Group Size: up to 92 participants across all sponsors
Price: Starting from $12,990 per person double occupancy, $19,490 single occupancy
Co-sponsored with: Dartmouth Alumni Travel, National Trust Tours, Princeton Journeys, Yale Alumni Academy
Trip Overview
Located in the heart of the Indian Ocean, the 115 islands that make up the Seychelles are known for crystal-clear waters, endless stretches of powdery white-sand beaches, a diverse and vibrant marine ecosystem, and a range of unique plant and animal species.
Your journey starts with two days in Mahé, the largest island in the Seychelles archipelago and home to 90 per cent of the country’s population. With pristine beaches, lush forests, and dramatic mountains, it is a tropical paradise with a unique Creole culture that blends a wide range of influences.
Next, embark the 59-cabin Island Sky and cruise to the Outer Islands of the Seychelles, the remote Alphonse group, and finally to Aldabra, a vast coral atoll that is home to the world’s largest population of giant tortoises (over 100,000). The experienced Expedition Team of naturalists will lead several guided nature walks, plus there will be many opportunities for snorkeling among colorful reef fish, interesting coral formations, and various marine creatures.
Continue to Madagascar, a thousand-mile island boasting an impressive variety of spectacular landscapes from pristine coral reefs and coastal mangroves to virgin rain forests and native groves of Baobab trees. Geographically isolated for millions of years, nearly all of Madagascar’s intriguing animals and plants are found nowhere else on Earth, including nearly 100 varieties of lemurs. Madagascar’s people are also unique, having descended from Malay-Polynesian mariners, slaves from Africa, as well as traders from Arabia, India, and Portugal.
Schedule by Day
Pricing
| Category | Double Occupancy (Per Person) | Single Occupancy |
| Category A, Standard Suite | $12,990 | $19,490 |
| Category B, Superior Suite | $13,990 | $20,990 |
| Category C, Premium Suite | $15,990 | $23,990 |
| Category D, Corner Suite | $17,490 | N/A |
| Category E, Deluxe Balcony Suite | $18,990 | N/A |
| Category F, Owner's Balcony Suite | $20,990 | N/A |
| Category G, Explorer's Balcony Suite | $21,490 | N/A |
| Category H, Island Suite | $22,490 | N/A |
Accommodations
- one night at the Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa
- Twelve nights aboard the Island Sky
Extensions
Optional pre-tour extension: Seychelles 2-nights
details coming soon
What to Expect
This is a moderately strenuous program that is at times physically demanding and busy and requires participants to be fit and in active good health. To make the most of what each locale has to offer, shore excursions from the Island Sky will be active, ranging from a half-day to all day, and can involve up to two miles of walking, including a few relatively strenuous nature walks, often on sandy, uneven or muddy terrain, with possible extreme heat and humidity, the direct sun, or rain showers. These busy times will be offset by leisure time on board cruising to the next destination, with the opportunity to enjoy the ship’s amenities and the full lecture program.
Some travel in Madagascar will be by 4x4 jeeps, with some longer, bumpy, slow drives on dirt roads (up to two hours each way). Madagascar offers a remote and mountainous landscape with minimal infrastructure; this means there is the possibility of delays in transit—or itinerary changes—due to poor road conditions. During the cruise there will be excursions by Zodiacs, which require the ability to step from the ship to the Zodiac and back again in open water (the ship’s crew will be there to assist you). Please note that some locations involve wet landings. All participants who plan to swim or snorkel must be comfortable swimming unassisted in open water, although no prior snorkeling experience is necessary. The ship does not have SCUBA capabilities but there will be an optional SCUBA opportunity one day in the Seychelles.
This promises to be a memorable journey, but as with all travel, a flexible attitude, a spirit of adventure, and a willingness to explore new areas will enhance your enjoyment of this program. You do not have to participate in all the scheduled activities, except when traveling to the next destination. We are sure you will be pleased with the exciting educational program provided, but we want you to be aware of the pace and activity level.
