HIGHLIGHTS
- An expedition cruise to explore the stunning natural
settings of South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula, in the wake of
the great explorers of the high southern latitudes.
- 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.
- Hiking opportunity.
- 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.
- Landscapes: drifting icebergs, ice floe, glaciers and
snow-capped mountains in the Antarctic Peninsula; alpine landscapes,
lush green plains and suspended glaciers in South Georgia.
- Wildlife: humpback whales; Gentoo, Adelie, and chinstrap
penguins; leopard, crabeater and Weddell seals in the Antarctic
Peninsula; king and macaroni penguins; elephant and fur seals in South
Georgia.
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | Superior Stateroom | Deluxe Stateroom | Prestige Stateroom-I | Prestige Stateroom-II | Prestige Stateroom-III | Deluxe Suite | Prestige Suite-I | Prestige Suite-II | Owner's Suite |
|---|
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Superior Stateroom | (Mid-range)
Prestige Stateroom-III | (High-end)
Owner's Suite |
|---|
Day
1 : BUENOS AIRES
A
port city built on the south-western shore of the Rio de la Plata,
between the Atlantic Ocean and the vast Argentine Pampas, Buenos Aires
is a unique city in Latin America. Nicknamed “the Little
Paris of South America”, the Argentine capital is a clever
blend of architecture with European influences and a joyful Latin
American atmosphere. Designed on an orthogonal grid plan, it has 48
districts, all of which are as charming as they are different, with a
range of styles such as Belle Époque, gothic and baroque.
With its markets overflowing with treasures, its legendary cultural and
architectural heritage, and tango providing its background music, the
Argentine capital will delight you on every street corner.
Day
2-6 : 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
7-9 : SOUTH GEORGIA
Aboard
your ship, discover South Georgia, a region formed by an underwater
mountain chain that extends from the Andes to the Antarctic Peninsula.
All the wildlife of the Far South can be found there: king and Gentoo
penguins, elephant seals, fur seals… You might get the
chance to discover the majestic glaciers of Gold Harbour and the vast
plains of Fortuna Bay. If you are fortunate enough to land at Salisbury
Plain, you can expect a wonderful spectacle: more than 300,000 king
penguins, which you will recognise by the bright orange mark on their
head and neck, have taken up residence there.
Day
10 : 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
11 : SOUTH ORKNEY ISLANDS
More
than 85% glaciated, these remote mountainous islands are hidden in the
Southern Ocean, some 600 km from the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.
The archipelago is composed of four main islands: Coronation Island,
Signy Island, Powell Island and Laurie Island. Discovered in 1821 by
seal hunters, they were also explored in 1823 by the British navigator
James Weddell, who gave them their current name. Despite the ravages
caused by whale and seal hunting, today a sizeable leopard seal
population can be found there, along with chinstrap penguins and snow
petrels. Laurie Island is home to an old scientific station that is
still in operation.
Day
12 : 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 13-15 : 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
16-17 : 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
18 : 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
- Return flight Ushuaia/Buenos Aires selected by PONANT, in
economy class.
- Services of local guides, in Ushuaia.
- Transfers as mentioned in the programme.
Excluded
from this voyage:
- Tips for the local guide.
- Personal expenses.
- Other meals and services not mentioned in the programme.
