Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica - from Ushuaia

A wildlife-lover’s dream come true, this expedition explores one of the last untamed areas on Earth. A good choice of departure dates is offered throughout the season and the trip stands out for its value for money and the range of cabin categories available.

 

Day 1 - The start of our journey:

Your voyage begins where the world ends: in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city on the planet, at the far southern tip of South America. From this small resort town in Tierra del Fuego, also known as ‘The End of the World’, we set sail along the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel.

Day 2 - Finding the Falklands:

On our way, expect several species of albatross to follow the vessel into the westerlies, along with shearwaters, storm petrels and diving petrels.

Day 3 - Exploring the Falkland Islands:

The Falkland Islands (Las Malvinas), are largely unknown gems but offering a unique abundance of wildlife. Various species of bird live here along with Peale’s dolphins and Commerson’s dolphins in the surrounding waters.  

During this section of the voyage, we may visit the following sites:

Carcass Island –This island, despite its name, is actually rodent-free and hosts bounteous birdlife. You will find everything from breeding Magellanic and gentoo penguins to various waders and passerine birds (including Cobb’s wrens and tussock-birds) living here.  

Saunders Island – look out for black-browed albatross, breeding imperial shags, king penguins, rockhopper penguins. gentoo penguin and Magellanic penguins on this island.

Day 4 - Falklands Culture:

Port Stanley is the capital of the Falklands and the ideal place to explore its culture. With Victorian-era charm you will find colourful houses, well-tended gardens, and even an English-style pub here. There are also several century-old clipper ships nearby, telling the story of the hardships of 19th century sailors in this area. There is a small but interesting museum that is worth a visit, covering the early days of settlement up to the Falklands War. (Please note that admission fees to local attractions are not included in the voyage.)

Day 5 and 6 - Back to Sea:

We set sail for South Georgia, crossing the Antarctic Convergence. As the temperature cools considerably within the space of a few hours and warm and cold waters collide, nutritious water rises to the surface of the sea. This phenomenon attracts a multitude of seabirds and we will see several species of albatross, petrels, shearwaters, skuas, and prions.

Days 7 to 10 - Exploring South Georgia:

Arriving in South Georgia, our itinerary will take us to many exciting places. Changing weather conditions may dictate the structure of the programme but we aim to visit some of the following sites:

Prion Island - The island of the wandering albatross. From January onwards, breeding adults have found their partners and are incubating eggs or raising chicks. These beautiful, gentle animals possess the largest wingspan of any bird in the world. The island is closed to visitors during the early part of the breeding season (20 November – 7 January)

Fortuna Bay – Follow the final section of Shackleton’s rescue journey, to the abandoned whaling village of Stromness, past beaches inhabited by seals and penguins. A swampy terrain takes you across the mountain pass and beyond Shackleton’s Waterfall (be prepared to cross a few small streams).

Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay, Gold Harbour – These three sites are home to the largest king penguin colonies in South Georgia. Fighting for space, you will also find the three largest breeding beaches for Antarctic fur seals. Millions of fur seals breed here during December and January, and you will have chance to see the large bulls keeping a constant vigil (and occasionally fighting) over their territories where dozens of females are delivering their pups.

Grytviken – Elephant seals lie around like they own the place and king penguins walk the streets at this abandoned whaling station. Here you can visit Shackleton’s grave site and visit the South Georgia Museum.

Day 11 - Southward:

More birds, including south polar skuas and snow petrels, will trail our vessel as we head south, soaring and diving in amongst the sea ice on this route.

Day 12 - Arriving in South Orkney:

Reaching the South Orkney Islands, we might visit Orcadas Base, an Argentine scientific station on Laurie Island, depending on weather conditions. If we go ashore, the personnel here will show you their facility, and you can take in the expansive views of surrounding glaciers. If it’s not possible to make a visit, we may try to land at Signy Island’s Shingle Cove.

Day 13 - On to the Antarctic:

The last stretch of the voyage south is never dull; we will be sighting fin whales, Antarctic petrels and marvelling at colossal icebergs along the route.

Days 14 to 16 - Amazing Antarctica:

Ice conditions permitting, we will sail into the Weddell Sea. Here magnificent tabular icebergs mark our arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. We might stop at Paulet Island to see its large population of Adélie penguins or set foot on the continent itself at Brown Bluff, located in the ice-clogged Antarctic Sound.

If the conditions aren’t favorable enough to enter the Weddell Sea from the east, we will set a course for Elephant Island and the Bransfield Strait, between South Shetland Island and the Antarctic Peninsula. Here we will attempt to access the Antarctic Sound from the northwest. There’s no end to the breathtaking scenery as we head into the southern Gerlache Strait, and we may even reach the stunning Lemaire Channel. Conditions on the Drake Passage will determine the exact time of our departure.

Days 17 and 18 - Returning to familiar seas:

The return to Ushuaia will be far from lonely. Returning by the Drake Passage, we will be greeted again by the vast array of seabirds that we saw on the way out; you will all just be a little more familiar with one another!

Day 19 - Disembarking in Ushuaia:

It’s time to disembark in Ushuaia, and our adventure may have come to an end but you’re sure to have incredible memories that will accompany you wherever you go to next.

Please note: This itinerary is for guidance only and programmes may be required to vary depending on local weather, ice and wildlife conditions. Your expedition leader will determine a final itinerary and flexibility is vital for all expedition cruises.

All excursions are included in price unless stated as 'optional'

Includes:

• 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 landing sites (except additional fees for museums in Port Stanley, Falklands)

Excludes:

• 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. diving)
• Visa, passport and any vaccination expenses
• Airport arrival or departure taxes
• Personal Travel insurance
• Items of a personal nature - laundry, beverages, etc
• Customary staff gratuity at the end of the voyage
• Additional onboard purchases (i.e. gift shop)