Antarctica, South Georgia and Falklands: Holiday Voyage 2026
19
5
199
Celebrate Christmas and usher in the New Year on this family-friendly cruise to the White Continent. From Buenos Aires, fly to Ushuaia and board our exclusively chartered expedition cruiser, Le Lyrial. Encounter the iconic wildlife of South Georgia, the Falkland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula on Zodiac excursions led by naturalists. Along the way, Young Explorers Guides add a dusting of family fun.
Begin your adventure with a stay at the Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires
Sail for 18 days aboard an expedition cruiser exclusively chartered by A&K
Encounter the stark beauty and incredible wildlife of the Falkland Islands
Meet the king penguin colonies of South Georgia, and pay homage at the grave of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton
Celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve with a program of onboard festivities while exploring the Southern Ocean
Junior guests can join in activities led by dedicated Young Explorers Guides
Set foot on the White Continent itself, with Zodiac landings on the Antarctic Peninsula or the South Shetland Islands
Itinerary
Day 1 | Arrive Buenos Aires, Argentina – European Flair on the Plaza de Mayo
Few cities can match the unbridled energy of Buenos Aires, where you will spend one night at the Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires hotel. Sun-bleached boulevards, cutting-edge restaurants and sultry dance halls set the stage for a festive expression of Argentine identity. This is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own charm. La Boca, bright with kaleidoscopic houses and football culture; elegant Recoleta and buzzy Palermo, both packed with independent stores and bars; while the historic streets of San Telmo house antique shops, Parisian-style cafes and tango parlours. Relax with a welcome cocktail ahead of your flight to Ushuaia tomorrow.
Day 2 | Ushuaia – Frontier Life at the End of the World
Beyond Ushuaia’s neat streets and waterfront restaurants stretches the dramatic wilderness of Tierra del Fuego, at the very tip of the Americas, where serrated massifs tower above native forests amid a maze of islands. After your flight from Buenos Aires, take an afternoon trek in the Cerro Alarkén Nature Reserve before boarding your floating home, Le Lyrial, and heading out into the South Atlantic.
Day 3 | The South Atlantic – Following in the Wake of Great Explorers
This vast, wild stretch of ocean south of the equator extends from the east coast of South America to the west coast of Africa and southward to Antarctica, encompassing the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, among other territories. Sailing from Ushuaia and skirting Tierra del Fuego — an archipelago of snowcapped mountains, glaciers, tundra and wind-sculpted trees — Le Lyrial heads east towards the Falkland Islands as a program of lectures and Young Explorer activities gets underway.
Day 4 | The Falkland Islands - A Historic Outpost
Comprising East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 other islands, this British Overseas Territory 300 miles east of South America is as rich in history as it is in wildlife. Stanley, the tiny time-warp capital, is home to the Falkland Islands Museum, Government House, a cathedral, shops, restaurants and a golf course. Throughout this starkly beautiful sub-Antarctic enclave, look out for four species of penguin, lumbering elephant seals, fur seals, whales and some of the largest albatross colonies on the planet.
Day 5 | The Falkland Islands – Islands of Wildlife
Christmas Eve in the Falklands affords more opportunities to experience the islands’ wealth of marine and bird life.
Day 6 | The South Atlantic – Fascinating Lectures and Family Fun
Celebrate Christmas Day in style as Le Lyrial sails for South Georgia. After the party and a visit from Santa for the young ones, immerse yourself in the history, geography and wildlife of Antarctica with your expert Expedition Team.
Day 7 | The South Atlantic – En Route to South Georgia
As you approach South Georgia, deckside wildlife sightings may become more frequent. This stretch of ocean is a treasure chest bursting with life. Scan for seabirds as you keep an eye out for remote islets like the six distinctively pointed outcroppings of the Shag Rocks.
Day 8 | South Georgia – Wildlife-Rich Coastline
Mountainous, with a central ridge and a coastline pitted with fjords and bays, this island 870 miles east of the Falklands archipelago is a breeding ground for vast colonies of elephant seals, fur seals and king penguins, as well as endemic birds such as the South Georgia pipit.
Day 9 | South Georgia – Tales of Brave Explorers
Continue to explore South Georgia’s glacier-carved coves and rugged shores in search of wildlife and, with an A&K historian, learn about the island’s whaling history and the exploits of legendary explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, known for his determination and unflappable calm under pressure.
Day 10 | South Georgia – Elephant Seals, King Penguins and Tales of Human Bravery
South Georgia continues to reveal its wonders on excursions led by your top-notch Expedition Team. As always, have your camera at the ready to capture images of one of the most photogenic wildernesses on earth.
Day 11 | The Scotia Sea – At the Edge of the White Continent
Le Lyrial crosses the boundary from the South Atlantic through the Scotia Sea and into the Southern Ocean, a place where Antarctica feels almost close enough to touch. Cruise past an arc of islands rich in wildlife and partly covered in ice and snow year-round.
Day 12 | The Scotia Sea – Ring In the New Year
Celebrate New Year’s Eve beside your shipmates with a lavish party on board, backdropped by the world’s most spectacular wilderness.
Day 13 | Antarctica – Feel the Wonder of the White Continent
Finally, you have a chance to set foot on the White Continent, with landings — weather permitting — on the Antarctic Peninsula or the South Shetland Islands. Ride aboard a Zodiac as you head to shore against a backdrop of snowcapped mountains, shimmering glaciers and iceberg-strewn channels.
Day 14 | Antarctica – The Last Great Wilderness on Earth
Look out for chinstrap and gentoo penguins by day and photograph the world’s last great wilderness at twilight.
Day 15 | Antarctica – The Ride of a Lifetime
Antarctica invites another day of adventure as snowcapped mountains, shimmering glaciers and iceberg-strewn channels compete for your attention.
Day 16 | Antarctica – A Parting Glimpse
Pause to take it all in on this, your final day in Antarctica, perhaps getting the opportunity to check off any species that may have eluded you until this point.
Day 17 | The Drake Passage – Realm of the Petrel and Albatross
Bid farewell to Antarctica as the ship heads north to Ushuaia, through a stretch of water bridging the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and separating the White Continent from Cape Horn in South America. Sightings of giant petrels and the elusive albatross are possible, while indoor entertainment for Young Explorers is provided by their dedicated guide.
Day 18 | The Drake Passage – Reflections at Sea
On your final day at sea, your Expedition Team keeps the onboard enrichment coming with classes, presentations and a recap of your voyage that includes a professionally produced photo retrospective — a perennial guest favorite. Relax, unwind and reflect on the highlights of your Antarctic voyage as Le Lyrial nears the Argentine coast.
Day 19 | Depart Buenos Aires – The Voyage Ends
After your arrival in Ushuaia, disembark and transfer to your charter flight to Buenos Aires.
Extensions
Iguazu Falls Pre-Tour Extension
Discover Iguazu Falls, visiting the Argentine and Brazilian sides of one of South America's greatest natural wonders.
Itinerary
Itinerary:
Few cities can match the unbridled energy of Buenos Aires, where you will spend one night at the Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires hotel. Sun-bleached boulevards, cutting-edge restaurants and sultry dance halls set the stage for a festive expression of Argentine identity. This is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own charm. La Boca, bright with kaleidoscopic houses and football culture; elegant Recoleta and buzzy Palermo, both packed with independent stores and bars; while the historic streets of San Telmo house antique shops, Parisian-style cafes and tango parlours. Relax with a welcome cocktail ahead of your flight to Ushuaia tomorrow.
Itinerary:
Extensions
Iguazu Falls Pre-Tour Extension
Discover Iguazu Falls, visiting the Argentine and Brazilian sides of one of South America's greatest natural wonders.
Hand Selected for an Unmatched Experience
Le Lyrial
Chartered exclusively for A&K, your luxury expedition cruiser is specially configured to limit capacity to 199 total travellers (from a maximum of 264). The all-English-speaking ship staff is complemented by A&K’s expert Expedition Team. All staterooms and suites feature a private balcony, and every suite offers complimentary butler service. The vessel also features multiple observation, lounge and dining areas, as well as a library, theater, outside heated pool, fitness center, spa, 24-hour medical facility with a certified doctor and a fleet of Zodiac boats for shore expeditions. A&K also includes complimentary wireless Internet and Traveller’s Valet laundry service. The Ice Class 1C vessel is Clean-Ship certified.
Our team looks for the best opportunities to reveal the regions’ natural wonders. When conditions are just right, the team leads you onto the Zodiac boats for a closer look at glaciers and wildlife at sea, as well as excursions to remote shores inaccessible to larger vessels.
Inclusions
Airport Meet and Greet with Transfers
Complimentary Wi-Fi on Board and in Hotels
24/7 A&K On-Call Support
Internal Air Included (Economy Class, $1,000 value) Buenos Aires/Ushuaia/Buenos Aires
Optional pre-tour extension available on this departure.
Active elements include Zodiac boat excursions, walks over uneven terrain and optional, challenging hikes
Minimum age is 7 years old
Welcome reception on Dec 20
Disembarkation by 9:00 a.m. on Jan 7
19 Days
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from $23,995
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199 guests
