Highlights

Embark on an unforgettable polar expedition across the Southern Ocean, from the wildlife sanctuary of the Valdes Peninsula to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the legendary shores of Antarctica. Sail through pristine archipelagos and icy fjords, follow in Shackleton’s footsteps, and witness king penguins, elephant seals, whales and seabirds in their natural habitats. From windswept moors to black-sand beaches and the frozen White Continent, each destination reveals breathtaking landscapes and extraordinary encounters at the edge of the world.

Polar cruise in the Southern Ocean between the UNESCO-listed Valdes Peninsula, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula.
Polar landscapes of the Antarctic Peninsula (hanging glaciers, tabular icebergs, ice floes, etc.), and the possibility of observing spectacular wildlife (albatrosses, penguins, elephant seals, sea lions, etc.).
Activities: outings and shore visits in a rubber dinghy with an experienced team of naturalist guides, to discover the history and the incredible biodiversity of these parts.

Map/Itinerary

Day 1Buenos Aires

Meet at Ezeiza international airport in the arrival hall. You will be greeted by our local representative.

A shuttle from the airport will permit you to join your hotel.

Room available upon arrival.
Lunch on your own and time at leisure in the afternoon.
Organized dinner depend on flight arrival.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2Embarkation Day – Buenos Aires/Ushuaia

An early morning breakfast will be served before leaving to the airport for you flight Buenos Aires – Ushuaia.
Transfer to the airport.
Flight Buenos Aires/Ushuaia.

Approximate flight duration: 3 hours, 30 min.
Meet and greet at the airport (English-speaking assistance).

According to the flight schedule, services and activities will be adapted before your transfer to the pier for embarkation.

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 3-4Crossing 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 zodiacoutings. 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 5Antarctic 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 zodiacoutings 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 6Sailing on the Weddell Sea

Amidst the eerie stillness of the Weddell Sea, you’ll wend your way through a veritable labyrinth of majestic table icebergs. Sweeping ice platforms sculpt a landscape unlike any other, populated by fur seals, penguins, wandering albatross and other imposing seabirds. The Weddell seal, king of this realm, will welcome you to his territory with a haunting cry that pierces the surrounding silence. You’ll recognise him by his dark grey coat and spotted belly. Weddell seals have the impressive distinction of being able to stay underwater for more than an hour.

Day 7-8At 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 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 9-11South 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 12-13At Sea

Day 14Port Stanley

Situated at the far eastern end of the Falklands’ largest island, Port Stanley, is the capital of this remote archipelago in the South Atlantic, composed of nearly 700 islands and islets. In 1764, Louis Antoine de Bougainville settled the first pioneers here and the port grew rapidly. Placed under the Spanish crown in 1767, then under British sovereignty since 1833, the town has retained some South American features fused with the Victorian style that punctuate the city, and the houses with their colourful roofs brighten the moorland landscapes with their windy and harsh climate reminiscent of the Scottish islands of Orkneys or Shetland. In front of the Cathedral, built in 1933, an arch made of whale jaw bones reminds us that Port Stanley was once a whaling port.

Day 15-16At Sea

Day 17Puerto Madryn

On the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, in the Argentinian province of Chubut, stands the city of Puerto Madryn nestling in the Golfo Nuevo and surrounded by wild and abundant nature. You will be able to follow the narrow strip of land formed by the isthmus for a few kilometres, to reach the Valdes Peninsula nature reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its microclimate, protected from the extreme conditions of the Southern Atlantic, makes this an ideal breeding ground for southern right whales in winter, but also for southern elephant seals, southern sea lions, and orcas. You may get the chance to spot numerous birds, Magellanic penguins, guanacos and Patagonian maras living in this desert steppe.

Day 18-19At Sea

Day 20Buenos Aires

Disembarkation at around 7:00 AM

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.

Please note:

Some departures follow this itinerary in reverse, starting in Buenos Aires and ending in Ushuaia (as shown in the map) and may not include the pre-voyage hotel night. Please check your specific departure details with us.
This itinerary is meant to serve as a general guide. Plans may change along the way, depending on weather, sea conditions, or choices made by the Expedition Leader and team to give you the safest and most rewarding experience.

Inclusions/Exclusions

Inclusions

A shuttle for your way towards your hotel, the day before embarkation.
1-night accommodation in a 5* hotel the night before embarkation.
Early check-in available from late morning.
Hospitality desk at the hotel in Buenos Aires.
Flight Buenos Aires/Ushuaia, in economy class.
Services of local guides, in Ushuaia.
Meals as mentioned in the programme and beverage package.
Transfers as mentioned in the programme.

Exclusions

Tips for the local guide.
Personal expenses.
Other meals and services not mentioned in the programme.

Dates & Prices

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