Polar Expedition 
Superior Stateroom
21 m²
3
The best of Chilean Fjords
Valparaiso - Ushuaia
Dates:
19/10/2024
to
2/11/2024
days
nights on board
Transfers + flight Ushuaia/Buenos Aires
Winding channels, snow-covered mountains, majestic glaciers and narrow passages: welcome to the magic of the Chilean fjords. PONANT is inviting you aboard Le Lyrial for an 15-day expedition cruise to the heart of South America’s extraordinary landscapes.
Departing from Valparaiso, you will discover Quemchi, an authentic village located on the lush island of Chiloé.
After sailing in the Pulluche Channel, your next call will be the remote village of Tortel, suspended above the water, and its typical wooden footbridges which take the place of streets.
You will then enter the Patagonian channel known as the English Passage, before getting closer to including El Brujo, and Pie XI Glacier glaciers.
You will enjoy an unforgettable experience of sailing along the Strait of Magellan, then you will glimpse the gigantic Agostini and Garibaldi before rounding Cape Horn, surrounded by the stunning scenery provided by Tierra del Fuego National Park.
On Navarino Island, you will make a final call at Puerto Williams, a pleasant fishing port considered by the Chileans to be the world’s southernmost city, and finally you will sail to Argentina and Ushuaia, the final destination on your trip.
Subject to weather conditions. The expedition highlights, encounters with the wildlife and itinerary described illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.
Ref : VU125 - LY191024
Your itinerary
Explore the magic of the Chilean fjords with a sea kayak adventure. Led by experienced, State-Certified kayak guides, you will skim the water’s surface amid the ice. Full professional equipment is provided,...
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Your trip in detail
Choose your stateroom
Choose your stateroom
Complete your trip
Complete your trip
Included in your cruise
To make sure things run smoothly, PONANT has included certain elements before and after your cruise as part of the price.
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LE PAUL GAUGUIN
LE JACQUES-CARTIER
30/1/2024 to the 8/2/2024
- New
L'AUSTRAL
11/3/2024 to the 26/3/2024
L'AUSTRAL
LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
Services provided
- 24-hour room service
- Inclusive Wifi internet access (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Three ADA staterooms
Select your stateroom category
Expedition programmes include activities such as zodiac outings and landings (sometimes with "wet landing"), moderate walks to more active hikes, all accompanied by your expedition team of naturalist guides.
Ports of call, visited sites, outings and landings will depend on weather conditions, position of ice, winds and the state of the sea. These can force a change of plans at any time. The Captain and the Expedition Leader may at any time cancel or stop any activity, or even modify the itinerary. The final itinerary will be confirmed by the Captain, who will take into account the touristic quality of the sites and above all, the safety of the passengers. His decision will be based on advice from experts and authorities.
Travelling to polar/isolated regions is an exhilarating experience in remote areas: please remember that you are far from modern hospitals with full medical facilities, thus evacuation is extremely expensive. Without adequate medical coverage, all expenses will have to be immediately paid with your personal funds. We urge you to subscribe to full coverage insurance, choose your insurance company very carefully, be extremely vigilant and ensure your insurance is fully comprehensive, especially if you are insured by your credit card. PONANT offers an insurance contract with extensive guarantees, please contact us for more information.
Clothing tips:
- A PONANT polar water-resistant parka is offered on board for all departures with an expedition programme (no children sizes, in case of consecutive cruises, only one complimentary parka).
- Half calf rubber boots with non-slip soles, which will allow you to go ashore in 20 cm of cold water, keeping your feet dry for walks and visits on steep paths. Boot rental will be offered onboard (for adults only) on Expedition cruises.
- Winter pants/Track suit
- Waterproof over-trousers – MANDATORY
- Polar sweater or sweatshirt
- Wool or thermolactyl technical underwear
- A warm hat, woollen or fleece ear muffs, polar or woollen neck warmer (avoid scarves that do not stay in place)- MANDATORY
- Gloves
- Thick warm socks
Accessories:
- Small waterproof backpack (to protect your camera from water).
- Binoculars (strongly recommended for wildlife viewing).
- Highly protective sunglasses.
- Walking poles (highly recommended).
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
For all cruises longer than 8 nights, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
INSULATED BASE LAYER:
- Wool or thermolactyl technical underwear
- Polar sweater or sweatshirt
- Winter suit
- Warm hiking socks
WATERPROOF OUTER LAYER:
- Waterproof over-trousers - Mandatory
- Waterproof parka - Offered on board (not available in children’s sizes)
- A warm woollen hat covering your ears
- Polar or woollen neck warmer
- Gloves
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen
- Lip protection balm
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
ACCESSORIES:
- Highly protective sunglasses
- Binoculars
- Small waterproof backpack
- Swimsuit (for the spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
PONANT activities
Kayak Discovery
Get as up close to the natural environment as possible with an excursion aboard a two-person sea kayak, during one 2-hour session.
Guided by a state-registered polar navigation specialist, you'll discover and explore breathtakingly scenic polar landscapes and scenery.
All the necessary equipment will be provided for you on board.
How is the activity organised?
Once you’ve arrived onboard the ship, you’ll meet your guides and the rest of the people taking part in the activity. This will be an opportunity to provide a general introduction to the activity, outline the rules that need to be followed, provide the necessary equipment and separate the participants into groups based on personal preferences and/or ability level.
The day before the activity is due to take place, a new briefing session will be organised to provide you with further details about the port of call and how the excursion will be organised. We’ll then provide you with the necessary equipment, which you’ll be required to take very good care of.
On the day of the kayak activity, you’ll first get changed at the ship’s marina platform (keeping your boots and parkas with you) before then being transported to land by Zodiac® and taken to your kayaks.
Before you climb into your kayaks and set off on your adventure, your guides will provide a final safety briefing.
What requirements do you need to meet in order to go sea kayaking?
Though it’s always useful to have at least one experience of sea kayaking under your belt, due to the high quality of the equipment we provide and the experience of the guides who’ll be supervising you, we are able to take complete beginners to places normally only accessible to professional kayakers and seasoned outdoor adventurers.
Participants will be formed into groups based on ability level onboard the ship to ensure everyone is able to make smooth progress on the trip.
Sea kayaking is a physically demanding activity, for both the heart and the muscles. We require you to be in a good state of general physical health and to have a good sense of balance.
This activity is available to adults (aged 18 or over) and to children of 16 and over when accompanied by a parent.
Please note:
- One 2-hour session. Price per participant: 350 €
- Number of participants restricted to 20 per trip.
- This activity must be pre-booked in advance at least 7 days before the start of your cruise. Bookings made after this deadline will only be confirmed once onboard and are dependent on availability.
- Your vouchers will be dropped off directly in your room, during your cruise.
- Due to restrictions on the number of places available and a high level of interest from our passengers, there may be limited access to certain activities. The cost of any kayak trip cancelled by a passenger prior to departure will still remain payable in full.
- PONANT provides each participant with a sea kayak (Prijon Excursion EVO - two-person kayak for two participants), a dry suit (Sandyline - specially designed for PONANT), a life jacket, hand protection, kayak sea socks, spray skirt, carbon paddle (TNP Wolferine) and a waterproof bag.
- Depending on opportunities/availabilities during your cruise, additional Kayak tours can be booked only onboard.
- Kayak excursions are subject to weather and ice conditions on the day.
- You will be accompanied by state-certified kayakers each time you go out in a kayak.
- We require you to be in a good state of general physical health and to have a good sense of balance.
Highlights
- Explore the magic of the Chilean fjords with a sea kayak adventure. Led by experienced, State-Certified kayak guides, you will skim the water’s surface amid the ice. Full professional equipment is provided, including tamdem kayak, carbon paddle, full-body drysuit, lifejacket, AIS beacon. For more information about your kayak tour, please go to the section "PONANT activities" and to book your kayak tour, contact your cruise advisor.
- Outings and shore visits in zodiac inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.
- Observing glaciers, channels and fjords, and navigating along narrow passages.
- If weather conditions allow it, disembarking at Cape Horn and discovering its albatross sculpture created by the Chilean artist José Balcells Eyquem.
- The stop in Tortel, a picturesque village with wooden pontoons and footbridges, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Sailing along the Strait of Magellan (on the edge of Tierra del Fuego), and the Beagle Channel (with its so-called “Glacier Avenue”).
- Depending on opportunities, observing Magellanic penguins, caracaras, dolphins, humpback whales, fur seals, sea lions, condors and cormorants.
- Landscapes: fjords dominated by the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, iridescent glaciers, and mountain lakes with crystal-clear water.
Subject to weather conditions. The expedition highlights, encounters with the wildlife and itinerary described illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.
Ports of Call & Excursions
19 October 2024 - Valparaiso
Embarkation 19/10/2024 From 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Departure 19/10/2024 at 6:00 pm
Located about 100 kilometres south of Santiago, the legendary Valparaiso is the second largest city in Chile. It is also a splendid city, full of history: two qualities justifying its nickname “gem of the Pacific” and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can stroll along the steep streets, on foot or by cable car, and explore the many admirable sites like the delicate Iglesia de la Matriz, Sotomayor square, Bellavista hill, or Sebastiana house where the author Pablo Neruda lived. At every turning, you’ll get a refreshing view of the sea.
20 October 2024 21 October 2024 - At sea
Arrival 20/10/2024
Departure 21/10/2024
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 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.
22 October 2024 - Quemchi, Chiloe Island
Arrival 22/10/2024
Departure 22/10/2024
In southern Chile, in the Lake District, discover the small fishing port of Quemchi on the east coast of Chiloé Island. With its authentic charm, its pretty wooden houses, its narrow streets lined with small shops, and its fish market, this faraway village is sure to win you over. Be sure to visit the museum dedicated to Francisco Coloane, the famous Chilean author and adventurer born on this southern land. Not far from there, the small island called Isla Aucar, accessible via a wooden footbridge, will be a chance to observe a wide variety of birds and discover a magnificent botanical garden, home to many of the region’s endemic plants.
23 October 2024 - Sailing in the Pulluche Canal
Arrival 23/10/2024
Departure 23/10/2024
Near the Peñón de Lobos (‘wolf rock’), in Chile, the Pulluche Canal is located northwest of Monte Prieto and the island of Sin Nombre, literally “the island without a name”. This maritime channel in the Aysén du Général Carlos Ibañez del Campo Region, in the south of the country, is 1,400 km south of the capital. You will sail through a very singular landscape made up of islands, canals and fjords. Recognised as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1979, the San Rafael Lake brims with rainforests and abundant wildlife: sea birds (Black-browed Albatrosses, cormorants…) and marine mammals (pinnipeds).
24 October 2024 - Tortel
Arrival 24/10/2024
Departure 24/10/2024
A picturesque, colourful fishing village, Tortel boasts a splendid location in the heart of southern Patagonia, halfway between Puerto Montt and Cape Horn. From the little streets made up of small walkways, you’ll love the grand panorama of rounded mountains, dense forest, the clear waters of the Pacific. If you walk out onto one the many wooden pontoons, you can admire the views as you stand suspended a few metres above the water. The village is scattered with sculptures made by local artists, an excellent introduction to this friendly community
25 October 2024 - English Passage
Arrival 25/10/2024
Departure 25/10/2024
Between green hills rising from the water and snow-capped peaks, the English Passage is one of the main Patagonian channels. Situated off the south-western coast of Chile, at the end of the Messier Channel, this narrow waterway with a width of just 180 metres offers a unique sailing experience due to its exceptional dimensions and its magnificent natural setting.
25 October 2024 - Pie XI Glacier
Arrival 25/10/2024
Departure 25/10/2024
The Brüggen Glacier, a coastal glacier in southern Chile also known as Pio XI, is astonishing for its almost surreal dimensions. With a surface area exceeding 1,200 km2, it is the largest of the glaciers making up the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. This gigantic ice field is the third largest ice mass in the world. Straddling the southern Andes Mountains, its breathtaking natural setting inspires sheer wonder and awe.
26 October 2024 - El Brujo Glacier
Arrival 26/10/2024
Departure 26/10/2024
At the heart of Bernardo O’Higgings National Park, the largest protected area in Chile, discover El Brujo Glacier. Located at the end of the Asia Fjord, this huge wall of ice sculpted by the wind is fascinating and impressive. This magical, natural and grandiose décor that changes as the light plays upon it will be an unforgettable sight.
26 October 2024 - Skua Glacier (sailing)
Arrival 26/10/2024
Departure 26/10/2024
In the heart of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, where the National Parks of Bernardo O’Higgins, Torres del Paine and Las Glaciares meet, discover the Skua Glacier, also known as the Amalia Glacier. Nested on the Andes, this three-kilometre-wide tidewater glacier will offer you sumptuous landscapes in infinite shades of blue: a magical show during which the impressive cracking of the ice can be heard at times.
27 October 2024 - Estero las Montanas
Arrival 27/10/2024
Departure 27/10/2024
Also called Fjord of the Mountains or Channel of the Mountains, the Estero Las Montañas fjord offers enchanting landscapes. Situated in large part in the Alacalufes National Reserve, this former glacial valley now flooded with water seems to stretch on for ever inland. Surrounded by tall mountains with lush slopes and edged with numerous glaciers tinged in various shades of blue, it will be a highlight of your cruise.
28 October 2024 - Sailing in the Strait of Magellan
Arrival 28/10/2024
Departure 28/10/2024
This mythical strait situated in the south of Chile and separating South America from Tierra del Fuego, awakens our imagination, stirring up a longing for adventure. For the first time, follow in the footsteps of the famous Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, known for having organised the first circumnavigation of the globe in the 16th century. Aboard your ship, cruise along the 600 km separating the Atlantic Ocean from the Pacific and, before arriving in Ushuaia, discover the sea route which was long nicknamed “Strait of All Saints” because Magellan’s ships first entered it on All Saints’ Day. A fascinating adventure.
29 October 2024 - Agostini Glacier
Arrival 29/10/2024
Departure 29/10/2024
In the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, the Agostini Glacier sits at the back of the eponymous fjord, framed by the Cordillera Darwin. Named after the Italian missionary and explorer Alberto Maria De Agostini, this imposing blue-tinged glacier offers a stunning view over the fjord.
30 October 2024 - Garibaldi Glacier
Arrival 30/10/2024
Departure 30/10/2024
Cruise along the narrow arm of Garibaldi Fjord and marvel at its stunning landscapes: thick green vegetation adorns steep mountains, rivalling the beauty of surrounding ice and snow. Further on, Garibaldi Glacier unveils itself: a towering ice titan looming at the end of the fjord that shares its name. Don't be surprised if sea lions and numerous birds accompany you on your enchanting journey into the heart of one of Chile's most beautiful glaciers.
31 October 2024 - Sailing around Cape Horn
Arrival 31/10/2024
Departure 31/10/2024
It’s at the meeting point between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans that you enter Chilean Patagonia where you head for the Tierra del Fuego archipelago and its famous Cape Horn. From the top of its impressive 425-metre high cliff, South America’s southernmost tip has, for many centuries, seen merchant ships from the world over passing by. Because of its legendary storms and rough seas, getting round this cape has gone down in history as a challenge for all seafarers.
1 November 2024 - Puerto Williams
Arrival 1/11/2024
Departure 1/11/2024
Located on Navarino Island a few kilometres from the Argentinian border, the city of Puerto Williams is, according to Chileans, the southernmost city in the world. It is first and foremost, a charming fishing port whose calm and isolation will delight you. You can stroll around a few little streets and admire the dark silhouette of the Patagonian Andes, surmounted by eternally white peaks. The Martin Gusinde museum of anthropology gives an aperçu of the living conditions of the ancient indigenous people, the Yámanas, while the surrounding areas propose hiking paths across wild, unspoiled nature.
2 November 2024 - Ushuaia
Arrival 2/11/2024
Disembarkation 2/11/2024 at 8:00 am
Capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is considered the gateway to the White Continent 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…
Le Lyrial
First introduced in 2015 and the fourth ship in the Sisterships series, Le Lyrial is the very embodiment of this new generation of intimately sized cruise ships. Its exterior and interior lines, all sober understatement and refinement, make it a yacht of a rare and innovative kind.
For the interior decoration, we took inspiration from the tones and colours of our destinations and used a palette made up of blues, from the soft, luminous grey-like tones of the polar ice to the vivid notes and turquoises of Mediterranean inlets and coves.
Up to 244 Guests
122 staterooms & suites
145 crew members
Spa
2 restaurants
Decks
Transfers + flight Ushuaia/Buenos Aires
For your serenity, PONANT selects a flight and organises the transfer between the port and the airport. This package is included in your cruise fare.
Disembarkation Day – Ushuaia/Buenos Aires
Disembarkation.
Meet and greet at the port (English-speaking assistance).
Transfer to the airport in time for check-in of the flight Ushuaia/Buenos Aires selected by PONANT in economy class.
Approximate flight duration: 3 hours, 30 min.
Your programme includes :
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Return flight Ushuaia/Buenos Aires selected by PONANT, in economy class.
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Services of local guides, in Ushuaia.
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Transfers as mentioned in the programme.
Your programme does not include:
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Tips for the local guide.
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Personal expenses.
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Other meals and services not mentioned in the programme.
Please note:
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The local currency is the Argentinian Peso. You will be able to make most of your purchases in USD (in small denominations) or by credit card, accepted in most hotels, shopping centres and boutiques. You will also be able to retrieve Pesos from the ATM’s.
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Summer season in Buenos Aires: temperatures may be very hot, but often between 68 °F (20 °C) and 95 °F (35 °C).
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Summer season in Ushuaia: temperatures vary between 41 °F (5 °C) and 65 °F (15 °C)
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We recommend you wear warm clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
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Duration and order may vary.
To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Polar Expedition
Realise your dream of adventure in the polar regions ! Discover the icy vastness and the fauna of Antarctica (humpback whales, seals, penguins and more) or the Arctic's fjords, glaciers and icebergs in shifting colours, not to mention the polar bears, the variety of wildlife and the special moments shared with the locals. Our team of naturalist guides share their knowledge with you during varied lectures about the fauna, the flora, the history of great explorations, geology and climatology. Thanks to its conscientiousness and to the responsible approach that is its hallmark, PONANT has been a leader and expert in cruises to these destinations for more than 20 years.