The Southern Adventure
16 Days - Le Lyrial
Discover the Southern Ocean as you have never seen it before! Embark on a 15-day polar expedition cruise to the highest latitudes, from the Falkland Islands to the immaculate lands of Antarctica. Your polar expedition begins with the exploration 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. This is the perfect setting for the black-browed albatrosses watching from above, the Gentoo and king penguins, elephant and fur seals, and sea lions. On board, admire the spectacle of endless moors interspersed by the bays and coves punctuating the coastline.
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Home » 16 Day Le Lyrial: The Southern Adventure
Itinerary Highlights
- A polar expedition cruise in the Southern Ocean, between the Falkland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, to discover a dazzling natural environment.
- 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.
- Landscapes: moors scattered with moss and lichen, white-sand beaches and turquoise waters in the Falkland Islands; drifting icebergs, ice floe, glaciers and snow-capped mountains in the Antarctic Peninsula.
- Wildlife: black-browed and light-mantled albatrosses; Magellan, Gentoo, king and southern rockhopper penguins in the Falkland Islands; humpback whales, Gentoo, Adelie, chinstrap penguins, leopard, crabeater and Weddell seals in the Antarctic Peninsula.
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Buenos Aires
- Day 2: Buenos Aires - Ushuaia/Embarkation
- Day 3: At Sea
- Day 4: New Island/Grave Cove
- Day 5: Volunteer Point/Port Stanley
- Day 6-7: At Sea
- Day 8-13: Antarctic Peninsula
- Day 14-15: Crossing the Drake Passage
- Day 16: Ushuaia
Day 1: Buenos Aires
On your first day, a representative will be waiting for your arrival to ensure a smooth transfer and assist you with your check-in at your hotel and settle into your room. In the evening, explore the local area around your hotel.
Day 2: Buenos Aires - Ushuaia/Embarkation
But first, a delicious breakfast is in order to fuel your adventures ahead. The excitement of embarking on another adventure is palpable as you settle into your seat and prepare for your flight to Ushuaia. On arrival you will transfer to the port for embarkation before your departure at 6pm.
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: 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 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 4: New Island/Grave Cove
Make your way through the turbulent Woolly Gut strait and emerge in the stillness of Grave Cove. Located in the northern edge of the Falkland Islands, this bay owes its name to the vestiges of whalers’ graves that overlook the beach. As you step off the boat and onto the white-sand beach, you might find yourself escorted by a few hospitable Commerson's dolphins, elegantly adorned in black and white. A stroll along the grassy dunes will lead you to a vast plain of lush green grass, tended by a few sheep. On the other side of the island you'll find one of the largest gentoo penguin colonies in the area. With some luck, you'll also glimpse a sea lion scouring the waves for his next meal.
Day 5: Volunteer Point / Port Stanley
A peninsula located at the far north-east of the Falkland Islands, Volunteer Point, named after the ship The Volunteer which called there in 1815, promises moving encounters in the heart of totally unspoiled nature. Due to its exceptional birdlife, the spot is identified as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) and is, above all, renowned as the home of the island’s largest king penguin colony. These elegant birds, which are expressive and not particularly timid, will offer you moments of pure awe and the opportunity to take magnificent photos. You’ll certainly be touched by the fledglings, dressed in their thick brown plumage.
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 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 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 8-13: 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 14-15: Crossing the Drake Passage
If there is one place, one sea, one waterway dreaded by tourists, researchers and hardened seafarers alike, it is undoubtedly Drake Passage. Situated at the latitude of the infamous Furious Fifties winds, between Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands, it is the shortest route to connect Antarctica to South America. Seasoned navigators will tell you that you must earn your visit to the White Continent! As the Antarctic convergence zone where cold currents rising up from the South Pole meet warmer equatorial water masses, Drake Passage harbours a very diverse marine fauna. Don't forget to look to the sky to catch a glimpse of elegant albatross and Cape petrels, playfully floating about in the wind around your ship.
Day 16: Ushuaia
Today is the final day of your journey. Before disembarking at 8am, we invite you to enjoy an early morning breakfast and transferring to Ushuaia airport for your flight to Buenos Aires.
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…
Cabin Details
Superior Stateroom
21m², 2 single beds or 1 king bed, individually-controlled air-conditioning, shower, minibar, flatscreen, satellite TV, deck with stationery, iPod players, video on demand, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220V outlets, french bath products, 24-hour room service and WiFi access.
Deluxe Double Stateroom
18m², 2 single beds or 1 king bed, private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, shower, minibar, flatscreen, satellite TV, deck with stationery, iPod players, video on demand, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220V outlets, French bath products, 24-hour room service and WiFi access.
Prestige Stateroom - Deck 4
18m², 2 single beds or 1 king bed, private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, shower, minibar, flatscreen, satellite TV, deck with stationery, iPod players, video on demand, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220V outlets, French bath products, 24-hour room service and WiFi access.
Prestige Stateroom - Deck 5
18m², 2 single beds or 1 king bed, private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, shower, minibar, flatscreen, satellite TV, deck with stationery, iPod players, video on demand, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220V outlets, French bath products, 24-hour room service and WiFi access.
Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6
18m², 2 single beds or 1 king bed, private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, shower, minibar, flatscreen, satellite TV, deck with stationery, iPod players, video on demand, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220V outlets, French bath products, 24-hour room service, WiFi access and butler service.
Deluxe Suite
27m², 2 single beds or 1 king bed, private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, shower, minibar, flatscreen, satellite TV, deck with stationery, iPod players, video on demand, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220V outlets, French bath products, 24-hour room service and WiFi access.
Prestige Suite - Deck 5
36m², 2 single beds or 1 king bed, 8m² private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, shower, minibar, flatscreen, satellite TV, deck with stationery, iPod players, video on demand, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220V outlets, French bath products, 24-hour room service and WiFi access.
Privilege Suite
36m², 2 single beds or 1 king bed, 8m² private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, bathtub, minibar, flatscreen, satellite TV, deck with stationery, iPod players, video on demand, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220V outlets, French bath products, 24-hour room service and WiFi access.
Grand Deluxe Suite
45m², 2 single beds or 1 king bed, 10m² private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, bathtub, minibar, flatscreen, satellite TV, deck with stationery, iPod players, video on demand, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220V outlets, French bath products, 24-hour room service and WiFi access.
Grand Privilege Suite
54m², 4 single beds or 2 king beds, 12m² private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, shower and bathtub, minibar, flatscreen, satellite TV, deck with stationery, iPod players, video on demand, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220V outlets, French bath products, 24-hour room service and WiFi access.
Owner's Suite
54m², located on deck 6, 2 single beds or 1 king bed, french design, panoramic views, individually-controlled air-conditioning, shower, minibar, flatscreen, satellite TV, deck with stationery, iPod players, video on demand, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220V outlets, French bath products, 24-hour room service, WiFi access, 1 private transfer (round trip: airport - hotel - port) and 1 free hour of spa treatments.
Deluxe Single Stateroom
18m², 2 single beds or 1 king bed, private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, shower, minibar, flatscreen, satellite TV, deck with stationery, iPod players, video on demand, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220V outlets, French bath products, 24-hour room service and WiFi access.
Le Lyrial Deckplan
Specifications
- Length: 466 feet
- Beam: 59 feet
- Draft: 15.3 feet
- Cruising Speed: 14 knots
- Ice Class: 1C
- Classification: Bureau Veritas
- Flag: French
- Guest Decks: 6
- Guest Capacity: Up to 260 pax
- Guest capacity Antarctica: 200 pax
- Normal Crew Size: 140
- Fleet of Expedition Zodiac®: Mark V HD
- Gross Tonnage: 10,992 UMS
- Electric Motors: 2 x 2300 kW
- Installed Power: 7,200 kW
- Construction: Fincantieri-Ancône-Italy
Whats included?
- A shuttle towards Buenos Aires.
- One pre-embarkation hotel night in Buenos Aires.
- Economy class flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia.
- Economy class flight from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires.
- Services of local guides, in Ushuaia.
- Transfers as mentioned in the programme.
- Accommodation in your selected stateroom
- Landings and zodiac outings
- A full meal plan
- Open Bar: beginning with boarding, and during the duration of the cruise, a wide selection of drinks (mineral water, soft drinks, wine, beer, Charles Heidsieck champagne, spirits, coffee, tea) is served on request and at any time of the day. Certain premium alcoholic beverages on the menu are not included in the Open Bar.
- Free Wi-Fi internet access 24 hours a day
- Port taxes
What’s not included?
- Transfer between airport and hotel in Buenos Aires, the day before embarkation.
- Tips for the local guide.
- Personal expenses.
- Other meals and services not mentioned in the programme.