The Great Adventure

HIGHLIGHTS

• A unique expedition cruise in the southern seas, between the shores of the White Continent, the Weddell Sea and the South Georgia archipelago, to discover a splendid fauna and legendary polar expeditions that took place in the 20th century.
• Outings and shore visits in zodiac inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.
• Explore the magic of Antarctica with a sea kayak adventure. Lead by experienced, State-Certified kayak guides, you will skim the water’s surface amid the ice. For more information about your kayak tour, please go to the section ‘PONANT activities’ and to book your kayak tour, contact your cruise advisor.
• Hiking opportunity.
• 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.
• Wildlife: humpback whales ; Gentoo, Adélie and chinstrap penguins; leopard, crabeater and Weddell seals ; and numerous seabirds in the Antarctic Peninsula; king and macaroni penguins; elephant and fur seals in South Georgia.
• Landscapes: drifting icebergs, ice floe, glaciers and snow-capped mountains in the Antarctic Peninsula; table top icebergs in the Weddell Sea; black-sand beaches, alpine landscapes, lush green plains and suspended glaciers in South Georgia.
• For your comfort, your cruise package includes an overnight in Buenos Aires the day before embarkation and the outbound flight Buenos Aires/Ushuaia (for details, see the ‘Included in your cruise’ tab).

ITINERARY

27 FEBRUARY 2024 - USHUAIA

Embarkation 27/02/2024 from 16:00 to 17:00
Departure 27/02/2024 at 18:00

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…

28 FEBRUARY 2024  29 FEBRUARY 2024 - CROSSING THE DRAKE PASSAGE

Arrival 28/02/2024
Departure 29/02/2024

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. From the ship’s bridge, you will experience exceptional sailing moments before joining the naturalist-guides on your ship’s exterior decks to look out for albatrosses, cape petrels, and other seabirds flying over the Drake Passage.

1 MARCH 2024  4 MARCH 2024 - ANTARCTIC PENINSULA

Arrival 01/03/2024
Departure 04/03/2024

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.

5 MARCH 2024  6 MARCH 2024 - AT SEA

Arrival 05/03/2024
Departure 06/03/2024

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.

7 MARCH 2024  9 MARCH 2024 - SOUTH GEORGIA

Arrival 07/03/2024
Departure 09/03/2024

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.

10 MARCH 2024  14 MARCH 2024 - AT SEA

Arrival 10/03/2024
Departure 14/03/2024

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.

15 MARCH 2024 - BUENOS AIRES

Arrival 15/03/2024
Disembarkation 15/03/2024 at 07:00

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.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

For your serenity, PONANT has organised the following included programme for you, which starts the day prior to embarkation

The day before embarkation – Buenos Aires

• Meet at Ezeiza international airport in the arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. 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.
• Dinner.
• Overnight at the hotel.

Embarkation Day – Buenos Aires/Ushuaia

• An early morning breakfast will be served before leaving to the airport for you flight Buenos Aires – Ushuaia.
• Transfer to the airport.
• Flight Buenos Aires/Ushuaia selected by PONANT in economy class. Approximate flight duration: 3 hours, 30 min.
• Meet and greet at the airport (English-speaking assistance).

Depending on your choice made when booking your cruise (options not combinable):

– Cruise on board your ship –
Your programme includes:

• 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.
• Outbound flight Buenos Aires/Ushuaia selected by PONANT, in economy class.
• Services of local guides, in Ushuaia.
• Meals as mentioned in the programme and beverage package.
• Transfers as mentioned in the programme.

For your optional Tierra del Fuego National Park excursion, your programme includes:
Please note if you choose this excursion, it is not combinable with “Lunch in Ushuaia” programme and therefore replaces it.

• The excursion by local bus and the entrance fees to the National Park
• The lunch including beverage package.
• Transfers and visit as mentioned in the programme
• The services of a local English speaking guide

Your programme does not include:

• Tips for the local guide.
• Personal expenses.
• Other meals and services not mentioned in the programme.

Please note:

• The local currency is the Argentinian Peso. You will be able to make most of your purchases in USD (in small denominations) or by credit card, accepted in most hotels, shopping centres and boutiques. You will also be able to retrieve Pesos from the ATM’s.
• Summer season in Buenos Aires: temperatures may be very hot, but often between 68 °F (20 °C) and 95 °F (35 °C).
• Summer season in Ushuaia: temperatures vary between 41 °F (5 °C) and 65 °F (15 °C)
• We recommend you wear warm clothing and comfortable walking shoes.

Programme is subject to change.
To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

KAYAK DISCOVERY

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.

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: 350 €
• 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.
• PONANT provides each participant with a sea kayak (Prijon Excursion EVO - two-person kayak for two participants), a dry suit (Sandyline - specially designed for PONANT), 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.