Join Ariane Henry on this exceptional polar expedition cruise to discover the most beautiful sites of these southern lands.
PONANT brings you a 16-day itinerary between South America and the Antarctic Peninsula. An exceptional polar expedition cruise to discover the most beautiful sites of these southern lands. You will set sail from the fascinating city of Ushuaia, which the Argentinians call El fin del mundo (the end of the world).
THE GREAT AUSTRAL LOOP
January 28 - February 13, 2023 | Hosted by Ariane Henry | Onboard L'Austral
16-day land and cruise Roundtrip Ushuaia, Argentina
Includes Night in Buenos Aires + flight Buenos Aires/Ushuaia + visit + flight Ushuaia/Buenos Aires
Deluxe Stateroom US $14,646* per person inc. taxes and fees
Prestige Stateroom (Deck 4) US $16,023 per person inc. taxes and fees
Prestige Stateroom (Deck 5) US $16,711 per person inc. taxes and fees
Prestige Stateroom (Deck 6) US $17,533 per person inc. taxes and fees
First, you will chart a course for the Falkland Islands, whose wild beauty and lush moors are sure to captivate you, before heading to South Georgia, its impressive glaciers, and its black-sand beaches where large colonies of king penguins have taken up residence.
You will then sail to the White Continent, the 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. Gentoo, Adelie and chinstrap penguins, humpback whales, seals, and seabirds: these are some of the encounters you will most likely have the chance to experience in the Antarctic Peninsula, creating indelible 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.
EXCLUSIVE BONUS: $100 per person onboard credit ($200 per couple)
PROGRAM INCLUSIONS
- One night at a deluxe hotel in Buenos Aires
- Round-trip charter flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, including transfers
- Comprehensive 15-night cruise aboard L'Austral. All accommodations are outside staterooms and suites and 95% feature a private balcony.
- Outings and shore visits in Zodiac® inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides
- All meals aboard the ship including coffee & pastry, breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and sweets from Ladurée
- French-inspired gourmet cuisine, with menu creation and chef training by Ducasse Conseil
- Complimentary open bar aboard ship, including select wines served with lunch and dinner
- Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions aboard ship
- 24-hour room service
- Unlimited WiFi
- Airport/hotel/pier transfers and handling of luggage
- Gratuities to shipboard personnel, porters, guides, and drivers
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.
L'AUSTRAL
The deluxe, five-star L'Austral is one of the most beautifully conceived and technologically sophisticated small ships afloat. Designed in France and built in Italy, L'Austral combines an elegant, understated aesthetic with fine European craftsmanship. Guests enjoy attentive service, gourmet French-inspired cuisine, and a relaxed, congenial ambiance. The PONANT ships have received accolades from Travel + Leisure, National Geographic Traveler, and others. They are certified as “Clean Ships” and meet the highest environmental standards for energy conservation and resource management.
PONANT has been sailing the seas of the world offering guests the French “art de vivre” for over 30 years. Every PONANT cruise is a blend of adventure, exploration, and discovery — all experienced in luxurious comfort, even in the heart of the most remote regions. Each year PONANT offers more than 400 awe-inspiring cruises, calling at over 450 ports on all seven continents. PONANT is committed to preserving and protecting oceans and marine life as well as the biodiversity encountered on land. The fleet carries the international “Clean Ship” label, certifying minimal environmental disruption. Their fleet of 12 purpose-built intimate ships call at iconic, international ports as well as secret harbors accessible only to smaller-sized ships.
Terms & Conditions
All fares are per person, based on double occupancy and in U.S. Dollars. Fares include flights Buenos Aires to Ushuaia roundtrip. International flights are not included. Please ask for fares. 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.