Volcanic islands and historic cities of the North Atlantic

Cruise overview

From the volcanic archipelagos of the Canaries and Madeira to the southern tip of Portugal, PONANT invites you on an unforgettable 11-day interlude, between Las Palmas and Lisbon. This journey aboard L’Austral  will take you into the heart of uniquely and wildly beautiful landscapes, featuring majestic volcanos, lush green valleys, isolated inlets, verdant cliffs and historic cities with multiple sources of heritage.  

At each port of call on your trip, each guest will be able to choose one included activity from the selection offered by PONANT. During this cruise, discover the volcanic and verdant landscapes of Santa Cruz de La Palma; explore the Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from La Gomera; or admire the Teide-Pico Viejo stratovolcan, the world’s third-tallest volcanic structure, from Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The diversity of options on offer promises intense and varied experiences. (Find the full list of excursions under the Itinerary tab.)

Your cruise will start on the island of Gran Canaria in Las Palmas, then your ship will take to the sea, sailing west to reach Santa Cruz de Tenerife. In these lands of a thousand contrasts, dominated by the emblematic silhouette of the Teide stratovolcano, discover the unique and fascinating landscapes found in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Teide National Park.

L’Austral will then drop anchor at La Gomera. This tiny island with lush vegetation is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its biosphere reserve. This island is also renowned for its whistling language, Silbo, that the inhabitants use to communicate from one valley to another. 

Next, Santa Cruz de La Palma will invite you to spend a moment suspended in time. Here, the accent is on authenticity and tranquillity as you succumb to the charms of its unspoilt nature and its unusual architectural heritage featuring traditional Canarian houses with brightly-coloured wooden balconies, sumptuous palaces, and religious buildings.

Your ship will then set a course northward to carry you to Madeira, a paradise for hiking enthusiasts. On this steep island covered in luxuriant vegetation, the variety of landscapes, including sheer cliffs, levadas (Madeiran aqueducts), banana plantations, and the laurel forest – Laurisilva – listed with UNESCO, never ceases to amaze visitors.  

Your exploration will continue in the Algarve region at the country’s southern tip. Bewitching Lagos stands proud like a fortress in hues of ochre and orange, bordered by the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean. In this town of nature and culture, stroll in the paved small streets of the historic centre whose Moorish and Portuguese influences create a delightful blend.

Further north, you will head towards the surprising and picturesque mediaeval city of Setúbal. Surrounded by vast parks and nature reserves featuring abundant biodiversity, between the Sado Estuary and the Serra da Arrábda whose waters shelter many dolphins, you will also fall under the charm of the historic heritage of this authentic fishing town.

Your cruise will come to an end in Lisbon, sitting on the Tagus River, distilling its one-of-a-kind charm imbued with rich history.