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Expedition to Southern Lands (18D)

An expedition cruise to explore the stunning natural settings of South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula, in the wake of the great explorers of the high southern latitudes.

Highlights Itinerary Map Dates Extras

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Length

18 Days

Embark

Buenos Aires

Disembark

Buenos Aires

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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 and educational discovery in the respect of environment.
Enjoy a magical experience as you are introduced to sea kayaking. Lead by experienced, State-Certified kayak guides, you will skim the water’s surface amid the ice.

Night in Buenos Aires + flight Buenos Aires/Ushuaia + visit + flight Ushuaia/Buenos Aires

In South Georgia and on the shores of the White Continent, follow in the footsteps of the greatest explorers during a 17-day polar expedition cruise. Jean-Baptiste Charcot, Adrien de Gerlache, Ernest Shackleton, these legendary names evoke the most prodigious adventures, which is offering you the chance to discover during an unforgettable trip.

Le Lyrial will leave Ushuaia, for South Georgia. It is there, amid the snow-covered mountains, that Sir Ernest Shackleton miraculously ran aground during the famous Endurance Odyssey in 1916, before returning to rescue the rest of his crew, left behind on the remote Elephant Island. You will travel back in time to (re)discover this fabulous saga and life at this little-known time in history.

You will sail on the Southern Ocean to reach 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 travelers to have laid eyes on this legendary land, the theatre of the greatest expeditions and the witness of the most extraordinary adventures.

Throughout your trip, our team of naturalist guides will share with you the secrets of these faraway lands inhabited by unique wildlife. Discover the vast territory of the penguins – Adelie, king, chinstrap, Gentoo, Magellanic, southern rockhopper – albatrosses, numerous species of seals, and majestic whales blowing on the horizon.

To disembark in Ushuaia, in Tierra del Fuego, you will have to sail along Drake Passage. At the border between the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans, you will enter this mythical maritime route. The wind blows, the waves crash against the stem of the ship, and the cape petrels keep you company overhead until the end of your expedition.

Ships

No departures available at this time

Standard Activities

Bird Watching

Lectures

Penguin Watching

Research Station Visits

Zodiac Cruises

About the Expedition to Southern Lands (18D)

Night in Buenos Aires + flight Buenos Aires/Ushuaia + visit + flight Ushuaia/Buenos Aires

Itinerary Day to Day

Day 1

Buenos Aires

Meet at Ezeiza international airport in the arrival hall. You will be greeted by our local representative.

A shuttle from the airport will permit you to join your hotel.

Check-in from late morning.
Lunch on your own and time at leisure in the afternoon.
Organised dinner for the group.
Overnight at the hotel.

Buenos Aires

Embarkation Point

Auckland Islands

Day 2

Ushuaia

Days 3-5

At Sea

Days 6-8

South Georgia

Days 9-10

At Sea

Days 11-15

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 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.

Antarctic Peninsula

Days 16-17

Crossing the Drake Passage

Day 18

Ushuaia

Route Map

There are 6 main destinations visited

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Cabin Details

Extra Activities

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From $ 375 Per Person

Kayak Discovery

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Extra Activities

Get as up close to the natural environment as possible with an excursion aboard a two-person sea kayak, during one 2-hour session. Guided by a state-registered polar navigation specialist, you’ll discover and explore breathtakingly scenic polar landscapes and scenery. All the necessary equipment will be provided for you on board.

How is the activity organized?

Once you’ve arrived onboard the ship, you’ll meet your guides and the rest of the people taking part in the activity. This will be an opportunity to provide a general introduction to the activity, outline the rules that need to be followed, provide the necessary equipment and separate the participants into groups based on personal preferences and/or ability level.

The day before the activity is due to take place, a new briefing session will be organized to provide you with further details about the port of call and how the excursion will be organized. We’ll then provide you with the necessary equipment, which you’ll be required to take very good care of.

On the day of the kayak activity, you’ll first get changed at the ship’s marina platform (keeping your boots and parkas with you) before then being transported to land by Zodiac and taken to your kayaks.

Before you climb into your kayaks and set off on your adventure, your guides will provide a final safety briefing.

What requirements do you need to meet in order to go sea kayaking?

Though it’s always useful to have at least one experience of sea kayaking under your belt, due to the high quality of the equipment we provide and the experience of the guides who’ll be supervising you, we are able to take complete beginners to places normally only accessible to professional kayakers and seasoned outdoor adventurers.

Participants will be formed into groups based on ability level onboard the ship to ensure everyone is able to make smooth progress on the trip.

Sea kayaking is a physically demanding activity, for both the heart and the muscles. We require you to be in a good state of general physical health and to have a good sense of balance.

This activity is available to adults (aged 18 or over) and to children of 16 and over when accompanied by a parent.

Please note:

One 2-hour session. Price per participant: $375 aprox
Number of participants restricted to 20 per trip.
This activity must be pre-booked in advance at least 7 days before the start of your cruise. Bookings made after this deadline will only be confirmed once onboard and are dependent on availability.
Your vouchers will be dropped off directly in your room, during your cruise.
Due to restrictions on the number of places available and a high level of interest from our passengers, there may be limited access to certain activities. The cost of any kayak trip cancelled by a passenger prior to departure will still remain payable in full.
Each participant will be provided with a sea kayak (Prijon Excursion EVO – two-person kayak for two participants), a dry suit (Sandyline ), a life jacket, hand protection, kayak sea socks, spray skirt, carbon paddle (TNP Wolferine) and a waterproof bag.
Depending on opportunities/availabilities during your cruise, additional Kayak tours can be booked only onboard.
Kayak excursions are subject to weather and ice conditions on the day.
You will be accompanied by state-certified kayakers each time you go out in a kayak.
We require you to be in a good state of general physical health and to have a good sense of balance.

What's Included

A shuttle for your way towards your hotel, the day before embarkation.
1-night accommodation in a 4* hotel the night before embarkation.
Early check-in available from late morning.
Hospitality desk at the hotel in Buenos Aires.
Return flight Buenos Aires/Ushuaia/Buenos Aires in economy class.
Services of local guides, in Ushuaia.
Meals as mentioned in the programe and beverage package.
Transfers as mentioned in the programe.

What's Excluded

Mandatory travel insurance.
Tips for the local guide.
Personal expenses.
Other meals and services not mentioned in the programe.

We’ll carefully listen to your aspirations and curate an impartial shortlist of personalized polar cruise recommendations—and pre- and post-cruise extensions—to match your desired experience.

Next we’ll place a free, no obligation, 24-hour cabin hold on your preferred cruise option whilst we discuss the final details. Book and relax safe in the knowledge you’ll be paying the lowest price guaranteed.

Then we’ll provide you with our expert packing advice, insider travel tips, and more to ensure you are fully prepared for—and maximize your enjoyment of—your once-in-a-lifetime Antarctica expedition.

Expedition to Southern Lands (18D)

Highlights

Ships

Standard Activities