Falklands, South Georgia & Valdes Peninsula: In The Heart Of The Wilderness

Admire a black and white sea of penguins on the remote beaches of South Georgia, hike along the rocky coastlines of the Falkland Islands as black-browed albatrosses fly overhead, hope to catch the unique sight of orcas voluntarily beaching themselves to hunt on the beaches of the Valdes Peninsula... Ponant is offering you the possibility of having these unforgettable experiences as you discover a spectacular natural environment during a brand-new 19-day expedition cruise aboard Le Boréal.

You will leave Ushuaia in your wake and sail to fabulous South Georgia. Here, king penguins, elephant...read more seals and fur seals have invaded the shore and the young, newly emancipated from their parents, observe you with a curious eye. Light-mantled albatrosses fly above the black-sand beaches encircled by the island's mountains. It is there, amid the snow-covered mountains, that Sir Ernest Shackleton miraculously ran aground during the famous Endurance Odyssey in 1916, before returning to rescue the rest of his crew, left behind on the remote 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.

Your expedition to the heart of the South Atlantic will continue with a visit to the Falkland Islands. As you sail in this archipelago of two hundred 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 thousands of Gentoo and king penguins, the elephant seals, sea lions, fur seals, and the black-browed albatrosses that watch from above. The scenery soon shifts, as the mountainous landscapes give way to the arid steppes of the Chubut province in Argentina. After a stop in the charming Camarones, renowned for its prawns, you will explore the Valdes Peninsula.

In this wildlife sanctuary, you will watch orcas hunt young elephant seals on the beaches, as Magellanic penguins look on. The eared seals yawn indolently, the guanacos gallop elegantly, and the skunk dolphins swim peacefully. The majestic beauty of the natural environment is awe-inspiring. 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.