Journey to Austral Lands and Valdes Peninsula

Arrive in Buenos Aires, unwind, and enjoy an overnight stay as you get ready for your adventure.

Ushuaia, the capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province, is known as the gateway to Antarctica and the South Pole. Dubbed “El fin del mundo” (the end of the world) by locals, this remote city is set against towering mountains and fertile plains, home to diverse wildlife. With the Andes meeting the sea, Ushuaia captivates travelers, symbolizing adventure and exploration.

Spend your days crossing the Drake Passage getting to know your ship and expanding your knowledge of Antarctica. The Expedition Leader will introduce IAATO guidelines for landings and provide key information about zodiac excursions. Engage in lectures on the region’s history and wildlife, and head to the decks with naturalist guides to spot albatrosses, petrels, and other seabirds.

Experience the wonder of a truly unique destination. The legendary Antarctic Peninsula continues to captivate visitors, offering breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable encounters with wildlife. Amid vast ice fields and towering glaciers, you’ll be surrounded by penguins, whales, seals, and seabirds that thrive in this remote wilderness. Depending on your landing sites, you may witness elephant seals, fur seals, orcas, and Antarctic minke whales in their natural habitat.  

Each day, the Captain and Expedition Leader will plan zodiac excursions or landings based on ice conditions, allowing you to explore Antarctica’s many facets. Discover towering icebergs, volcanic beaches, research stations, historic whaling sites, and dramatic mountain peaks plunging into the sea. As you sail, you’ll follow in the footsteps of great explorers like Jean-Baptiste Charcot, Adrien de Gerlache, and Sir Ernest Shackleton, who braved these extreme landscapes in their quest for discovery.

In the quiet, otherworldly expanse of the Weddell Sea, you’ll navigate through a maze of towering table icebergs. Vast ice shelves create a striking landscape, home to fur seals, penguins, wandering albatrosses, and other seabirds. The Weddell seal, ruler of these icy waters, announces its presence with an eerie call. Identifiable by its dark grey coat and spotted belly, it is remarkable for its ability to stay submerged for over an hour.

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 center. 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.

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.

While at sea, take advantage of the many activities and services on board. Unwind at the spa, stay active in the fitness center, or enjoy the pool and sun deck when the weather allows. Attend lectures, watch performances, or browse the boutique. Meet the PONANT photographers or head to the upper deck for stunning ocean views and possible wildlife sightings. A perfect mix of relaxation and entertainment.

Situated at the far eastern end of the Falklands' largest island, Port Stanley, is the capital of this remote archipelago in the South Atlantic, composed of nearly 700 islands and islets. In 1764, Louis Antoine de Bougainville settled the first pioneers here and the port grew rapidly. Placed under the Spanish crown in 1767, then under British sovereignty since 1833, the town has retained some South American features fused with the Victorian style that punctuate the city, and the houses with their colorful roofs brighten the moorland landscapes with their windy and harsh climate reminiscent of the Scottish islands of Orkneys or Shetland. In front of the Cathedral, built in 1933, an arch made of whale jaw bones reminding that Port Stanley was once a whaling port.

Enjoy a variety of activities and amenities while at sea. Relax in the spa, stay active in the fitness center, or take a dip in the pool and soak up the sun when the weather permits. Attend lectures, watch onboard shows, browse the boutique, or meet the PONANT photographers. For ocean lovers, the upper deck offers stunning views of the waves and possible marine wildlife sightings. A perfect blend of comfort, leisure, and discovery.

On the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, in the Argentinian province of Chubut, stands the city of Puerto Madryn nestling in the Golfo Nuevo and surrounded by wild and abundant nature. You will be able to follow the narrow strip of land formed by the isthmus for a few kilometres, to reach the Valdes Peninsula nature reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its microclimate, protected from the extreme conditions of the Southern Atlantic, makes this an ideal breeding ground for southern right whales in winter, but also for southern elephant seals, southern sea lions, and orcas. You may get the chance to spot numerous birds, Magellanic penguins, guanacos and Patagonian maras living in this desert steppe.

Make the most of your time at sea with the ship’s many amenities. Unwind at the spa, stay active in the fitness center, or enjoy the pool and sun deck when weather allows. Attend lectures, watch shows, browse the boutique, or meet the PONANT photographers. Head to the upper deck for ocean views and possible marine life sightings. A perfect mix of relaxation and discovery.

Buenos Aires, located on the southwestern shore of the Rio de la Plata between the Atlantic Ocean and the Argentine Pampas, is a vibrant and unique Latin American city. Known as “the Little Paris of South America,” it blends European-influenced architecture with a lively Latin spirit. Designed in a grid layout, its 48 distinct districts showcase diverse styles, from Belle Époque to gothic and baroque. With bustling markets, rich cultural heritage, and the rhythm of tango filling the streets, Buenos Aires captivates at every turn.