Journey to Austral Lands and Valdes Peninsula (BUE - USH)

A 19-day polar expedition cruise from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia. Explore the Valdes Peninsula, the Falkland / Malvinas Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctica alongside featured guest Photo Ambassador Cindy Miller Hopkins.


Antarctic Peninsula
© PON

Duration: 19 days / 18 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.


Included
Optional


Embark on a 19-day polar expedition cruise to the highest latitudes, exploring the Southern Ocean on a voyage connecting the Valdes Peninsula, the Falkland / Malvinas Islands, South Georgia, and the pristine lands of Antarctica. This journey features American Photo Ambassador guest Cindy Miller Hopkins. The expedition begins along the barren landscapes and abundant marine wildlife of the Chubut province in the Valdes Peninsula, a sanctuary home to orcas, elephant seals, Magellanic penguins, and dusky dolphins.

Sailing further south, you will discover the white sand beaches and windswept moors of the Falkland / Malvinas Islands before reaching the mountainous island of South Georgia, where Sir Ernest Shackleton landed during his 1916 Endurance Odyssey and where vast colonies of king penguins and fur seals populate black sand beaches. Finally, you will arrive at the frozen shores of the Antarctic Peninsula, a world of icebergs, glaciers, and silence. Accompanied by an experienced team of naturalist guides, enjoy daily Zodiac® outings to experience this extraordinary biodiversity.

Highlights:
Polar cruise in the Southern Ocean between the UNESCO-listed Valdes Peninsula, the Falkland / Malvinas Islands, South Georgia, and the Antarctic Peninsula.
Presence of featured guest American Photo Ambassador Cindy Miller Hopkins.
Breathtaking polar landscapes including hanging glaciers, tabular icebergs, and ice floes.
Spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities including albatrosses, penguins, elephant seals, sea lions, and whales.
Outings and shore visits in rubber dinghies with an experienced team of naturalist guides.

Itinerary

© PON
© PON
© PON

Day 1: Buenos Aires
Departure from the Argentine capital
Your journey begins in Buenos Aires, built on the shores of the Río de la Plata. Enjoy the city's European-influenced architecture and Latin atmosphere before embarking in the afternoon and setting sail in the evening.

Day 2-3: At sea
Sailing and onboard relaxation
Enjoy your days at sea making the most of the services on board, relaxing in the spa, attending lectures, or joining naturalist guides on the upper deck to scan the waves for marine life.

Day 4: Puerto Madryn
Valdes Peninsula Nature Reserve
Arrive in Puerto Madryn, gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Valdes Peninsula. Observe diverse wildlife in this desert steppe including southern elephant seals, sea lions, orcas, Magellanic penguins, and guanacos.

Day 5-6: At sea
Sailing the South Atlantic
Days at sea enjoying onboard presentations, meeting the photographers, and relaxing as the vessel navigates toward the Falkland / Malvinas Islands.

Day 7: Port Stanley
Capital of the Falkland / Malvinas Islands
Arrive at Port Stanley on the eastern edge of the Falkland / Malvinas archipelago. Explore its colorful Victorian-style houses, windswept moorlands, and the 1933 Cathedral with its whalebone arch.

Day 8-9: At sea
Sailing toward South Georgia
Enjoy lectures on polar history and ecology as the ship sails east across the Scotia Sea toward South Georgia.

Day 10-12: South Georgia
Sub-Antarctic wildlife haven
Discover South Georgia's glaciers at Gold Harbour and Fortuna Bay. Land at Salisbury Plain to witness the impressive sight of over 300,000 king penguins alongside elephant seals and fur seals.

Day 13-14: At sea
Sailing to the White Continent
Days at sea heading south toward Antarctica. Attend expert presentations, prepare for polar landings, and scan the ocean for the first floating icebergs.

Day 15-16: Antarctic Peninsula
The White Continent
Explore the icy realm of the Antarctic Peninsula surrounded by towering mountain peaks, glaciers, and ice floes. Enjoy daily Zodiac® outings and landings to observe Gentoo, Adélie, and Chinstrap penguins, seals, and humpback whales.

Day 17-18: Crossing the Drake Passage
Northbound ocean crossing
Cross the famous Drake Passage through the Antarctic convergence zone. Scan the skies for elegant albatrosses and Cape petrels riding the wind as we head toward South America.

Day 19: Ushuaia
Arrival in Tierra del Fuego
Arrive in Ushuaia early in the morning, nestled beneath the mountains of Tierra del Fuego. Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your return flight to Buenos Aires.

Itinerary

Day 1: Buenos Aires
Departure from the Argentine capital
Your journey begins in Buenos Aires, built on the shores of the Río de la Plata. Enjoy the city's European-influenced architecture and Latin atmosphere before embarking in the afternoon and setting sail in the evening.

Day 2-3: At sea
Sailing and onboard relaxation
Enjoy your days at sea making the most of the services on board, relaxing in the spa, attending lectures, or joining naturalist guides on the upper deck to scan the waves for marine life.

Day 4: Puerto Madryn
Valdes Peninsula Nature Reserve
Arrive in Puerto Madryn, gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Valdes Peninsula. Observe diverse wildlife in this desert steppe including southern elephant seals, sea lions, orcas, Magellanic penguins, and guanacos.

Day 5-6: At sea
Sailing the South Atlantic
Days at sea enjoying onboard presentations, meeting the photographers, and relaxing as the vessel navigates toward the Falkland / Malvinas Islands.

Day 7: Port Stanley
Capital of the Falkland / Malvinas Islands
Arrive at Port Stanley on the eastern edge of the Falkland / Malvinas archipelago. Explore its colorful Victorian-style houses, windswept moorlands, and the 1933 Cathedral with its whalebone arch.

Day 8-9: At sea
Sailing toward South Georgia
Enjoy lectures on polar history and ecology as the ship sails east across the Scotia Sea toward South Georgia.

Day 10-12: South Georgia
Sub-Antarctic wildlife haven
Discover South Georgia's glaciers at Gold Harbour and Fortuna Bay. Land at Salisbury Plain to witness the impressive sight of over 300,000 king penguins alongside elephant seals and fur seals.

Day 13-14: At sea
Sailing to the White Continent
Days at sea heading south toward Antarctica. Attend expert presentations, prepare for polar landings, and scan the ocean for the first floating icebergs.

Day 15-16: Antarctic Peninsula
The White Continent
Explore the icy realm of the Antarctic Peninsula surrounded by towering mountain peaks, glaciers, and ice floes. Enjoy daily Zodiac® outings and landings to observe Gentoo, Adélie, and Chinstrap penguins, seals, and humpback whales.

Day 17-18: Crossing the Drake Passage
Northbound ocean crossing
Cross the famous Drake Passage through the Antarctic convergence zone. Scan the skies for elegant albatrosses and Cape petrels riding the wind as we head toward South America.

Day 19: Ushuaia
Arrival in Tierra del Fuego
Arrive in Ushuaia early in the morning, nestled beneath the mountains of Tierra del Fuego. Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your return flight to Buenos Aires.


© PON
© PON
© PON


INCLUSIONS

Transfers + flight Ushuaia/Buenos Aires
For your serenity, PONANT selects a flight and organises the transfer between the port and the airport. This package is included in your cruise fare.

Disembarkation Day – Ushuaia/Buenos Aires

Disembarkation.

Meet and greet at the port (English-speaking assistance).
Transfer to the airport in time for check-in of the flight Ushuaia/Buenos Aires selected by PONANT in economy class.
Approximate flight duration: 3 hours, 30 min.

Your programme includes :

Return flight Ushuaia/Buenos Aires selected by PONANT, in economy class.
Services of local guides, in Ushuaia.
Transfers as mentioned in the programme.

EXCLUSIONS

Tips for the local guide.
Personal expenses.
Other meals and services not mentioned in the programme.


Dates & Rates


Ship: Le Boreal | Date: 12 Nov 2026 - 30 Nov 2026 (5632)
Superior Stateroom D3
$23,020
Deluxe Stateroom D3
$24,690
Prestige Stateroom D4
$25,890
Prestige Stateroom D5
$26,370
Prestige Stateroom D6
$27,080
Deluxe Suite D6
$39,030
Prestige Suite D5
$40,700
Prestige Suite D6
$42,850
Owner\'s Suite
$60,030

* 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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