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Journey to Austral Lands and Valdes Peninsula

Journey to Austral Lands and Valdes Peninsula

Itinerary
Buenos Aires to Ushuaia
Duration
19 days
Dates
Prices from

Come aboard Le Boréal for an unforgettable voyage.

With featured guest Cindy Miller Hopkins, American Photo Ambassador.

Discover the Southern Ocean as you have never seen it before! 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.

Your expedition into the heart of the South Atlantic begins before the barren landscapes of the Chubut province, in Patagonia. Welcome to the Valdes Peninsula! This wildlife sanctuary, where the beauty of the underwater world is unmatched, also reveals numerous treasures on land. The scenery is composed of arid steppes, a rich and varied flora, and distinctive haciendas. In these unspoiled lands home to more than 180 bird species, orcas hunt young maned seals on the beaches under the watchful eye of the Magellanic penguins, as guanacos gallop across the arid plains and dusky dolphins swim around peacefully. Here, the majestic beauty of nature offers a gateway to a whole new world.Welcome to the Valdes Peninsula! This wildlife sanctuary, where the beauty of the underwater world is unmatched, also reveals numerous treasures on land. The scenery is composed of arid steppes, a rich and varied flora, and distinctive haciendas. In these unspoiled lands home to more than 180 bird species, orcas hunt young maned seals on the beaches under the watchful eye of the Magellanic penguins, as guanacos gallop across the arid plains and dusky dolphins swim around peacefully. Here, the majestic beauty of nature offers a gateway to a whole new world.

You will continue your austral exploration further south, with the discovery of the Falkland Islands. As you sail in this archipelago of 200 islands, you will be escorted by sei whales. Composing the wild beauty of the shorelines are beaches of white sand, jagged cliffs, windswept moors and tall grass swaying with the wind.

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 ultimately land on the frozen shores of the nearly 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, the theatre of the greatest expeditions and the witness of the most extraordinary adventures. Above all, you are in the realm of the penguins – Adelie, Gentoo, chinstrap – seals, whales and seabirds that accompany you on this unforgettable trip.

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.

Overview

Your voyage

All-inclusive

Destination

Antarctica

Buenos Aires to Ushuaia

Duration

19 days, 18 nights on board

Expeditions

Cindy Miller Hopkins

Transfers + flight ushuaia/buenos aires

No single supplement, PONANT Bonus 25%

Kayak Discovery Antarctica

Ref: BU035 - BO121126

Journey

Your daily itinerary

Polar cruise in the Southern Ocean between the UNESCO-listed Valdes Peninsula, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula.
Polar landscapes of the Antarctic Peninsula (hanging glaciers, tabular icebergs, ice floes, etc.), and the possibility of observing spectacular wildlife (albatrosses, penguins, elephant seals, sea lions, etc.).
Activities: outings and shore visits in a rubber dinghy with an experienced team of naturalist guides, to discover the history and the incredible biodiversity of these parts.

Journey to Austral Lands and Valdes Peninsula null

Customize your journey:

Discover buenos aires (1 night)

Date

11 Nov 26

Guest

Owner's Suite

Guests

Size

45 m²

*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.

Details

More information

What's Included

Important travel details

In your luggage

Our cruises

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. Designed on an orthogonal grid plan, it has 48 districts, all of which are as charming as they are different, with a range of styles such as Belle Époque, gothic and baroque. With its markets overflowing with treasures, its legendary cultural and architectural heritage, and tango providing its background music, the Argentine capital will delight you on every street corner.

Arrival 13/11/26 Departure 14/11/26

13 Nov 26 > 14 Nov 26 - 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. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

Arrival 15/11/26 Departure 15/11/26

15 Nov 26 - Puerto Madryn

On the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, in the Argentinian province of Chubut, stands the city of Puerto Madryn nestling in the Golfo Nuevo and surrounded by wild and abundant nature. 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. Its microclimate, protected from the extreme conditions of the Southern Atlantic, makes this an ideal breeding ground for southern right whales in winter, but also for southern elephant seals, southern sea lions, and orcas. You may get the chance to spot numerous birds, Magellanic penguins, guanacos and Patagonian maras living in this desert steppe.

Arrival 16/11/26 Departure 17/11/26

16 Nov 26 > 17 Nov 26 - At sea

Arrival 18/11/26 Departure 18/11/26

18 Nov 26 - 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, composed of nearly 700 islands and islets. In 1764, Louis Antoine de Bougainville settled the first pioneers here and the port grew rapidly. Placed under the Spanish crown in 1767, then under British sovereignty since 1833, the town has retained some South American features fused with the Victorian style that punctuate the city, and the houses with their colourful roofs brighten the moorland landscapes with their windy and harsh climate reminiscent of the Scottish islands of Orkneys or Shetland. 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.

Arrival 19/11/26 Departure 20/11/26

19 Nov 26 > 20 Nov 26 - At sea

Arrival 21/11/26 Departure 23/11/26

21 Nov 26 > 23 Nov 26 - 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… You might get the chance to discover the majestic glaciers of Gold Harbour and the vast plains of Fortuna Bay. If you are fortunate enough to land at Salisbury Plain, you can expect a wonderful spectacle: more than 300,000 king penguins, which you will recognise by the bright orange mark on their head and neck, have taken up residence there.

Arrival 24/11/26 Departure 25/11/26

24 Nov 26 > 25 Nov 26 - At sea

Arrival 26/11/26 Departure 27/11/26

26 Nov 26 > 27 Nov 26 - 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 zodiacoutings 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.

26 Nov 26 > 27 Nov 26 - Antarctic Peninsula

Arrival 28/11/26 Departure 29/11/26

28 Nov 26 > 29 Nov 26 - Crossing the Drake Passage

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.

Arrival 30/11/26 Disembarkation 30/11/26 at 8:00

30 Nov 26 - 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 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…

Journey to Austral Lands and Valdes Peninsula

Included package

Transfers + flight Ushuaia/Buenos Aires

For your serenity, PONANT selects a flight and organises the transfer between the port and the airport. This package is included in your cruise fare.

Disembarkation Day – Ushuaia/Buenos Aires

Disembarkation.

Meet and greet at the port (English-speaking assistance).
Transfer to the airport in time for check-in of the flight Ushuaia/Buenos Aires selected by PONANT in economy class.
Approximate flight duration: 3 hours, 30 min.

Your programme includes :

Return flight Ushuaia/Buenos Aires selected by PONANT, in economy class.
Services of local guides, in Ushuaia.
Transfers as mentioned in the programme.

Your programme does not include:

Tips for the local guide.
Personal expenses.
Other meals and services not mentioned in the programme.

Please note:

The local currency is the Argentinian Peso. You will be able to make most of your purchases in USD (in small denominations) or by credit card, accepted in most hotels, shopping centres and boutiques. You will also be able to retrieve Pesos from the ATM’s.
Summer season in Buenos Aires: temperatures may be very hot, but often between 68 °F (20 °C) and 95 °F (35 °C).
Summer season in Ushuaia: temperatures vary between 41 °F (5 °C) and 65 °F (15 °C)
We recommend you wear warm clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
Duration and order may vary.

To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

Journey to Austral Lands and Valdes Peninsula

Customize your journey

Discover buenos aires (1 night)

Details

Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.

Day 1 - Buenos Aires

Meet at Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).

You will be transferred to the hotel Sofitel Recoleta (or similar).

A light dinner will be served at the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 - Buenos Aires

Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

After breakfast, you will depart your hotel to start your panoramic city tour of Buenos Aires. The metropolis is famous for being the "Paris of South America" and the visitor will quickly figure it out by looking at its architecture. Down town and in the central neighbourhood, you will find testimonies of its glorious past.
You will visit the heart of the city, May Square (Plaza de Mayo), with the Government House (Casa Rosada) the cathedral, and the City Hall. The Cabildo is right across the street, it is the Town Hall of colonial times. The square is also known as the "Mothers of May Square" (Madres de Plaza de Mayo), with their mute protests started during the military government. During your visit, you will have lunch in a local restaurant.

Back at the hotel, you will continue the programme included in your cruise.

· Your hotel:

The Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta 5*

In the sophisticated neighbourhood of Recoleta, known for its neoclassical architecture, The Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta stands out thanks to its contemporary style and imposing brick façade. The hotel offers easy access to the main tourist attractions in Buenos Aires and features elegant, spacious rooms, a pool, restaurant and bar, ensuring a luxurious, authentic and exclusive experience.

Your programme includes:

· 1 night in Buenos Aires, at the Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta (or similar).

· Meals and beverage package as mentioned in the programme.

· Transfers and visits mentioned in the programme.

· Services of local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include:

· Personal expenses.

Please note:

· The local currency in Argentina is the Argentinian Peso. Foreign currencies are generally not accepted. You will be able to make most of your purchases by credit card, accepted in most hotels, shopping centers and boutiques. You will also be able to retrieve Chilean Pesos from the ATM's.

· It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.

· Kindly note that a minimum number of participants is required for this trip to proceed. As a result, both the price and itinerary may be adjusted based on the final number of participants. Should the minimum number not be met, we will offer you an alternative arrangement.

Contact of your hotel:

The Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta 5*

Posadas 1232
1011 Buenos Aires,
Argentina
Tel: (+54) 11 4819 1100

Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

Total

492 €/person*