INTRODUCTION Follow in the footsteps of the Antarctic explorers who set out to conquer the final frontier and last territories of the far south. Setting sail from Montevideo, this 15 day cruise aboard Le Lyrial takes you to discover the enchanting Falkland Islands and the stunning Antarctic Peninsula. Discovered by a Spanish expedition at the beginning of the 16th century, the Falkland Islands offer unique panoramas of undulating hillsides and lush green moors dotted with moss and lichen. The islands are home to a plethora of fascinating wildlife, including the largest population of black-browed albatrosses in the world. Further south you will encounter the magnificent landscapes of the Antarctic Peninsula. Vast expanses of ice floes, tabular icebergs, glaciers and snow-capped peaks - the polar desert is captivating. It is also home to an incredible array of wildlife from penguins, seals and whales to a multitude of seabirds. Highlights include Elephant Island, the mountainous island covered in ice on which the crew of the Endurance, led by Ernest Shackleton, survived for 129 days in 1916 and Deception Island with its beaches of black sand and the abandoned huts of former whaling stations. ITINERARY DAY 1: Embarkation in Montevideo (Uruguay) Perched on the far southern tip of Uruguay, Montevideo is the historic yet cosmopolitan capital of Uruguay. Situated on the east bank of the Rio de la Plata it is home to half of Uruguay s population. The city has much to offer with historic buildings dating back to Spanish rule. The Old City (Cuidad Vieja), formerly fortified, dates back to the 18th century with the Plaza Independencia at its heart and its Citadel Gate used up until 1829 to protect the city from invasion. The best preserved buildings are the cathedral and the former government palace of the Cabildo, both listed historic monuments. The plaza separates the Ciudad Vieja with its art deco buildings, colonial homes and landmarks such as the towering Palacio Salvo, from the city's downtown. Embarkation is scheduled for 16:00 to 17:00 at the port of Montevideo, with the ship setting sail at 20:00.
DAY 2: At Sea - Day 2 & 3 The ship heads south along the coast of Argentina, giving you time to acquaint yourself with the ship s facilities and enjoy the views from the deck. DAY 4: Camarones, Argentina 180 nautical miles south of Puerto Madryn, we disembark the ship at Bahia Camarones, a small settlement and picturesque village located in Argentina s Chubut Province. Founded in 1900, and originally devoted to wool production, today Camarones has a population of around 1,000 inhabitants. From the pier, we travel by coach along a scenic coastal road for 45 minutes to reach the Cabo Dos Bahías Nature Reserve, home to the largest Magellanic penguin rookery in the area. Located 28 kilometres south of the town, along provincial route N 1, the reserve was created to preserve land and sea areas along with its flora and fauna, and to provide a recreational and educational space for visitors. Around 30,000 pairs of Magellanic penguins are found here during the breeding season, along with foxes, rheas, Patagonian hares, guanacos and skunks. A short trek along well marked paths leads to the shore framed by amazing geological scenery. After 2.5 hours in the reserve, we return to the pier and the ship and set sail once more. DAY 5: At Sea Leaving Camarones, we head south east towards the Falkland Islands, watching out for marine life and enjoying the views of the open ocean. These waters are home to an interesting group of seabirds, including albatrosses and petrels that often ride the currents created in the wake of the ship. The Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory, is an archipelago that lies 490kms east of Patagonia in the South Atlantic Ocean. Surrounded by decades of controversy, the Falkland Islands (or Islas Malvinas as they are known in Argentina) have been settled and claimed by France, Spain, Britain and Argentina. The islands have much to offer with a wide variety of spectacular wildlife, beautiful rugged scenery as well as an interesting history. Five species of penguin breed on the islands (gentoo, king, macaroni, Magellanic and rockhopper).
DAY 6: Saunders Island, West Point (Falkland Islands) Saunders Island is the fourth largest of the Falkland Islands and was the site of the first British settlement in the Falklands archipelago. It is an important bird area for Falkland steamer ducks, ruddy-headed geese, king penguins, gentoo penguins, southern rockhopper penguins, macaroni penguins and black-browed albatrosses. The island is near the southernmost range limit of the Magellanic penguin. West Point Island lies in the northwest corner of the archipelago and boasts some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the Falklands, with dramatic westfacing cliffs. Home to an abundance of flora, birds and marine life, the island is also a working sheep farm. The island has over 2,000 pairs of blackbrowed albatross, 500 pairs of rockhopper penguins, Magellanic penguins, rock cormorants, several species of small bird and tussock plantations. The harbour is often teeming with dolphins. DAY 7: Barren Island, Falkland Islands Barren Island lies south west of East Falkland and south east of George Island, separated from Lafonia by Eagle Passage. Along with George Island it forms the southernmost working farm in the Falklands. The island is devoid of introduced species such as rats and as a result there is a thriving population of small birds with large numbers of breeding pairs of Cobb s wren and tussock-birds. Elephant seals, southern sea lions, southern giant petrel colonies, gentoo penguins, rockhopper penguins and Magellanic penguins can also be found here as well as grass wrens and Falkland pipits. DAY 8: At Sea Leaving the Falkland Islands, we set a course for Elephant Island and the Antarctic Peninsula.
DAY 9: Elephant Island Today we plan to visit historic Elephant Island, the mountainous, windswept island covered in ice on which the crew of Sir Ernest Shackleton s Endurance expedition managed to survive for 129 days in 1916. Shackleton was forced to leave 22 of his men stranded on these shores, while he and five others embarked on an unbelievable rescue attempt aboard the James Caird, one of the greatest rescue stories of all times. All of Shackleton s men survived despite the inhospitable nature of the island with its steep, ice-covered mountainsides. A colony of chinstrap penguins has settled at Point Wild and gentoo penguins and elephant seals shelter at Cape Lookout. DAY 10: Weddell Sea Amidst the eerie stillness and silence of the Weddell Sea, the ship weaves its way through a labyrinth of majestic table icebergs. Sweeping ice platforms sculpt an incredible and indescribable landscape, populated by fur seals, penguin colonies, wandering albatross, giant petrels and other imposing seabirds. The Weddell seal, king of this realm, has a haunting cry that pierces the surrounding silence. Recognisable by their dark grey coat and spotted underside, Weddell seals are able to remain submerged for more than an hour. To maintain access to the sea and be able to fish, Weddell seals have special teeth that allow them to make a hole in the thick ice.
DAY 11: Cuverville, Cierva Cove Cuverville Island lies in the scenic Errera Channel. It was discovered by the Belgian Antarctic Expedition (1897-1899) under Adrien de Gerlache, who named it for J.M.A. Cavelier de Cuverville, a vice admiral of the French Navy. Cuverville is home to the largest gentoo penguin colony in the Antarctic Peninsula, surrounded by glaciers and castellated icebergs. Other nesting birds include southern giant petrels and imperial shags. Cierva Cove lies to the south of the Chavdar Peninsula along the west coast of s Graham Land. It was named after the Spaniard Juan de la Cierva, who designed the first successful rotating wing aircraft in 1923. The back of the cove is a huge glacial face that regularly calves ice into the bay. It is a great location for Zodiac cruising with spectacular icebergs often present. Seals are usually spotted on the ice floes within Cierva Cove, including crabeater, Weddell and leopard seals. DAY 12: Deception Island, Half Moon Island Situated just above the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, Deception Island is easily recognisable due to its distinctive horseshoe shape. The crater of this former volcano caved in 10,000 years ago and the resulting caldera was flooded, creating a natural harbour. If weather conditions permit we will sail into the flooded volcanic caldera, surrounded by rugged and dramatic scenery. Deception Island still bears traces of its past as a hub of the whaling industry. The remains of abandoned sheds that formed part of the old whaling station line the black sands of the islands volcanic beaches and share space with the islands spectacular fauna. Deception Island is home to the Antarctic Peninsula s largest colony of chinstrap penguins, as well as numerous elephant seals and fur seals. Nestled among the South Shetland Islands in the icy waters of the Antarctic, Half Moon Island has a surreal and mystical setting. Long, jagged coastlines alternate with gently sloping bays, overlooked by petrified volcanic pipes. Camara, a former Argentine research station built at the centre of the island in 1953, still stands in the crook of a vast, crescentshaped beach of large ash-coloured pebbles battered by icy electric-blue waves. Half Moon's wild lunar landscape is home to a number of animal species, including chinstrap penguins, fur seals, Weddell seals and Antarctic terns.
DAY 13: Drake Passage - Day 13 & 14 Leaving, we head north across the infamous Drake Passage. Situated at the latitude of the Furious Fifties winds, between Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands, it is the shortest route between South America and. It bears the name of the 16th century English explorer, Sir Francis Drake. At the convergence zone where cold currents rising up from the South Pole meet warmer equatorial water masses moving in the opposite direction, the Drake Passage harbours a diverse marine fauna. The nutrient rich waters attract a variety of seabirds, whales and other species. You may see albatrosses and Cape petrels soaring in the wind around the ship. We are scheduled to arrive into the port of Ushuaia at 18:30 on Day 17 having sailed along the Beagle Channel. We overnight on the ship. Capital of Argentina s Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia lies in a bay opening into the Beagle Channel, at the country s southernmost tip. Its colourful houses are framed against towering mountains, snow-capped throughout the year. DAY 15: Disembarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina We disembark the ship this morning and transfer to Ushuaia airport for the flight to Buenos Aires. INCLUSIONS & DETAILS Accommodation Inclusions Deluxe The rates of our cruises are per person and include all meals while on board the ship (from dinner on the day of embarkation to breakfast on the day of disembarkation), Open Bar, room service 24h, luggage transfer from pier to the ship and vice versa and evening entertainment and events. Flight Ushuaia/Buenos Aires in economy class Transfer pier/airport English speaking local assistance Your program does not include: Gratuities for driver and local guide Personal expenses, and other services not mentioned in the program Difficulty Rating 2 (light adventure)
Single Surcharge Available upon request Notes Price Dependent upon Please note that itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and ice conditions. Contact us for more details Season and availability SUSTAINABILITY GUIDANCE FOR VISITORS TO THE ANTARCTIC RECOMMENDATION XVIII-1, ADOPTED AT THE ANTARCTIC TREATY MEETING, KYOTO, 1994 Activities in the Antarctic are governed by the Antarctic Treaty of 1959 and associated agreements, referred to collectively as the Antarctic Treaty System. The Treaty established as a zone of peace and science. In 1991, the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties adopted the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, which designates the Antarctic as a natural reserve. The Protocol sets out environmental principles, procedures and obligations for the comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment, and its dependent and associated ecosystems. The Consultative Parties have agreed that as far as possible and in accordance with their legal system, the provisions of the Protocol should be applied as appropriate. The Environmental Protocol was ratified in January 1998. The Environmental Protocol applies to tourism and non-governmental activities, as well as governmental activities in the Antarctic Treaty Area. It is intended to ensure that these activities, do not have adverse impacts on the Antarctic environment, or on its scientific and aesthetic values. This Guidance for Visitors to the Antarctic is intended to ensure that all visitors are aware of, and are therefore able to comply with, the Treaty and the Protocol. Visitors are, of course, bound by national laws and regulations applicable to activities in the Antarctic. PROTECT ANTARCTIC WILDLIFE Taking or harmful interference with Antarctic wildlife is prohibited except in accordance with a permit issued by a national authority. Do not use aircraft, vessels, small boats, or other means of transport in ways that disturb wildlife, either at sea or on land. Do not feed, touch, or handle birds or seals, or approach or photograph them in ways that cause them to alter their behavior. Special care is needed when animals are breeding or molting. Do not damage plants, for example by walking, driving, or landing on extensive moss beds or lichen-covered scree slopes. Do not use guns or explosives. Keep noise to the minimum to avoid frightening wildlife. Do not bring non-native plants or animals into the Antarctic, such as live poultry, pet dogs and cats, or house plants.
RESPECT PROTECTED AREAS A variety of areas in the Antarctic have been afforded special protection because of their particular ecological, scientific, historic, or other values. Entry into certain areas may be prohibited except in accordance with a permit issued by an appropriate national authority. Activities in and near designated Historic Sites and Monuments and certain other areas may be subject to special restrictions. Know the locations of areas that have been afforded special protection and any restrictions regarding entry and activities that can be carried out in and near them. Observe applicable restrictions. Do not damage, remove, or destroy Historic Sites or Monuments or any artifacts associated with them. RESPECT SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH Do not interfere with scientific research, facilities or equipment. Obtain permission before visiting Antarctic science and support facilities; reconfirm arrangements 24-72 hours before arrival; and comply with the rules regarding such visits. Do not interfere with, or remove, scientific equipment or marker posts, and do not disturb experimental study sites, field camps, or supplies. BE SAFE Be prepared for severe and changeable weather and ensure that your equipment and clothing meet Antarctic standards. Remember that the Antarctic environment is inhospitable, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous. Know your capabilities and the dangers posed by the Antarctic environment, and act accordingly. Plan activities with safety in mind at all times. Keep a safe distance from all wildlife, both on land and at sea. Take note of, and act on, the advice and instructions from your leaders; do not stray from your group. Do not walk onto glaciers or large snow fields without the proper equipment and experience; there is a real danger of falling into hidden crevasses. Do not expect a rescue service. Self-sufficiency is increased and risks reduced by sound planning, quality equipment, and trained personnel. Do not enter emergency refuges (except in emergencies). If you use equipment or food from a refuge, inform the nearest research station or national authority once the emergency is over. Respect any smoking restrictions, particularly around buildings, and take great care to safeguard against the danger of fire. This is a real hazard in the dry environment of. KEEP ANTARCTICA PRISTINE remains relatively pristine, the largest wilderness area on Earth. It has not yet been subjected to large-scale human perturbations. Please keep it that way. Do not dispose of litter or garbage on land. Open burning is prohibited. Do not disturb or pollute lakes or streams. Any materials discarded at sea must be
disposed of properly. Do not paint or engrave names or graffiti on rocks or buildings. Do not collect or take away biological or geological specimens or man-made artifacts as a souvenir, including rocks, bones, eggs, fossils, and parts or contents of buildings. Do not deface or vandalize buildings or emergency refuges, whether occupied, abandoned, or unoccupied.