Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands (Le Lyrial)

Description

Join this panoramic adventure with passionate A&K experts aboard all-balcony ‘Le Lyrial,’ exploring the best of the Southern Ocean, including the colourful and cultural Falkland Islands, unspoiled South Georgia with its incredible rookeries of king penguins, and unequalled Antarctica.

Trip Name

Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands (Le Lyrial)

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Luxury Small Ship Length: 142 metres Passenger Capacity: 224 Launched: 2015 A sleek silhouette, a welcoming intimate atmosphere, discover aboard this new ship the philosophy that has made our sisterships such a success: the spirit of Yacht Cruises. Sailing under the French flag, this magnificent yacht of only 122 staterooms and Suites, with balconies, will join our fleet in April 2015. You will be enchanted by the contemporary decor inspired by the our destinations and the blue light of the Vega star in the Lyra constellation. The result is a subtle variation around a palette of blues, ranging from the luminous delicate grey-blue of the Polar ice to splashes of the vivid turquoise blue found in Mediterranean coves A refined ambiance is enhanced by the quality of the workmanship and materials: white Corian counters in the lobby contrast with the warmth of leather to recall a boat’s hull, while the central sculpture of enamelled pieces takes its inspiration from the sea. In the loungebar, the carpet picks up a tennis stripe theme symbolising a certain idea of cruising, one synonymous with French elegance and a chic seaside spirit.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1 Arrive Buenos Aires, Argentina

Arrive in Argentina’s capital city. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy time at leisure.Palacio Duhau — Park Hyatt Buenos Aires

Day 2 - Day 2 Buenos Aires | Latin Style and European Grandeur

With its wide boulevards and classical buildings, romantic and exciting Buenos Aires boasts a contagious energy. Today, explore its treasures with expert A&K local guides, choosing from a selection of included excursions. Opt to see Buenos Aires on a guided tour complete with a tango demonstration or dive into a burgeoning scene on a guided tour focused on the city’s street art. Tonight, join your fellow travellers and A&K staff for a welcome cocktail reception and briefing.Palacio Duhau — Park Hyatt Buenos Aires | Meals: B

Day 3 - Day 3 Ushuaia | At the Edge of the World

Fly to the port city of Ushuaia, located at the southern tip of South America. On arrival, enjoy lunch at the Arakur resort and, time and weather permitting, take a nature walk in the Cerro Alarken Nature Reserve, or simply relax with a cappuccino and views of Ushuaia and the Beagle Channel. Later, board ‘Le Lyrial’ and settle into your stateroom, where you can take in views right from your own private balcony. Throughout your journey, benefit from immersive insight, with incomparable enrichment programs both aboard and on shore, and an Expedition Team that is second to none. Walk the decks and explore the common spaces as you familiarize yourself with your luxury cruiser, your home for the next 15 nights at sea. You may even want to toast to your journey in the bar with your fellow guests.‘Le Lyrial’ | Meals: BLD

Day 4 - Day 4 At Sea | Riches of the Southern Ocean

As you sail east toward the Falkland Islands, your Expedition Team begins an informal series of enlightening daily discussions on the flora and fauna, geology, and history of the region. These expert lectures span diverse topics, such as seabirds and penguins of the Southern Ocean, the formation of sea ice over thousands of years, and personal accounts of living and working in Antarctica. Photography enthusiasts especially enjoy time with A&K’s resident photo coach, who is on hand to share tips and answer questions. 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

Day 5 - Day 5 Falkland Islands | Remote Archipelago

Arrive in the Falkland Islands and enjoy opportunities to explore. You may visit its remote western islands, home to Magellanic and rockhopper penguins as well as striking hourglass dolphin species, such as the Commerson and NB Peale.‘Le Lyrial’ | Meals: BLD

Day 6 - Days 6 - 7 Cruising the South Atlantic | Abundant Wildlife

As you approach South Georgia, deck-side sightings of whales and other wildlife become more frequent. Time spent cruising is once again filled with informative lectures and casual talks with your guides, leaving your knowledge of the region greatly enriched. Scan the seas to spot marine mammals and seabirds as the ship cruises the nutrient-rich waters past the islands of Shag Rocks.‘Le Lyrial’ | Meals: BLD

Day 7 - Days 8 - 10 South Georgia | Footsteps of Ernest Shackleton

South Georgia is a nearly submerged continuation of the Andes mountain range, and your days here are spent exploring its glacier-carved coves and rugged shores. Weather and ice conditions determine our schedule, which may include stops along the northeast coastline of the island and opportunities to see the nesting wandering albatross, as well as vast colonies of king penguins and Southern elephant seals. You may also visit iconic historic sites alongside your A&K historian, where you learn about the whaling era; the Heroic Age of polar exploration; and Antarctica’s greatest explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton, who’s final resting place is right here on South Georgia Island at Grytviken.‘Le Lyrial’ | Meals: BLD

Day 8 - Days 11 - 12 Cruising the Scotia Sea | Antarctica Anticipation

During your time cruising the Scotia Sea — rich with marine mammals and fish — your enrichment specialists recap your adventures in South Georgia. During additional, enriching lectures, learn more about the Seventh Continent, from the terrain to the hardy wildlife that inhabits it. Ensuring your experience reaches far beyond that of everyday travellers, ongoing, informative discussions with your Expedition Team lend further context.‘Le Lyrial’ | Meals: BLD

Day 9 - Days 13 - 15 Antarctica | The White Continent

Gargantuan icebergs, mountains thrusting out of the ocean and glaciers curling from the tops of seaside cliffs — count these among Antarctica’s many magical displays. Arrive today at the shores of the incredible White Continent for exciting days of exploration. Conditions permitting, your itinerary includes the Antarctic Peninsula and a number of South Shetland Islands. Deeply familiar with the region, your A&K Expedition Team plots landings that offer the best opportunities to see the continent’s iconic wildlife, including gentoo, Adélie and chinstrap penguins as well as a wide variety of whale and seal species. Serving as the backdrop for these amazing wildlife experiences, Antarctica’s spectacular geography reveals sherbet-coloured glaciers, snowy mountain peaks, and iceberg-laden channels and bays. As you cruise, scan the coast and seas daily for more wildlife showings, all from the comfort of your private balcony and the outer decks of your ship.‘Le Lyrial’ | Meals: BLD

Day 10 - Days 16 - 17 The Drake Passage: Return & Reflection

Bid farewell to Antarctica as ‘Le Lyrial’ points north for Ushuaia. Enjoy more opportunities to observe wildlife while reflecting on an incredible journey.‘Le Lyrial’ | Meals: BLD

Day 11 - Day 18 Depart Ushuaia

After breakfast, disembark in Ushuaia. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Buenos Aires, where you connect to your flight home.Meals: B

Day 12 - Please 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.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Cruise for 15 nights on elegant ‘Le Lyrial,’ enjoying all-balcony accommodations and a guest capacity limited to just 199, only when exclusively chartered by A&K
Begin your journey with two nights at the beautiful Palacio Duhau — Park Hyatt on Alvear Avenue in Buenos Aires
Sail with an exceptional team curated by A&K, featuring our award-winning Expedition Team, an experienced service staff and crew, and one of the best personnel-to-guest ratios at 1 to 1.3
Enjoy all-inclusive cruising with included onboard meals and house drinks, Zodiac excursions, expedition gear, port charges, gratuities, Traveller’s Valet laundry service, and complimentary Wi-Fi
Voyage to the Falkland Islands to explore this remote archipelago with its colourful history and abundant wildlife
Explore historic, wildlife-rich South Georgia, where you visit with spectacular king penguin colonies and legendary sites that tell the story of Antarctica’s greatest explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton
Experience the best of Antarctica during excursions led by an Expedition Team deeply in tune with this environment