Polar historian Jonathan Shackleton will return as guest lecturer aboard Ponant Explorations’ L’Austral in February 2027, giving guests a special opportunity to experience Antarctica and South Georgia alongside one of the world’s leading storytellers.
The 20-day, 18-nights voyage will explore some of the most remote and historically significant regions of the Southern Ocean starting from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires. The itinerary will include a return to Grytviken, where Sir Ernest Shackleton, explorer and cousin of Jonathan Shackleton, is buried after his death in 1922, offering a personal perspective on the historian’s family legacy.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Jonathan back onboard one of our ships,” Ponant Explorations chief executive officer of Asia Pacific said. “Bringing world-leading experts such as Jonathan on board reflects our ongoing commitment to exploring uncharted worlds while delivering enriching, meaningful and unforgettable journeys that continue to set Ponant apart.”
Throughout the voyage, which begins 26 February 2027 and ends 16 March 2027, Jonathan Shackleton will deliver a series of engaging lectures and informal discussions offering guests unique insight into early Antarctic exploration, the Heroic Age of polar discovery, polar literature and the rich natural history of the region. He designed his program to deepen the understanding of the extraordinary environments encountered during the trip while bringing to life the stories of historical explorers.
Shackleton has spent more than 25 years working across Antarctica and has completed 44 expedition voyages. Jonathan, who will mark his 15th visit to South Georgia, is “very much looking forward to the next journey.” He described his most recent experience aboard Le Commandant Charcot as “a trip of a lifetime, despite having visited Antarctica many times before.”
