Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands: Holiday Voyage (2023)

Arrive in Argentina’s capital and transfer to your hotel.

Palacio Duhau — Park Hyatt Buenos Aires

Explore Buenos Aires with your local guides, choosing from excursions that include a guided tour with a tango demonstration or a tour of the city’s vibrant street art scene. In the evening, join your fellow guests and A&K staff for a welcome cocktail reception.

Palacio Duhau — Park Hyatt Buenos Aires | Meals: B

Fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Take a guided trek in the Cerro Alarken Nature Reserve before boarding your luxurious expedition cruiser for the next 15 days of adventure. Watch with your family from the comfort of your own private balcony as ‘Le Lyrial’ heads out to sea.

'Le Lyrial' | Meals: BLD

As you sail east toward the Falkland Islands, A&K’s Expedition Team begins its exciting lecture series, covering everything from penguins to the formation of sea ice to thrilling personal accounts of living in Antarctica. Photography enthusiasts of all ages enjoy time with A&K’s Resident Photo Coach, on hand to share tips and answer questions. Young guests — even teens, who may enjoy their own teens-only group — are invited to join Young Explorers Guides for onboard adventures ranging from a scavenger hunt to nautical knot-tying with a former British Royal Marine Commando. The cool waters in these parts are rich in krill, making them a favourite with local wildlife searching for food. Alongside your naturalist guides, spot various species of whales and seabirds from ‘Le Lyrial’s’ deck.

'Le Lyrial' | Meals: BLD

Today, your luxury expedition ship arrives in the remote Falkland Islands. Conditions permitting, you may visit the tiny capital of Stanley, where you can stroll its charming streets and explore its surrounding wilderness areas. This evening, partake in memorable holiday festivities as you sail toward South Georgia.

'Le Lyrial' | Meals: BLD

Experience a Christmas Day like no other as you find yourself at sea heading toward one of the most beautiful places on earth. As you approach South Georgia, deckside sightings of whales and other wildlife become more frequent. Time spent cruising is once again filled with fascinating lectures by your Expedition Team as well as exciting family-friendly programming led by Young Explorers Guides. The open ocean is a treasure chest bursting with life — scan the seas to spot marine mammals and seabirds as the ship cruises the nutrient-rich waters past the islands of Shag Rocks islands.

'Le Lyrial' | Meals: BLD

Explore South Georgia, the Southern Ocean’s crown jewel of wildlife. South Georgia is a nearly submerged continuation of the Andes Mountains, and your days here are spent exploring its glacier-carved coves and rugged shores — ideal for exploring with your naturalist guides on Zodiacs (sturdy inflatable boats). Weather and ice conditions permitting, excursions over the next three days include stops along the northeast coastline of the island, where you may have the chance to visit vast colonies of king penguins and southern elephant seals. You may also explore iconic historic sites with your A&K historian, who shares tales of the whaling era and the heroic age of exploration. You also learn about the life and exploits of Antarctica’s greatest explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton, whose final resting place is right here on South Georgia Island, at Grytviken.

'Le Lyrial': Meals: BLD

Cruise the Scotia Sea while your expert lecturers recap your adventures in South Georgia and hint at what’s to come in Antarctica. Young Explorers Guides arrange for engaging activities that include dissecting loligo squids, creating Japanese fish prints with an ink rubbing and a special visit to the ship’s high-tech bridge to see how ‘Le Lyrial’ is controlled. As the end of the year approaches, celebrate with onboard festivities and the anticipation of Antarctica.

'Le Lyrial' | Meals: BLD

Begin an unforgettable New Year with incredible landings on the Antarctic Peninsula and a number of South Shetland Islands. Weather and ice conditions permitting, your Expedition Team takes advantage of the best opportunities to set out on Zodiacs and explore the continent’s iconic shores, which teem with gentoo, Adélie and chinstrap penguins. Meanwhile, a parent-free Zodiac ride beckons younger guests, who receive a lesson from their naturalist guide on how to drive the nimble boats while cruising past ice floes, whales and napping leopard seals. Antarctica’s stunning geography enhances the excitement of your experience here as dramatic snow-capped mountains, shimmering glaciers and iceberg-strewn channels compete for your attention.

'Le Lyrial' | Meals: BLD

Bid farewell to Antarctica as ‘Le Lyrial’ points north toward Ushuaia. Enjoy time with the new friends you’ve made and observe more marine life from the decks with your naturalist experts, while younger explorers participate in family-friendly activities with their dedicated guides.

'Le Lyrial' | Meals: BLD

After breakfast, disembark ‘Le Lyrial.’ Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Buenos Aires, where you board your flight home.

Meals: B

This journey contains some active elements, including Zodiac boat excursions, walks over uneven terrain and optional, challenging hikes.

Note: Itinerary is for guidance purposes only and may be adjusted due to unforeseen circumstances including weather, wildlife, ice, medical emergencies and other conditions beyond A&K’s control at the sole discretion of the Captain.

Buenos Aires/Ushuaia/Buenos Aires Economy Class flights included.

Minimum age is 7 years.

Categories 4–9 include room upgrade at the hotel and butler service aboard the ship.

First group event: excursion on Dec 21.

Last group event: disembarkation by 9:00 a.m. on Jan 6.

Note: Proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 is required for this journey, including a booster shot if vaccination was received more than four months prior to departure (two months for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine).

Included with this Luxury Expedition Cruise

• An Exclusively Chartered, All-Inclusive Voyage Led by A&K’s Expedition Team
• Pre-Cruise Stay at Stylish, Ideally Located Hotel and A&K-Led Excursion
• Airport Meet and Greet and Transfers
• Private Balcony with Every Onboard Accommodation and Butler Service with Every Suite
• Maximum Personnel-to-Guest Ratio of 1 to 1.3 and ship occupancy limited to 80 percent
• Culinary Program Featuring French-Inspired Cuisine, Including House Drinks, Afternoon Tea and Pastries
• 24-Hour Room Service and Breakfast in Bed on board
• Complimentary Expedition Parka, Backpack and Water Bottle, and Use of Waterproof Pants, Boots and Trekking Poles
• Zodiac Excursions Led by A&K Expert Naturalist Driver-Guides
• Traveller’s Valet Laundry Service on board
• All Gratuities, Port Charges and Taxes
• Complimentary Wi-Fi on Board and in Hotels
• Onboard Service from an English-Speaking Staff, Including an Accredited Physician
• 24/7 A&K On-Call Support