English
Available March 2027

Journey to Austral Lands and Valdes Peninsula

Departure Mar 10, 2027 ⚓ Ushuaia
Arrival Mar 28, 2027 ⚓ Buenos Aires
Duration 19 days 18 nights
Operator 🇫🇷 PONANT French Luxury
Ship Le Lyrial 200 guests
Ice class 1C Ice Class 1C: Ice-strengthened bow for navigating in light ice conditions (up to 0.4 m).
Year built 2015

Day by day

Route:
Ushuaia Antarctic Peninsula South Georgia Port Stanley Puerto Madryn Buenos Aires

Itinerary and landing sites are indicative and subject to change based on weather, sea ice, and wildlife conditions.

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 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…

Day 2–3 — 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. You will experience exceptional sailing moments on board and join the naturalist-guides on your ship’s exterior decks to 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. 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.

Day 5 — Antarctic Peninsula
Day 6–7 — 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. 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.

Day 8–10 — 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.

Day 11–12 — 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. 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.

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, 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.

Day 14–15 — 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. 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.

Day 16 — 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.

Day 17–18 — 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. 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.

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. 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.

Activities

Kayaking & paddling

Optional activities

Paddle in near-silence through mirror-calm glacial bays, drifting alongside iridescent ice sculptures and listening to the deep exhales of surfacing humpback whales.

Expedition Overview

Operator

PONANT

French Luxury

PONANT operates dedicated polar expedition voyages to the White Continent with seasoned expedition teams.

Month

March 2027

Late Summer · Fur Seals & Light

Abundant whale encounters, playful fur seal pups, and dramatic golden-hour polar light.

Playful Fur Seals Dramatic Light Shoulder Value
Regions

Visited Regions

9 regions on this voyage
Tierra del Fuego

Tierra del Fuego

End of the World • Subpolar Forests & Gateway Port

Beagle Channel

Beagle Channel

Scenic Fjord • Sea Lion Colonies & Les Eclaireurs

Drake Passage

Drake Passage

Rite of Passage • Albatross Alley

Weddell Sea

Weddell Sea

Iceberg Alley • Tabular Giants & Emperor Penguins

Antarctic Peninsula

Antarctic Peninsula

Classic Antarctica • Towering Peaks & Wildlife

Scotia Sea

Scotia Sea

Southern Ocean Arc • Marine Mammal Highway

South Georgia

South Georgia

Serengeti of the South • Hundreds of Thousands of King Penguins

Falkland Islands

Falkland Islands

Subantarctic Haven • Albatross Cliffs & 5 Penguin Species

Patagonia

Patagonia

Granite Spires • Chilean Fjords & Glacial Steppe

Cabin offers

Cabin Occupancy Price (per person) Promo Availability Source detail.action
Window or Porthole Stateroom
Window or Porthole Stateroom Best price

21 m² · 3 guests

PONANT's Superior Stateroom tier on deck 3. A king-size bed (180 x 190 cm); A bathroom with shower; Window (except cabin 300 : porthole).

  • A king-size bed (180 x 190 cm)
  • A bathroom with shower
  • Window (except cabin 300 : porthole)
In your cabin
  • Minibar
  • Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
  • Bose Bluetooth speaker
  • Individually-controlled air conditioning
  • Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
  • Dressing room with shelves and closet
  • 110V American / 220V European
  • Dressing table and hairdryer
  • Direct line telephone
  • Three ADA staterooms
  • 24-hour room service
  • Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand
  • Inclusive Wifi internet
double $21,670 Ponant Bonus -15% available PONANT View at operator
Lower deck balcony stateroom
Lower deck balcony stateroom

18 m² · 2 guests

Aggregation of PONANT's Deluxe Stateroom tier on deck 3. One king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm); A bathroom with shower; A private 4 m² balcony.

  • One king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm)
  • A bathroom with shower
  • A private 4 m² balcony
  • A window and panoramic glazed swing door
In your cabin
  • Minibar
  • Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
  • Bose Bluetooth speaker
  • Individually-controlled air conditioning
  • Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
  • Dressing room with shelves and closet
  • 110V American / 220V European
  • Dressing table and hairdryer
  • Direct line telephone
  • Three ADA staterooms
  • 24-hour room service
  • Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand
  • Inclusive Wifi internet
double $23,180 Ponant Bonus -15% available PONANT View at operator
Upper decks balcony stateroom
Upper decks balcony stateroom

18 m² · 2 guests

Aggregation of PONANT's Prestige Stateroom tiers on decks 4, 5 and 6. One king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm); A bathroom with shower; A private 4 m² balcony.

  • One king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm)
  • A bathroom with shower
  • A private 4 m² balcony
  • A panoramic sliding bay window
In your cabin
  • Minibar
  • Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
  • Bose Bluetooth speaker
  • Individually-controlled air conditioning
  • Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
  • Dressing room with shelves and closet
  • 110V American / 220V European
  • Dressing table and hairdryer
  • Direct line telephone
  • Three ADA staterooms
  • 24-hour room service
  • Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand
  • Inclusive Wifi internet
double $24,230 Ponant Bonus -15% available PONANT View at operator
Deluxe Suite
Deluxe Suite

27 m² · 2 guests

Deck 6. One king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm); A bathroom with shower; A private 5 m² balcony.

  • Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation)
  • Champagne and fruit basket on arrival
  • Butler service
  • A fruit basket every day
  • One king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm)
  • A lounge area with sofa (167 x 70 cm) and armchair
  • A bathroom with shower
  • A private 5 m² balcony
  • A panoramic sliding bay window
In your cabin
  • Minibar
  • Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
  • Bose Bluetooth speaker
  • Individually-controlled air conditioning
  • Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
  • Dressing room with shelves and closet
  • 110V American / 220V European
  • Dressing table and hairdryer
  • Direct line telephone
  • Three ADA staterooms
  • 24-hour room service
  • Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand
  • Inclusive Wifi internet
double $35,940 Ponant Bonus -15% available PONANT View at operator
Prestige Suite
Prestige Suite

37 m² · 4 guests

Deck 5. A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 190 cm); A lounge with two armchairs, second TV, sliding courtesy door, and convertible sofa to a king-size bed (180 x 190 cm); Two bathrooms with shower.

  • A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 190 cm)
  • A lounge with two armchairs, second TV, sliding courtesy door, and convertible sofa to a king-size bed (180 x 190 cm)
  • Two bathrooms with shower
  • A private 8 m² balcony
  • Two panoramic sliding bay windows
In your cabin
  • Minibar
  • Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
  • Bose Bluetooth speaker
  • Individually-controlled air conditioning
  • Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
  • Dressing room with shelves and closet
  • 110V American / 220V European
  • Dressing table and hairdryer
  • Direct line telephone
  • Three ADA staterooms
  • 24-hour room service
  • Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand
  • Inclusive Wifi internet
double $37,430 Ponant Bonus -15% available PONANT View at operator
Privilege Suite
Privilege Suite

37 m² · 2 guests

Deck 6. A bedroom with a king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm) and TV; A bathroom with shower and bath; A private 8 m² balcony.

  • Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation)
  • Champagne and fruit basket upon arrival
  • Butler service
  • A fruit basket every day
  • A bedroom with a king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm) and TV
  • A living/dining room with sofa, second TV, 4-seater table, and sliding courtesy door
  • A bathroom with shower and bath
  • A private 8 m² balcony
  • Three panoramic sliding bay windows
In your cabin
  • Minibar
  • Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
  • Bose Bluetooth speaker
  • Individually-controlled air conditioning
  • Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
  • Dressing room with shelves and closet
  • 110V American / 220V European
  • Dressing table and hairdryer
  • Direct line telephone
  • Three ADA staterooms
  • 24-hour room service
  • Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand
  • Inclusive Wifi internet
double $40,630 Ponant Bonus -15% available PONANT View at operator
Grand Suite
Grand Suite

45 m² · 2 guests

Deck 6. A bedroom with a king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm); A bathroom with shower and a Balneo bathtub; A private 12 m² balcony.

  • Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation)
  • Champagne and fruit basket on arrival
  • Butler service
  • A fruit basket every day
  • A bedroom with a king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm)
  • A lounge with sofa, second TV, and sliding courtesy door
  • A bathroom with shower and a Balneo bathtub
  • A private 12 m² balcony
  • Two panoramic sliding bay windows
In your cabin
  • Minibar
  • Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
  • Bose Bluetooth speaker
  • Individually-controlled air conditioning
  • Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
  • Dressing room with shelves and closet
  • 110V American / 220V European
  • Dressing table and hairdryer
  • Direct line telephone
  • Three ADA staterooms
  • 24-hour room service
  • Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand
  • Inclusive Wifi internet
double $49,560 Ponant Bonus -15% available PONANT View at operator
Grand Privilege Suite
Grand Privilege Suite

55 m² · 4 guests

Deck 6. A bedroom with a king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm) and TV; A second bedroom with a king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm) and a second TV; A bathroom with shower and bath.

  • Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation)
  • Champagne and fruit basket on arrival
  • Butler service
  • A fruit basket every day
  • A bedroom with a king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm) and TV
  • A second bedroom with a king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm) and a second TV
  • A lounge with sofa, third TV, two armchairs, and two sliding courtesy doors
  • A bathroom with shower and bath
  • A private 12 m² balcony
  • Three panoramic sliding bay windows
In your cabin
  • Minibar
  • Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
  • Bose Bluetooth speaker
  • Individually-controlled air conditioning
  • Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
  • Dressing room with shelves and closet
  • 110V American / 220V European
  • Dressing table and hairdryer
  • Direct line telephone
  • Three ADA staterooms
  • 24-hour room service
  • Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand
  • Inclusive Wifi internet
double $51,050 Ponant Bonus -15% available PONANT View at operator
Owner Suite
Owner Suite

55 m² · 2 guests

Deck 6. A private 12 m² balcony; Three sliding panoramic windows; A bathroom with shower and whirlpool bath.

  • A private 12 m² balcony
  • Three sliding panoramic windows
  • A bathroom with shower and whirlpool bath
  • Butler service
  • Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation)
  • A one-hour treatment per person (for 2 people) in the wellness area, including body and facial treatments
  • A private return transfer
  • Champagne and fruit on arrival
  • A fruit basket every day
  • One bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm)
  • A living/dining room with convertible sofa (160 x 190 cm), second TV, 4-seater table and sliding courtesy door
  • Included premium pass: access to a selection of premium spirits at the bar
In your cabin
  • Minibar
  • Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
  • Bose Bluetooth speaker
  • Individually-controlled air conditioning
  • Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
  • Dressing room with shelves and closet
  • 110V American / 220V European
  • Dressing table and hairdryer
  • Direct line telephone
  • Three ADA staterooms
  • 24-hour room service
  • Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand
  • Inclusive Wifi internet
double $61,150 Ponant Bonus -15% available PONANT View at operator

Prices are captured from operator websites and may change — the operator's site is authoritative. Captured Sep 3, 2026 06:19 UTC.

Getting ready for this voyage?

Everything worth bringing on an Antarctic expedition — an interactive checklist you can tick off as you pack, keep as a personal link and download as a PDF.

Open the packing checklist

Wildlife on this route

Wildlife

Gentoo Penguin

A stocky, orange-billed penguin of the genus Pygoscelis, closest kin to the Adélie and Chinstrap. Its loud, trumpeting call, delivered with head thrown back, carries across the shoreline colonies where expedition landings are made.

Wildlife

Humpback Whale

A 14–17 metre baleen whale known for breaching and long pectoral fins, often seen feeding on krill in loose groups along the ice edge.

Wildlife

Orca

Black and white apex predator instantly recognizable by its pale eye patches, the orca is the largest of the dolphins and one of the ocean's most capable hunters. Sightings often involve a tight-knit family pod working the ice edge together.

Wildlife

Wandering Albatross

The snowy albatross, better known as the wandering albatross, has the widest wingspan of any living bird alive today. Watch for it riding the wind for hours behind the ship without a single wingbeat.

from $21,670
per person · Window or Porthole Stateroom
View at operator