HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit
three diverse and spectacular biomes including the temperate Falkland
Islands, sub-Antarctic South Georgia and the frozen Antarctic continent
- Encounter
hundreds of thousands of stately king penguins on the beaches of
incomparable South Georgia
- Experience
abundant wildlife including seabirds, seals and even some of the great
whales at close range
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
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| Start Date | End Date | Quad Porthole | Triple Porthole | Twin Porthole | Twin Window | Twin Deluxe | Superior |
|---|
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Quad Porthole | (Mid-range)
Twin Window | (High-end)
Superior |
|---|
ITINERARY
Day
1: End of the world, start of a journey
Your
voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to
be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern
tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this
small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of
the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for
the remainder of the evening.
Day 2: The winged life of
the westerlies
Several
species of albatross follow the vessel into the westerlies, along with
storm petrels, shearwaters, and diving petrels.
Day 3 - 4: Finding the
Falklands
The
Falkland (Malvinas) Islands offer an abundance of wildlife that is
easily approachable, though caution is always advised. These islands
are largely unknown gems, the site of a 1982 war between the UK and
Argentina. Not only do various species of bird live here, but chances
are great you’ll see both Peale’s dolphins and
Commerson’s dolphins in the surrounding waters.
During
this segment of the voyage, you may visit the following sites:
West Point Island
– Thick with black-browed albatrosses and rockhopper penguins.
Grave Cove
– Nesting gentoo penguins and excellent hiking opportunities
abound here.
New Island, Coffin’s
Harbour – This location is a reasonable walk
from the landing site at the New Island South Wildlife Reserve,
providing views of nesting black-browed albatrosses and rockhopper
penguins. A more strenuous hike to Landsend Bluff may also show you
some South American fur seals. The site of the only land-based whaling
station on the Falkland Islands is south of the landing beach.
New Island North Nature Reserve
– Landing here requires a special permit. If received, you
can make a farewell visit to the black-browed albatrosses (among other
bird species) and South American fur seals that make the Falklands
their home.
Carcass Island
– Despite its name, this island is pleasantly rodent-free and
hence bounteous with birdlife. Anything from breeding Magellanic
penguins and gentoos to numerous waders and passerine birds (including
Cobb’s wrens and tussock-birds) live here.
Saunders Island
– On Saunders Island you can see the black-browed albatross
and its sometimes-clumsy landings, along with breeding imperial shags
and rockhopper penguins. King penguins, Magellanic penguins, and
gentoos are also found here.
Day 5: The seat of
Falklands culture
The
capital of the Falklands and center of its culture, Stanley has some
Victorian-era charm: colorful houses, well-tended gardens, and
English-style pubs are all to be found here. You can also see several
century-old clipper ships nearby, silent witnesses to the hardships of
19th century sailors. The small but interesting museum is also worth a
visit, covering the early days of settlement up to the Falklands War.
Approximately 2,100 people live in Stanley. Feel free to wander at
will, though be aware that admission fees to local attractions are not
included in the voyage.
Day
6 - 7: Once more to the sea
En
route to South Georgia, you now cross the Antarctic Convergence. The
temperature cools considerably within the space of a few hours, and
nutritious water rises to the surface of the sea due to colliding water
columns. This phenomenon attracts a multitude of seabirds near the
ship, including several species of albatross, shearwaters, petrels,
prions, and skuas.
Day 8 - 12: South Georgia
Journey
Today
you arrive at the first South Georgia activity site. Please keep in
mind that weather conditions in this area can be challenging, largely
dictating the program.
Over
the next several days, you have a chance to visit the following sites:
Prion Island
– This location is closed during the early part of the
wandering albatross breeding season (November 20 – January
7). From January on, the breeding adults have found their partners and
are sitting on eggs or nursing their chicks. Enjoy witnessing the
gentle nature of these animals, which possess the largest wingspan of
any birds in the world.
Fortuna Bay
– Near beaches inhabited by various penguins and seals, you
have the chance to follow the final leg of Shackleton’s route
to the abandoned whaling village of Stromness. This path cuts across
the mountain pass beyond Shackleton’s Waterfall, and as the
terrain is partly swampy, be prepared to cross a few small streams.
Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay,
Gold Harbour – These sites not only house the
three largest king penguin colonies in South Georgia, they’re
also three of the world’s largest breeding beaches for
Antarctic fur seals. Literarally millions breed on South Georgia during
December and January. Only during the mid-season do they peak in their
breeding cycle. Watch the large bulls keep a constant vigil (and
occasionally fight) over territories where dozens of females have just
given birth or are about to deliver. Watch your step and stay
cool when walking the beaches during this time.
Grytviken
– In this abandoned whaling station, king penguins walk the
streets and elephant seals lie around like they own the place
– because they basically do. Here you might be able to see
the South Georgia Museum as well as Shackleton’s grave.
Cobblers Cove, Godthul
– At Cobblers Cove we aim for Rookery Point to see macaroni
penguins. Light-mantled sooty albatrosses nest along the coastline and
giant petrels can be observed as well. Godthul (Norwegian for
“good cove”) was named by Norwegian whalers and
seal-hunters and remains such as bones can still be found along the
shore line. Beaches are the home of gentoo penguins.
Cooper Bay
– Offers the largest chinstrap penguin population and gentoo
and also macaroni penguins are present. Antarctic terns, white-chinnes
petrels, blue-eyed shags and light-mantled sooty albatrosses can be
spotted too.
Day
13: Southward bound
There
may be sea ice on this route, and at the edge of the ice some south
polar skuas and snow petrels could join the other seabirds trailing the
vessel south.
Day
14: The scenic vistas of South Orkney
Depending
on the conditions, you might visit Orcadas Base, an Argentine
scientific station on Laurie Island in the South Orkney archipelago.
The personnel here will happily show you their facility, where you can
enjoy expansive views of the surrounding glaciers. If a visit
isn’t possible, you may instead land in Coronation
Island’s Shingle Cove.
Day 15: Last push to the
Antarctic
Enormous
icebergs and a fair chance of fin whale sightings ensure
there’s never a dull moment on this last sea voyage south.
Also, your best chance to spot Antarctic petrels is here.
Day 16 - 19:
Awe-inspiring Antarctica
If
the ice conditions permit, you now sail into the Weddell Sea. Here
colossal tabular icebergs herald your arrival to the eastern side of
the Antarctic Peninsula. You might also visit Brown Bluff, located in
the ice-clogged Antarctic Sound, where you could get the chance to set
foot on the Antarctic Continent itself.
We
sail further in the Antarctic Peninsula. Sites we may visits are:
Wilhelmina Bay
– A likely spot to see feeding humpback whales. If conditions
allow, you may even embark on a Zodiac cruise to the ghostly wreck of
the Guvernøren, a whaling vessel that caught fire here in
1915.
Neko Harbour
– An epic landscape of mammoth glaciers and endless
wind-carved snow, Neko Harbour offers opportunities for a Zodiac cruise
and landing that afford the closest views of the surrounding alpine
peaks.
Paradise Bay
– You may be able to take a Zodiac cruise in these sprawling,
ice-flecked waters, where there’s a good chance
you’ll encounter humpback and minke whales.
The
breathtaking scenery continues in the southern Gerlache Strait, and if
ice conditions allow, we may even reach Lemaire Channel. Conditions on
the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure.
Day
20 - 21: Familiar seas, familiar friends
Your
return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake,
you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered
from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to you
now, and you to them.
Day 22: There and back
again
Every
adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end.
It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that
will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Included
in this voyage
- Voyage
aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
- All
meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee
and tea.
- All
shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
- Program
of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced
expedition staff.
- Free
use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
- Luggage
transfer from pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation, in
Ushuaia.
- Pre-scheduled
group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly
after disembarkation).
- All
miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
- Comprehensive
pre-departure material.
Excluded
from this voyage
- Any
airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights.
- Pre-
and post- land arrangements.
- Passport
and visa expenses.
- Government
arrival and departure taxes.
- Meals
ashore.
- Baggage,
cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
- Excess
baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry,
bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
- The
customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other
service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
