Cruise Line |
Ponant |
Ship |
Le Lyrial |
Destination |
Antarctica |
Nights |
11 |
Departure Date |
09 Feb 2022 |
Description |
10 Night Cruise sailing from Ushuaia roundtrip aboard Le Lyrial. Hotel stay pre-cruise in Buenos Aires.
PONANT invites you on a polar expedition cruise to the heart of the icy realm that is the Antarctic Peninsula. Embark on an unforgettable 11-day voyage and succumb to the enchantment of the breathtaking landscapes inhabited by astonishing wildlife.
The start of your cruise will be marked by the crossing of the mythical Drake Passage, during which you will probably be escorted by several albatrosses and Cape petrels, the sentinels of these often-choppy waters.
Your ship will then reach the White Continent, realm of the unexpected. Weather and ice conditions permitting, this extreme environment where nature reigns supreme will reveal to you its most beautiful secrets through numerous discoveries.
On this uninhabited land, which wasn’t explored until the 19th century, your encounters with the wildlife will no doubt be one of the highlights of your experience. The Gentoo, Adelie and chinstrap penguins, humpback whales, seals and seabirds will provide you with cherished lifelong memories.
Each day, whether on land, aboard your ship or during a Zodiac® outing, you will be surrounded by a grandiose decor ranging from icebergs to ice floe and ancient glaciers.
Highlights of this cruise:
Ushuaia
Capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is considered the gateway to the “Great White“ 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…
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 Zodiac® outings. 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. From the ship’s bridge, you will experience exceptional sailing moments before joining the naturalist-guides on your ship’s exterior decks to look out for albatrosses, cape petrels, and other seabirds flying over the Drake Passage.
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. 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 Zodiac® outings 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. |
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Itinerary |
Cruise Itinerary
Day | Date | Activity | Arrive | Depart |
1 |
09/02 |
Buenos Aires, Argentina |
|
Hotel |
2 |
10/02 |
Buenos Aires, Argentina |
|
Flight to Ushuaia |
2 |
10/02 |
Ushuaia, Argentina |
Embark |
06:00 PM |
3 |
11/02 |
Drake Passage |
|
|
4 |
12/02 |
Drake Passage |
|
|
5 |
13/02 |
Antarctic Peninsula |
|
|
6 |
14/02 |
Antarctic Peninsula |
|
|
7 |
15/02 |
Antarctic Peninsula |
|
|
8 |
16/02 |
Antarctic Peninsula |
|
|
9 |
17/02 |
Antarctic Peninsula |
|
|
10 |
18/02 |
Drake Passage |
|
|
11 |
19/02 |
Drake Passage |
|
|
12 |
20/02 |
Ushuaia, Argentina |
Disembark |
Flight to Buenos Aires |
12 |
20/02 |
Buenos Aires, Argentina |
|
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All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.
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