le lyrial luxury south georgia and antarctica cruise

The Great Adventure

  • Overview
    Sailing from Montevideo, you will board Le Lyrial for an exceptional journey to a land at the end of the world. Between long stretches of ice floes and sparkling tabular icebergs, you will be able to admire a captivating polar desert made of ice and water. This sub-Antarctic regions of South Georgia offers a wide variety of landscapes, between long mountain chains and black sandy beaches, where huge colonies of King Penguins have taken refuge. Le Lyrial will then continue her course towards the Antarctic Peninsula. Here you'll discover Deception Island, nestled within the South Shetland Islands, this volcanic island with its extremely rich wildlife is notably home to elephant seals, fur seals and more than 100 000 pairs of chinstrap penguins.
    Duration: 16 days
    Passengers: 200 passengers
    Embarkation Point: Montevideo, Uruguay
    Disembarkation Point: Ushuaia, Argentina
    Physical rating: Soft Adventure
    Fly/Cruise: Mandatory extra flight
    Single Supplement: Unavailable
  • Itinerary
    • Day 1 - Montevideo; Embarkation Day

      Perched on the far southern tip of Uruguay, Montevideo is a white city, and one of the loveliest capital cities of South America. Come and admire the beautiful historical remains dating from Spanish rule; you’ll find the most interesting within the Cuidad Vieja, formerly fortified, its old town dates from the 18th century. The best preserved are the cathedral and the former governmental palace of the Cabildo, both listed historical monuments. In the crook of a vast blue bay, the city is also blessed with beautiful beaches.

    • Day 2/5 - At Sea

      Sailing towards South Georgia.

    • Day 6 - South Georgia / Fortuna Bay

      Situated at the foot of sharply-rising mountains, Fortuna Bay is a truly dazzling vision to behold. You’ll marvel at a panorama of cliffs rising up from the icy waters and small streams fed by melting mountain snow meandering through vast green plains. The bay itself bows inward to form a perfect crescent, indented by a torrent. During your excursion, you can follow in the footsteps of Ernest Shackleton or even encounter the 50,000 king penguin couples who call the island their home and whose densely-packed silhouettes form a remarkable silver swath with a sprinkling of brown and bright orange.

    • Day 7 - Grytviken

      The Grytviken stopover is a highlight of South Georgia Island. This former whaling station, now a ghost town, is set against a serene backdrop of ochre-coloured earth. Vestiges of the whaling industry are still very much present, particularly old whale bones and remnants of shipwrecks. Grytviken's other historical point of interest is the grave of famous adventurer Sir Ernest Shackleton. During the legendary Endurance expedition (1914-1917) Shackleton and his men survived against all odds after having been trapped in pack ice for several months. The series of exploits leading to their rescue will remain forever etched in the annals of Antarctic exploration.

    • Day 8 - Gold Harbour / Cooper Bay

      Majestic glaciers with a bluish sheen, waterfalls that reflect the rays of the setting sun, pitch-black volcanic sand beaches: these are just a few of the wonders to be found in Gold Harbour's landscape. This natural gem is blanketed by bright green tussocks and framed by snow-capped peaks. On this island where summer days are endless, the wildlife stays up with the sun. Fur seals, elephant seals and king penguins move about the island like tiny black dots along the landscape. Those humans who enter this kaleidoscope of colours and sensations do so as privileged and tolerated observers of the austral wildlife.

      Take a seat in one of our Zodiac® dinghies and head out to explore Cooper Bay, near Gold Harbour. It was named after the first lieutenant of the famous sailor, Captain James Cook, and the bay offers a quite unexpected sight, with long basalt canyons forming high cliffs that loom over a turquoise-blue water. In the centre of the bay, a magical atmosphere reigns when just a few rays of sunshine pierce the gauzy layer formed by the morning mist. The craggy coastlines are home to colonies of macaroni penguins who pay close attention to the arrival of our tiny crafts.

    • Day 9/10 - At Sea

      Sailing towards Antarctica.

    • Day 11 - Deception Island

      Situated just above the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, Deception Island is easily recognisable thanks 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. Deception Island still bears traces of its past as a longtime hub of the whaling industry. The vestiges of abandoned sheds that line the black sand of its volcanic beaches share space with the island's spectacular fauna: it is home to the Antarctic Peninsula’s largest colony of chinstrap penguins, as well as numerous elephant seals and fur seals.

    • Day 12 - Wilhelmina Bay / Port Lockroy

      Between 1897 and 1899, Belgian explorer Adrien de Gerlache led an Antarctic expedition aboard the Belgica. There, he discovered a quiet, protected bay which he named in honour of the Dutch queen, Wilhelmina of Orange-Nassau. In this enchanting place, towering mountains reflect off of still waters, offering up a magnificent and colourful feast for the eyes. Yet another source of wonder: humpback whales, majestic and frequent visitors to the bay, feed in the surrounding waters amidst a stunning seascape of ice floes and icebergs.

      During your cruise, you'll have the opportunity to stop over at Port Lockroy, a spectacular natural harbour nestled in the very heart of the Antarctic Peninsula on Goudier Island. Discovered by French explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot in 1903, the site has served over the years as a stopover for whaling ships, a British military base and later a research station. The port is currently one of the most visited sites in the Antarctic, thanks to its tiny museum which allows visitors to experience the base as it was in the 1950s and to take home a souvenir from its gift shop. While you're here, don't miss the chance to send your loved ones a post card from the southernmost post office in the world!

    • Day 13 - Paradise Bay / Neko Harbour

      With its spectacular landscapes composed of towering glacial peaks plunging down into the icy waters of the Antarctic, Paradise Bay is true to its name. Discovered and named by whalers in the early 20th century, this protected natural site is currently home to a wide variety of fauna, from Antarctic cormorants and leopard seals to sheathbills and gentoo penguins, who mingle on the long stretch of rocky beaches. With some luck, you'll even be privy to an unforgettable underwater dance between passing humpback whales. During your excursion, head off to discover the old Argentine base Almirante Brown, which is only occupied for a few weeks each year, during the austral summer.

      A little corner of paradise in the shadow of a towering glacier, Neko Harbour is without a doubt one of the most beautiful sites on the Antarctic Peninsula. It was discovered by Belgian navigator Adrien de Gerlache during his 1897-1899 expedition. Mountains, ice and wildlife combine to form a truly unique landscape. Animals are as abundant as they are exotic: among others, you'll encounter seabirds (gulls, Cape petrels, cormorants) and marine mammals (seals, orcas and other whale species). Head out on a Zodiac® excursion to get up close to the icebergs, stop over near a penguin colony, watch a leopard seal sunbathe between dives and enjoy an impromptu aerial show from passing Antarctic terns.

    • Day 14/15 - At Sea - Drake Passage

      If there is one place, one sea, one waterway dreaded by tourists, researchers and hardened seafarers alike, it is undoubtedly Drake Passage. Situated at the latitude of the infamous Furious Fifties winds, between Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands, it is the shortest route to Antarctica. Seasoned navigators will tell you that you must earn your visit to the White Continent! As a convergence zone where cold currents rising up from the South Pole meet warmer equatorial water masses, Drake Passage harbours a very diverse marine fauna. Don't forget to look to the sky to catch a glimpse of elegant albatross and Cape petrels, playfully floating about in the wind around your ship.

    • Day 16 - Ushuaia; Disembarkation

      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 in winter and summer alike. Downtown, the End of the World Museum showcases Tierra del Fuego's natural and indigenous history. A ride on the heritage railway is an exciting excursion into the Tierra del Fuego National Park, while a cruise on Ushuaia Bay is the perfect way to spot sea lions and Magellanic penguins.

    Please consider that our voyages are expeditionary in nature. This means, that there are no concrete itineraries, your Captain and Expedition Leader will utilise their vast experience to chart the best course for your expedition depending on the climatic and environmental conditions. Mentioned highlights and wildlife cannot be guaranteed.

  • Adventure Activities

    Wandering Albatross

    Spectacular in flight and on the ground, with the largest wingspan of any bird on the planet; gracefully and effortlessly glides for thousands of kilometres across the Southern Ocean to their nesting site on South Georgia.

    Penguins

    Taking centre stage on your Antarctic Peninsula expedition, are the Brushtail penguin species. These photogenic and intriguing species include, Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelie penguins. The species are in abundance across Peninsula and are always performing.

    On board voyages in our other details you may come across Rockhopper, Macaroni, Magellanic, King and Emperor penguins.

    Pristine Antarctica

    Early season, is one of our favourite times in Antarctica. Its when the Antarctic landscape is at its most pristine, the sea ice is still abundant, the winters snow is still draped ever so delicately over the landscape and the twilight hues create the best photographs.

  • Inclusions

    Expedition Gear

    Comfortable expedition boots and a high quality expedition parka, specifically designed for the polar regions.

    Dynamic Cabin Pricing

    Cabin prices on board this vessel are dynamic, that is the cabin pricing fluctuates with changes in bookings and exchange rates. Cabin prices below are not guaranteed and are subject to change and availability at the operators discretion. Please feel free to contact us for the most accurate pricing on this voyage.

    Charter Flights

    Charter flights are provided from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia

    Flight number and time schedule are to be advised about 30 days prior to departure.

    Inclusions / Exclusions

    Included in your Expedition

    Not included in your Expedition

  • Map
    Screen shot 2017 07 05 at 3.42.07 pm
  • Gallery
  • Vessel

    LE LYRIAL

    Le Lyrial like her sisterships embodies the subtle alliance between luxury, intimacy and wellbeing. The elegance of her exterior and interior lines and her intimate size (only 122 staterooms and suites) make this a rare and innovative yacht on the cruise market. Interior Design We have been inspired by the destinations we visit and decided to create a subtle variation around a palette of blues. Ranging from the luminous delicate grey-blue of the Polar ice to splashes of the vivid turquoise blue found in Mediterranean coves, it also includes the blue light of the future pole star.

    Features & Facilities
    • Luxury accommodation
    • Open air bar
    • Sun deck
    • Pool
    • Internet
    • Library
    • Panoramic Lounge
    • Panoramic Terrace
    • Gym
    • Spa
    • Hairdresser
    • Leisure area
    • Theatre
    • Live Entertainment
    • Medical centre
    Key Facts
    Luxury star rating: 5
    Guests #: 200
    Crew #: 139
    Ice Class: 1C
    Speed: 16
    Refurbished:
    Technical Specs
    Year built:
    Length: 142m
    Width: 18
    Draft:
    Tonnage: 10700
    Registry: Italy
    Elec Outlets: 220V / 2 Round Pin
Check Voyage Dates, Pricing and Availability
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Ready to book your expedition?

We understand that the trip of a lifetime takes planning, so we make the financial commitments easy to manage.

  • Confirm your booking today with just USD$ 1,000 per passenger.
  • Pay your 25% deposit 5 day later.
  • Final payment due 120 days prior to departure.

Superior Stateroom

03 Nov 2018 - 18 Nov 2018
Twin or king beds, with 24hr room service
USD$ 9,894pp
USD$ 9,894pp

Deluxe Stateroom

03 Nov 2018 - 18 Nov 2018
Twin or king beds, balcony and 24hr room service
USD$ 10,642pp
USD$ 10,642pp

Prestige Deck 4

03 Nov 2018 - 18 Nov 2018
Twin or king beds, balcony and 24hr room service
USD$ 11,859pp
USD$ 11,859pp

Prestige Deck 5

03 Nov 2018 - 18 Nov 2018
Twin or king beds, balcony and 24hr room service
USD$ 12,423pp
USD$ 12,423pp

Prestige Deck 6

03 Nov 2018 - 18 Nov 2018
Twin or king beds, balcony and 24hr room service
USD$ 13,015pp
USD$ 13,015pp

Deluxe Suite

03 Nov 2018 - 18 Nov 2018
Deluxe Suite with balcony and 24hr room service
USD$ 18,026pp
USD$ 18,026pp

Prestige Suite Deck 5

03 Nov 2018 - 18 Nov 2018
Separate sitting room, twin or king beds, balcony and 24hr room service
USD$ 20,998pp
USD$ 20,998pp

Privilege Suite

03 Nov 2018 - 18 Nov 2018
Balcony suite, twin or king beds, balcony and 24hr room service
USD$ 22,018pp
USD$ 22,018pp

Grand Deluxe Suite

03 Nov 2018 - 18 Nov 2018
Balcony suite, twin or king beds, balcony and 24hr room service
USD$ 25,241pp
USD$ 25,241pp

Grand Privilege Suite

03 Nov 2018 - 18 Nov 2018
Balcony suite, twin or king beds, balcony and 24hr room service
USD$ 33,796pp
USD$ 33,796pp

Owner's Suite

03 Nov 2018 - 18 Nov 2018
Opulant suite with panoramic ocean views
USD$ 34,129pp
USD$ 34,129pp