Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctic Peninsula
Details 20 DAYS FROM 11495 PP
Best time to go nov - march
Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctic Peninsula
The sub-Antarctic Falkland Islands and South Georgia are home to some of the most unique and abundant wildlife on earth. With beaches covered in fur seals, elephant seals, and hundreds of thousands of penguins, it’s one of the most incredible scenes you can experience. Antarctica itself is an incredible icescape with towering icebergs, migratory whales and an array of endemic wildlife.
This magnificent adventure spends a full 20 days exploring the far southern reaches of the globe, where you will find an abundance of unusual wildlife. Explore outstanding landscapes filled with towering glaciers that punctuate still waters and a formidable beauty that overwhelms even the most intrepid travellers. Climb aboard your expedition ship to start this once in a lifetime adventure.
Antarctica Guide
The free, beautiful and comprehensive guide to Antarctica safaris and travel.
The opportunity to explore diverse, remote locations within the southern continent.
Conditions permitting, set foot on the continent of Antarctica.
A huge array of wildlife including several species of penguin living in vast colonies, whales, seals and other seabirds.
Explore old whaling stations and visit the grave of polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton.
See the incredible landscape of Antarctica, cruising alongside vast icebergs and incredible ice formations.
Day 1 – Ushuaia
Welcome to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city and starting point of your Antarctic expedition! Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your Ushuaia hotel. The rest of the day, you are free to explore this vibrant port city and adventure hub.
When to Go
The best time to visit Antarctica is during the the austral summer and Antarctic travel season run from mid-October through to March. Outside these times, it is not possible to travel to Antarctica. Weather, sea conditions, sunlight and wildlife sightings vary greatly as the continent’s climate can change from minute to minute, a true wilderness.
Board the vessel in Ushuaia, and start to become familiar with your home for the next 19 days. In the early evening, you will set sail and begin your voyage leaving behind Ushuaia and charting a course through the Beagle Channel.
Antarctica Guide
The free, beautiful and comprehensive guide to Antarctica safaris and travel.
You will have the chance to spend plenty of time with our on-board polar experts. They will be educating you as travel closer to the Great White Continent, on the wonders of Antarctica. Sailing northeast, you will likely be joined by swooping seabirds including the wandering albatross.
Wildlife in Antarctica
Following in the footprints of explorers such as Shackleton and Scott, you can experience incredible wildlife in Antarctica, which seems surprising on first glance in this land of superlatives – the coldest, windiest and driest location on Earth.
Explore the islands of the West Falkland Archipelago, home to a profusion of seabirds and migratory birds including the black-browed albatross. Our first penguin sightings will be on the island of West Point with its bustling rookeries of rockhoppers.
Falkland Islands
Forgetting the instant association with its chequered history, the windblown archipelago of the Falkland Islands is actually a fantastic place to visit, each island with its own unique combination of stunning, desolate landscapes, curious wildlife and all with an air of sheer isolation and anonymity that belies the ubiquitous name. Located to the southeast of South America approximately 480 kilometres, close to the Antarctic and Cape Horn, the infamous islands were discovered in 1520 during a Spanish expedition, before settlers from Saint-Malo arrived only to be chased away by the Spanish. Later populated by Argentina and conquered by Great Britain in 1833 they have long been the subject of well-documented power struggles, but the serenity of the landscape and position at the end of the earth could not be more aloof from this.
Sail southeast bound for the island of South Georgia. Much of your time is spent scanning the horizon in search of whales and other marine mammals. Your friendly on-board experts continue to fill minds with heroic stories of some of the earliest daredevils to explore Antarctica.
Whales
Encounters with the Ocean’s Giants
One of the most memorable experiences, catching eye-contact always brings a sense of understanding between the two species, creating a connection and memory that will last long after your encounter ends.
Majestic snow-covered mountains greet you on the island of South Georgia. You will cruise the protected waters looking for suitable landing spots such as Salisbury Plain and St Andrews Bay, with an abundance of king penguins and their chicks that live in the hundreds of thousands.
South Georgia
Widely heralded as one of the world’s most understated wildlife sanctuaries, the sheer isolation of this island is just part of its appeal. A wonderland of snow, ice and inquisitive wildlife, South Georgia offers its visitors magnificent and pristine scenery.
The island itself measures 170 kilometres and is a mountainous landscape, with snow-capped peaks that soar to a height of 2,934 metres. Located 1,400 kilometres east of the Falkland Islands, the island is only accessible by boat, and the journey time from the Falkland Islands is approximately two days.
Continue west toward the Antarctic Peninsula. Pelagic seabirds including the majestic albatross are common in these waters and can readily be viewed from panoramic open decks. We may also encounter enormous tabular icebergs drifting north from the Weddell Sea.
Antarctica Photography
The remote region of Antarctica is a photographer's paradise. From stunning ice statues to peppy penguins.
Days 15 - 18 - South Shetland Islands & the Antarctic Peninsula
Adelie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins thrive on the South Shetland Islands, as do several species of seal. You may even be able to see the gentle humpback whale dining on krill off King George Island. Arrive at the Antarctic mainland in Paradise Harbour or Hope Bay.
South Shetland Islands
Set parallel to the Antarctic Peninsula, across a stretch of ocean of 540 kilometres, this archipelago is formed of some 20 islands and islets, first discovered in February 1819. This is the first area of landmass that you will reach after crossing the Drake Passage, and the islands teem with wildlife, making them an essential stop on a voyage into Antarctica, with densely populated penguin rookeries and beaches that throng with seals. Beautiful landscapes, brimming with wildlife - this is an excellent stop for photography on your way to the antarctic peninsula.
As you make your way back, heading again across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage before rounding Cape Horn. Sailing up the Beagle Channel, you and your fellow guests celebrate the conclusion of our Polar expedition at a special dinner.
M/V Sea Spirit
Spacious and beautiful, the M/V Sea Spirit has space for just 114 passengers during its voyages to the far south, Antarctica. All cabins are suites on-board, and you will also find a wonderful hot tub and outdoor bistro. You can expect smooth sailing on this relaxed and informal ship; the hull is ice-strengthened and the ship also has retractable fin stabilisers.
Early this morning you will arrive back in Ushuaia. It is now time to bid a fond farewell to your crew and fellow travellers. Depending on your impending travel plans you will either be transported to your hotel or the airport for your onward flight.
Sylvia Earle
The Sylvia Earle has been meticulously designed for luxury expedition cruising. Observation lounge and viewing platforms offer spectacular panoramic views of scenery and wildlife and there are purpose-built activity preparation areas including four Zodiac-launching platforms for fast and safe transition off the ship for daily excursions.
