Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica - from Puerto Madryn

An Antarctic adventure in the wildlife-rich South Georgia that doesn't compromise on comfort or service. This recently refurbished stylish passenger ship, with fine dining, compelling itinerary and cavernous suites, offers a very polished Southern Ocean adventure, at a fair price.

Complimentary Pre-Arrival Day (optional):

There’s no need to worry about flight delays or missed connections when you begin your adventure early. Take advantage of up to two free pre-arrival nights in beautiful Puerto Madryn; gateway to the Valdés Peninsula.

Day 1  - Puerto Madryn:

Puerto Madryn, in the province of Chubut, is a popular destination for wildlife excursions and widely regarded as the best place in Argentina to see southern right whales. Whilst here you will be able to take a whale watching trip, look for elephant seals and nesting cormorants, or take a walk through a Magellanic penguin colony whilst surrounded by myriad species of native seabirds. Attend the optional evening briefing for the opportunity to ask questions and meet some of your fellow travellers before we depart.

Day 2 - Set Sail:

Your Expedition Team and ship’s officers will greet you when you arrive for embarkation in the afternoon and a safety and orientation briefing will be held, followed by the Captain’s welcome dinner. As we set sail, you can watch the city lights fade away into the fresh night air.

Days 3 and 4 - Sailing the Southern Ocean:

As we sail south, you can expect to see albatrosses, petrels and prions that frequently follow the ship. Also out on deck, our Expedition Team will be spotting for whales and dolphins. Inside a series of presentations, including informative and entertaining talks on the wildlife, history, and geology of the Falkland Islands and Southern Ocean will be available to you. Helpful briefings on expedition safety and environmental regulations and will also be held in the ship’s comfortable lounge. Those interested in contributing to data collection and Citizen Science activities can assist with sea bird surveys, and help collect salinity samples and weather data along the way.

Day 5 - Arriving in the West Falklands:

At the westernmost settled outposts of the Falkland Islands, sheep graze alongside rockhopper, king and Magellanic penguin rookeries and albatross colonies. Striated caracaras patrol overhead while upland geese graze at the water’s edge. A visit to one of these homesteads, family-owned for six or seven generations often includes an invitation for afternoon tea and cake.

Day 6 - Port Stanley, East Falkland:

Its access to abundant fresh water, sheltered harbour and availability of peat for fuel made Port Stanley the obvious choice for a settlement in East Falkland. It’s an easy place to discover on foot, with most shops and services centered on the port. Visit the museum, the post-office local wool and craft shops or even a lively local pub. It’s also possible to experience the wildlife of the Falklands directly from the town, with sea lions and Peale’s and Commerson’s dolphins in the harbour and plenty of bird life in nearby Gypsy Cove.

Days 7 and 8 - Exploring the Southern Ocean:

There’s ample opportunity for wildlife spotting as we make our way east across the Antarctic Convergence and enter Antarctic waters. More onboard presentations, featuring the exciting history and abundant wildlife of South Georgia are available.

Days 9 to 12 - South Georgia:

There is so much to see in South Georgia. From landing sites with enormous elephant seals and aggressive fur seals to bird colonies of gentoo penguins, albatross, petrels, skuas, and gulls. Thousands of king penguins, from fuzzy little chicks to fattened adults, crowd the beaches. The historic whaling station at Grytviken, with its whaling museum, Norwegian seaman’s church, active British Antarctic Survey station, and Sir Ernest Shackleton’s grave is on the list of places for us to stop.

Days 13 and 14 - Crossing the Scotia Sea:

We continue our informative presentations and wildlife watching as we head further south where the icebergs become more and more plentiful.

Days 15 to 18 - The Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands:

Our Expedition Leader, and Captain will work hard to create a flexible itinerary for you based on previous sightings, weather and ice conditions, to maximize any wildlife watching opportunities. We will explore the waterways of the Antarctic Peninsula and also some of the lesser travelled areas of the Peninsula. Aiming for the most scenic channels and bays, we will make stops at whale feeding areas, bird colonies, penguin rookeries and seal wallows and also at sites of scientific and historic interest.

We can expect to enjoy amazing marine mammal viewing opportunities. Crabeater, elephant and Weddell seals can often be found hauled out to rest along with the assertive Antarctic fur seal and predatory leopard seals. Minke and humpback whales are frequent visitors and sightings of orca are common.

Days 19 and 20 - Crossing the Drake Passage:

We leave this magical place and make our way north, heading back across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage. Wildlife spotting and presentations onboard continue as we sail. We return to Ushuaia through the Beagle Channel and we celebrate the conclusion of our expedition with a special slideshow.

Day 21 - Disembarking in Ushuaia:

A morning disembarkation allows you to either catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more exploring and adventure.

Please note: this itinerary is for guidance only. Each voyage varies depending on weather and ice conditions, and maximising opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is key and also part of the adventure of an expeditionary cruise.​

Includes:

• A choice of a beverage with dinner
• Complimentary parka jacket
• Daily international news service
• Post voyage digital log
• Pre-voyage overnight stay in Puerto Madryn
• Free public internet & 100 mins of WiFi
• All airport/hotel/ship transfers
• Voyage aboard the vessel as indicated in the itinerary
• Accommodation and meals during the voyage on full board
• All shore excursions and Zodiac activities
• Educational lectures by expert onboard polar guides
• Access to an onboard doctor and basic medical services
• Loan of rubber boots for the voyage's duration
• Comprehensive pre-departure information
• Port taxes and any entry fees to historic landing sites

Excludes:

• Any flights to and from points of embarkation/disembarkation
• Any additional pre/post land services, including meals
• Transfers not specified in the itinerary
• Optional adventure activities (e.g. kayaking)
• Visa, passport and any vaccination expenses
• Airport arrival or departure taxes
• Personal travel insurance
• Items of a personal nature, e.g. laundry, beverages and communication
• Customary staff gratuity at the end of the voyage
• Additional onboard purchases (i.e. gift shop)