Discover the historical importance and bewildering beaches of the Falkland Islands, meet a vast colony of King penguins and southern elephant seals with their young in South Georgia and walk in Sir Ernest Shackleton's very last tracks by visiting his grave. Sail to the Arctic Peninsula on board PONANT's L'Austral, Le Boreal or Le Lyrial looking for whales as you go and absorb the immense beauty of towering icebergs in all shades of blue. This is the ultimate journey through the white continent, which will take you to some of the most inhospitable and captivating places on earth.
FALKLAND ISLANDS, SOUTH GEORGIA & ANTARCTICA
HIGHLIGHTS
- Discover the vast moors of the Falkland Islands
- Visit the majestic mountains and glaciers in South Georgia, a remote and inhospitable British overseas territory
- Discover the magnificent wildlife including elephant seals, fur seals and King penguins of South Georgia, Magellanic penguins of the Falklands and the Gentoo, Adelie and chinstrap penguins of the Antarctic
- Fascinating expeditions by Zodiac with experienced naturalist guides
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Arrive
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Day 1 Embarkation, Ushuaia
Overnight: Ponant Le Boreal
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Day 2 At sea
Enjoy a whole day at sea and the multitude of wildlife surrounding you. Wrap up and head out on deck, to see the spectacular flight of the waved albatross and likely orcas and whales swimming alongside you. During the voyage, there will be several fascinating and informative lectures given by some of the world's top naturalist guides in the ship's theatre, all worthy of a sit down to listen.
Overnight: Ponant Le Boreal
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Day 3 Falkland Islands
Climb ashore the western edge of the Falklands, home to a tiny village of just two families. Walk along the golden sand of its flower-lined beaches; a remote and fur-flung natural paradise very few people are lucky enough to discover. Continue along the coast and you'll find yourself in the heart of a colony of southern rockhopper penguins with black-browed albatross (who can have a natural life span of up to 70 years) and imperial shags (the native black and white cormorant) decorating the skies. Continue to the north-western edge of the Falklands, home to Magellanic penguins, southern rockhopper penguins and the fabulous King penguins.
Overnight: Ponant Le Boreal
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Day 4 - 6 At sea
Continue southwards towards Antarctica with unlimited time to relax and enjoy the pampering pleasures within the SOTHYS Spa, or perhaps a gym workout followed by a steam in the Hammam. Enjoy the lectures in the ship's theatre or grab a book from the library to swot up, thankfully there'll be no tests later.
Overnight: Ponant Le Boreal
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Day 7 Salisbury Plain & Fortuna Bay, South Georgia
Highlights today include visiting a colony of 60,000 King penguins. Amidst this sea of black and orange heads, southern elephant seals and fur seals with their young can be spotted nosing their way through the crowd. Continue to Fortuna Bay, where cliffs spring from the icy waters and small streams fed by melting mountain snow meander through vast green plains. During your excursion, you will follow the footsteps of Ernest Shackleton, weaving a suitable path through the grass tussocks, each one topped with a sleepy fur seal.
Overnight: Ponant Le Boreal
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Day 8 Saint Andrews Bay & Grytviken, South Georgia
Fronting the tempestuous Atlantic Ocean, you'll come ashore in Saint Andrews Bay, home to huge colonies of breeding King penguins and the 6-mile-long Ross Glacier, which is slowly retreating leaving a gravel beach in its wake. Continue to Grytviken; this former whaling station, now a ghost town bar the museum staff, is set against a serene backdrop of ochre-coloured earth and offers a fascinating insight into the island's history. Grytviken's other historical point of interest is the grave of famous adventurer Sir Ernest Shackleton. Not many people can claim to have seen this with their own eyes.
Overnight: Ponant Le Boreal
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Day 9 Gold Harbour & Coopers Bay, South Georgia
Gold Harbour (so called because the cliffs turn yellow in the morning and evening light) is home to majestic glaciers, waterfalls and black volcanic sands all framed by the snow-capped peaks beyond. This island where the summer days are endless, is a breeding ground for King penguins, gentoo penguins and southern elephant seals, who roar extraordinarily loudly, especially during the mating season.
Overnight: Ponant Le Boreal
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Day 10 - 11 At sea
Immense ice sheets, thousands of metres thick, line the shore of this most magical and coldest place on earth. Like exquisite works of art, these unusually-sculpted icebergs range in colour from white to blue and every shade in between. Explore the Peninsula on foot, walking through the snow in search of native wildlife such as Adelie penguins, elephant seals and giant petrels. Those lucky enough might even spot an orca or Antarctic minke whale gliding beneath the surface of the water.
Overnight: Ponant Le Boreal
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Day 12 - 15 Antarctic Peninsula
Immense ice sheets, thousands of metres thick, line the shore of this most magical and coldest place on earth. Like exquisite works of art, these unusually-sculpted icebergs range in colour from white to blue and every shade in between. Explore the Peninsula on foot, walking through the snow in search of native wildlife such as Adelie penguins, elephant seals and giant petrels. Those lucky enough might even spot an orca or Antarctic minke whale gliding beneath the surface of the water.
Overnight: Ponant Le Boreal
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Day 16 - 17 Drake Passage
Set sail across the Drake Passage, back to Ushuaia. Time to relax and benefit from the comfort aboard your expedition ship, Le Soleal. There are two restaurants on board, serving delicious French-inspired fare and impressive wine 'cellar' to match. Spend time on deck watching as albatross, sooty shearwaters and white-chinned petrels dance above and alongside.
Overnight: Ponant Le Boreal
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Day 18 Ushuaia
Disembark in Ushuaia and continue with your onward journey.
Overnight: Home
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Depart
GUIDELINE PRICES - Per Person
| Ponant Le Boreal / Le Lyrial | $ 20,785 |
| Sylvia Earle | $ 27,827 |
*PLEASE NOTE:
- Where applicable, guideline rates include seasonal discounts which can be withdrawn by the ship’s operator without prior notice.
- Unless otherwise stated, guideline prices are based on an entry-level cabin. Cabin upgrades are usually available for an additional supplement – please contact our specialist for more information. We recommend discussing cabin upgrades early to avoid disappointment.
- Guideline prices are based on two travellers sharing a double/twin cabin. Single supplements apply for solo occupancy. Etc.
INCLUSIONS
- Complimentary Parka jacket (adult jackets only)
- All meals on board the ship
- All lectures by naturalist guides
- Return domestic flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia
EXTRAS
- International flights
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, gratuities (discretionary)
- Entrance fees and excursions not specifically mentioned as included
- Travel insurance or visa fees
BOOKING NOTES
- Price is per person based on two adults sharing a cabin.
- Ports of call and suggested activities on itineraries to Antarctica are always subject to change due to the prevailing weather and sea conditions. Itineraries are therefore designed to give you a flavour of what is possible, rather than a strictly regimented plan.
- Comprehensive travel insurance including cover for medical evacuation is a mandatory booking condition for all expedition cruises to Antarctica.
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REASONS TO BOOK
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