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Peregrine Travel Centre

The Great Adventure

The Great Adventure

From AUD $31,850

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Description

An 18-day trip in the southernmost waters of our planet, between Antarctica, a continent like no other, and the mountainous South Georgia, is what PONANT is offering you with this fabulous expedition cruise. The stunning icy landscapes, the emblematic and abundant fauna of the Far South, and the history of the great polar expeditions combine, promising a thrilling experience.

At the border between the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean, you will enter Drake Passage. At the roaring fifties and the screaming sixties, the wind blows and the waves beat against the stem of the ship. In the sky, cape petrels lead you toward their realm until you reach the first of the continent’s lands.

Ice is there in all its forms. The mountainous landscapes open up to give way to huge calving glaciers, tabular icebergs drift in the middle of the Southern Ocean, and the sea ice shimmers in the distance. On board, the naturalists reveal to you the secrets of this unique ecosystem. As you near the shores, the first penguins appear. Gentoo, Adélie, Chinstrap, these surprising birds, emblematic of the Antarctic, share their beaches with leopard, crabeater and Weddell seals. Further south, your ship will reach the remote waters of the Weddell Sea. You will travel back in time in the wake of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s expedition. Not far from there, his crew remained for four months on Elephant Island to await rescue after their ship, the Endurance, sank.

More than a century after this mythical adventure, you will follow the same route to reach South Georgia. It is there, amid the snow-covered mountains, that Sir Ernest Shackleton miraculously ran aground in 1916 after a difficult two-week sea journey from Elephant Island. The museum commemorating this legendary expedition will teach you more about this fabulous saga, and the visit to the former whaling station will immerse you in the life of that little-known period. Today, it is king penguins, elephant seals and fur seals that have invaded the black-sand beaches dominated by the tall peaks that reveal the Scotia Arc.

Trip Name
The Great Adventure
Days
19
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition / Cruise Ship Length: 142 metres Passenger Capacity: 264 (200 in Antarctica) Built: 2011 This superb mega-yacht with 132 cabins is the result of the expertise of the Italian Fincantieri shipyard and French sophistication, as interpreted by designer Jean-Philippe Nuel. L'Austral has a unique atmosphere, a subtle blend of luxury, intimacy and well-being. A sleek silhouette softened by elegantly smooth contours and large, arched windows opening up to the sea and the light: so many features come together to give L’Austral her distinctive shape. Precious materials, discreet elegance and a perfect balance between chic and casual, combine to make you feel as if you are on your own private yacht. A design blending tradition and innovation, where a nautical mood has been subtly recreated. Precious materials in smoothing neutral tones are brought to life with splashes of cheerful reds. So many personal touches create the spirit of a “private yacht”. Cuisine Loyal to the great French tradition, the haute cuisine on board is worthy of the finest restaurants, where discreet, attentive service is the hallmark. Our two restaurants welcome you for breakfasts, lunch and dinner. The Gastronomic Restaurant, with a capacity of 268 persons, is situated on Le Liberté Deck and serves you French and international cuisine accompagnied by fine wine. On the Grill Restaurant, you will have the opportuniny to eat outside and enjoy buffet lunch and themed dinner. Life On Board Whether you want to join other guests in the theatre or games area (Wii™ consoles, etc), or relax on your own in a quiet corner of the library, L'Austral has been designed to meet the needs of every guest. Everything has been done to preserve the independence of each guest to suit their personal tastes: lounges for lectures and shows, a spa in partnership with Sothys™, but also more intimate spaces such as the library and internet corner. Comfortable cabins, nearly all with private balcony, are available for families either as triples or as communicating cabins. There is also a games area with Wii™ consoles, children’s menus, and a baby-sitting service. Just as if you were on a private yacht, your time is your own to do as you please. Fitted with the latest equipment (Kinesis Wall, running machine) and in partnership with the famous Sothys™ brand, the Beauty Centre on L'Austral welcomes you for some unforgettable moments of relaxation and pampering (beauty treatments, hairdresser).

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 BUENOS AIRES
The day before embarkation – Buenos AiresMeet and greet at the hotel by our local representative. Check-in from late morning.Lunch on your own and time at leisure in the afternoon. Dinner.Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 - Day 2 USHUAIA
Embarkation Day – Buenos Aires/UshuaiaAn early morning breakfast will be served before leaving to the airport for you flight Buenos Aires – Ushuaia.Transfer to the airport.Flight Buenos Aires/Ushuaia selected by PONANT in economy class. Approximate flight duration: 3 hours, 30 min.Meet and greet at the airport (English-speaking assistance).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…
Day 3 - Days 3 - 4 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. From the ship’s bridge, you will experience exceptional sailing moments before joining 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 4 - Days 5 - 8 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 5 - Days 9 - 10 AT SEA
During your day 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 day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, 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 11 - 13 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 14 - 18 AT SEA
During your day 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 day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, 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 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 9 - 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
09-11-202427-11-2024AUD $31,850Superior Stateroom
09-11-202427-11-2024AUD $34,390Deluxe Stateroom
09-11-202427-11-2024AUD $36,220Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
09-11-202427-11-2024AUD $36,940Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
09-11-202427-11-2024AUD $38,040Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
09-11-202427-11-2024AUD $56,250Deluxe Suite
09-11-202427-11-2024AUD $58,790Prestige Suite Deck 5
09-11-202427-11-2024AUD $62,070Prestige Suite Deck 6
09-11-202427-11-2024AUD $79,540Owner's Suite
03-03-202521-03-2025AUD $35,670DeLuxe Stateroom
03-03-202521-03-2025AUD $37,500Prestige Stateroom - Deck 4
03-03-202521-03-2025AUD $38,220Prestige Stateroom - Deck 5
03-03-202521-03-2025AUD $39,320Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6
03-03-202521-03-2025AUD $57,530Deluxe Suite
03-03-202521-03-2025AUD $60,070Prestige Suite - Deck 5
03-03-202521-03-2025AUD $65,530Privilege Suite
03-03-202521-03-2025AUD $80,820Grand Deluxe Suite
03-03-202521-03-2025AUD $83,370Grand Privilege Suite
03-03-202521-03-2025AUD $85,930Owner’s Suite
03-03-202521-03-2025AUD $33,130Superior Stateroom

Inclusions

    • A unique expedition cruise in the southern seas, between the shores of the White Continent, the Weddell Sea and the South Georgia archipelago, to discover a splendid fauna and legendary polar expeditions that took place in the 20th century.
    • Outings and shore visits in zodiac inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.
    • Explore the magic of Antarctica with a sea kayak adventure. Led 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.
    • Hiking opportunity.
    • Visiting research stations and former whaling stations if conditions allow it
    • Wildlife: humpback whales, gentoo penguins, Adélie penguins, chinstrap penguins, leopard seals, crabeater seals, Weddell seals and numerous seabirds in the Antarctic Peninsula; king penguins, elephant seals, fur seals and macaroni penguins in South Georgia
    • Landscapes: drifting icebergs, ice floe, glaciers and snow-capped mountains in the Antarctic Peninsula; table top icebergs in the Weddell sea; black-sand beaches, alpine landscapes, lush green plains and suspended glaciers in South Georgia.
    • 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 the environment.
    • For your comfort, your cruise package includes an overnight in Buenos Aires the day before embarkation and the outbound flight Buenos Aires/Ushuaia (for details, see the “Included in your cruise” tab).

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