HIGHLIGHTS
- A polar expedition cruise in the Southern Ocean, between
the Valdes Peninsula, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the
Antarctic Peninsula, to discover a dazzling natural environment.
- Outings and shore visits in zodiac inflatables with a team
of experienced naturalist guides.
- Enjoy a magical experience as you are introduced to sea
kayaking. Lead by experienced, State-Certified kayak guides, you will
skim the water’s surface amid the ice. For more information
about your kayak tour, please go to the section ‘PONANT
activities’ and to book your kayak tour, contact your cruise
advisor.
- The discovery of the Valdes Peninsula, in Patagonia, a
UNESCO World Heritage Site and a veritable wildlife sanctuary with a
unique ecosystem, offering captivating landscapes of arid steppes,
unrivalled biodiversity, and traditional haciendas.
- South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, two subantarctic
archipelagos of singular beauty, where the great variety of fauna and
flora is astonishing.
- Lectures and information sessions hosted by our
naturalist-guides, covering wildlife, history, geopolitics, the great
explorers, climate, environmental protection and educational discovery
in the respect of environment.
- Hiking opportunity
- Landscapes: alpine landscapes, black sand beaches, verdant
plains and hanging glaciers in South Georgia; white sand beaches,
cliffs and moors dotted with moss and lichen in the Falkland Islands;
barren steppes with a unique ecosystem in southern Argentina.
- Wildlife:
barren steppes with a unique ecosystem in southern Argentina ;
black-browed and light-mantled albatrosses; Magellanic, Gentoo and
southern rockhopper penguins in the Falkland Islands; king and macaroni
penguins, elephant and fur seals in South Georgia; leopard seals,
chinstrap penguins in the South Orkney Islands; humpback whales,
Gentoo, Adelie, chinstrap penguins, leopard, crabeater and Weddell
seals in the Antarctic Peninsula.
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | Superior Stateroom | Deluxe Stateroom | Prestige Deck 4 | Prestige Deck 5 | Prestige Deck 6 | Deluxe Suite | Prestige Deck 5 Suite | Prestige Deck 6 Suite | Owner's Suite |
|---|
| Feb 18, 2025 | Mar 01, 2025 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 16,210 | 16,610 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Jan 08, 2026 | Jan 19, 2026 | 13,780 | N/A | 15,300 | 15,550 | 15,930 | N/A | 23,150 | 24,280 | 39,450 |
| Jan 16, 2027 | Jan 27, 2027 | 14,040 | 14,930 | 15,580 | 15,830 | 16,220 | 22,660 | 23,560 | 24,730 | 42,830 |
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Superior Stateroom | (Mid-range)
Prestige Deck 6 | (High-end)
Owner's Suite |
|---|
| Feb 18, 2025 | Mar 01, 2025 | N/A | 16,610 | N/A |
| Jan 08, 2026 | Jan 19, 2026 | 13,780 | 15,930 | 39,450 |
| Jan 16, 2027 | Jan 27, 2027 | 14,040 | 16,220 | 42,830 |
ITINERARY
Day
2 : Ushuaia
Capital
of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is considered the
gateway to the White Continent and the South Pole. Nicknamed
“El fin del mundo” by the Argentinian people, this
city at the end of the world nestles in the shelter of mountains
surrounded by fertile plains that the wildlife seem to have chosen as
the ultimate sanctuary. With its exceptional site, where the Andes
plunge straight into the sea, Ushuaia is one of the most fascinating
places on earth, its very name evocative of journeys to the unlikely
and the inaccessible…
Day
3-4 : Crossing the Drake Passage
Use
your days spent in the Drake Passage to familiarise yourself with your
ship and deepen your knowledge of the Antarctic. The Expedition Leader
will first present the IAATO rules of conduct that must be observed
during landings in the region and will explain everything you need to
know about the zodiac outings. Lectures about the history and wildlife
of the Antarctic will be an opportunity for you to learn more about
this magical region, where every cruise is a unique
experience. You will experience exceptional sailing moments
on board and join the naturalist-guides on your ship’s
exterior decks to look out for albatrosses, cape petrels, and other
seabirds flying over the Drake Passage.
Day
5-9 : Antarctic Peninsula
Succumb
to the magic of a place unlike any other. To this day, the mythical
Antarctic Peninsula still holds real fascination and promises its
visitors unforgettable moments. Throughout your adventure in this icy
realm, you will find yourself in the heart of a spectacular decor in
subtle shades of blue and white, surrounded by exceptional wildlife.
Penguins, humpback whales, seals and giant petrels are at home here, as
are elephant seals, fur seals, Antarctic minke whales, and orcas.
Depending on which sites you will be lucky enough to visit, you may get
the chance to observe them and share with them the beauty of these
extreme parts.
Each
day, based on ice conditions, the Captain and the Expedition Leader
will suggest zodiac outings or landings to discover the infinite riches
of the Antarctic Peninsula. Glaciers, ice floe, tabletop
icebergs, mountain peaks that plunge straight into the sea, volcanic
beaches, research stations, enchanting bays, and vestiges of the
whaling industry: these are the faces of the Antarctic that will likely
reveal themselves to you, in a hushed and surreal atmosphere. You will
sail in the wake of Jean-Baptiste Charcot, Adrien de Gerlache and Sir
Ernest Shackleton, great Antarctic explorers who, from the 19th
century, set out to conquer these remote and uninhabited lands.
Day
10-11 : Crossing the Drake Passage
If
there is one place, one sea, one waterway dreaded by tourists,
researchers and hardened seafarers alike, it is undoubtedly Drake
Passage. Situated at the latitude of the infamous Furious Fifties
winds, between Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands, it is the
shortest route to connect Antarctica to South America. Seasoned
navigators will tell you that you must earn your visit to the White
Continent! As the Antarctic convergence zone where cold currents rising
up from the South Pole meet warmer equatorial water masses, Drake
Passage harbours a very diverse marine fauna. Don't forget to look to
the sky to catch a glimpse of elegant albatross and Cape petrels,
playfully floating about in the wind around your ship.
Day
12 : Ushuaia
Capital
of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is considered the
gateway to the White Continent and the South Pole. Nicknamed
“El fin del mundo” by the Argentinian people, this
city at the end of the world nestles in the shelter of mountains
surrounded by fertile plains that the wildlife seem to have chosen as
the ultimate sanctuary. With its exceptional site, where the Andes
plunge straight into the sea, Ushuaia is one of the most fascinating
places on earth, its very name evocative of journeys to the unlikely
and the inaccessible…
L'Austral (Luxury Expedition, 264-guests)
This superb mega-yacht with 132 staterooms is the result of the expertise of the Italian Fincantieri shipyard and French sophistication, as interpreted by designer Jean-Philippe Nuel. L'Austral remains faithful to our philosophy - to create a unique atmosphere, a subtle blend of luxury, intimacy and well-being.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- A program of onboard enrichment provided by three
Smithsonian Journeys Experts, including polar explorer and educator Ann
Bancroft, astrophysicist Michelle Thaller, and Jim Preston, former
photographer for the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
- 1-night accommodation at the Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta
(or similar) the night before embarkation.
- Early check-in available from late morning.
- Hospitality desk at the hotel.
- Round-trip flight Buenos Aires/Ushuaia/Buenos Aires
selected by PONANT, in economy class.
- Excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park by coach,
including entrance fees.
- Services of English speaking guides during the excursion.
- Meals as mentioned in the program.
- Transfers as mentioned in the program.
- Gratuities for ship crew and for guides and drivers on
excursions.
Excluded
from this voyage:
- Other meals and services not mentioned in the program.
- Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, etc.)
