Antarctic trip | Ponant expedition cruise: the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica

Located on the western side of the Falkland Islands, Saunders Island boasts a spectacular coastline, rich history and diverse wildlife. The varied landscape is characterised by rocky hills and vast stretches of pristine coastline surrounded by turquoise waters. The island is one of the main wildlife destinations on this remote South Atlantic archipelago. It is home to the largest colony of black-browed albatrosses in the world. Many other marine animals find refuge on this beautiful island, such as elephant seals, sea lions, a variety of penguins and other birds, including cormorants. On the island, you have the opportunity to see four species of penguins breeding, Gentoo, King, Magellanic and Rock Penguins. You can also go hiking, explore the picturesque bays or visit the wildlife at 'The Neck'.

Since 1833, the Falkland Islands have been an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. The archipelago consists of two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland surrounded by 776 smaller islands. The landscape is rugged and beautiful with wind-resistant dwarf shrubs covering the hills. Hiking opportunities abound in this unique and quiet wilderness, and travellers can also immerse themselves in the unique wildlife opportunities. Penguins, elephant seals, sea lions and a host of seabirds live along the coastline. To see whales and dolphins, boat trips can be organised.

Far out in the South Atlantic lies the spectacular island of South Georgia. This elongated island, stretching 160 kilometres, is a true natural wonder: a rugged landscape of snow-capped mountain peaks, vast glacial valleys and steep fjords. The island is dominated by the imposing Allardyce and Salvesen mountain ranges, with the mighty Mount Paget as its highest point. More than half of the island is covered in snow and ice.
It is no coincidence that South Georgia is nicknamed ‘the Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’: it is home to the world’s largest concentration of marine mammals and birds. You’ll find more than 100,000 breeding pairs of king penguins, alongside other species such as the gentoo penguin, the rockhopper penguin and the macaroni penguin.
The island’s history is no less impressive. It was once a bustling centre of the whaling industry. Traces of this past are still visible in the form of abandoned whaling stations, of which Grytviken is the best known. This former settlement is now a heritage site and the final resting place of the legendary polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. His grave attracts adventurers from all over the world, who often trek on foot along the rugged route that bears his name – a path full of ice, history and heroism.
A visit to South Georgia is both a step back in time and a journey into one of the world’s richest ecosystems.

The Southern Ocean, also known as the Australian Ocean and the Antarctic Ocean, consists of the southern foothills of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, making it the fourth largest ocean in the world. It is dotted with a variety of islands, including the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the Heard and Macquarie Islands, the South Shetland Islands and the Southern Orkney Islands. Visitors can explore this majestic, icy ocean and follow the footsteps of some of the most legendary expeditions of our time.

Warmer and more accessible than the rest of Antarctica, the Antarctic Peninsula is a popular destination for those looking to experience one of the most fascinating landscapes on the planet. Snow-capped mountains descend into icy blue waters with beautiful icebergs and numerous islands. Although it extends only 1,300 km into the ocean, the peninsula is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including penguins, whales and seals. Activities include trips to a volcanic island, swimming in the hot springs of Pendulum Cove, and the chance to cross the Antarctic Circle.

Sandwiched between Antarctica's South Shetland Islands and Cape Horn in South America, the Drake Passage is said to be the world's roughest passage. This famous passage stretches 800 kilometres wide and is the point where the Pacific, Atlantic and South Seas meet to create an area known for its crashing mix of strong winds and turbulent waters. This two-day crossing brings its own rewards with visitors enjoying a thrilling cruise on an Antarctic expedition. An array of wildlife can be spotted in the icy waters, including dolphins, whales, petrels, albatrosses and penguins.

Located in the icy South Atlantic, South Georgia and the Southern Sandwich Islands are a cluster of picturesque islands that serve as an oasis in the stormy southern sea. These remote island groups are home to a variety of wildlife, including large colonies of seals, whales, penguins and other birds such as albatrosses and petrels. South Georgia is known as one of the most visited locations in Antarctica. This British overseas territory is known for its rugged natural beauty, with its dramatic landscape of snow-capped peaks, ancient glaciers and emerald bays dotted with an abundance of wildlife.

The Argentine part of southern Patagonia is a phenomenal place. It is known for its icy, windswept landscapes, vast remote empty Patagonian steppe and diverse wildlife. This picturesque remote landscape is home to the region's main highlights: the Torres del Paine National Park that overflows into Chile and Los Glaciares National Park, both of which contain deep fjords, snow-capped mountains, vast glaciers and ancient forests. Visitors to this area can enjoy some of the most beautiful natural attractions in the world, including: the annual whale encounter on the rugged Valdes Peninsula and the stunning Patagonian ice fields with colossal glaciers. Popular activities include hiking, camping, whale watching, mountaineering, climbing and horse riding.

Remote and stunningly beautiful, Patagonia stretches across part of both Chile and Argentina and offers some of the most awe-inspiring hiking trails in the world. It is made up of several regions, each with its own unique beauty. Southern Patagonia, with its icy landscapes and geometric granite peaks; central Patagonia, a wilderness of rainforest and coastal plain; and northern Patagonia, where the cobalt lakes and lush valleys of the Lakes District and Araucania converge.

Those who think of Argentina almost certainly think of the Pampa with its gauchos (South American cowboys), horses and empty plains. Just outside bustling Buenos Aires, this part of Argentina begins. Here you will find the typical Argentine gauchos and you can possibly take part in various activities such as horseback riding, carriage rides, cycling or just walking around the beautiful terrain. You will also enjoy typical Argentine meals and the sport Polo in this area.

Buenos Aires is undoubtedly one of South America’s most popular cities, a metropolis with a strong identity of its own and a population of over 10 million. Visitors are treated to a wide range of attractions. In the ‘Microcentro’, you’ll find stately buildings, shopping boulevards and, of course, landmarks such as ‘la Casa Rosada’ and ‘Avenida 9 de Julio’ with its towering obelisk. In the old neighbourhoods of ‘La Boca’ and ‘San Telmo’, you can soak up the atmosphere of days gone by, when Italian and Spanish immigrants in search of a better life settled here in the late 19th century. La Boca actually offers the traveller just two streets that are somewhat touristy, and yet you simply must see the colourful little houses here. Of course, Buenos Aires is also known as the birthplace of Queen Máxima and Pope Francis.
San Telmo is the neighbourhood of antique shops and tango performances. It was in these neighbourhoods that this seductive dance originated. In the upmarket ‘Recoleta’ district, alongside exclusive shops and beautiful buildings, you’ll find the spectacular Recoleta Cemetery. Among others, Evita has her mausoleum here.
Palermo is home to extensive green parks and gardens. Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood have been on the up in recent years as nightlife districts with excellent restaurants and cosy wine bars. You’ll also find luxury boutiques and designer shops there.
Buenos Aires’ newest district, Puerto Madero, is certainly worth a visit; the old warehouses now serve as shops and restaurants, and amongst the modern buildings, the city’s architects have preserved large cranes and important historic buildings from the former harbour as monuments.

Located on the Argentine part of the island of Tierra del Fuego, this world-renowned national park was the first coastal beach in Argentina. The park consists of forests close to the coast and has parallel mountain ranges that divide the park into valleys. Activities in the national park include hiking and exploring the unique animal and plant life.

Located in Argentina's Patagonia, the region known as 'Atlantic Patagonia' is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty. The remarkable landscape is characterised by stunning fjords, glistening bays and remote coves that meet the lowlands of the Pampas. This spectacularly beautiful area is home to the famous Valdes Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its marine life, especially for the orcas that hunt sea lions on the beach itself. This wild Patagonian coastal area offers visitors plenty of opportunities to see wildlife. Don't miss the Cabo Dos Bahias nature reserve, inhabited by a huge penguin colony and countless birds, sea lions and walruses.

Set in the South Atlantic Ocean, West Falkland is the second largest of the spectacular Falkland Islands. The dramatic landscape is characterised by a breathtakingly beautiful coastline and rugged hills scattered with thousands of sheep, cattle and abundant with sub-Antarctic wildlife. This remote island is home to a number of settlements and farms including Port Howard, West Falkland's oldest farm, which offers visitors an array of wonderful cottages, homestays and a cosy lodge. Visitors can look forward to tracing the hills on one of many scenic treks and explore the beautiful landscape surrounding the little settlement of Port Stephens, the most picturesque part of the Falklands and home to many rockhopper penguins, cormorants and other seabirds.

The Gerlache Strait, which divides the Palmer Archipelago and the Antarctic Peninsula, is a vast waterway known for its surreal beauty. Its spectacularly stark landscape includes distant snow-capped mountains, spiky blue icebergs and remarkably impressive glacial landscapes. Visitors can look forward to spotting penguins waddling and gliding on huge ice shelves, catching a glimpse of humpback whales breaking through into arctic waters, checking out the abandoned Norwegian ghost ship in Gouvernoren Harbour and simply enjoying the awe-inspiring views on one of the many expeditions and cruises that meander through this scenic channel.

Located in the Pampa lowlands of Argentina, Buenos Aires province, meaning 'good air', is the country's largest province. Although the province bears the same name as the city of Buenos Aires, it does not include it. The current provincial capital is La Plata, a thriving cosmopolitan city. The province offers spectacularly beautiful natural landscapes, including a stunning Atlantic coast, numerous rivers, sparkling lagoons and the Sierra de la Ventana mountain range. Visitors can explore the cities of Mar del Plata, La Costa Partido, Villa Gesell and Miramar. Sample a range of exceptional wines along Argentina's world-famous wine route; and enjoy a trip to a gaucho ranch to experience the life of the gaucho, with traditional music, dancing, delicious food and horse riding. Don't miss the chance to enjoy the world's best Argentine beef in one of the many steakhouses scattered across the province.

Located in the southernmost tip of South America, Tierra del Fuego province is a picturesque province in the southernmost reaches of Argentina. Purportedly one of the world's last frontiers, this region offers breathtaking landscapes, incredible wildlife and a rich cultural heritage. This corner of Patagonia offers endless activities and attractions for thrill seekers and nature lovers. It offers an array of natural wonders, including ancient glaciers, pristine wilderness, national parks, high snow-capped mountains, pristine lakes, rivers and waterways. Don't miss a visit to Ushuaia, the city at the 'end of the world', which serves as a starting point for expeditions to Antarctica.