Explore the Antarctic on this spectacular 19-day voyage. Stop at wildlife-rich South Georgia, the unspoiled Falklands, and the vast, wild shores of Antarctica. Visit Port Stanley, the tiny, quaint capital of the Falkland Islands, with its small shops, brightly painted houses, and friendly locals. Spend two magical days in South Georgia exploring its glacier-carved coves and rugged shores. There are also plans to sail through Paradise Bay and the Lemaire Channel, the latter often referred to as “Kodak Alley” for its breathtaking, picture-perfect beauty. Visit Ernest Shackleton's gravesite in Grytviken and gain a deep understanding of the region through enriching lectures by award-winning experts.
Highlights
Learn about the fascinating life of the famous explorer Ernest Shackleton
Set off for exciting shore excursions in swift Zodiacs
Visit an active research station and observe preservation efforts
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Argentina’s capital city, where immediate check-in has been arranged. With its wide boulevards and classical buildings, romantic Buenos Aires boasts an energy all its own. Relax before this afternoon’s tour of the city’s highlights, including the Plaza de Mayo, the stately Casa Rosada, the Cabildo, and the Metropolitan Cathedral. You may drive past the colorful La Boca District or San Telmo, the birthplace of tango. Get to know your fellow guests this evening at a welcome cocktail party.
With its wide boulevards and classical buildings, romantic and exciting Buenos Aires boasts an energy all its own. Explore its best treasures with expert A&K local guides, choosing from a selection of included excursions. Opt to explore the city on a guided tour complete with a tango demonstration; spend a full day at an authentic estancia (ranch), where you pause for an authentic lunch; or dive into a burgeoning art scene on a guided tour focused on Buenos Aires street art. Tonight, enjoy the evening at your leisure.
Fly to the port city of Ushuaia, located at the southern tip of South America. On arrival, enjoy lunch at the Arakur resort and, time and weather permitting, take a nature walk in the Cerro Alarken Nature Reserve, or simply relax with a cappuccino and views of Ushuaia and the Beagle Channel. Later, board 'Le Lyrial' and settle into your cabin, where you can take in views right from your own private balcony. Throughout your journey, benefit from immersive insight, with incomparable enrichment programs both aboard and on shore, and an Expedition Team that is second to none. Walk the decks and explore the common spaces as you familiarize yourself with the luxury cruiser, your home for the next 15 nights at sea. You may even want to toast to your journey in the bar with your fellow guests.
As you sail east toward the Falkland Islands, your Expedition Team begins their informal series of enlightening daily discussions on the flora and fauna, geology, and history of the region. These expert lectures span diverse topics, such as seabirds and penguins of the Southern Ocean, the formation of sea ice over thousands of years, and personal accounts of living and working in Antarctica. While a professional photography enrichment coach is on hand to assist with questions, enthusiasts may especially enjoy this unique Photography Expedition departing January 16. The cool waters in these parts 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 ‘Le Lyrial’s’ deck.
Today, 'Le Lyrial' arrives in the remote Falkland Islands. Spend the day exploring the Falklands. This may include a visit to Stanley, the tiny colorful capital of the Falkland Islands, where you may stroll its charming streets and explore its surrounding wilderness areas; or the southeast Falkland islands of Sea Lion and Bleaker, home to unspoiled wildlife habitats.
As the ship approaches South Georgia, deck-side sightings of whale, seal and other wildlife become more frequent. Time spent cruising is once again filled with informative lectures and casual talks with your guides. Scan the seas to spot marine mammals and seabirds, as the ship cruises the nutrient-rich waters past the islands of Shag Rocks.
South Georgia is a nearly submerged continuation of the Andes mountain range, and your days here are spent exploring its glacier-carved coves and rugged shores. Visit Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay, or Gold Harbour, all home to vast colonies of king penguins as well as fur and elephant seals. You also have the opportunity to retrace part of the route taken by Ernest Shackleton during his historic crossing of South Georgia in 1916. Weather permitting, you may visit his gravesite in Grytviken alongside your on-board historian, an expert on the great explorer’s life.
During your time cruising the Scotia Sea — rich with marine mammals and fish — your expert lecturers recap your adventures in South Georgia. They also enlighten you with more enriching lectures of what’s to come once you set foot on the Seventh Continent, from the terrain to the hardy wildlife that inhabits this forbidding but beautiful environment.
The ship’s itinerary calls for landings on the Antarctic Peninsula and a number of South Shetland Islands, which may include Half Moon, Penguin, and Deception. Other possible island visits may include Cuverville, Paulet, and Goudier. There are also plans to sail through Paradise Bay and the Lemaire Channel, the latter often referred to as “Kodak Alley” for its breathtaking, picture-perfect beauty. You may also enjoy additional opportunities for exploration, including a stop at a scientific research station. While on board Le Lyrial, you may view whales and birdlife from the deck or from your own cabin’s private balcony.
Bid farewell to Antarctica as you cruise back to Ushuaia through the Drake Passage, where there are plenty of opportunities to observe more marine and birdlife. Reflect and compare notes on your incredible journey with your fellow guests and new friends.
Day 19: Disembark | Ushuaia | Fly to Buenos Aires
1 Breakfast
Disembark in Ushuaia after breakfast and transfer to the airport to fly to Buenos Aires for your independent flight home.
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$27,9952-3 travelers
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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.