Luxury Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands

Arrive independently and enjoy the highlights of this city at the end of the world. Depending on time, you could take a trip into the Tierra del Fuego National Park and experience the popular train ride and amazing scenery. In the evening, visit one of the local restaurants and enjoy the succulent lamb dishes that Patagonia is famous for and soak up the culture of the world’s southernmost city. A one night hotel stay in Ushuaia is included in your voyage price.

Your morning will be free to further explore the city before joining your included transfer to the port to board your luxury expedition ship in the afternoon. Explore your new surroundings and settle in to your cabin as the crew slip the moorings and sail towards the wilderness. As you sail through the scenic Beagle Channel keep an eye out on deck for your first marine mammal sightings, watching the mountains fade into the distance behind you, and join your new shipmates at the welcome dinner.

As you sail through the formidable Drake Passage on your way to Antarctica make sure to spend some time on deck watching for the seabirds that follow the ship. We will cross the Antarctic Convergence, where ocean dynamics create a unique zone of marine life and activity. Your onboard Antarctica experts will offer presentations and informal lectures on the wildlife, history and geology of the lands that lie ahead and prepare you for your time on the white continent.

Weather and sea conditions permitting, your captain will hope to reach the South Shetland Islands by the evening of day 4 so that you can hop into your Zodiac and explore landing sites such as Elephant Island, where men from Shackleton’s famous Endurance expedition spent the winter, and Deception Island, a flooded but still active volcanic caldera containing the remains of a derelict whaling station.

Welcome to the land of superlatives…Antarctica! In authentic expedition style your exact itinerary here will be dependent on ice and weather conditions. Each day your experienced captain and expedition leader will choose the very best course in order to take advantage of every wildlife and adventure opportunity available. The long daylight hours offer plenty of flexibility for Zodiac excursions to make the most of your time in this magical part of the world.

The Antarctic Peninsula is home to some of the world’s most spectacular scenery, with narrow channels surrounded by towering mountain peaks covered in permanent snow and immense glaciers and icebergs of every size imaginable. It is also home to millions of penguins and other birdlife as well as a variety of whale and seal species, making it a nature lover’s paradise.

After an exploration of the Shetland Islands your vessel will sail through the vast Gerlache Strait alongside the Peninsula itself and the famous Lemaire Channel, stopping at places such as Paradise Bay, Neko Harbour and Petermann Island to enjoy exciting Zodiac excursions, incomparable photo opportunities and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters. For the adventurous there is a kayaking option available and this offers a unique and thrilling way to see the nature and feel the magic of Antarctica up-close.

After a thrilling time in Antarctica it’s time to head northeast towards South Georgia. Your expert crew will provide lectures and presentations on the wildlife and history of South Georgia as well as briefings on bio-security procedures and the conservation efforts that are in place to protect the natural beauty of the area.

Welcome to the wildlife paradise of South Georgia Island! This exceptionally scenic wilderness is said to be home to over 100 million seabirds, including numerous species of albatross, penguins, prions, petrels, and terns, as well as over 100,000 elephant seals and three million fur seals! Your captain will take advantage of every opportunity for up-close wildlife encounters by creating a flexible itinerary for your time here, and each day the captain (and the weather) will decide which area to visit in order to get the very most from your South Georgia experience.

Likely places for exploration include Salisbury Plain and St Andrew’s Bay where penguins and seals flood the beaches jostling for a coveted spot. Don’t be surprised if your arrival is greeted by the inquisitive penguins coming up to you for a closer inspection!

The bountiful waters surrounding South Georgia are also inhabited by an increasing number of whales and you will have the chance to visit the historical whaling station of Grytviken which is also home to the South Georgia Museum. There will also be chance to visit Ernest Shackleton’s grave to pay your respects at the final resting place of this legendary polar explorer. We also hope to offer a hiking expedition over part of the famous “Shackleton Walk” from Fortuna Bay to the abandoned whaling station at Stromness.

Your time on this uninhabited island will be filled with exciting Zodiac excursions, wildlife encounters and incredible scenery that will live long in your memory.

As you leave South Georgia behind and head towards the Falklands your ship will sail east past the remote, seabird-covered Shag Rocks so have your camera ready on deck. Your expert crew will provide lectures and presentations on the wildlife and history of The Falklands.

On the morning of day 18 your vessel will be sailing along the coast of the Falkland Islands, the world’s best kept wildlife secret. Your exact route here will be dependent on the weather conditions on this remote and sparsely-populated group of islands, and your Captain will choose the best course to take advantage of the unrivalled wildlife and scenic opportunities available.

A birder’s paradise, the Falklands are home to large colonies of Rockhopper, King and Macaroni penguins and albatross which are easily accessible on the smaller more isolated islands that we intend to visit. Great care must be taken at all times to ensure not to encroach upon these beautiful creatures’ habitats and your team will brief you in regards to safe distances to adhere to. The Falklands are also a fantastic place to enjoy close encounters with marine mammals, with Elephant and Fur seals being found on the numerous sandy beaches and various whale and dolphin species in the waters surrounding the islands.

We hope to visit Stanley, the charming capital of the Falkland Islands where a quintessentially British feel combines with historic sites to make it the perfect spot to finish your exploration of the Falklands. Enjoy a walk along the beautiful waterfront promenade and take the opportunity to visit the Falkland Islands Museum, the governor’s house, the impressive cathedral, the war memorial and the quality gift shops. If time allows enjoy a drink in one of the local pubs and view the famous shipwrecks in the harbour.

As your thrilling adventure comes to an end it’s time to head towards Montevideo as your ship sails northwards. Continue your wildlife search as you spend time on deck and enjoy the final presentations and lectures from your onboard team of Antarctica experts. You will be invited to attend a farewell dinner and this is the perfect time to reflect on the unforgettable moments you will have experienced during your expedition.

Arrival into Montevideo signals the end of your epic adventure. There will be time for breakfast and a fond farewell to your crew and shipmates before disembarking and joining the group transfer to the airport or to a central downtown location.