Highlights
Discover the Southern Ocean like you’ve never seen it before! Board your ship for a 15-day polar expedition cruise to the highest latitudes , between the Falkland Islands and the pristine lands of Antarctica .
Your polar expedition to the southernmost lands of the planet begins with the discovery of the Falkland Islands . Escorted by Rudolphi’s whales , you sail through this archipelago of two hundred islands. The wild beauty of the shores ranges from white sandy beaches , sharp cliffs , windswept moors and tall, swaying grass. The scene is perfect for welcoming the black-browed albatross lurking up there, the gentoo and king penguins , the elephants and sea lions and the fur seals . On board, you admire the spectacle of the moor as far as the eye can see, incised by the coves and bays that punctuate the coasts.
You then approach the frozen shores of the – almost – inaccessible White Continent, Antarctica . The color white takes on a thousand shades that adorn the icebergs, glaciers, mountains and frozen seas all around you. You are one of the rare travelers who can set eyes on this land of legends, scene of the greatest expeditions and witness to the most extraordinary adventures. During an outing on land or at sea, in a zodiac or in a kayak, you will evolve in a grandiose setting, bathed in polar light. Above all, you are in the kingdom of penguins – Adélie, Gentoo, Chinstrap –, seals, whales and seabirds which accompany you on this unforgettable journey.
Capital of the Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego , Ushuaia is considered the gateway to the White Continent and the South Pole. Nicknamed by the Argentine people “El fin del mundo” , this city at the end of the world is nestled in the hollow of mountains and fertile plains that wildlife seems to have chosen as their ultimate sanctuary. With its exceptional site which sees the Andes plunge into the sea, Ushuaia is one of the most fascinating places in the world, whose evocative name suggests a journey towards the improbable, the inaccessible…
During your sea crossing, take advantage of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation at the spa or keep in shape at the gym. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or sunbathing. This non-stop crossing will also be an opportunity to attend conferences or shows offered on board, depending on the activities offered, or to make some purchases at the boutique or to meet PONANT photographers in the space dedicated to them. Lovers of the open sea, for their part, will go to the upper deck of the ship to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps have the chance to observe marine species. A truly enchanted parenthesis, between comfort, rest and entertainment.
This island with jagged relief, located completely to the west of the Falkland archipelago , is home to a very small village of two families. Landing on a yellow sand beach lined with flowers, near an old stone house, looks like paradise. A small path crosses the moorland typical of these British Isles with a turbulent past and leads in less than twenty minutes to the heart of a colony of rockhopper penguins , black-browed albatrosses and imperial cormorants . Also the opportunity to observe the albatross jumping from the top of the cliff before skimming the waves which explode against the rocks of the exposed part of the island.
Just after the tumultuous passage of Woolly Gut, the calm of Grave Cove awaits you. Located in the north of the Falkland archipelago , this bay owes its name to the remains of the ancient whaling graves which overlook the beach. When you disembark on the long white sand beach, you may be escorted by the sublime Commerson’s dolphins , adorned in their black and white costume. A short walk through the dunes and grasses will take you to a large plain of lush, very green grass mowed by a few sheep. On the other side of the island is one of the largest colonies of gentoo penguins in the area. With a bit of luck, you might also spot a sea lion on the hunt in the reels.
A peninsula located in the extreme north-east of the Falkland Islands , Volunteer Point, named after the ship The Volunteer which stopped there in 1815, is the promise of encounters rich in emotion, in the heart of totally virgin nature. Classified as an Important Bird Conservation Area due to its exceptional avifauna, the place is above all renowned for hosting the largest colony of king penguins on the island. Not shy and expressive, these elegant birds will offer you moments of pure wonder and the opportunity to take magnificent photos. The baby birds, dressed in their thick brown plumage, will certainly move you.
Situated at the far eastern tip of the largest of the Falkland Islands , Port Stanley , is the capital of this remote South Atlantic archipelago, made up of nearly 700 islands and islets. In 1764, Louis-Antoine de Bougainville installed the first settlers there, and the port quickly grew. Placed under the Spanish crown in 1767, then under British sovereignty since 1833, the city has kept some South American features fused with the Victorian style which punctuate the city, and the houses with colorful roofs brighten up the moorland landscapes with a windy and harsh climate which reminiscent of the Scottish islands of Orkney or Shetland. In front of the cathedral, erected in 1933, an arch made of whale jaw bones reminds us that Port Stanley was a whaling port.
During your sea crossing, take advantage of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation at the spa or keep in shape at the gym. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or sunbathing. This non-stop crossing will also be an opportunity to attend conferences or shows offered on board, depending on the activities offered, or to make some purchases at the boutique or to meet PONANT photographers in the space dedicated to them. Lovers of the open sea, for their part, will go to the upper deck of the ship to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps have the chance to observe marine species. A truly enchanted parenthesis, between comfort, rest and entertainment.
Let yourself be dazzled by the magic of a place like no other. The Antarctic Peninsula , a mythical land if ever there was one, still exerts real fascination today and promises its visitors unforgettable moments. Throughout your adventure in this frozen setting, you will evolve in the heart of a spectacular setting with 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 the sites you have the privilege of going to, you may have the chance to observe them and share with them the beauty of these extreme places.
Every day, depending on the ice conditions, the commander and the expedition leader will offer you landings or zodiac trips to discover the infinite wealth of the Antarctic Peninsula. Glaciers, ice floes, tabular icebergs, mountain peaks plunging steeply into the water, volcanic beaches, scientific bases, enchanting bays or even vestiges of the whaling industry: so many faces that will probably present themselves to you, within an unreal and cozy atmosphere. You will follow in the footsteps of Jean-Baptiste Charcot, Adrien de Gerlache and Sir Ernest Shackleton, great explorers of the Antarctic who, from the 19th century , set out to conquer these distant and uninhabited lands.
If there is a place, a sea, a passage feared by visitors, scientists and other seasoned sailors, it is the Drake Passage . Located at the height of the famous Howling 50s , between Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands, it is the shortest way to connect Antarctica and South America . Travel regulars will tell you that the White Continent must be earned… Zone of the Antarctic convergence, where cold currents rise from the pole towards the north and meet warmer equatorial water masses, this passage is home to very diverse marine fauna. Be sure to look up to catch a glimpse of the elegant Cape albatrosses and checkerspots , playing with the buoyant winds around your ship.
Capital of the Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego , Ushuaia is considered the gateway to the White Continent and the South Pole. Nicknamed by the Argentine people “El fin del mundo” , this city at the end of the world is nestled in the hollow of mountains and fertile plains that wildlife seems to have chosen as their ultimate sanctuary. With its exceptional site which sees the Andes plunge into the sea, Ushuaia is one of the most fascinating places in the world, whose evocative name suggests a journey towards the improbable, the inaccessible…
Inclusions
¹Excluding premium à la carte drinks.
²Butler service is available for the following suites: Le Boréal, L’Austral, Le Soléal and Le Lyrial: all suites on deck 6; PONANT Explorers: Shipowner Suites, Grand Deluxe Suites, Privilege Suites and Prestige Suites on deck 6; Le Commandant Charcot : Shipowner’s Suite, Duplex Suites, Privilege Suites and Prestige Suites; The Paul Gauguin : Shipowner’s Suites, Grand Suites, Veranda Suites A and Veranda Cabins B.
Exclusions
