Voyaging Beyond the Antarctic Circle

Few cities can match the unbridled energy of Buenos Aires. Cutting-edge restaurants and sultry dance halls set the stage for a festive expression of Argentine identity. Upon arrival, head to your hotel in the heart of this colorful capital. Relax with a welcome cocktail ahead of your flight to Ushuaia tomorrow.

Fly to Ushuaia, your gateway to Antarctica and a true frontier in its own right. Beyond its 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 and glaciers calve into fjords in a maze of islands. Here, you might opt for a trek in the Cerro Alarkén Nature Reserve before cruising out to sea.

Your adventure at sea begins with a voyage across the storied Drake Passage. Spanning some 600 miles of open ocean, this passage marks the confluence of the humid subpolar conditions of Tierra del Fuego and the frigid polar reaches of Antarctica. Notorious for its squalls, the Drake Passage once made for an unpredictable voyage. Today, your stabilizer-equipped expedition cruiser commands these waters comfortably.

Take advantage of the amenities on board as well as university-caliber lectures, all part of a voyage-long enrichment program led by A&K’s Expedition Team. Scan for albatross and storm petrels on deck before gathering in the theater for a briefing on tomorrow’s itinerary —and your first sight of the White Continent.

As Antarctica’s offshore islands appear on the horizon, first sightings of the Antarctic Peninsula become that much more moving and unforgettable. Conditions permitting, your first excursions away from Le Lyrial occur today, an unforgettable introduction to the White Continent’s stunning scenery and captivating wildlife. You may hike on beaches teeming with elephant seals or circumnavigate colossal icebergs occasionally dotted with penguins, returning to relax, look for seabirds or marine life from on deck and continue your ongoing, expert-led enrichment program.

Continue exploring by Zodiac, experiencing this epic wilderness in all its grandeur. Today may be the day your route takes you beyond the Antarctic Circle at 66°34'S, your gateway to far-flung sights seldom seen on other expeditions.

Today may bring a Zodiac cruise through an area known for its prolific population of humpback whales or visits to sites known for populations of gentoo penguins. Following today's exciting excursions, relax or seize the opportunity to capture photos in the stunning low light characteristic of Antarctica's long twilight.

Your expedition continues with a potential morning landing, and conditions permitting, an afternoon Zodiac cruise. Return to your ship to relax over cocktails in the cozy, comfortable lounge and have dinner in the dining room. You may also choose to recap the day's discoveries with your naturalist guides or spend time on deck with fellow guests.

Antarctica’s stunning geography lends an added excitement to every moment: Dramatic snow-capped mountains, shimmering glaciers and iceberg-strewn channels all compete for your attention, making this region a paradise for photographers of any skill level.

A last day exploring the Antarctic coast brings more unforgettable excursions, followed by comfortable evenings aboard your luxury cruiser, sipping cocktails in the Panoramic Lounge, recapping the day’s discoveries with your Expedition Team and chatting with fellow guests in one of Le Lyrial’s lounges.

Le Lyrial cruises the South Shetlands, a remote archipelago of 11 major islands secluded some 75 miles north of the Antarctic Peninsula amid the icy waters of the Drake Passage. It was here that the shipwrecked crew of the 1915 Shackleton expedition survived stranded for 137 days. Today, your Expedition Team looks for opportunities to visit the islands’ volcanic islets and historic sites, as well as gentoo and chinstrap penguin rookeries.

You may still be catching your breath over the awe and inspiration experienced in Antarctica as ‘Le Lyrial’ begins the voyage back to Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego. The ship’s return through the Drake Passage affords the perfect opportunity for reflection, as well as more conversations and lectures with A&K experts on the Antarctic environment.

The Drake Passage is a rich source of krill, which fuels the heart of Antarctic food webs and draws wildlife at every turn. Your Expedition Team continues to call you out on deck to witness everything from humpback whales frolicking and bubble-net feeding to the gorgeous blackbrowed albatross and the wandering albatross.

After your arrival in Ushuaia, disembark and transfer to your charter flight to Buenos Aires.