HIGHLIGHTS
- Through PONANT’s alliance with The Explorers
Club, this voyage will
feature Dr. Cassandra Brooks, a marine scientist and Assistant
Professor in Environmental Studies at University of Colorado Boulder.
- With featured guest Donna Urquhart, Australian
ultra-marathon runner, pain scientist and physiotherapist and Cindy
Miller Hopkins, American Photo Ambassador.
- An exploration into the almost inaccessible Weddell Sea, in
search of majestic emperor penguins, amidst immaculate and dreamlike
landscapes.
- Outings and shore visits in a zodiac inflatable with a
reinforced team of naturalist guides.
- The eye and the advice of our photo ambassador, a
privileged opportunity to immortalise your trip with, in the programme:
workshops, conferences and personalized advice to improve your
photographic skills.
- Conferences and information meetings on board with our
passionate experts, specialists in the fauna, flora and history of the
polar regions.
- Landscapes: immense glaciers, table top icebergs, immersion
in the heart of the ice floes.
- Wildlife: the possibility to observe emperor, Adelie,
chinstrap and gentoo penguins; Weddell, leopard and crabeater seals;
humpback and orcas.
- Many activities: kayaking, hiking or snowshoeing, polar
plunge without suit. Discover all the activities in the
‘Ponant Activities’ tab.
- For your comfort, your cruise package includes an overnight
in Santiago the day before embarkation, transfers and flights
Santiago/Ushuaia (for details, see the ‘Included in your
cruise’ tab).
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Dec 19, 2025 | Jan 03, 2026 | 30,380 |
31,340 |
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Dec 19, 2025 | Jan 03, 2026 | 30,380 |
31,340 |
ITINERARY
Day
2 : 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…
Days
3-4 : Crossing the Drake Passage
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. You will experience exceptional sailing moments
on board and join the naturalist-guides on your ship’s
exterior decks to look out for albatrosses, cape petrels, and other
seabirds flying over the Drake Passage.
Days
5-6 : The Weddell Sea exploration
Impassable,
extreme and captivating: this is the best way to describe the Weddell
Sea, much of which is covered by a layer of thick, densely packed ice.
It is a challenge and a privilege to sail upon this sea. Polar
exploration finds its full meaning here. Heading towards the South is a
real quest, with the promise of highly-charged encounters with the
continent’s endemic fauna. This is the kingdom of the emperor
penguin, the largest penguin in the world, renowned for its elegance.
Unlike other penguins that live on the rocks, the emperor nests on the
ice floe which it needs for its reproductive cycle. It is therefore on
the ice floe that you will be able to observe it walking around with
its characteristic gait. In this southern sea, where the ice changes
and is transformed constantly, there is never any monotony. The new
reliefs and new colours ensure never-ending wonderment. You will sail
into the heart of the immaculate ice floe, which is dislocated or
densely packed, into an alley of icebergs. Among them are immense
blocks of ice, tabular icebergs, that drift and illuminate the ocean
with their cerulean blue haloes. Aboard, on shore, on the ice, you will
be as close as possible to the colonies of Adelie penguins, Weddell
seals, Mink whales, orcas, snow petrels.… With a little
luck, you will get a glimpse of a rare Ross seal with its silver pelage
or of emperor penguins, waddling along the edge of the ice floe. A
sight that is as fascinating as it is emotional.
Day
7 : Crossing the Antarctic Circle
Weather
permitting, we'll cross the mythic line of the Antarctic Polar Circle,
located along 66°33’ south of the Equator. This
iconic area demarcates the point from which it is possible to view the
midnight sun during the December solstice. Within this circle, the sun
remains above the horizon for 24 consecutive hours at least once a
year. Crossing this line, an experience known to few people, is sure to
be an unforgettable highlight of your cruise through the polar regions.
Days
8 : The Weddell Sea exploration
Impassable,
extreme and captivating: this is the best way to describe the Weddell
Sea, much of which is covered by a layer of thick, densely packed ice.
It is a challenge and a privilege to sail upon this sea. Polar
exploration finds its full meaning here. Heading towards the South is a
real quest, with the promise of highly-charged encounters with the
continent’s endemic fauna. This is the kingdom of the emperor
penguin, the largest penguin in the world, renowned for its elegance.
Unlike other penguins that live on the rocks, the emperor nests on the
ice floe which it needs for its reproductive cycle. It is therefore on
the ice floe that you will be able to observe it walking around with
its characteristic gait. In this southern sea, where the ice changes
and is transformed constantly, there is never any monotony. The new
reliefs and new colours ensure never-ending wonderment. You will sail
into the heart of the immaculate ice floe, which is dislocated or
densely packed, into an alley of icebergs. Among them are immense
blocks of ice, tabular icebergs, that drift and illuminate the ocean
with their cerulean blue haloes. Aboard, on shore, on the ice, you will
be as close as possible to the colonies of Adelie penguins, Weddell
seals, Mink whales, orcas, snow petrels.… With a little
luck, you will get a glimpse of a rare Ross seal with its silver pelage
or of emperor penguins, waddling along the edge of the ice floe. A
sight that is as fascinating as it is emotional.
Day
9-11 : Sailing toward Larsen Ice Shelf
As
you explore the Weddell Sea, you will sail towards the gigantic Larsen
Ice Shelf. The beauty of this immense ice formation is fascinating;
nonetheless, its monumental size must not make us forget the fragility
of its existence. These floating platforms are what protect the
continental ice cap – also called the inlandsis –
from erosion and are thus of paramount importance for the entire
balance of our planet. As you get up close to this equally majestic and
vertiginous spectacle, you will really understand the need to protect
these ice shelves. Our team of passionate experts will share their
knowledge of these ice shelves that create gigantic tabular icebergs
– among the largest ever observed - that drift in the
Southern Ocean.
Days
12-13 : The Weddell Sea exploration
Impassable,
extreme and captivating: this is the best way to describe the Weddell
Sea, much of which is covered by a layer of thick, densely packed ice.
It is a challenge and a privilege to sail upon this sea. Polar
exploration finds its full meaning here. Heading towards the South is a
real quest, with the promise of highly-charged encounters with the
continent’s endemic fauna. This is the kingdom of the emperor
penguin,
the largest penguin in the world, renowned for its elegance. Unlike
other penguins that live on the rocks, the emperor nests on the ice
floe which it needs for its reproductive cycle. It is therefore on the
ice floe that you will be able to observe it walking around with its
characteristic gait. In this southern sea, where the ice changes and is
transformed constantly, there is never any monotony. The new reliefs
and new colours ensure never-ending wonderment. You will sail into the
heart of the immaculate ice floe, which is dislocated or densely
packed, into an alley of icebergs. Among them are immense blocks of
ice, tabular icebergs, that drift and illuminate the ocean with their
cerulean blue haloes. Aboard, on shore, on the ice, you will be as
close as possible to the colonies of Adelie penguins, Weddell seals,
Mink whales, orcas, snow petrels.… With a little luck, you
will get a
glimpse of a rare Ross seal with its silver pelage or of emperor
penguins, waddling along the edge of the ice floe. A sight that is as
fascinating as it is emotional.
Day
14-15 : 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
16 : 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…
Le Commandant Charcot (Luxury Expedition, 270-guests)
Le Commandant-Charcot welcomes you to an intimate and refined atmosphere. Equipped with just 135 staterooms including 31 suites with balconies and outside views, the ship offers outstanding gastronomy in its two restaurants, relaxation in the indoor pool surrounded by its winter garden, relaxation in the well-being area with sauna and Snow Room... Like on a private yacht, each of our guests is unique.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Transfer from airport upon flight arrival.
- 1-night accommodation in a 5* hotel the night before
embarkation.Your hotel will be confirmed few weeks before your cruise.
- Early check-in available from late morning.
- Hospitality desk at the hotel in Santiago.
- Return flight Santiago/Ushuaia/Santiago selected by PONANT,
in economy class.Seats in business class may be available, please
contact your travel agent.
- Meals as mentioned in the programme and beverage package.
- Transfers as mentioned in the programme.
Excluded from the voyage:
- Tips for the local guide.
- Personal expenses.
- Other meals and services not mentioned in the
programme.
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS :
- Hiking Or Snowshoeing
- Kayaking - Le Commandant Charcot
- Polar plunge
