Le Lyrial

Being your journey in the beautiful white city of Montevideo where you embark the Le Lyrial. Admire the historical remains of Spanish style architecture as well as the beautiful beaches.

As you set sail towards the Falkland Islands your expert guides will be preparing you for upcoming landings such as safety precautions, information about any wildlife that you may encounter and learn the history of the stunning landscape.

Depending on weather and ice conditions, Le Lyrial heads towards Grave Cove and the Neck on Saunders Island. Grace Cove is known as the home of the largest colony of Gentoo penguins with sea lions and Commerson’s dolphins can also be found around the shores of the cove. The Neck is a narrow stretch of land here may observe several species of bird including Magellanic penguins, rockhopper penguins, black-browed albatross and king penguins.

Venture towards north-east of the Falklands, Volunteer Point which is the home of the largest king penguin colony.

Make the most of the ships facilities and the activities on board. Relax in the spa or stay fit in the fitness centre. Presentations will be led by expert guides to prepare you for upcoming landings.

South Georgia is teeming with wildlife. You may observe king and gentoo penguins, elephant or fur seals throughout your time here. Depending on weather and ice conditions you may head to see the majestic glaciers of Gold Harbour or explore the plains of Fortuna Bay. There is also a chance to see 300,000 king penguins on Salisbury Plain.

Rest and relax while days at sea. The expert guides on board will prepare you for upcoming landings.

The South Orkney Islands home to a sizeable leopard seal population alongside chinstrap penguins and snow petrels.

While sailing towards the Antarctic Peninsula, rest and relax or head to the decks to observe the spectacular waves and spot the sea animals below.

Before heading to Ushuaia you will across the notorious Drake Passage. Reflect on the trips memorable moments and incredible experiences you’ve had.

Say goodbye to new found friends and the crew as you embark Le Lyrial in Ushuaia.

Capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is considered the gateway to the “Great White“ 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…

During your day 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 day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, 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.

This island with its distinctive jagged relief is located on the western edge of the Falkland Islands and is home to a tiny village of two families. Step onto the golden sand of its flower-lined beaches, beside which an old stone house still stands, and you’ll feel like you’ve entered a natural paradise. A narrow pathway weaves around typical Falkland moorlands. Follow it and in under 20 minutes, you’ll find yourself at the heart of a colony of southern rockhopper penguins, black-browed albatross and imperial shags. It’s the perfect opportunity to watch the albatross swoop down from the cliffs and skim the waves that crash against the rocks on the exposed side of the island.

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.

If one island of the Falklands calls for use of superlatives, it would undoubtedly be Steeple Jason. Located at the extreme north-west corner of the Falklands, the island is home to the largest black-browed albatross colony in the world. You’ll be rapt at the sight of these magnificent birds with black-contoured eyes. Photographers will delight in immortalising the endless ballet of the albatross, who soars majestically and then alights awkwardly amidst nests. Caracaras, gentoo penguins and Magellanic penguins are also abundantly present as if to prove to the visitor that here nature is king.

The Neck is a narrow stretch of land connecting the two sides of Saunders Island, located on the north-western edge of the Falklands. You’ll safely enter these blustery surroundings with the assistance of your naturalist guides. And once there, a reward awaits you: a veritable paradise of endless shoreline lapped by turquoise waters. Several bird species, also attracted to this stunning location, have settled here. At the other end of The Neck, you’ll encounter Magellanic penguins, southern rockhopper penguins, black-browed albatross and king penguins, all basking in the beauty of their surroundings.

During your day 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 day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, 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.

Aboard 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.

During your day 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 day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, 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.

A small British archipelago discovered in the 16th century by the Portuguese sailor after whom it was named, Tristan da Cunha is made up of several islands scattered off the South-African coast. Most of these are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. During your cruise, you will discover the archipelago’s eponymous main island, offering visitors basalt land lulled by the swell, home to the only village in the chain of islands, and topped with a volcano

This small active volcanic island of 3 km² belongs to the isolated Tristan da Cunha island chain, far out in the South Atlantic. Totally uninhabited, the island is visited only by researchers for whom it offers a rich field of observation. The island is colonised by over a million birds, including great shearwaters and Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross, two iconic species of these Subantarctic waters.

Located in the midst of the Roaring Forties winds, this small uninhabited volcanic island is the remotest of the Tristan da Cunha islands. Stopovers here are no easy feat and require authorisation. But even from your Zodiac^®, you’ll have a chance to take in the beauty of this wild island, lined by steep cliffs that plunge dramatically into the ocean. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gough Island harbours one of the largest colonies of seabirds in the world. Endemic species include the Gough finch and the Gough moorhen. Along with its ‘little sister’, Inaccessible Island, Gough constitutes one of the most well-preserved natural sites in the world, virtually unaltered by man.

During your day 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 day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, 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.

Located at the southern tip of the African continent, the Cape of Good Hope was originally dubbed the Cape of Storms by Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias, due to its position at the confluence of two opposing ocean currents. One of the most iconic sites on the planet, the area is a veritable paradise for a number of marine animal species. The cape is one of three promontories offering a breathtaking view onto Table Mountain National Park, a stunning 7,000-km² stretch of greenery. From your ship, you’ll take in the impressive scene of clear ocean waves crashing against steep, towering cliffs.

Dynamic and peaceful, cosmopolitan and hip, Cape Town offers its visitors a most unique mix. Here, the locals like to say that their city is “the quintessential melting pot of South Africa”. Located in the heart of one of the most beautiful bays in the world and dominated by the famous Table Mountain, it is graced with extraordinary landscapes including sheer cliffs that plunge into the Atlantic Ocean and vast white sandy beaches. We invite you to discover this incredible city, the South African capital of fashion, the art of living, and gastronomy. Further on, the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve awaits you and is home to a wide variety of endemic fauna and flora.

Dynamic and peaceful, cosmopolitan and hip, Cape Town offers its visitors a most unique mix. Here, the locals like to say that their city is “the quintessential melting pot of South Africa”. Located in the heart of one of the most beautiful bays in the world and dominated by the famous Table Mountain, it is graced with extraordinary landscapes including sheer cliffs that plunge into the Atlantic Ocean and vast white sand beaches. We invite you to discover this incredible city, the South African capital of fashion, the art of living, and gastronomy. Further on, the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve awaits you and is home to a wide variety of endemic fauna and flora.

Being your journey in the beautiful white city of Montevideo where you embark the Le Lyrial. Admire the historical remains of Spanish style architecture as well as the beautiful beaches.

As you set sail towards the Falkland Islands your expert guides will be preparing you for upcoming landings such as safety precautions, information about any wildlife that you may encounter and learn the history of the stunning landscape.

New Island considered a natural paradise home to rockhopper penguins, black-browed albatross and imperial shags. Grace Cove is known as the home of the largest colony of Gentoo penguins with sea lions and Commerson’s dolphins can also be found around the shores of the cove.

As you set sail towards the Falkland Islands your expert guides will be preparing you for upcoming landings such as safety precautions, information about any wildlife that you may encounter and learn the history of this stunning landscape.

South Georgia is teeming with wildlife. You may observe king and gentoo penguins, elephant or fur seals throughout your time here. Depending on weather and ice conditions you may head to see the majestic glaciers of Gold Harbour or explore the plains of Fortuna Bay. There is also a chance to see 300,000 king penguins on Salisbury Plain.

As you set sail towards the Antarctic Peninsula your expert guides will be preparing you for upcoming landings such as safety precautions, information about any wildlife that you may encounter and learn the history of the stunning landscape.

The Antarctic Peninsula home to flourishing wildlife all set within the spectacular backdrop of a blue and white landscape. You may observe penguins, humpback whales, seals, elephant seals, fur seals, giant petrels, whales, orcas and minke whales. Depending on ice and weather conditions, each day your expert leaders may take you landings where you learn about the research stations, the rich history of the Antarctic Peninsula as well as the ecosystems in this region.

Weather permitting, today you’ll cross the Antarctic Polar Circle. Crossing this line is quite an achievement as only a few can say that they’ve travelled this far south.

You begin your journey home towards Ushuaia. Take this time to observe passing glaciers and icebergs as well as spotting seabirds and marine animals below. Take this time to reflect on the incredible experiences so far and share your photos and stories with new found friends. Crossing the Drake Passage is also a memorable experience. This infamous passage is said to churn even the stomachs of season sailors!

Savour in your final breakfast before disembarking in Ushuaia.

Capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is considered the gateway to the “Great White“ 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.

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. From the ship’s bridge, you will experience exceptional sailing moments before joining the naturalist-guides on your ship’s exterior decks to look out for albatrosses, cape petrels, and other seabirds flying over the Drake Passage.

Capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is considered the gateway to the “Great White“ 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…