Le Lyrial – Emblematic Antarctica
Duration
11 days
Destination
Antarctica
Group Size
Departures
Overview
PONANT invites you on a polar expedition cruise to the heart of the icy realm that is the Antarctic Peninsula. Embark on an unforgettable 11-day voyage and succumb to the enchantment of the breathtaking landscapes inhabited by astonishing wildlife.
The start of your 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, 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.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Outings and shore visits in Zodiac®inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.
- Lectures and information sessions hosted by our naturalist-guides, covering wildlife, history, geopolitics, the great explorers, climate, environmental protection…
- Hiking opportunity.
- Visiting research stations and former whaling stations.
- Landscapes: a multitude of drifting icebergs, ice floes, imposing glaciers and tall, snow-covered mountains.
- Wildlife: humpback whales, Gentoo penguins, Adelie penguins, chinstrap penguins, leopard seals, crabeater seals,
- Weddell seals and numerous sea birds.
- Educational discovery in the respect of environment
Itinerary in brief
Day 1-2 & 3: Ushuaia and the Drake Passage
Day 4-5-6 & 7: Antarctica Peninsula
Day 8: Weddell Sea
Day 9-10 & 11: Drake Passage to Ushuaia
Itinerary
Board your ship in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. To reach the White Continent you will cross the notorious Drake Passage named after the famous explorer, Sir Frances Drake, who sailed in these waters way back in 1578.
You will then traverse the Polar Front which marks the area where waters from the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans meet.
You will then traverse the Polar Front which marks the area where waters from the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans meet.
Deep in Andvord Bay, we find this little corner of paradise at the foot of an immense glacier. Neko Bay is without doubt one of the most beautiful sights of the Antarctic Peninsula. Wildlife is as abundant as it is exceptional: sea birds such as gulls, cape petrels and cormorants, as well as marine mammals like seals, orcas and whales. Excursions aboard the Zodiac dinghies allow you to sail close to blue-tinged icebergs or disembark near colonies of penguins, observe leopard seals basking on the shore or watch the Antarctic Terns flying overhead.
Pleneau Island is sometimes referred to as the graveyard of the icebergs, this is due to the shallow waters of the bay grounding icebergs and eventually leading them to melt or break up. Often spotted in these waters are minke whales, weddell seals and leopard seals.
On the small island of Goudier, you will have the opportunity to visit Port Lockroy, discovered by the French explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot in 1903. Initially it served as a relief and repair base for whalers, but in 1944 Port Lockroy became a British base. It owes its name to Edouard Lockroy, a French politician and the partner of Jean-Baptiste Charcot during his expedition. You will be able to visit the small museum that retraces the life of the base in the 1950s. Since 1996, it has been open to the public during the short Southern Summer and is used for carrying out research on Gentoo Penguins. Nowadays, this base is the most visited site of the White Continent and, thanks to its little store and post office, it is the only place to offer you the opportunity to write to your friends and family and share this unique moment.
Nestled at the heart of the South Shetland Islands, in the north of the Antarctic Peninsula, Deception Island is easy to recognise for its horseshoe shape. On the black sand of the volcanic beaches, there are remains of abandoned huts that have been overrun by the extraordinary wildlife, part of the treasure that Nature offers us there. It is on these beaches of ash that the largest colony of Chinstrap Penguins in the Antarctic Peninsula has taken up residence. Excursions aboard the Zodiac dinghies will allow you to set foot on this expanse of land where more than 100,000 pairs of penguins, elephant seals and Fur seals live side by side.
A lengthy sail in the Weddell Sea will allow you to experience true silence, an extraordinary and enchanting atmosphere, unrivalled calm…You will discover a secret reserve of preserved treasure: Fur Seals, penguin colonies, Wandering Albatross and other giant Petrels. Here the huge icebergs and the endless ice cap sculpt a landscape beyond compare. The lord of the manor is known as the Weddell Seal. It is a record breaker, able to remain submerged for more than an hour. Its pelage is dark grey and it has a spotted belly. To maintain its access to the sea and be able to fish, the Weddell Seal has special teeth allowing it to make a hole in the thick ice.
After exploring the Antarctic Peninsula you will head back towards the Drake Passage to Ushuaia. On the way you will witness sea birds following the ship.
You will have time to sort through your photos and recap on your trip with your fellow travellers.
In the morning of day 11 you will disembark in Ushuaia.
Itinerary Map
Inclusions
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Accommodation in suites or staterooms with en-suite
- All meals while on the cruise. Continental breakfast, buffet breakfast, buffet lunch, afternoon tea, a three-course dinner and a late-evening snack are served daily.
- Captain’s welcome cocktail and gala dinner
- Open Bar – A wide choice of refreshments such as wine, beer, cocktails, fruit juices and aperitifs are served in each bar and with lunch and dinner. This does not include premium alcoholic drinks. List available upon request.
- Mini Bar – the mini bar in your cabin is restocked every day and in included in the fare.
- Complimentary Parka to keep.
- Waterproof rubber boots to loan for duration of cruise.
- Highly experienced bilingual (French-English) Expedition team
- Excursions with expedition guides – Zodiac, land and sea tours and shore-side activities
- Complimentary wifi on board – Please note the wifi may be slow due to a satellite connection and the remote areas you will be visiting.
- Evening entertainment and events
- Luggage transfer from pier to the ship and vice versa
- Room service 24h (special selection)
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- International flights
- Domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Tips for the local guide
- Personal expenses
- Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable
- Other meals and services not mentioned in the programme
NOTES:
- This trip is also available on board the Le Boreal and L’Austral. Contact us for more details
