Antarctica: The White Continent – with Smithsonian Journeys

Navigate to the heart of the Antarctic Peninsula on a unique expedition with Smithsonian Journeys experts. Explore glacial landscapes, spot humpback whales and penguins, with included flights and a night in Buenos Aires.


Antarctic Peninsula
© PON

Duration: 12 days / 10 nights on board.
Starts: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Ends: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Language: English speaking voyage

The itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather and ice conditions. Your Captain and Expedition Leader will make the necessary adjustments to ensure the best possible experience.

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, which is accepted in most hotels, shopping centers, and boutiques. You will also be able to retrieve Pesos from ATMs.
Summer season in Buenos Aires: Temperatures may be very hot but are 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.
This voyage is offered on a space available basis.


Included
Optional


Embark on a polar expedition to the heart of the frozen realm of the Antarctic Peninsula, on a voyage tailored for English-speaking travellers in partnership with Smithsonian Journeys. The adventure begins with a night in Buenos Aires and a charter flight to Ushuaia, where you’ll enjoy an excursion through Tierra del Fuego National Park before boarding. Upon setting sail, the journey takes you through the legendary Drake Passage, guarded by albatrosses and Cape petrels, before venturing into the White Continent – a majestic landscape dominated by tabular icebergs, drifting ice floes and ancient glaciers, where nature reigns supreme.

During the stay on the peninsula, each day offers unique discoveries on board, on Zodiac® excursions or via guided walks led by expert naturalists. Travellers will have the opportunity to witness close encounters with the native wildlife, including Gentoo, Adélie and Chinstrap penguins, humpback whales, orcas and various species of seals. Enriched by lectures delivered by world-class experts such as polar explorer Felicity Aston and geologist Allen Glazner, this voyage offers an exceptional blend of scientific adventure, the history of the great explorers and the chance to take in unforgettable landscapes.

Highlights:
A programme tailored in partnership with Smithsonian Journeys, featuring talks by world-renowned experts.
Daily departures and landings in Zodiac® inflatable boats accompanied by naturalist guides.
Observation of abundant polar wildlife, including penguins, humpback whales, orcas and seals.
All-inclusive package with one night’s accommodation in Buenos Aires, charter flights to Ushuaia and an excursion in Tierra del Fuego.
Opportunity to undertake an optional sea kayaking adventure amongst the ice.

Itinerary

© PON
© PON
© PON

Day 1: Ushuaia
Gateway to the White Continent
Capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is nestles in the shelter of mountains plunging straight into the sea. Embarkation takes place in the late afternoon before setting sail in the evening.

Day 2-3: Crossing the Drake Passage
Ocean navigation and lectures
Spend your days in the Drake Passage becoming familiar with safety rules, attending lectures on Antarctic history and wildlife, and joining naturalist guides on the exterior decks to spot albatrosses and Cape petrels.

Day 4-8: Antarctic Peninsula
Exploring the icy realm
Explore the magical Antarctic Peninsula through daily Zodiac® outings and landings tailored to ice conditions. Discover towering glaciers, ice floes, and research bases while observing penguins, humpback whales, orcas, and seals.

Day 9-10: Crossing the Drake Passage
Return journey
Navigate northbound across the Drake Passage through the Antarctic convergence zone. Join naturalists on deck to spot diverse marine fauna and seabirds gliding in the wind behind the ship.

Day 11: Ushuaia
Disembarkation
Arrive in Ushuaia early in the morning. Disembark after breakfast to begin your scheduled return transfers.

Itinerary

Day 1: Ushuaia
Gateway to the White Continent
Capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is nestles in the shelter of mountains plunging straight into the sea. Embarkation takes place in the late afternoon before setting sail in the evening.

Day 2-3: Crossing the Drake Passage
Ocean navigation and lectures
Spend your days in the Drake Passage becoming familiar with safety rules, attending lectures on Antarctic history and wildlife, and joining naturalist guides on the exterior decks to spot albatrosses and Cape petrels.

Day 4-8: Antarctic Peninsula
Exploring the icy realm
Explore the magical Antarctic Peninsula through daily Zodiac® outings and landings tailored to ice conditions. Discover towering glaciers, ice floes, and research bases while observing penguins, humpback whales, orcas, and seals.

Day 9-10: Crossing the Drake Passage
Return journey
Navigate northbound across the Drake Passage through the Antarctic convergence zone. Join naturalists on deck to spot diverse marine fauna and seabirds gliding in the wind behind the ship.

Day 11: Ushuaia
Disembarkation
Arrive in Ushuaia early in the morning. Disembark after breakfast to begin your scheduled return transfers.


© PON
© PON
© PON


INCLUSIONS

Overnight in Buenos Aires + roundtrip flights Buenos Aires/Ushuaia/Buenos Aires + visit + transfers included
PONANT has organized the following included program for you, which starts the day prior to embarkation.

The day before embarkation - Buenos Aires
Transfer from Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to the Hotel Madero (or similar).
Meet and greet at the hotel and hospitality desk. Check-in from late morning.
Lunch and dinner on your own, and time at leisure in the afternoon.
Overnight at the hotel.

Embarkation Day - Buenos Aires/Ushuaia
Early morning breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport.
Flight Buenos Aires/Ushuaia selected by PONANT in economy class. Approximate flight duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes.
Meet and greet at the airport in Ushuaia.
Immediately upon arrival at Ushuaia airport, you will depart for Tierra del Fuego National Park.
Created in 1960, the Park, which covers 155,670 acres, is located in the southwest of Tierra del Fuego Province on the Beagle Canal. One of its entry points is about six miles from Ushuaia.
Mountainous landscapes, lagoons, bogs, and rivers create a picturesque scenery reinforced by the southern position of the park itself. The Darwin Mountains, which represent the southern part of the Andes Mountains, are mainly responsible for the landscape. The Park is only partly accessible to the public, and this tour will provide you with the opportunity to discover the local flora and sub-Antarctic landscapes. If you are lucky, you may encounter beavers, dams, birds, wild orchids, and more. This is a true paradise for nature lovers!
Lunch will be served in a local restaurant within the Park.
At the end of your visit, you will return to the port in Ushuaia to embark the ship.

* 10-night cruise on board L'Austral -

Disembarkation Day - Ushuaia/Buenos Aires
Disembarkation.
Meet and greet at the port.
Transfer to the airport and check-in to the flight Ushuaia/Buenos Aires selected by PONANT in economy class. Approximate flight duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes.

Your program includes:
A program of onboard enrichment provided by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts, including polar explorer Felicity Aston and geologist Allen Glazner.
1-night accommodation at the Hotel Madero (or similar) the night before embarkation.
Early check-in available from late morning.
Hospitality desk at the hotel.
Round-trip flight Buenos Aires/Ushuaia/Buenos Aires selected by PONANT, in economy class.
Excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park by coach, including entrance fees.
Services of English speaking guides during the excursion.
Meals as mentioned in the program.
Transfers as mentioned in the program.
Gratuities for ship crew and for guides and drivers on excursions.

EXCLUSIONS

Other meals and services not mentioned in the program.
Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, etc.)


Dates & Rates


Ship: L´ Austral | Date: 16 Jan 2027 - 27 Jan 2027 (5618)
Deluxe Stateroom - D3
$20,350
Prestige Stateroom - D5
$21,640
Prestige Stateroom - D6
$22,190
Deluxe Suite - D6
$31,390
Prestige Suite - D6
$34,350
Ship: Le Lyrial | Date: 27 Jan 2027 - 02 Feb 2027 (5619)
Superior Starteroom
$15,530
Deluxe Stateroom - D3
$16,540
Prestige Stateroom - D4
$17,260
Prestige Stateroom - D5
$17,550
Deluxe Suite - D6
$25,180
Prestige Suite - D5
$32,240
Privilege Suite
$33,820
Grand Deluxe Suite
$37,130
Owner\'s Suite
$54,380
Ship: Le Boreal | Date: 13 Feb 2027 - 24 Feb 2027 (5620)
Superior Stateroom D3
$16,450
Deluxe Stateroom D3
$17,510
Prestige Stateroom D4
$18,270
Prestige Stateroom D5
$18,580
Prestige Stateroom D6
$19,030
Deluxe Suite D6
$26,620
Prestige Suite D5
$27,680
Prestige Suite D6
$290,470
Owner\'s Suite
$44,510

* The prices are per person in US Dollars, unless expressly specified in a different currency. In that case, payment will be in US dollars at the exchange rate of the day.
** Rates are correct at the time of publication. All prices will be re-confirmed by email at the time of booking.
NOTE: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.

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