Transfer + Flight Ushuaia/Buenos Aires
PONANT offers you an 18-day itinerary between South America and the Antarctic Peninsula . A polar expedition cruise , discovering the most beautiful sites in the southern regions.
You will first head for South Georgia . It is there, in the middle of black sand beaches overlooked by snow-capped mountains , that Sir Ernest Shackleton miraculously ran aground during the famous Endurance Odyssey in 1916. You go back in time to (re)discover this fabulous and epic epic. life at this little-known time.
Further south the South Orkney Islands are revealed . You are now beyond the mythical latitude of the 60s breaking waves. The Southern Antilles – or Scotia – arc has formed a mountain range that emerges on the horizon in the middle of the Antarctic Ocean. You may have the opportunity to stop at Laurie Island, where the Orcadas Scientific Station is located in a former whaling station.
You end up approaching 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.
A port city built on the southwest bank of the Rio de la Plata, between the Atlantic Ocean and the vast Argentine Pampas, Buenos Aires appears to be a unique city in Latin America. Nicknamed “the Little Paris of South America”, the Argentine capital is a clever mix of architecture with European influences and a joyful Latin American atmosphere. Designed on an orthogonal plan, it has 48 districts, all as charming as they are contrasted by their Belle Époque, Gothic and even Baroque styles. With its markets full of treasures, its legendary cultural and architectural heritage, and a tango tune in the background, the Argentine capital will amaze you at every street corner.
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.
On board your ship, set off to explore South Georgia , a region formed by an underwater mountain range extending from the Andes to the Antarctic Peninsula. All the wildlife of the Deep South is represented there: king and gentoo penguins, elephant seals, fur seals… You may have the opportunity to discover the majestic glaciers of Gold Harbor and the vast plains of Fortuna Bay. If you are lucky enough to land at Salisbury Plain, a great spectacle will await you: more than 300,000 king penguins, recognizable by the bright orange spot adorning their heads and necks, have taken up residence there.
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.
85% covered by glaciers , these isolated islands with alpine relief are hidden in the heart of the Southern Ocean, more than 600 km from the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. The archipelago consists 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 devastation caused by sealing and whaling, today there is a significant population of leopard seals , as well as chinstrap penguins and snow petrels. Laurie Island is home to a former research base that is still in operation.
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
