- Tabletop icebergs, growlers, drift or pack ice… the Antarctic has its own language, which you’ll soon speak fluently!
- We are offering you a chance to sail through the Heart of the Peninsula who offers travellers an enchanting polar desert, a final frontier surrounded by a gigantic ice sheet.
11 days / 10 nights from AUD 10430 *
Days: From 29 December to 8 January 2016
Day 1 – Ushuaia (Argentina)
Buenos-Aires/Ushuaia (Argentina) direct flight. Direct transfer on board OR excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park including lunch.
Embarkation from 5:00 pm to 6:00
Regarded as the world’s southern-most city, Ushuaia is the capital of Tierra del Fuego in the extreme South of Argentina at the end of Beagle Bay. This amazing little town of over 45,000 people is surrounded by mountains and fertile plains. The first inhabitants here were nomadic hunters and gatherers who arrived on foot to the Isla Grande over 10,000 years ago. Nature lovers will be bowled over by the Tierra del Fuego National Park and its amazing wealth of flora and fauna: beavers, albatrosses, guanacos, penguins… Here forests cover the slopes of the Andes mountains then give way to snow-capped peaks… a truly unique and unforgettable landscape.
Day 2 – At sea – Drake Passage
To reach the mythical «White Continent» you will cross the notorious Drake Passage named after the famous explorer, Sir Frances Drake, who sailed in these waters way back in 1578. You will then traverse the Polar Front which marks the area where waters from the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans meet
Day 3 – At sea – Drake Passage
Day 4 – Neko/Paradise Bay (Antarctica)
Deep in Andvord Bay, we find this little corner of paradise at the foot of an immense glacier. Neko Bay is without doubt one of the most beautiful sights of the Antarctic Peninsula. Wildlife is as abundant as it is exceptional: sea birds such as gulls, Cape Petrels and Cormorants, as well as marine mammals like seals, orcas and whales. Excursions aboard our Zodiac® dinghies allow you to sail close to blue-tinged icebergs or disembark near colonies of penguins, observe leopard seals basking on the shore or watch the Antarctic Terns flying overhead
Day 5 – Pleneau Island/Port Charcot(Antarctica)
Day 6 – Port Lockroy (Antarctica)
On the small island of Goudier, you will have the opportunity to visit Port Lockroy, discovered by the French explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot in 1903. Initially it served as a relief and repair base for whalers, but in 1944 Port Lockroy became a British base. It owes its name to Edouard Lockroy, a French politician and the partner of Jean-Baptiste Charcot during his expedition. You will be able to visit the small museum that retraces the life of the base in the 1950s. Since 1996, it has been open to the public during the short Southern Summer and is used for carrying out research on Gentoo Penguins. Nowadays, this base is the most visited site of the White Continent and, thanks to its little store and post office, it is the only place to offer you the opportunity to write to your friends and family and share this unique moment.
Day 7 – Deception Island (Antarctica)
Nestled at the heart of the South Shetland Islands, in the north of the Antarctic Peninsula, Deception Island is easy to recognise for its horseshoe shape. On the black sand of the volcanic beaches, there are remains of abandoned huts that have been overrun by the extraordinary wildlife, part of the treasure that Nature offers us there. It is on these beaches of ash that the largest colony of Chinstrap Penguins in the Antarctic Peninsula has taken up residence. Excursions aboard our Zodiac® dinghies will allow you to set foot on this expanse of land where more than 100,000 pairs of penguins, Elephant Seals and Fur Seals live side by side
Day 8 – At sea, Drake Passage (Antarctica)
Day 9 – At sea, Drake Passage (Antarctica)
Day 10 – Ushuaia (Argentina)
Disembarkation
Transfer to the airport. Ushuaia/Buenos Aires International (Pistarini) with direct flight
Air Package – For your peace of mind!
Embarkation day Buenos Aires Aeroparque / Ushuaia
Chartered flight Buenos Aires Aeroparque / Ushuaia on LAN.
Flight number and time schedule to be advised about 30 days prior to departure.
We suggest to be at the check in counter 1 ½ hours before flight departure time.
Meet and greet at Ushuaia airport.
Depending on your choice made when booking your cruise:
Transfer to the pier and embarkation on board your cruise ship.
You will have access to the Grand Salon ; your cabin will be ready from 17hr. Lunch on board.
In the afternoon, time at leisure in Ushuaia. OR
Transfer to downtown Ushuaia. Here you will enjoy free time (duration depending on confirmed flight arrival time).
The name of Ushuaia means “the bay which looks towards the east” in the language of the Yamanas, the aborigine tribe who was established here before the arrival of the “white” people. At the tip of the Beagle Channel, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans; Ushuaia is a unique place in this world. It is the southernmost city in the world, established on an island, she seems to float between two oceans. The snow-capped mountains form the border with Chile. You are at the end of the world.
After lunch, visit the Tierra del Fuego National Park.
Tierra del Fuego, Land of Fire, is the southernmost province in Argentina, and hosts at the same time the southernmost village in the world, Ushuaia. The national park offers mountain chains, rivers, hard wood forests, acid peat bogs and a rocky sea coast on an area of 155,676 acres. The combination of very different landscapes in a relative small area is quite unique. This is a paradise for bird watchers, as it is the home of condors, giant black carpenter birds, Southern parrots, Thrushes, Fishing Martins and a lot more like the Flightless steamer duck and forest birds. Huge beaver constructions cut the small rivers and let the water rise. In these “artificial” lakes, a big variety of peat bog plants grow and you may find tender orchids as well. Several paths invite to hike in the park for a while.
The tour starts in Ushuaia. After a 30-minute drive you arrive at the end of the road, which is the end of the famous Pan-American road and also the southern end of the national park. There you are 1,864 miles away from Buenos Aires. Return to Ushuaia in time for embarkation.
– Cruise on board your cruise ship –
Disembarkation day Ushuaia / Buenos Aires Pistarini
Disembarkation and transfer to Ushuaia airport.
Chartered flight Ushuaia / Buenos Aires Pistarini (international airport) on LAN. Flight number and time schedule to be advised about 30 days prior to departure.
Your program includes:
- Beverages during lunch (bottled water + 1 soft drink or 1 local beer + 1 coffee)
- Transfers, flights Buenos Aires/Ushuaia/Buenos Aires in economy class and visits as per program
- English-speaking local guide.
Your program does not include:
- Gratuities for driver and local guide
- Personal expenses, and other services not mentioned in the program
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 centers and boutiques. You will also be able to retrieve Pesos from the ATM’s.
- Summer season: temperatures vary between 41F and 65F
- We recommend you wear warm clothing and comfortable walking shoes for the visit to the National Park.
Pre & Post Cruise : | |
Price per person in double room: €415/$US573/$AU623 Price in single room: €585/$US807/$AU878 |
- Wildlife: The highest concentration of Gentoo, Adelie and Chinstrap Penguins in Antarctica; Minke and Humpback Whales, Weddell Seals, Sea Leopards, and numerous sea birds: Cape Petrels, Albatross, Imperial Shags, and Snow Petrels.
- Landscapes: a multitude of drifting icebergs, ice floe (or pack ice), calving of imposing icebergs, tall snowy mountains.
- Visits: to research stations and former whaling stations.
- Hiking possible: Deception Island, Neko Bay, Paradise Bay.
- Outings everyday in Zodiac® dinghies: the Weddell Sea, Neko Bay, Paradise Bay.
Travelling to Antarctica, Falkland and South Georgia Islands is an exhilarating experience and an expedition at first. The raw beauty and untouched wilderness offer an unusual chance to experience a place where there is little evidence of human presence. Inevitably, there are some consequences that come with such remoteness: please remember that you are far from modern hospitals with full medical facilities and evacuation can take several days thus necessary medical help may not be immediately available.
Given the inaccessibility of the White Continent, this is an obligation to choose your insurance company carefully. Evacuation costs from the Antarctic Peninsula are up to more than 100 000 US$ plus medical costs. Therefore, please be particularly prudent when choosing an insurance company, especially if you are insured by your credit card. In addition, it is mandatory to return the medical questionnaire, provided at time of booking, at the latest 90 days prior to departure. This questionnaire is very important in order to respect mandatory safety rules in polar zones. Any false information on this questionnaire may lead to a refusal of your embarkation at the port of departure, without any possible recourse.
These voyages include activities such as Zodiac® landings (sometimes wet landings), Zodiac® outings, moderate walks to more active hikes. All this accompanied by your expedition team of naturalist guides. Considering the nature of the programs, a reasonable level of mobility is required to enjoy these expeditions.
Due to the exceptional nature of this itinerary, the calls/sites listed are only a guide. The final route will be confirmed by the ship’s Captain withpriority being given to passenger safety. Pack ice may also force the Captain to change course at the last minute. His decision will be based on advice from expert pilots who are present on board during our cruise in South Georgia and Antarctica. Zodiac® landings or outings accompanied by your expedition team offer plenty of opportunities to discover and experience what Antarctica and/or South Georgia have to offer at close range. These will of course depend on the weather conditions, the ice, the wind and the sea state.
We also recommend you follow the clothing instructions and advice you will find in your travel documents.
| COMPLIMENTARY BOOT RENTAL
Boots are an essential item when you go ashore. PONANT has selected Ship to Shore Traveler, an expedition equipment specialist, to offer you, during your cruise, the renting of your boots that are specially adapted for polar destinations.
WHY RENT YOUR BOOTS?
THE OFFER Find your offer by logging on www.ponantboots.com
Learn more about Boots Rental (Boots Rental is only available 3 month before departure):
|
Fares listed are per person, based on double occupancy | Brochure Fare | |
| Superior Stateroom | AUD 10430 | |
| DeLuxe Stateroom | AUD 12150 | |
| Prestige Stateroom – Deck 4 | AUD 13580 | |
| Prestige Stateroom – Deck 5 | AUD 14190 | |
| Prestige Stateroom – Deck 6 | AUD 14820 | |
| Deluxe Suite | AUD 19740 | |
| Prestige Suite – Deck 5 | AUD 23540 | |
| Prestige Suite – Deck 6 | AUD 24650 | |
| Owner Suite | AUD 29330 | |
| Safety and port taxes (for information purposes) | AUD 750 | |
| Airport Taxes | AUD 60 |
| One Child (8-11 years old) sharing cabin with 2 adults | AUD 1310 | |
| 3rd adult Passenger in a Superior Stateroom | AUD 8850 | |
| 3rd Passenger in a Prestige Suite | AUD 19980 | |
| Single supplement in cabin¹ | Starting at + 85% | |
| Open bar | AUD 0 |
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