Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands Expedition 2024

HIGHLIGHTS

A&K Advantages

• Cruise for 15 nights on an exclusively chartered voyage to Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands
• Voyage to the Falkland Islands to explore this remote archipelago’s colorful, storied history and wildlife
• Explore historic, wildlife-rich South Georgia, where you visit spectacular king penguin colonies and legendary sites that tell the tale of Antarctica’s greatest explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton
• Experience the best of Antarctica during Zodiac excursions and time onshore led by A&K’s award-winning Expedition Team
• Enjoy additional photo coaching, lectures and hands-on workshops from celebrated experts in the field
• Begin your adventure with a two-night stay in Buenos Aires, exploring this fiery Latin city with your choice of shore excursion

ITINERARY

JAN 4
ARRIVE BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
Arrive in Argentina’s capital and transfer to your hotel.

Palacio Duhau — Park Hyatt Buenos Aires

JAN 5
BUENOS AIRES | DISCOVERING A VIBRANT CAPITAL
Explore Buenos Aires with your local guides, choosing from excursions that include a guided tour with a tango demonstration or a tour of the city’s vibrant street art scene. In the evening, join your fellow guests for a welcome cocktail reception where you also meet some of the experts that complete your Expedition Team.

Palacio Duhau — Park Hyatt Buenos Aires
Meals: Breakfast

JAN 6
USHUAIA | AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD
Fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Time and weather permitting, take a guided trek in the Cerro Alarkén Nature Reserve before boarding your luxurious expedition cruiser for the next 15 days of adventure. Watch from the comfort of your private balcony as ‘Le Lyrial’ heads out to sea.

JAN 7
AT SEA | RICHES OF THE SOUTHERN OCEAN
As you sail east toward the Falkland Islands, A&K’s Expedition Team begins its exciting lecture series, covering everything from penguins to the formation of sea ice to thrilling personal accounts of living in Antarctica. Photography enthusiasts especially enjoy time with your A&K photo team, who are on hand to exhibit extraordinary images, share tips and answer questions. The cool waters are rich in krill, making them a favorite with local wildlife searching for food. Alongside your naturalist guides, spot various species of whales and seabirds from the deck of your luxury expedition ship.

JAN 8
THE FALKLAND ISLANDS | HISTORIC OUTPOST
Today, ‘Le Lyrial’ arrives in the remote Falkland Islands. Conditions permitting, you may visit the tiny capital of Stanley, strolling its charming streets and exploring its surrounding wilderness areas, or land at the southwest Falkland Islands of West Point and Carcass, home to unspoiled wildlife habitats.

JAN 9–10
CRUISING THE SOUTH ATLANTIC | ABUNDANT WILDLIFE
As you head toward South Georgia, sightings of whales and other wildlife become more frequent. Time spent cruising is once again filled with informative lectures and casual talks with your guides, leaving your knowledge of the region greatly enriched. The open ocean is a treasure chest bursting with life; scan the seas for marine mammals and seabirds as the ship cruises in nutrient-rich waters and along islands that may include Shag Rocks.

JAN 11–13
SOUTH GEORGIA | WILDLIFE HAVEN
Explore South Georgia, the Southern Ocean’s crown jewel of wildlife. South Georgia is a nearly submerged continuation of the Andes Mountains, and your days here are spent exploring its glacier-carved coves and rugged shores — ideal for exploring with your naturalist guides on Zodiacs (sturdy inflatable boats). Weather and ice conditions permitting, excursions over the next three days include stops along the northeast coastline of the island, where we hope to visit vast colonies of king penguins and southern elephant seals. You may also explore iconic historic sites with your A&K historian, who shares tales of the whaling era and the heroic age of exploration. You also learn about the life and exploits of Antarctica’s greatest explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton, whose final resting place is right here on South Georgia Island, at Grytviken. A photographer’s paradise, South Georgia is also a locale where you’re sure to capture some of your very best shots.

JAN 14–15
SCOTIA SEA | LIFE AT SEA
Cruise the Scotia Sea while your expert lecturers recap your adventures in South Georgia and hint at what’s to come in Antarctica. Prepare for your Antarctic arrival by learning more about the Seventh Continent from the experts who know it best, from its awe-inspiring terrain to the hardy wildlife that inhabits it.

JAN 16–18
ANTARCTICA | INCREDIBLE WHITE CONTINENT
Conditions permitting, your itinerary calls for landings on the Antarctic Peninsula and a number of South Shetland Islands. Your expedition team takes advantage of the best opportunities to set out on Zodiacs and explore the continent’s iconic shores, which teem with gentoo, Adélie and chinstrap penguins. Antarctica’s stunning geography enhances the excitement of your experience here as dramatic snow-capped mountains, shimmering glaciers and iceberg-strewn channels compete for your attention. At the evening’s recap, you might look through your photos with Rick Sammon and his team as they make suggestions for how to improve your framing and techniques.

JAN 19–20
DRAKE PASSAGE | REFLECTIONS AT SEA
Bid farewell to Antarctica as ‘Le Lyrial’ points north for her return to Ushuaia. Enjoy more opportunities to observe birds and marine life while reflecting on an incredible journey with fellow guests and new friends.

JAN 21
DEPART USHUAIA
After breakfast, disembark ‘Le Lyrial.’ Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Buenos Aires, where you board your flight home.

Note: Itinerary is for guidance purposes only and may be adjusted due to unforeseen circumstances including weather, wildlife, ice, medical emergencies and other conditions beyond A&K’s control at the sole discretion of the Captain.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• An Exclusively Chartered, All-Inclusive Voyage Led by A&K’s Expedition Team
• Pre-Cruise Stay at Stylish, Ideally Located Hotel and A&K-Led Excursion
• Airport Meet and Greet and Transfers
• Private Balcony with Every Onboard Accommodation and Butler Service with Every Suite
• Maximum Personnel-to-Guest Ratio of 1 to 1.3 and ship occupancy limited to 80 percent
• Culinary Program Featuring French-Inspired Cuisine, Including House Drinks, Afternoon Tea and Pastries
• 24-Hour Room Service and Breakfast in Bed on board
• Complimentary Expedition Parka, Backpack and Water Bottle, and Use of Waterproof Pants, Boots and Trekking Poles
• Zodiac Excursions Led by A&K Expert Naturalist Driver-Guides
• Traveller’s Valet® Laundry Service on board
• All Gratuities, Port Charges and Taxes
• Complimentary Wi-Fi on Board and in Hotels
• Onboard Service from an English-Speaking Staff, Including an Accredited Physician
• 24/7 A&K On-Call Support

ATTENTION!

Mandatory charter flights come additionally: 895 USD p.p.

JOURNEY DETAILS

• Economy class from $895
• Buenos Aires/Ushuaia/Buenos Aires
• Special Family Pricing: Children 7-18 years old save 50% off the full per person, double occupancy price when sharing with an adult in categories 1-3, 5-6 and 8. Ask about triple and quad pricing available in categories 5, 6 and 8.
• This journey contains some active elements, including Zodiac boat excursions, walks over uneven terrain and optional, challenging hikes.
• Minimum age is 7 years.
• Categories 4–9 include room upgrade at the hotel and butler service aboard the ship.
• First group event: excursion on Dec 21.
• Last group event: disembarkation by 9:00 a.m. on Jan 6.

SPECIAL OFFER TERMS & CONDITIONS

• Offers subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Single supplement offer not combinable with Marco Polo or any other single supplement discounts. International air credit of $1,500 per person valid for all staterooms and suites. Air must be booked and ticketed through A&K USA, LLC. Airfare must be paid in full by the traveller for ticket issuance. Air credit will appear as a discount off the cruise on the traveller’s invoice. Other restrictions may apply.
• Offer subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Not combinable with Marco Polo Club or any other single supplement discounts.

ANDREW COLEMAN
Photo Enrichment Coach
A contributor to National Geographic, Andrew’s work captures the wild beauty of the natural world. He has travelled extensively to all seven continents and leads workshops on photography fundamentals.

DR. MARCO FAVERO
Expedition Leader
Leading expeditions for decades, Marco is a longtime researcher of ornithology and marine biology, an active seabird conservationist and serves on the board of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition.