STYLE: Small Ship Luxury Expedition Cruise
Trip Code: ACPOLYVP
DIFFICULTY RATING: 2 (light adventure)
Start: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Finish: Buenos Aires, Argentina
SHIP: Le Lyrial
Antarctica, Argentina, Falkland Islands, South Georgia
02/03/2026
Dinner & Breakfast at Hotel, All Meals & Beverage Package Whilst On board the Ship
Group transfers throughout & flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia
Hotel & Cabin onboard a ship
Daily Antarctica Excursions in location, Zodiac Cruising, Onboard Expert Lectures & Briefings by the Experienced Expedition Team
NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather & ice conditions
Set out on an extraordinary expedition to Antarctica, the mesmerizing White Continent, where this voyage promises unparalleled adventure amidst breathtaking landscapes. Witness the frozen shores adorned with towering icebergs, majestic glaciers, and snow-dusted mountains, while encountering an array of wildlife including playful penguins, serene seals, magnificent whales, and graceful seabirds.
Journey onwards to South Georgia, where history and nature converge amidst rugged terrain and windswept beaches. Explore the legacy of Sir Ernest Shackleton's Endurance Odyssey amidst towering glaciers and dark-sand shores, where colonies of king penguins and seals thrive in a majestic setting. Then, navigate to the Falkland Islands, where sei whales gracefully escort your vessel along dramatic coastlines and windswept moors, offering glimpses of secluded beaches and jagged cliffs.
As your exploration unfolds, delve into the desert landscapes of Patagonia's Chubut province, where the Valdes Peninsula awaits with its pristine wildlife sanctuary. Discover the vibrant underwater world and diverse flora amidst arid plains, as orcas hunt seals and penguins while guanacos roam freely. Immerse yourself in the untouched beauty of this remote wilderness, where every moment offers a new revelation and a profound connection to the wonders of nature.
*Single Supplement waived on selected departures & cabins. Offer is correct at the time of publishing and only available until sold out on selected voyages and strictly limited availability. Not available on Superior Staterooms and Owners Suite. Prices are subject to change until the time of booking and terms and conditions apply. Please contact us for more information and enquire for details of offers and availability.
Prices are correct at time of publishing (8 July 2024) but are subject to change at any time until the time of booking and terms and conditions apply. Please contact us for more information and enquire for details and availability.
Your cruise includes a pre-embarkation night in Buenos Aires. You can check in in the late morning where you will be met at the hotel by our local representative. The rest of the afternoon will be spent at your leisure.
Buenos Aires, Argentina’s elegant, historic and cosmopolitan capital, is known as the “Paris of the South” due to its European atmosphere with glamorous avenues lined with fashionable shops and Parisian-style restaurants and cafes. Located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, Buenos Aires has many fascinating neighbourhoods to explore including the colourful and lively La Boca, home to art galleries and tango shows; San Telmo with its restored mansions and antique stores and Recoleta, the city’s most exclusive area.
Capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is considered the gateway to the White Continent and the South Pole. Nicknamed “El fin del mundo” by the Argentinian people, this city at the end of the world nestles in the shelter of mountains surrounded by fertile plains that the wildlife seem to have chosen as the ultimate sanctuary. With its exceptional site, where the Andes plunge straight into the sea, Ushuaia is one of the most fascinating places on earth, its very name evocative of journeys to the unlikely and the inaccessible…
Use your days spent in the Drake Passage to familiarise yourself with your ship and deepen your knowledge of the Antarctic. The Expedition Leader will first present the IAATO rules of conduct that must be observed during landings in the region and will explain everything you need to know about the zodiac outings. Lectures about the history and wildlife of the Antarctic will be an opportunity for you to learn more about this magical region, where every cruise is a unique experience. You will experience exceptional sailing moments on board and join the naturalist-guides on your ship’s exterior decks to look out for albatrosses, cape petrels, and other seabirds flying over the Drake Passage.
Succumb to the magic of a place unlike any other. To this day, the mythical Antarctic Peninsula still holds real fascination and promises its visitors unforgettable moments. Throughout your adventure in this icy realm, you will find yourself in the heart of a spectacular decor in subtle shades of blue and white, surrounded by exceptional wildlife. Penguins, humpback whales, seals and giant petrels are at home here, as are elephant seals, fur seals, Antarctic minke whales, and orcas. Depending on which sites you will be lucky enough to visit, you may get the chance to observe them and share with them the beauty of these extreme parts.
Each day, based on ice conditions, the Captain and the Expedition Leader will suggest zodiac outings or landings to discover the infinite riches of the Antarctic Peninsula. Glaciers, ice floe, tabletop icebergs, mountain peaks that plunge straight into the sea, volcanic beaches, research stations, enchanting bays, and vestiges of the whaling industry: these are the faces of the Antarctic that will likely reveal themselves to you, in a hushed and surreal atmosphere. You will sail in the wake of Jean-Baptiste Charcot, Adrien de Gerlache and Sir Ernest Shackleton, great Antarctic explorers who, from the 19th century, set out to conquer these remote and uninhabited lands.
Amidst the eerie stillness of the Weddell Sea, you'll wend your way through a veritable labyrinth of majestic table icebergs. Sweeping ice platforms sculpt a landscape unlike any other, populated by fur seals, penguins, wandering albatross and other imposing seabirds. The Weddell seal, king of this realm, will welcome you to his territory with a haunting cry that pierces the surrounding silence. You'll recognise him by his dark grey coat and spotted belly. Weddell seals have the impressive distinction of being able to stay underwater for more than 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 centre. 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 local 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.
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 centre. 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 local 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.
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 colourful 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 reminds us that Port Stanley was once a whaling port.
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 centre. 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 local 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.
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.
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 centre. 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 local 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.
A port city built on the south-western shore of the Rio de la Plata, between the Atlantic Ocean and the vast Argentine Pampas, Buenos Aires is a unique city in Latin America. Nicknamed “the Little Paris of South America”, the Argentine capital is a clever blend of architecture with European influences and a joyful Latin American atmosphere. Designed on an orthogonal grid plan, it has 48 districts, all of which are as charming as they are different, with a range of styles such as Belle Époque, gothic and baroque. With its markets overflowing with treasures, its legendary cultural and architectural heritage, and tango providing its background music, the Argentine capital will delight you on every street corner.
Please note: Cruise itinerary is subject to change depending on weather conditions, ice conditions and other factors.
Discover South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, two subantarctic archipelagos of singular beauty, where the great variety of fauna and flora is astonishing.
Explore the wildlife rich Valdes Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage listed site. Home to a wide range of flthe delights on land and in the water with shore excursions and zodiac cruising with the expert expedition team onboard. ora and fauna. Discover
You will see a wide array of wildlife on this trip such as black-browed and light-mantled albatrosses; Magellanic, Gentoo and southern rockhopper penguins in the Falkland Islands; king and macaroni penguins, elephant and fur seals in South Georgia; leopard seals, chinstrap penguins in the South Orkney Islands; humpback whales, Gentoo, Adelie, chinstrap penguins, leopard, crabeater and Weddell seals in the Antarctic Peninsula.
Enjoy your comfortable and luxurious cruise ship, Le Lyrial. Most drinks and premium dining are included onboard your ship and you can relax in your well appointed stateroom when you get back from a day of exploring.
A sleek silhouette, a welcoming intimate atmosphere, discover aboard this modern ship the philosophy that has made this ship such a success: the spirit of Yacht Cruises. Sailing under the French flag, this magnificent yacht of only 122 staterooms and Suites, with balconies, was built in April 2015. You will be enchanted by the contemporary décor inspired by the destinations the vessel visits and the blue light of the Vega star in the Lyra constellation. The result is a subtle variation around a palette of blues, ranging from the luminous delicate grey-blue of the Polar ice to splashes of the vivid turquoise blue found in Mediterranean coves. A refined ambiance is enhanced by the quality of the workmanship and materials: white Corian counters in the lobby contrast with the warmth of leather to recall a boat’s hull, while the central sculpture of enameled pieces takes its inspiration from the sea. In the lounge bar, the carpet picks up a tennis stripe theme symbolising a certain idea of cruising, one synonymous with French elegance and a chic seaside spirit. The ship is well equipped for the polar regions and mixes luxury and creature comforts with the thrill of expedition. In Antarctica it will sail with a maximum of 200 guests. Your voyage includes room service and an in cabin minibar as well as an onboard afternoon tea daily and most beverages. You can relax onboard with a spa, gym, library and pool. In the evening enjoy a mix of traditional entertainment and lectures from your naturalist guides.
Ice Class:
Length: 142m (466ft)
Breadth: 18m (59 ft)Max
Draft: Cruising
Speed:
Electricity: Passenger
Capacity:260
View Ship Details
We believe that appropriate accommodation should add to the authentic travel experience, as well as providing utmost enjoyment. For that reason our accommodation is scrutinised by our staff on the ground frequently, ensuring the properties adhere to our high standards. This key will help you understand the levels of accommodation available on this tour.
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Luxurious properties with impeccable facilities and service.
Optional Activities vary for each itinerary. Limited spaces available. Contact your Destination Specialist for pricing & availability.
If you are looking for another way to nurture your inner adventurer, our day paddle excursion might be the perfect fit! Absorb the majestic scenery from a more intimate vantage point as you paddle through the pristine waters of Antarctica on a sit-on-top kayak.Our expertly guided, one-time, Paddle Program gives you the rare chance to see Antarctica from the same perspective as most of the wildlife – at the surface of the sea.
Learn MoreJourney to Austral Lands & Valdes Peninsula | Le Lyrial from AUD 25,560 | ||
Departing | Ending | Duration |
---|---|---|
02 Mar 2026 | 21 Mar 2026 | 20 |
From AUD 13,073
From AUD 7,177
From AUD 9,327
From AUD 5,069
Prices are based on per person, twin share.
Prices are correct at time of publishing but are subject to change at any time.
Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and ice conditions.
INCLUSIONS
Cabin accommodation whilst on board Le Lyrial
1-night accommodation in a 4* hotel the night before embarkation
Arrival Shuttle Transfer from Airport to Hotel Transfer in Buenos Aires
Group Transfer from Hotel to Airport on Day of Embarkation
Flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia in economy class
Group Arrival Transfers in Ushuaia
All meals whilst on board
Open bar (no premium brands)
Mini bar in your stateroom (Champagne additional fee)
All scheduled landings and excursions, conditions permitting
Guiding and lectures by expedition team
Complimentary Polar expedition jacket
Free use of rubber boots for shore excursions
All port taxes
Comprehensive pre and post voyage informational material
Free WIFI
EXCLUSIONS
Airfares other than specified
Visa and reciprocity fees (if applicable)
Travel Insurance
Personal expenses such as laundry
Gratuities for the crew (recommend US$15 per person per day)
Optional Activities not mentioned in itinerary
Available upon request, contact us for more details.
Departure date, fuel surcharges, cabin category, currency fluctuations, seasonality and availability.