Sign-up to receive our Best Deals!

    The Great Austral Loop ending in Buenos Aires

    Highlights

    Explore the Southern Ocean, the kingdom of great expeditions and home to the most extraordinary adventures, during an expedition cruise to the highest latitudes, from the Falkland Islands to South Georgia and the immaculate lands of Antarctica.

    • Stunning landscapes (moors, beaches, hanging glaciers, ice floes, snow-covered mountains, etc.) and the possibility of observing unique wildlife (penguins, elephant seals, sea lions, whales, etc.).
    • Activities: opportunities for hikes, outings and shore visits in a dinghy with an experienced team of naturalist guides, to discover the history and biodiversity of this region.

    Map/Itinerary

    Please note: this itinerary is meant to serve as a general guide. Plans may change along the way, depending on weather, sea conditions, or choices made by the Expedition Leader and team to give you the safest and most rewarding experience.

    Day 1Buenos Aires

    Meet at Ezeiza international airport or Jorge Newbery Airport (Aeroparque) in the arrival hall. You will be greeted by a local representative.

    You will be transferred to your 5* hotel.

    Your room will be available from 11:00 a.m.

    A hospitality desk will be available at the hotel.

    You will enjoy lunch at leisure and spend the afternoon at your own pace, before joining an organised dinner at the hotel in the evening.

    Overnight at the hotel.

    Day 2Embarkation Day – Buenos Aires/Ushuaia

    An early morning breakfast will be served before leaving to the airport for you flight Buenos Aires – Ushuaia.

    Transfer to the airport.

    Flight Buenos Aires/Ushuaia in economy class.

    Approximate flight duration: 3 hours, 30 min.

    Upon arrival at the airport, you will be welcomed by a local representative.

    The services and activities offered will be adapted prior to embarkation according to your flight arrival time at the port.

    Day 3-4Crossing the Drake Passage

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

    Day 5-6Antarctic 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 7-8At 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 9-11South Georgia

    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.

    Day 12-13At 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 14Port Stanley

    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 15The Neck, Saunders Island & Grave Cove

    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.

    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 16Steeple Jason Island

    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.

    Day 17-19At 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 20Buenos Aires

    Disembarkation at around 7:00 AM

    A port city built on the south-western shore of the Rio de la Plata, between the Atlantic Ocean and the vast Argentine Pampas, Buenos Aires is a unique city in Latin America. Nicknamed “the Little Paris of South America”, the Argentine capital is a clever blend of architecture with European influences and a joyful Latin American atmosphere. Designed on an orthogonal grid plan, it has 48 districts, all of which are as charming as they are different, with a range of styles such as Belle Époque, gothic and baroque. With its markets overflowing with treasures, its legendary cultural and architectural heritage, and tango providing its background music, the Argentine capital will delight you on every street corner.

    Inclusions/Exclusions

    Inclusions

    • Transfer from the airport to your hotel, the day before embarkation.
    • 1-night accommodation in Superior room (or similar) in a 5* hotel the night before embarkation.
    • Superior room (or similar) available from 11:00 a.m.
    • Hospitality desk at the hotel in Buenos Aires.
    • Return flight Buenos Aires/Ushuaia/Buenos Aires in economy class.
    • Services of local guides, in Ushuaia.
    • Meals as mentioned in the programme and beverage package.
    • Transfers as mentioned in the programme.
    • Full board from arrival to departure day
    • High-end gastronomy in all restaurants
    • All beverages in restaurants, bars, and minibars. All drinks are included² (a selection of champagnes, wines and spirits, beers, cocktails, water, soft drinks, hot beverages)
    • 24-hour room service
    • Butler service for certain suites
    • Unlimited internet access onboard
    • Evening events, shows, and other entertainment
    • Access to the fitness area and hammam or sauna, depending on the ship
    • All port and security charges

    ²Excluding premium à la carte beverages.

    Exclusions

    • Tips for the local guide.
    • Personal expenses.
    • Other meals and services not mentioned in the programme.

    Dates & Prices

    Filter all trips

    Regions

    Destinations

    Price

    Vessel Category

    Month

    Year

    Duration

    Sort by

    Start: Feb 25, 2027

    End: Mar 16, 2027

    Departure: Buenos Aires

    Arrival: Buenos Aires

    L’Austral

    Duration: 20 Days

    Show Prices
    From$24,960$22,720

    Start: Mar 3, 2027

    End: Mar 22, 2027

    Departure: Buenos Aires

    Arrival: Buenos Aires

    Le Boreal

    Duration: 20 Days

    Show Prices
    From$24,289$22,720

    Start: Mar 9, 2027

    End: Mar 28, 2027

    Departure: Buenos Aires

    Arrival: Buenos Aires

    Le Lyrial

    Duration: 20 Days

    Show Prices
    From$24,482$21,670

    Gallery

    Contact Us