A voyage to the end of the Earth

Set sail on an extraordinary 19 day polar expedition from Patagonia’s Valdés Peninsula to the awe inspiring landscapes of Antarctica. Discover the wild beauty of South Georgia’s glaciers and vast king penguin colonies, the windswept charm of the Falkland Islands, and the shimmering ice fields of the White Continent. This once in a lifetime journey follows in the footsteps of legendary explorers, revealing pristine wilderness, abundant wildlife, and moments of pure wonder, from orcas and whales in the Southern Ocean to penguins on the frozen shores of Antarctica.

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Journey to Austral Lands & Valdes Peninsula

Journey to the Ends of the Earth

Set sail on an extraordinary 19 day polar expedition that takes you from Patagonia’s Valdes Peninsula to the untouched wonders of Antarctica. Along the way, uncover the wild beauty of South Georgia with its vast glaciers and thriving king penguin colonies, explore the windswept Falkland Islands alive with seabirds and marine life, and witness the raw majesty of the White Continent – a world of shimmering icebergs, towering peaks, and abundant wildlife.

This once in a lifetime journey combines legendary exploration routes with rare encounters in some of the planet’s most pristine landscapes. From orcas hunting off Patagonian beaches to whales escorting your ship through Antarctic waters, every day reveals new wonders. Follow in Shackleton’s footsteps, walk alongside penguin colonies, and immerse yourself in the staggering beauty of the Southern Ocean, an adventure few will ever experience.

Every Ponant journey is designed to be seamless and indulgent, with an all inclusive offering that ensures you can relax from the moment you step on board. From fine dining and premium beverages to 24 hour room service, entertainment, and wellness facilities, every detail is taken care of. Depending on your voyage, you’ll also enjoy enriching excursions and guided activities that bring each destination to life — all included, so you can simply focus on the experience.

BONUS INCLUSION: Night in Buenos Aires + flight to Ushuaia + transfer

Your journey begins the day before embarkation with a seamless programme arranged by PONANT, including early hotel check-in in Buenos Aires, dinner and overnight in a 5-star hotel, and transfers throughout. The following morning, enjoy breakfast before your included economy flight to Ushuaia, where local guides and transfers will assist you right up to embarkation.

Full board

All food included from arrival to departure day.

Beverages included

All drinks in restaurants, bars & minibar.

Butler service

Select suites have access to a Butler.*

24/7 room service

Around the clock dining, delivered to your room.

Free wifi

Unlimited internet access on board.

Entertainment

Evening events, shows & other entertainment.

Fitness facilities

Access to fitness & wellness facilities.*

Port charges

All port & security charges included.

INCLUDED SERVICES DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF CRUISE/SHIP Included activities may vary depending on the type of exploration: - Timeless Voyages: One included excursion⁴ per person, per day, and per port, led by local guides (monument visits, local product tastings, etc.) - Discovery Voyages: One included activity per person, per day, and per port, which may be either an included excursion⁴ led by local guides or an included activity supervised by naturalist guides - Expedition Voyages: One included activity per person, per day, and per port, supervised by naturalist guides (hiking, Zodiac outings, etc.) Exclusive stopovers with limited or no infrastructure will be offered for self-exploration. Passengers will thus be free to explore the area and enjoy independent activities (beach swimming, shopping, dining, shows, etc.) - Lectures by our naturalist guides or destination experts (excluding Sea Voyages). - Non-motorized water sports (excluding diving), such as kayaking on the Le Commandant Charcot or stand-up paddleboarding depending on the ship, subject to weather and safety conditions, local authorizations, and the Captain's approval. - National park and protected area fees. - Accompaniment by a team of naturalist guides only on Expedition and Discovery cruises; on land or, depending on the destination, during Zodiac outings and/or landings.

DAY 1 - USHUAIA 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 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 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 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 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 8 & 9 - SOUTH GEORGIAAboard 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 10 & 11 - 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 - 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 13 & 14 - 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 15 - 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 16 & 17 - 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 18 - 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.

Kayak discovery

Experience Antarctica from a unique perspective with a guided 1.5 hour sea kayaking excursion. Led by certified polar specialists, this activity lets you paddle through breathtaking polar landscapes in a two-person kayak. Suitable for beginners and experienced kayakers alike, all equipment is provided and safety briefings are conducted before departure. Participants must be in good physical health and have a reasonable sense of balance.

Key Details

Cost: $625* per participant
Duration: 1 x 1.5-hour session
Capacity: Limited to 20 participants per trip
Age: 18+ or 16+ if accompanied by a parent
Pre-booking required at least 7 days before departure (onboard requests subject to availability)
Certified polar kayaking guides provided
All equipment supplied (kayak, dry suit, life jacket, paddle, etc.)
Excursions subject to weather and ice conditions

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Testimonials

My wife & I travel overseas about 4 months per annum. All our bookings including at least 3 cruises are done through Kerry Andrews at Luxeworld Travels, St Ives. Kerry is very experienced & knows what she is doing. Kerry is prompt, reliable & accurate. She comes highly recommended. All details are done by phone & email. Try Luxeworld, you won’t go wrong.

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A voyage to the end of the Earth

Journey to Austral Lands & Valdes Peninsula

Journey to the Ends of the Earth

Full board

Beverages included

Butler service

24/7 room service

Free wifi

Entertainment

Fitness facilities

Port charges

Le Borèal

Window or porthole stateroom

Lower deck balcony stateroom

Upper deck balcony stateroom

Deluxe Suite

Prestige Suite

Owner's suite

Kayak discovery

LuxeWorld's top itinerary picks

Polar express

The iconic Kimberley

Polynesian paradise

Why book your luxury Cruise with LuxeWorld?

Concierge level care

Bespoke & seamless

Expertise you can trust

Moments that matter

Testimonials

Prefer to chat? Call us directly on 02 9983 1699 and speak to one of our Cruise travel experts today.

Enquiry Form

St Ives

Rose Bay