Available January 2028

The Great Austral Loop

Name: The Great Austral Loop — Jan 28, 2028
Brand: PONANT
Availability: InStock

From $26,650

Departure Jan 28, 2028 ⚓ Ushuaia

Arrival Feb 14, 2028 ⚓ Ushuaia

Duration 18 days 17 nights

Operator 🇫🇷 PONANT French Luxury

Ship Le Boréal 200 guests

Ice class 1C

Year built 2010

Day by day

Route:

Ushuaia Buenos Aires Ushuaia Grave Cove The Neck South Georgia Antarctic Peninsula Ushuaia

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 — 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 3 — New Island

This island with its distinctive jagged relief is located on the western edge of the Falkland Islands and is home to a tiny village of two families. Step onto the golden sand of its flower-lined beaches, beside which an old stone house still stands, and you'll feel like you've entered a natural paradise. A narrow pathway weaves around typical Falkland moorlands. Follow it and in under 20 minutes you'll find yourself at the heart of a colony of southern rockhopper penguins, black-browed albatross and imperial shags. It's the perfect opportunity to watch the albatross swoop down from the cliffs and skim the waves that crash against the rocks on the exposed side of the island.

Day 3 — Grave Cove

Make your way through the turbulent Woolly Gut strait and emerge in the stillness of Grave Cove. Located in the northern edge of the Falkland Islands, this bay owes its name to the vestiges of whalers’ graves that overlook the beach. As you step off the boat and onto the white-sand beach, you might find yourself escorted by a few hospitable Commerson's dolphins, elegantly adorned in black and white. A stroll along the grassy dunes will lead you to a vast plain of lush green grass, tended by a few sheep. On the other side of the island you'll find one of the largest gentoo penguin colonies in the area. With some luck, you'll also glimpse a sea lion scouring the waves for his next meal.

Day 4–6 — At sea

Day 7–9 — 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 10–11 — At sea

Day 12–15 — Antarctic Peninsula

Day 16–17 — 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.

Day 18 — Ushuaia

Activities

Hiking & snowshoeing

Included activity

Crunch through pristine snow up glaciated ridges and volcanic vantage points for breathtaking 360° panoramas over iceberg-choked straits and penguin rookeries.

Hiking & snowshoeing ↗

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.

Kayaking & paddling ↗

Expedition Overview

Operator

PONANT

French Luxury

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

PONANT →

Month

January 2028

High Summer · Playful Chicks

Warmest temperatures, fluffy penguin chicks forming crèches, and surging whale arrivals.

Playful Chicks Whale Watching Warmest Weather

January 2028 →

Regions

Visited Regions

6 regions on this voyage

Falkland Islands

Subantarctic Haven • Albatross Cliffs & 5 Penguin Species

South Georgia

Serengeti of the South • Hundreds of Thousands of King Penguins

Scotia Sea

Southern Ocean Arc • Marine Mammal Highway

Antarctic Peninsula

Classic Antarctica • Towering Peaks & Wildlife

Weddell Sea

Iceberg Alley • Tabular Giants & Emperor Penguins

Drake Passage

Rite of Passage • Albatross Alley

Explore all Antarctic regions →

Cabin offers

Cabin	Occupancy	Price (per person)	Promo	Availability	Source	detail.action
Window or Porthole Stateroom Best price 21 m² · 3 guests PONANT's Superior Stateroom tier on deck 3. 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 Electronic safe Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand Inclusive Wifi internet	double	$26,650	—	available	PONANT	View at operator
Lower deck balcony stateroom 18 m² · 2 guests Aggregation of PONANT's Deluxe Stateroom tier on deck 3. A private 43 ft² balcony; A porthole and glass door; Bathroom with shower. A private 43 ft² balcony A porthole and glass door Bathroom with shower One king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm) 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 Electronic safe Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand Inclusive Wifi internet	double	$28,500	—	available	PONANT	View at operator
Upper decks balcony stateroom 18 m² · 2 guests Aggregation of PONANT's Prestige Stateroom tiers on decks 4, 5 and 6. A private 43 ft² balcony; A sliding panoramic window; Bathroom with shower. A private 43 ft² balcony A sliding panoramic window Bathroom with shower One king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm) 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 Electronic safe Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand Inclusive Wifi internet	double	$29,810	—	available	PONANT	View at operator
Deluxe Suite 27 m² · 2 guests Deck 6. A private 5m2 balcony; A bathroom with shower and small bathtub; One king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm). A private 5m2 balcony A bathroom with shower and small bathtub Butler service Priority boarding (depending on port of embarkation) Champagne and fruit on arrival A fruit basket every day One king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm) An armchair and sofa 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 Electronic safe Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand Inclusive Wifi internet	double	$44,290	—	available	PONANT	View at operator
Prestige Suite 37 m² · 4 guests Decks 5 and 6. A private 86 ft² balcony; Two sliding panoramic windows; Two bathrooms with shower. A private 86 ft² balcony Two sliding panoramic windows Two bathrooms with shower Priority boarding, depending on port of embarkation (Prestige Suite Deck 6) Butler service (Prestige Suite Deck 6) Champagne and fruit on arrival and a fruit basket every day (Prestige Suite Deck 6) One bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) or two single beds (90 x 190 cm) A living room with a convertible sofa into a king-size or two single beds, armchairs, second TV, and a courtesy sliding 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 Electronic safe Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand Inclusive Wifi internet	double	$46,130	—	available	PONANT	View at operator
Owner's Suite 45 m² · 2 guests Deck 6. A private 96 ft² balcony; Two sliding panoramic windows; A bathroom with shower and spa bath. A private 96 ft² balcony Two sliding panoramic windows A bathroom with shower and spa bath 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 Butler service 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 a sofa, armchair, second TV, a table for four, and a courtesy sliding 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 Electronic safe Flat screen TV, international channels and videos on demand Inclusive Wifi internet	double	$61,140	—	available	PONANT	View at operator