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Peregrine Travel Centre

Journey to Austral Lands and Valdes Peninsula – Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands Luxury Cruise

Journey to Austral Lands and Valdes Peninsula – Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands Luxury Cruise

From AUD $24,240

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Description

Discover the Southern Ocean as you have never seen it before! Embark on a 19-day polar expedition cruise in the highest latitudes, from the Valdes Peninsula to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the immaculate lands of Antarctica.
You approach the frozen shores of the – almost – inaccessible White Continent, Antarctica. White shades take on a thousand nuances as it covers the icebergs, glaciers, mountains and frozen sea all around you. You will be one of the rare few travellers to have laid eyes on this legendary land, the theatre of the greatest expeditions and the witness of the most extraordinary adventures. Above all, you are in the realm of the penguins – Adelie, Gentoo, chinstrap – seals, whales and seabirds that accompany you on this unforgettable trip.
Your ship will soon take to the seas once again, to reach the mountainous island of South Georgia. It is there, in the midst of gigantic glaciers, that Sir Ernest Shackleton miraculously ran aground during the famous Endurance Odyssey in 1916. Today, king penguins, elephant and fur seals that have taken over the black-sand beaches dominated by the tall peaks that reveal the Scotia Arc.
You will continue your austral exploration further north, with the discovery of the Falkland Islands. As you sail in this archipelago of 200 islands, you will be escorted by sei whales. Composing the wild beauty of the shorelines are beaches of white sand, jagged cliffs, windswept moors and tall grass swaying with the wind.
Your expedition to the heart of the South Atlantic continues as you encounter the desert landscapes of Patagonia’s Chubut province. Welcome to the Valdes Peninsula! This wildlife sanctuary, where the beauty of the underwater world is unmatched, also reveals numerous treasures on land. The scenery is composed of arid steppes, a rich and varied flora, and distinctive haciendas. In these unspoiled lands home to more than 180 bird species, orcas hunt young maned seals on the beaches under the watchful eye of the Magellanic penguins, as guanacos gallop across the arid plains and dusky dolphins swim around peacefully. Here, the majestic beauty of nature offers a gateway to a whole new world.

Trip Name
Journey to Austral Lands and Valdes Peninsula - Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands Luxury Cruise
Days
20
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition / Cruise Ship Length: 142 metres Passenger Capacity: 264 (200 in Antarctica) Built: 2011 L’Austral is a sleek, French-designed expedition yacht combining modern elegance with an intimate atmosphere. With just 132 staterooms for 264 guests, she offers the refined feel of a private yacht, enhanced by attentive service and stylish interiors featuring fine materials, harmonious colours, and discreet touches of brightness. Built by Fincantieri in Ancona, Italy, she is 466 ft long with a 59 ft beam, ice-class certified (1C), and equipped with the latest eco-design innovations, continually upgraded to improve environmental performance. Designed for both polar adventures and tropical voyages, L’Austral features six guest decks, elegant dining venues, and 11 Zodiacs for immersive exploration. Life on board blends relaxation and discovery, with refined gastronomy, welcoming social spaces, and an emphasis on responsible travel. From the subantarctic islands to sunlit coasts, she offers a chic and comfortable way to experience the world, always with PONANT’s signature style of elegance, intimacy, and connection to the sea.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Days 0 - 1 PRE CRUISE & USHUAIA
Night in Buenos Aires + Flight Buenos Aires/Ushuaia + TransferCapital 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…
Day 2 - Days 2 - 3 CROSSING THE DRAKE PASSAGE
 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.
Day 3 - Day 4 ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
 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.
Day 4 - Day 5 SAILING ON THE WEDDELL SEA
 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.
Day 5 - Days 6 - 7 AT SEA
 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 PONANT 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.
Day 6 - Days 8 - 10 SOUTH GEORGIA
 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.
Day 7 - Days 11 - 12 AT SEA
 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 PONANT 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.
Day 8 - Day 13 PORT STANLEY
 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.
Day 9 - Days 14 - 15 AT SEA
 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 PONANT 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.
Day 10 - Day 16 PUERTO MADRYN
 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.
Day 11 - Days 17 - 18 AT SEA
 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 PONANT 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.
Day 12 - Day 19 BUENOS AIRES
 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.
Day 13 - Please Note:
We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and ice conditions. Landings on certain sites and the observation of certain wildlife cannot be guaranteed. They vary from day to day, making each PONANT cruise a unique experience. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while complying with the safety rules and instructions imposed by the IAATO. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
04-03-202623-03-2026AUD $24,240Superior Stateroom
04-03-202623-03-2026AUD $25,960DeLuxe Stateroom
04-03-202623-03-2026AUD $27,190Prestige Stateroom - Deck 4
04-03-202623-03-2026AUD $27,680Prestige Stateroom - Deck 5
04-03-202623-03-2026AUD $28,410Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6
04-03-202623-03-2026AUD $40,690Deluxe Suite
04-03-202623-03-2026AUD $42,400Prestige Suite - Deck 5
04-03-202623-03-2026AUD $44,620Prestige Suite - Deck 6
04-03-202623-03-2026AUD $73,980Owner's Suite
12-11-202630-11-2026AUD $31,520Deluxe Stateroom
12-11-202630-11-2026AUD $33,110Prestige Deck 4
12-11-202630-11-2026AUD $33,750Prestige Deck 5
12-11-202630-11-2026AUD $34,690Prestige Deck 6
12-11-202630-11-2026AUD $50,620Deluxe Suite
12-11-202630-11-2026AUD $52,860Prestige Deck 5 Suite
12-11-202630-11-2026AUD $55,720Prestige Deck 6 Suite
12-11-202630-11-2026AUD $78,620Owner's Suite
12-11-202630-11-2026AUD $29,290Superior Stateroom
25-02-202716-03-2027AUD $27,480Superior Stateroom
25-02-202716-03-2027AUD $29,480Deluxe Stateroom
25-02-202716-03-2027AUD $30,890Prestige Deck 4
25-02-202716-03-2027AUD $31,460Prestige Deck 5
25-02-202716-03-2027AUD $32,310Prestige Deck 6
25-02-202716-03-2027AUD $46,510Deluxe Suite
25-02-202716-03-2027AUD $48,500Prestige Deck 5 Suite
25-02-202716-03-2027AUD $51,050Prestige Deck 6 Suite
25-02-202716-03-2027AUD $75,420Owner's Suite
03-03-202722-03-2027AUD $27,480Superior Stateroom
03-03-202722-03-2027AUD $29,480Deluxe Stateroom
03-03-202722-03-2027AUD $30,890Prestige Deck 4
03-03-202722-03-2027AUD $31,460Prestige Deck 5
03-03-202722-03-2027AUD $32,310Prestige Deck 6
03-03-202722-03-2027AUD $46,510Deluxe Suite
03-03-202722-03-2027AUD $48,500Prestige Deck 5 Suite
03-03-202722-03-2027AUD $51,050Prestige Deck 6 Suite
03-03-202722-03-2027AUD $75,420Owner's Suite
09-03-202728-03-2027AUD $24,690Superior Stateroom
09-03-202728-03-2027AUD $26,450Deluxe Stateroom
09-03-202728-03-2027AUD $27,700Prestige Deck 4
09-03-202728-03-2027AUD $28,200Prestige Deck 5
09-03-202728-03-2027AUD $28,950Prestige Deck 6
09-03-202728-03-2027AUD $41,480Deluxe Suite
09-03-202728-03-2027AUD $43,230Prestige Deck 5 Suite
09-03-202728-03-2027AUD $46,980Privilège Suite
09-03-202728-03-2027AUD $57,500Grand Deluxe Suite
09-03-202728-03-2027AUD $59,250Grand Privilege Suite
09-03-202728-03-2027AUD $80,110Owner's Suite

Inclusions

    • A polar expedition cruise in the Southern Ocean, between the Valdes Peninsula, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula, to discover a dazzling natural environment.
    • Outings and shore visits in zodiac inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.
    • Enjoy a magical experience as you are introduced to sea kayaking. Lead by experienced, State-Certified kayak guides, you will skim the water’s surface amid the ice. For more information about your kayak tour, please go to the section ‘PONANT activities’ and to book your kayak tour, contact your cruise advisor.
    • The discovery of the Valdes Peninsula, in Patagonia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a veritable wildlife sanctuary with a unique ecosystem, offering captivating landscapes of arid steppes, unrivalled biodiversity, and traditional haciendas.
    • South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, two subantarctic archipelagos of singular beauty, where the great variety of fauna and flora is astonishing.
    • Lectures and information sessions hosted by our naturalist-guides, covering wildlife, history, geopolitics, the great explorers, climate, environmental protection and educational discovery in the respect of environment.
    • Hiking opportunity
    • The wildlife: black-browed albatrosses, snowy albatrosses, Magellanic penguins, Gentoo penguins and southern rockhopper penguins in the Falkland Islands; king penguins, elephant seals, fur seals and macaroni penguins in South Georgia; humpback whales, Gentoo penguins, Adelie penguins, chinstrap penguins, leopard seals, crabeater seals and Weddell seals in the Antarctic Peninsula; maned seals, guanacos and dusky dolphins in the Valdes Peninsula.
    • Wildlife: barren steppes with a unique ecosystem in southern Argentina ; 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.

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