Jan
min : 20°C
max : 31°C
We Love —
- Venture to the captivating Antarctic Peninsula on this once-in-a-lifetime, luxury cruise!
- In 11 nights, you'll get the opportunity to uncover the culture of Buenos Aires, the 'end of the world' in Ushuaia, the spectacular landscapes of Drake Passage and the unforgettable Antarctic Peninsula!
- Board one of two luxury and intimate cruises for the ultimate comfort during your trip, while being treated to an itinerary full of intriguing lectures, amazing activities and breathtaking sights.
New Voyage Privé —
Carefully selected by our experts especially for you
Your Destinations —
Buenos Aires
Ushuaia
Antarctic Peninsula
Our Offer —
11-Night Cruise
1-night stay at the Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta 5*
10-night luxury PONANT cruise onboard the either Le Soleal or L’Austral ships
Our members will embark on a luxurious and intimate cruise taking you on a polar expedition cruise to the heart of the icy realm that is the Antarctic Peninsula. Embark on an unforgettable all inclusive 11-day voyage and succumb to the enchantment of the breathtaking landscapes inhabited by astonishing wildlife.
The start of your educational 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 embarking on hiking opportunities or 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.
With almost 20 years of experience in the extreme regions, PONANT, the world’s number 1 polar cruise company, is a real polar specialist. Dive into the chance to experience the most remote regions of the world with a specialist and knowledgeable crew.
Your Itinerary In Brief —
Day 1: Buenos Aires
Day 2: Buenos Aires - Ushuaia
Day 3 - 4: Crossing the Drake Passage
Day 5 - 9: Antarctic Peninsula
Day 10 - 11: Crossing the Drake Passage
Day 12: Ushuaia – Buenos Aires
Your Cruise Itinerary —
During their tour, our members will follow the itinerary as seen below.
Please note: Some of the activities and excursions are optional and can be purchased directly on board.
Upon arrival at the airport, take your transfer before enjoying a meet and greet at your hotel. The official check-in time will be 3 pm. A local representative will be able to greet you at the hospitality desk in the afternoon to welcome and answer any questions you may have. At 5 pm at the reception desk, meet your fellow travellers for the transfer from your hotel to a local Argentine steakhouse restaurant. After tasting the famous grilled meat, part of the Argentine national identity, you will return to your hotel. Overnight stay at the Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta 5* or similar.
Day 2: Buenos Aires - Ushuaia
Early in the morning, have breakfasts then you will transfer to Buenos Aires Airport where take your flight to Ushuaia. From here you will make your way to embark on the boat for the next step of your journey.
The 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. Overnight on board your ship.
Day 3-4: 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. 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. Overnight on board your ship.
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.
We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and ice conditions. Landings on certain sites and the observation of certain wildlife cannot be guaranteed. They vary from day to day, making each PONANT cruise a unique experience. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while complying with the safety rules and instructions imposed by the IAATO.
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. Overnight on board your ship.
If there is one place, one sea, one waterway dreaded by tourists, researchers and hardened seafarers alike, it is undoubtedly Drake Passage. Situated at the latitude of the infamous Furious Fifties winds, between Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands, it is the shortest route to connect Antarctica to South America. Seasoned navigators will tell you that you must earn your visit to the White Continent! As the Antarctic convergence zone where cold currents rising up from the South Pole meet warmer equatorial water masses, Drake Passage harbours a very diverse marine fauna. Don't forget to look to the sky to catch a glimpse of elegant albatross and Cape petrels, playfully floating about in the wind around your ship. Overnight on board your ship.
Day 12: Ushuaia - Buenos Aires
As you pull into Ushuaia, you will disembark from your ship for the final time at around 7 am. Use your final day to explore more of Ushuaia and make the most of your time here before you head to the airport for your flight back from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires, then onwards to the UK.
Your Buenos Aires Hotel —
At the beginning of this adventure, our members will enjoy a 1-night stay at the Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta 5* (or similar). Here, our members will enjoy one dinner including the beverage package: bottled water and 1 soft drink or 1 local beer or 1 glass of wine and 1 coffee or 1 tea.
Along with its easily accessible location and close proximity to main tourist attractions, the hotel boasts elegant rooms as well as a pool, restaurant and bar providing guests everything they may need for a convenient, stylish stay in the city.
2 Adults
Your Ship —
You will then enjoy a 10-night cruise on the either Le Soleal (08/12/2019 and 17/02/2020 departures) or L’Austral (18/02/2020 departure), in a Deluxe Stateroom on a Full Board with Open Bar (breakfast, lunch and evening meal with a large selection of drinks included during the day and at lunch/dinner).
The Open Bar: from the moment of embarkation, and throughout the duration of the cruise, a wide selection of drinks (mineral water, cold drinks, wines, beer, Henri Abelé Brut champagne, spirits, coffee, tea) is served at discretion and at any time of the day. Some premium alcoholic beverages are not included in the Open Bar.
The ship will take you through captivating landscapes and across intriguing polar scenes all while being a haven of relaxation and luxury for guests to rest in. Enjoy the modern interior designs of the ship along with the range of facilities onboard including a spa, fitness room, theatre and a selection of bars and restaurants including a panoramic lounge and an open-air bar and pool.
The ship's Deluxe Staterooms are cosy and modern offering guests the perfect place to rest after a busy day of sightseeing and exploring. They feature a private balcony along with a range of other convenient amenities that make your time onboard comfortable and luxurious.
2 Adults
Please note: Views from some staterooms may be obstructed.
Important Information
Expedition programs include activities such as Zodiac® outings and landings (sometimes with "wet landing"), moderate walks to more active hikes, all accompanied by your expedition team of naturalist guides.
Ports of call, visited sites, outings and landings will depend on weather conditions, position of ice, winds and the state of the sea. These can force a change of plans at any time. The Captain and the Expedition Leader may at any time cancel or stop any activity, or even modify the itinerary. The final itinerary will be confirmed by the Captain, who will take into account the touristic quality of the sites and above all, the safety of the passengers. His decision will be based on advice from experts and authorities.
Travelling to polar/isolated regions is an exhilarating experience in remote areas: please remember that you are far from modern hospitals with full medical facilities, thus evacuation is extremely expensive. Without adequate medical coverage, all expenses will have to be immediately paid with your personal funds. We urge you to subscribe to full coverage insurance, choose your insurance company very carefully, be extremely vigilant and ensure your insurance is fully comprehensive, especially if you are insured by your credit card. PONANT offers an insurance contract with extensive guarantees, please contact the company for more information.
Clothing tips
- A PONANT polar water-resistant parka is offered on board for all departures with the logo “Free Parka” (no children sizes, in case of consecutive cruises, only one complimentary parka)
- Half calf rubber boots with non-slip soles, which will allow you to go ashore in 20 cm of cold water, keeping your feet dry for walks and visits on steep paths. Boot rental will be offered onboard (for adults only) on Expedition cruises where the logo “Free Boot Rental” appears
- Comfortable trousers: classic Winter trousers, warm cotton tracksuit, wool leggings
- Waterproof and windproof over-trousers – Mandatory
- Pullover, sweatshirt or fleece jacket
- Woollen or thermolactyl Thermal underwear
- A warm hat, woollen ear muffs or fleece ear muffs, fleece or woollen neck warmer (avoid scarves that do not stay in place)- Mandatory
- Wool or silk glove liners, water-resistant and supple gloves
- Thick, warm socks (ideally woollen)
- Small waterproof backpack (to protect your camera from water)
- Binoculars (strongly recommended for wildlife viewing)
- Highly protective sunglasses
- Walking poles (highly recommended)
Your Journey —
Flights: You may choose from Economy, Premium or Business class flights on sectors that they operate, at the next stage of the booking process.
The flights included are with either a scheduled or no-frills airline and are subject to live availability and prices can change. You can choose your preferred departure times during the booking process. Please select your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ.
Transfers: Shared transfers are included as per itinerary. An internal flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia is also included.
For inbound transfer arrangements please confirm with your transfer provider when you arrive. Alternatively, please check with the reception of your accommodation. If you still require assistance, please call the transfer provider directly.
