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
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| Start Date | End Date | QUAD | TRIPLE | TWIN PORTHOLE | TWIN WINDOW | TWIN DELUXE | SUPERIOR |
|---|
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
QUAD | (Mid-range)
TWIN WINDOW | (High-end)
SUPERIOR |
|---|
ITINERARY
Note: The itinerary below is for the
19–night cruises. For the 18–night cruises, we
spend one fewer day exploring the Antarctic Peninsula.
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, 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 scenic,
mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the rest of the evening.
Day
2: Winged Life of the Westerlies
Several
species of albatross follow the vessel into the westerlies, as well as
storm petrels, shearwaters, and diving petrels.
Day
3: Falklands Found
The
Falkland (Malvinas) Islands offer an abundance of wildlife, easily
approachable – with caution. These islands are largely
unknown gems, primarily remembered for the war between the UK and
Argentina in 1982. 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 part of the voyage, you may visit the following sites: Carcass
Island – Despite its name, this island is pleasantly
rodent-free and hence bounteous with birdlife. Anything from breeding
Magellanic and gentoo penguins to numerous waders and passerine birds
(including Cobb’s wren and the tussock-bird) live here.
Saunders Island – Here 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 gentoo
penguins are also found here.
Day
4: Seat of Falklands Culture
The
capital of the Falklands, Port Stanley has some South American traits
mixed in with a little Victorian charm: colorful houses, well-tended
gardens, and English-style pubs. You can see several century-old
clipper ships in the surrounding area, silent witnesses to the
hardships of 19th century sailors. The small but interesting museum is
also worth a visit, covering the early days of the settlement up to the
Falkland War. Approximately 2,100 people live in the capital, where
you’re free to wander at will – though admission
fees to local attractions are not included.
Day
5 - 6: Once More to the Sea
En
route to South Georgia, you cross the Antarctic Convergence. The
temperature cools considerably within only 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: several
species of albatrosses as well as shearwaters, petrels, prions, and
skuas.
Day
7 - 10: South Georgia Journey
You
arrive at the first South Georgia activity site on day seven. Weather
conditions here can be challenging and largely dictate the program. One
of the highlights might be our visit to Prion Island, where we will
witness the breeding efforts of the huge Wandering Albatross and enjoy
watching their displays. Fortuna Bay – Near beaches inhabited
by penguins and seals, you have the chance to follow the final section
of Shackleton’s route to the abandoned whaling village of
Stromness. This route cuts across the mountain pass beyond
Shackleton’s Waterfall. The terrain here is partly swampy, so
be prepared to cross some small streams along the way. Salisbury Plain,
St. Andrews Bay, Gold Harbor – These locations not only house
the three largest king penguin colonies in South Georgia,
they’re also three of the largest breeding beaches for
southern elephant seals in the world. Only this time of year do they
peak in their breeding cycle. Watch the four-ton bulls keep a constant
vigil (and occasionally fight) over the territories where dozens of
females have just given birth or are about to deliver. You can also see
a substantial number of Antarctic fur seals here during the breeding
season (December – January). Grytviken – You have
the opportunity to check out this abandoned whaling station, where king
penguins now walk the streets and elephant seals lie around like they
own the place – because they just about do. You might also
see the South Georgia Museum as well as Shackleton’s grave.
Day
11: 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
12: South Orkney Sights
Depending
on the weather and ice, you might visit Base Orcadas, 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 here
isn’t possible, you might land in Signy Island’s
Shingle Cove instead.
Day
13: Last Push to the Antarctic
Huge
icebergs and a good chance of fin whales ensure there’s never
a dull moment on this last sea voyage south. Also, your best chance to
spot Antarctic petrels is here.
Day
14 - 17: Awe-Inspiring Antarctica
If
ice permits, you sail into the Weddell Sea. Here colossal tabular
icebergs herald your arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic
Peninsula. Paulet Island, with its large population of
Adélie penguins, is a possible stop. You might also visit
Brown Bluff, located in the ice-clogged Antarctic Sound, where you may
get the chance to set foot on the Continent. If conditions
aren’t favorable to enter the Weddell Sea from the east, you
set course for Elephant Island and head into the Bransfield Strait
– between South Shetland Island and the Antarctic Peninsula.
Here you attempt access to the Antarctic Sound from the northwest. This
extended voyage provides you the chance to sail even farther down the
ice-sculpted western Antarctic Peninsula. After sailing through the
Neumayer Channel, you get a chance to visit the former British research
station – now a museum and post office – of Port
Lockroy on Goudier Island. You may also be able to partake in
activities around Jougla Point, meeting gentoo penguins and blue-eyed
shags. After this, other visits might be possible. In Neko Harbour or
Paradise Bay, you may be able to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in
an epic, otherworldly landscape of alpine peaks and mammoth glaciers
calving at sea level. Humpback whales and minke whales are also known
to be spotted in this area. Cuverville Island is a potential stop in
the early hours of your last landing day. Here you can pick around the
rocks, enjoying the morning in good company: The largest gentoo penguin
rookery of the Antarctic Peninsula lives here. Conditions on the Drake
Passage determine the exact time of departure.
Day
18 - 19: North by Sea
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
20: 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
- 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 program
- Comprehensive
pre-departure material
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Diving:
USD 900 per person
- Group
size: minimum 8, maximum 24 divers
- Offered
on the February 17th departure only
