Journey to Austral Lands and Valdes Peninsula
Come aboard Le Lyrial for an unforgettable voyage. Discover the Southern Ocean as you have never seen it before! Embark on a 19-day polar expedition cruise in t
Trip Amenities
4 Other Departures
Come aboard Le Lyrial for an unforgettable voyage. Discover the Southern Ocean as you have never seen it before! Embark on a 19-day polar expedition cruise in the highest latitudes, from the Valdes Peninsula to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the immaculate lands of Antarctica. You approach the frozen shores of the - almost - inaccessible White Continent, Antarctica. White shades take on a thousand nuances as it covers the icebergs, glaciers, mountains and frozen sea all around you. You will be one of the rare few travellers to have laid eyes on this legendary land. Your ship will soon take to the seas once again, to reach the mountainous island of South Georgia. It is there, in the midst of gigantic glaciers, that Sir Ernest Shackleton miraculously ran aground during the famous Endurance Odyssey in 1916. Today, king penguins, elephant and fur seals that have taken over the black-sand beaches dominated by the tall peaks that reveal the Scotia Arc. You will continue your austral exploration further north, with the discovery of the Falkland Islands. Your expedition to the heart of the South Atlantic continues as you encounter the desert landscapes of Patagonia's Chubut province. Welcome to the Valdes Peninsula! This wildlife sanctuary, where the beauty of the underwater world is unmatched, also reveals numerous treasures on land.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: 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.
Day 2: Crossing the Drake Passage
Use your days spent in the Drake Passage to familiarise yourself with your ship and deepen your knowledge of the Antarctic. Lectures about the history and wildlife of the Antarctic will be an opportunity for you to learn more.
Day 3: Crossing the Drake Passage
Continue crossing the Drake Passage. Look out for albatrosses, cape petrels, and other seabirds flying over the Drake Passage.
Day 4: 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.
Day 5: 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. Based on ice conditions, the Captain and the Expedition Leader will suggest zodiac outings or landings.
Day 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.
Day 7: 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.
Day 8: 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.
Day 9: South Georgia
Continue exploring South Georgia. If you are fortunate enough to land at Salisbury Plain, you can expect a wonderful spectacle: more than 300,000 king penguins.
Day 10: South Georgia
Last day in South Georgia. Discover the majestic glaciers of Gold Harbour and the vast plains of Fortuna Bay.
Day 11: 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.
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.
Day 13: Port 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. 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 14: 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.
Day 15: 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.
Day 16: Puerto Madryn
On the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, in the Argentinian province of Chubut, stands the city of Puerto Madryn. 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.
Day 17: 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.
Day 18: 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.
Day 19: 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.
What's Included
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 selected by PONANT, in economy class.
Services of local guides, in Ushuaia.
Meals as mentioned in the programme and beverage package.
Transfers as mentioned in the programme.
All activities are supervised by the expedition team, made up of experienced naturalist guides — including Zodiac outings, for example.
All activities are included and organized directly on board by the expedition team.
A complimentary parka and complimentary loan of boots (depending on the cruise).
What's Not Included
Transfer between airport and hotel in Buenos Aires, the day before embarkation.
Tips for the local guide.
Personal expenses.
Other meals and services not mentioned in the programme.
Optional paid excursions may be offered depending on the cruise.
Cabin Types
| Cabin Type | Availability |
|---|---|
Deluxe Staterooms | Available |
Deluxe Suite | Available |
Owner's Suite | Available |
Prestige Cabin | Available |
Prestige Suite | Available |
Superior Staterooms | Available |
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Trip Overview
Duration
18 days
Travel Mode
sail
Departure Date
Nov 12, 2026
Return Date
Nov 30, 2026
Departure Port
Return Port
Activities
Zodiac Cruising
Antarctica Landing & Hiking
Polar Plunge
Le Boréal
264 passengers
Le Boreal: Luxury expedition ship by Ponant, launched in 2010. Accommodates 264 passengers. Elegant staterooms, multiple dining options, spa, fitness center, heated pool. Comfortable and stable in polar regions.
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