Expedi on Manager Asia Pacific, bringing his years of experience in i nerary design and opera on. Having led more than 120 Expedi ons through the Kimberley, he is the perfect Expedi on Leader. Sebas an Van Jones Expedi on team Sebas an was born in Western Australia and a love for rocks and the earth took him down the path to become an Explora on Geologist, spending 8 years in the outback of Western Australia, NSW hills and discovered a major gold deposit in WA, Sebas an took up Hydro- Geology and the became fascinated with ground water. Besides rocks, Sebas an loves the ocean and has sailed and surfed around the world. He currently lives on his yacht with his wife and teaches sailing courses as well as taking people on sailing charters out of Fremantle. In his spare me he undertakes ocean health conserva on projects and takes on ci zen science adventures. 8

9 Sandrine Erwin-Rose Expedi on team Born on the shores of the Mediterranean, Sandrine remembers pouring over Jacques Cousteau s books grew up in the North with the Great Barrier Reef as her garden, where she went sailing and diving. Her passionate interest in wildlife led her to study zoology and marine biology at James Cook University in Australia. During this me, she visited the most varied regions in the world, from tropical forests to arid deserts, and dived in the colourful world of coral reefs. Jamie Van Jones Expedi on team Jamie Van Jones is a passionate environmentalist and sustainable development prac oner. She has worked in interna onal development in the Australian environmental sector with NGO s such as The Wilderness Society and Conserva on Council. She also runs her own sustainable development consultancy The Green Scene. Jamie was awarded the Ac ve Ci zen s Award in Fremantle for her volunteer work around crea ng community and eco living ini a ves. Jamie teaches eco-living courses and coordinates ocean health and ci zen science adventure expedi ons. Jamie has a passion for nature and our planet and shares that with anyone she meets. Harry Christensen Expedi on team Harry is a Marine Biologist with extensive experience in educa ng people about Indo-Pacific Coral Reef biodiversity. For over 25 years he has provided educa onal programs to visitors in many regions including the Kimberley, and also led several expedi ons in this area. His passion is based on watching Malcolm Douglas adventures throughout this rugged & remote coastline. He says I love the contrast of the red colour of ancient Kimberley sandstone, the greens of the woodlands & mangroves, all set upon cloudless blue skies. It gets into your blood. When I am in the Kimberley, I am at home; when not, I crave to return. 9

10 Meet Mick Fogg, PONANT s tropical Expedition specialist You are well-known as an explorer and photographer. Can you tell us about your career? Mick Fogg: Like all children who grow up in Australia, I learned about the secrets of nature when I was very young. I have a degree in marine on the Great Barrier Reef, I decided to explore Oceania and Asia: Papua New Guinea, Borneo, Indonesia, Vanuatu, New Zealand... I was lucky enough to rub shoulders with some excellent photographers. They gave me valuable advice, which I try to share in turn. What made you decide to become an Expedi on leader with PONANT? Mick Fogg: The company has the most modern fleet of ships which combine luxury and adventure. It s the world leader in this field, and its aim to my exper se in the Asia-Pacific zone. It s a natural alliance, because we share the same values and philosophy. What do you like most about being an Expedi on leader? Mick Fogg: One of my greatest joys is being able to share unique moments and a genuine experience with people who love travelling. Most of our passengers are not content with mere souvenir photos, but are full of curiosity and a thirst for knowledge. They are also very keen to meet the local popula ons. You have led several Expedi ons in the Pacific and Oceania regions. Do you have a favourite des na on or a top three? Mick Fogg: It s impossible to choose without leaving something out! My travels have taken me all over the world to many extraordinary places. However, the Kimberley region in Australia is undeniably one of my favourites. It consists of various spectacular landscapes, a virgin environment of wild beauty like nowhere else on Earth. Where the Polar regions are concerned, Macquarie Island stands out for me, with its amazing landscapes and unbelievably prolific wildlife. 10

11 Antarc c, South-East Asia, Oceania and the Australian coasts, explorer Mick Fogg now puts his considerable experience to work for PONANT. 11

12 Highlights 1. Montgomery Reef The dal movements along the Kimberley coast are immense, as this area has the third highest dal range in the world. Montgomery Reef provides an extraordinary example of this. Viewed from your Zodiac, the en re reef appears to rise out of the ocean as the de recedes, crea ng cascading waterfalls running along the en re perimeter of the reef. This phenomenon is due to the ocean waters receding faster than the water can escape from the this is the largest inshore reef in Australia. 2. The Hunter River and Mitchell Falls Decidedly one of the most picturesque parts of the Kimberley coast, Prince Frederick Harbour and the Hunter River are do ed with ancient stretches of tropical forest, wild mangroves and a mosaic of the river. The mangroves, some of the most unspoilt in the world, are home to numerous species of birds and nearly a hundred kinds of rep les and amphibians, including the famous saltwater crocodile. 3. The Horizontal Falls and Talbot Bay One of the major highlights of your voyage will be exploring this rocky part of the coast, which contains a unique phenomenon caused by the dal varia on: at up to 10 metres during spring des, one of the through by two narrow gaps where the sea is drawn in with the de. When the de goes out, the water flows out more quickly on one side than the other, crea ng the famous Horizontal Falls : a wall of water up to 3 metres high. A trip aboard a Zodiac will be available, depending on the de mes, so that you can enjoy the thrill of this unique sight. 4. Jar Island Jar Island contains ancient galleries depic ng the Gwion Gwion rock art styles unique to the Kimberley region. These highly ornamental human figures seem to float on the sandstone walls of countless drawings have coloured the rock indelibly. Their age is unknown but are likely to be more than 15,000 years old, with some researchers sugges ng an even greater age. They are believed to be the world s oldest known detailed representa ons of human figures. They provide a fascina ng glimpse of a very ancient, extremely rich culture, whose heritage can be found in the present-day aboriginal culture of north western Australia. 5. King George River Discovering King George River is one of the most exci ng moments of your cruise along the Kimberley coast. You will take a Zodiac up the river, flanked by 80-metre gorges with marvellous, constantly changing shades of red, pink, orange and purple. Erosion has sculpted the rock over the centuries, crea ng unique landscapes with every meander of the river right up to the spectacular dual King George Falls. These waterfalls are fed by rain during the wet season, and their flow rate varies from year to year. 12

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14 Set out to discover the wild, magnificent landscapes of the Kimberley. Step on board Le Lapérouse for its inaugural season of 11-day Expedi on cruises from Darwin to Broome or Broome to Darwin. This modern, eco-friendly small expedi on ship will take you all along this shoreline, one of the most spectacular coastal zones in the whole of Australia. Come and discover the long stretches of white sand, alterna ng between mangroves and tropical forest, and unspoilt rivers flowing between spectacular gorges. 14

15 Darwin - Broome Broome - Darwin Pulau Mea miarang INDONESIA INDONESIA Timor Sea Timor Sea King George River Vansi art Bay Hunter River DARWIN King George River Vansi art Bay Hunter River & Swi Bay DARWIN Lacepede Islands BROOME Wyndham Freshwater Cove Ra Point Montgomery Reef Talbot Bay AUSTRALIA Lacepede Islands BROOME Freshwater Cove Ra Point Montgomery Reef Talbot Bay AUSTRALIA Your trip: 11 days/10 nights Expedi ons from 23 rd May to 2 nd June 2019 from 12 th to 22 nd June 2019 from 2 nd to 12 th July 2019 from 22 nd July to 1 st August 2019 from 11 th to 21 st August 2019 on board Le Lapérouse. Transfers in Broome included (port to airport). One complimentary excursion in Wyndham included (subject to availability, on a first come first served basis, in chronological order of booking). Your trip: 11 days/10 nights Expedi ons from 2 nd to 12 th June 2019 from 12 th to 22 nd July 2019 from 1 st to 11 th August 2019 from 21 st to 31 st August 2019 on board Le Lapérouse. Transfers in Broome included (airport to port). FBI TRAVEL EXCLUSIVE: Book before 27th January 2019 and receive a 48 minute Mitchell Falls helicopter flight with thrilling views of the many gorges and falls of the Mitchell Plateau. 15

16 Contact your dedicated FBI Travel Advisor today to start planning your Kimberley cruising expedi on. For More informa on please visit www. itravel.com.au/ponant-kimberley. Rights reserved. Photo credits: Adobe stock, istock, Christophe Dugied, Nick Rains, Lorraine Turci, Francois Lefebvre, Bruno Cazarini, Mathieu Gesta, Raphaël Sané. Crea on: PONANT, October Complimentary helicopter offer valid for new bookings made before 27th January 2019 and subject to availability at me of booking. Bookings made before or a er the promo onal period will not qualify for the savings. All savings, offers, programmes and i neraries are subject to change without no ce. Ponant reserves the right to correct any errors or omission. Ponant and FBI Travel booking terms and condi ons apply.