ANTARCTIC &
SOUTH AMERICA
20 February – 15 March 2027
Embark on a 24-day, once-in-a-lifetime adventure that pairs the culture and vibrancy of South America—highlighted by carnival time in Montevideo—with the breathtaking purity of Antarctica. Sail aboard a luxurious 5-star small ship, perfectly sized to bring us closer to towering ice, incredible wildlife, and the unforgettable thrill of setting foot on the White Continent.
$40720 per person twin share
Single Room Supplement Add $13650
Please note: We can only take 8 singles on this trip at this discounted singles price. Once these 8 places are filled,
the single supplement will double in cost!
Initial Deposit On Booking $4000
Second Deposit Due 26 April 2026 $6000
Final Balance Due: 14 August 2026
Days
24 Days
Highlights
Luxury expedition cruise, walk on the ice, Antarctica wildlife,
5-star all inclusive luxury ship, Buenos Aires arts, culture, tango, Montevideo Carnival, Santiago opera, wine, local performances plus Operatunity concerts.
Group Size
25
Travellers
Boutique
Tour
Meals
All breakfasts
15 Lunches
20 Dinners
Mobility
Active Tour
MAP GUIDE:
1. BUENOS AIRES (5 nights)
2 MONTEVIDEO (2 nights)
3. BUENOS AIRES PRE-CRUISE
(1 night)
4. LE LYRIAL SHIP (10 nights)
5. SANTIAGO (4 nights)
SPECIAL FEATURES
• Luxury Expedition Cruise with PONANT – “Emblematic Antarctica” (10 Nights). Sail in five-star French style aboard the intimate expedition ship. Enjoy prestige staterooms on upper deck, with balcony, all inclusive fine dining, included drinks, expert lectures, and Zodiac landings led by naturalists. Encounter icebergs, penguins, seals, and whales amid the spellbinding beauty of the White Continent.
• Captivating Buenos Aires (5 +1 nights) where we will immerse ourselves in the vibrant heart of Argentina — a city where grand European elegance meets Latin passion. Explore leafy boulevards, historic cafés, and the irresistible rhythm of tango.
• Experience two unforgettable nights in Montevideo as the world’s longest carnival ignites the city with electrifying drum parades, dazzling costumes, and irresistible street energy. Immerse yourself in Uruguay’s most vibrant celebration—where every corner bursts with rhythm, colour, and culture you won’t find anywhere else.
• Spend four unforgettable nights in Santiago, which include opera, vibrant arts, cultural heritage tours, premium wine tastings, immersive local performances, and curated experiences that showcase the very best of Chile’s capital.
• Enjoy private Operatunity Concerts created exclusively for our group, blending opera, Broadway, and Latin melodies performed by our artists.
• Other exceptional experiences include Tango dinner show and tango dance lesson, Montevideo carnival shows, local music shows, entertainment and lectures on board, famous art museums, Eva Peron tour, parks, artisan markets, horsemanship display, folk music, vineyards and great food and wine!
TRIP ITINERARY
Experience the Exceptional:
SATURDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2027 (D) - Flight to Buenos Aires via Santiago
Loi Suites Recoleta Hotel (5 nights)
Highlights Include:
• Depart from Auckland on LATAM via Santiago to Buenos Aires.
• Arrive the same day and transfer to hotel for check-in.
• Evening casual tapas dinner in the hotel and rest after our long flight.
SUNDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2027 (B, L, D) - Operatunity Welcome Dinner/Concert & Highlights City Tour
Discover Buenos Aires, a vibrant city where grand European architecture meets Latin passion, from leafy boulevards and historic cafés to the colourful streets of La Boca. Immerse yourself in tango, world-class arts, and the irresistible energy that defines Argentina’s cultural heart.
Highlights Include:
• Explore the vibrant districts of Buenos Aires: Plaza de Mayo’s historic square, the cobbled streets of San Telmo, the colourful façades of La Boca, and the chic waterfront of Puerto Madero.
• Lunch: Classic Argentine food at local restaurant, with afternoon at leisure to wander boutique-lined streets or relax with coffee in a traditional café.
• Experience our exclusive welcome dinner in private room with concert. Relish a sumptuous Argentine feast at a fine restaurant.
MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2027 (B, L, D) - Today is all about Tango
Highlights Include:
• Visit La Boca, including Caminito Street for its colourful murals and open-air tango performances.
• Visit a small tango museum - the Museo de la Pasión Boquense.
• Lunch at a local parrilla (Argentine grill).
• Relax at a tango show with dinner but not before we enjoy our own Tango lesson! You have heard about sing for your supper? Well, this is dance for your supper!
TUESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2027 (B, L) - Arts and History Day
Highlights Include:
• Visit Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Recoleta.
• Walk through the Recoleta Cemetery and explore the surrounding plazas.
• Visit Palacio Barolo, known for its architecture inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy.
• Afternoon free.
• Performance at Teatro Colon (depending on availability) or a free evening to enjoy your own dinner and wander at leisure.
WEDNESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2027 (B, L, D) - Countryside Gaucho Experience
Highlights Include:
• Escape to the rolling pampas for a full day at Estancia Santa Susana. Watch graceful gaucho horsemanship, traditional folk dances, and skilful cattle demonstrations.
• Lunch: A hearty asado feast beneath the open sky, paired with local wines.
• Enjoy a day of laughter, storytelling, and the warmth of Argentine hospitality.
• Return to the hotel for a light tapas meal.
THURSDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2027 (B, D) - Welcome to Montevideo Carnival
Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza Hotel (2 nights)
Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, is a charming coastal city blending colonial architecture, modern avenues, and a relaxed seaside vibe. Known for its cultural richness, vibrant arts scene, and lively markets, it offers a mix of history, music, and local traditions along its scenic Rambla waterfront.
Highlights Include:
• We go to Montevideo during carnival time for two unforgettable nights as the world’s longest carnival ignites the city with electrifying drum parades, dazzling costumes, and irresistible street energy.
• Immerse yourself in Uruguay’s most vibrant celebration—where every corner bursts with rhythm, colour, and culture you won’t find anywhere else.
• Transfer by ferry to Montevideo, leave luggage at the hotel.
• Spend the morning exploring the elegant Ciudad Vieja and relaxing at a café before heading to Avenida 18 de Julio, where colourful carnival parades fill the streets with music and costumes.
• Spend the evening with a leisurely Uruguayan dinner, a glass of local wine and a local show.
FRIDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2027 (B, D) - Culture and Candombe
Highlights Include:
• Explore Plaza Independencia and Palacio Salvo for a touch of history.
• In the afternoon, visit Barrio Sur or Palermo, the heart of Afro-Uruguayan candombe drumming, to feel the rhythm that defines Uruguay’s carnival.
• After a restful break, attend an evening carnival performance — a vibrant way to close our Montevideo celebration.
SATURDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2027 (B, D) - Morning at leisure, ferry back to Buenos Aires, Welcome Cruise Dinner Pre Cruise Hotel (to be confirmed) (1 night)
Highlights Include:
• Final morning at leisure before transferring back by ferry to Buenos Aires to check into a hotel which is included as part of Ponant Antarctica Cruise. (Name of hotel to be confirmed).
• A welcome buffet dinner is included this evening at the hotel as part of our cruise.
SUNDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2027 (B, D) - Fly to Ushuaia and board our amazing ship to begin our cruise PONANT Emblematic Antarctica Cruise – 28 February to 10 March 2027
Sail aboard Ponant’s luxurious expedition ship, Le Lyrial, combining five-star French elegance with intimate, immersive Antarctic exploration. Experience the spellbinding White Continent up close, from towering icebergs and pristine glaciers to penguins, seals, and whales, with expert naturalist-led Zodiac excursions.
Highlights Include:
• A morning flight carries us to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world with its scenic vistas of mountains and the Beagle Channel.
• Transfer to our cruise and get ready for an extraordinary trip.
MONDAY 1 MARCH 2027 (B, L, D) – Crossing the Drake Passage
Highlights Include:
• Our first full day at sea is spent crossing the legendary Drake Passage, the stretch of ocean separating South America from Antarctica.
• Look skyward for wandering albatrosses, cape petrels, and other seabirds riding the wind.
• Onboard naturalists provide lectures on Antarctic wildlife, geology, and history, preparing you for the adventures ahead.
• The vast, open ocean evokes a sense of anticipation and awe.
TUESDAY 2 MARCH 2027 (B, L, D) – Approaching the Antarctic Peninsula
Highlights Include:
• The following few days from 2 March - 7 March may change depending on the ice and weather conditions.
• The expedition team will be scouting Zodiac landing sites for the coming days. Each day is based on ice and weather conditions. Along the way we also enjoy exceptional scenery, food, nightly entertainment and talks from the naturalists on board.
• Below are some of the different expeditions we may experience: As we approach the Antarctic Peninsula, the air grows crisp and icy silhouettes appear on the horizon. Keep watch from the deck as towering icebergs and floating tabular ice drift by. Penguins, humpback whales, seals and giant petrels are at home here, as are elephant seals, fur seals, Antarctic minke whales, and orcas. Lectures continue on wildlife, glacial landscapes, and polar history.
WEDNESDAY 3 MARCH 2027 (B, L, D) – Neko Harbour & Paradise Bay
Highlights Include:
• Step ashore at Neko Harbour, surrounded by towering glaciers.
• Witness gentoo penguins waddling and sliding across the snow, while seals lounge on ice floes.
• After lunch, sail into Paradise Bay, a dramatic and silent wilderness where ice cliffs rise sharply from mirror-like waters.
• Zodiac excursions offer close encounters with floating ice formations and local wildlife.
THURSDAY 4 MARCH 2027 (B, L, D) – Lemaire Channel & Booth Island
Highlights Include:
• Sail through the iconic Lemaire Channel, a narrow fjord flanked by sheer cliffs and glaciers.
• The water reflects the towering scenery like a perfect mirror.
• Keep an eye out for humpback whales, seals on ice floes, and penguin colonies.
• Explore the surrounding islands in Zodiacs, drifting among icebergs and photographing the breathtaking landscape.
FRIDAY 5 MARCH 2027 (B, L, D) – Petermann Island & Cuverville Island
Highlights Include:
• Land on Petermann Island, home to active gentoo and Adélie penguin colonies.
• Experience the lively antics of the penguins while walking across the snow.
• Continue to Cuverville Island, where vast penguin colonies and resting seals offer stunning photo opportunities.
• Attend an evening lecture on climate change and Antarctic ecosystems.
SATURDAY 6 MARCH 2027 (B, L, D) – Pléneau Island & Port Charcot
Highlights Include:
• Cruise past sculpted ice formations around Pléneau Island. Zodiac landings allow close observation of seals and seabirds.
• Later, visit Port Charcot, a historic site used by early Antarctic explorers. The combination of dramatic scenery, wildlife, and history makes this a highlight day of the expedition.
SUNDAY 7 MARCH 2027 (B, L, D) – Detaille Island / Paradise Bay Revisit
Highlights Include:
• Explore Detaille Island, home to an abandoned research station and remnants of early polar science.
• Return to Paradise Bay for a final immersion among glaciers and icebergs. Optional Zodiac excursions or guided walks allow you to fully experience the pristine landscape, teeming with wildlife and awe-inspiring natural formations.
MONDAY 8 MARCH 2027 (B, L, D) – Northbound Drake Passage
Highlights Include:
• Begin the journey north across the Drake Passage. Reflect on the spectacular sights you have witnessed and attend final lectures on Antarctic wildlife, ice formations, and photography tips. Look for seabirds and occasional whales as the ship moves toward Ushuaia.
TUESDAY 9 MARCH 2027 (B, L, D) – Arrival back to Ushuaia
Highlights Include:
• Sail back to Ushuaia for our final day with time to reflect on our Antarctic journey, from towering glaciers and floating icebergs to penguin colonies, seals, whales, and dramatic landscapes.
• The Captain’s Farewell Gala Dinner celebrates the conclusion of our extraordinary cruise.
WEDNESDAY 10 MARCH 2027 (B, D) – Disembark Cruise, fly to Buenos Aires, then fly onto Santiago
Pullman Vitacura, Santiago (4 nights)
Santiago, Chile’s vibrant capital, sits in a picturesque valley framed by the Andes and Chilean Coast Range. The city combines modern skyscrapers with historic neighbourhoods, offering world-class museums, lively arts and music scenes, fine dining, and nearby vineyards.
Highlights Include:
• We disembark this morning with unforgettable memories and a lifetime of experiences, then transfer to the airport for our flight to Santiago via Buenos Aires.
• Light dinner at the hotel after check in this evening.
THURSDAY 11 MARCH 2027 (B, L) – Santiago Highlights Tour and Evening Show
Highlights Include:
• Start at Plaza de Armas, the historic heart of Santiago.
• Visit the Metropolitan Cathedral and admire colonial architecture.
• Visit the Museo Histórico Nacional famous for its Chilean history.
• Enjoy a relaxed lunch at a café in the Barrio Lastarria, a charming neighbourhood with pedestrian streets, galleries, and street performers.
• Take a short funicular ride up Cerro Santa Lucía for city views.
• Attend a performance at Teatro Municipal de Santiago, the city’s historic opera house. (Subject to availability).
FRIDAY 12 MARCH 2027 (B, D) – Barrio Bellavista and Evening Show
Highlights Include:
• Explore Barrio Bellavista, known for its colourful streets and local music scene.
• Visit La Chascona, Pablo Neruda’s house-museum — beautiful gardens and relaxed walking paths.
• Back for free time this afternoon.
• Attend the Bali Hai dinner show which features Chilean and Polynesian dance and music.
SATURDAY 13 MARCH 2027 (B, L, D) – Wine Tasting and Final Gala Evening
Highlights Include:
• Visit a local winery for wine tasting and a tapas light lunch with some time at leisure this afternoon.
• Prepare for an evening of magic: a farewell dinner presented by our artists with local flavours. A perfect celebration of culture, music, and shared adventure.
SUNDAY 14 MARCH 2027 (B)
Transfer to the airport today for our early afternoon flight home.
MONDAY 15 MARCH 2027
Highlights Include:
• We arrive home, carrying with us memories of sweeping glaciers, passionate tango, operatic triumphs, and the warmth of South American culture.
PLACES WE STAY
Le Lyrial ship (10 nights) is a luxurious French expedition ship, built in 2015 and is designed for Antarctic exploration. With an intimate capacity of 240 guests, elegant cabins with large panoramic windows, gourmet restaurants, lecture theatre, panoramic lounges, spa and wellness centre, library, and open decks, Le Lyrial blends luxury with expedition capability. Its ice-class hull and experienced expedition team allow safe Zodiac landings at remote Antarctic sites, combining adventure with comfort. Enjoy prestige staterooms on upper deck, with balcony, all-inclusive fine dining, included drinks, expert lectures, and Zodiac landings led by naturalists.
Loi Suites Recoleta, Buenos Aires (5 nights) is an elegant boutique hotel offering refined design and lush indoor gardens, located in one of the city’s most prestigious neighbourhoods. With spacious rooms and easy access to top cultural attractions, it provides an inviting retreat in the heart of the city.
Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza Hotel, Montevideo (2 nights) is located in the old town of Montevideo. This is a 4-star hotel which offers a luxury retreat, an indoor pool, sauna and spa.
Pullman Vitacura, Santiago (4 nights) is a contemporary 4-star hotel in Santiago’s upscale Vitacura district, offering sleek design, spacious rooms, and excellent service. Surrounded by top restaurants, parks, and cultural attractions, it provides a stylish and convenient base for exploring the city.
This Trip Includes:
• Return economy flights included: Auckland - Santiago - Buenos Aires - Ushuaia - Santiago - Auckland (with internal flights and ferry crossings as per itinerary).
• A seamless 24-day hosted journey combining the vibrancy of South America with the pristine wilderness of Antarctica—complete with expert guides, premium hotels, luxury expedition cruising, and memorable gala evenings.
• 10 nights Ponant Emblematic Antarctica Cruise aboard the luxurious Le Lyrial, including Drake Passage crossings, Zodiac landings, penguin colonies, glaciers, icebergs, and expert naturalist lectures. Multiple Antarctic landing sites may include Neko Harbour, Paradise Bay, Lemaire Channel, Booth Island, Cuverville Island, Petermann Island, Pléneau Bay, Port Charcot, and more—weather and ice permitting.
• 5 nights in Buenos Aires at Loi Suites Recoleta with tango show & lesson, city tour, exclusive welcome concert dinner, arts & culture day, and a full countryside gaucho experience, plus one night pre-cruise stay.
• 2 night Montevideo Carnival experience with candombe drumming, street parades, historic touring, and Uruguayan dining.
• 4 nights in Santiago featuring city highlights, opera or theatre performance, Bellavista exploration, a Polynesian Chilean dinner show, and a winery visit with tastings.
• Cultural immersion throughout: tango, candombe, opera, local shows, folk dancing, winery tours, museums, historic cities, and exclusive private performances.
• All taxes, tips, tours, entrances, guides, cruises, flights, ferry crossings as listed in our itinerary are included.
• All breakfasts, 15 lunches, 20 dinners, several with entertainment and local shows.
• Escorted with love, fun and care by Bonaventure Allan-Moetaua and Stuart Coats.
Important Information
• All itinerary details are subject to change, but changes will be replaced with a comparable or better option.
• Initial & Second deposits are fully refundable up until final balance due date, minus an administration fee of up to $500 plus any non-recoverable costs.
• All monies are non-refundable at final balance due date. This becomes an insurance claim.
• Bank transfer payments incur no surcharge. Credit card payments incur surcharge of 1.5%.
• Travellers need to be independently mobile and fit to travel.
• Bookings will only be accepted with initial deposit & booking form.
• All travellers must obtain comprehensive travel insurance for international travel and insurance for domestic travel is recommended.
• Please refer to our terms and conditions on booking form.
Mobility - Active Tour
All our trips are specifically designed for our core market, but this trip does contain travel challenges, because of the regions visited. You will be required to walk longer distances, walk on uneven surfaces, transfer onto small boats and if you choose, walk on the snow/ice. To really get the best out of this tour you need to be able to stand or walk for a couple of hours comfortably, be it at a leisurely pace. You also need to be able to climb up to three flights of stairs at a leisurely pace. We advise that you evaluate your level of fitness with your doctor before you consider booking.
If you are unsure, please ring the office to discuss your suitability for this tour.