South Georgia and Antarctic Odyssey

Cruise on a polar ship with only 120 guests, spacious cabins, state-of-the-art technology and optional kayaking. Visiting the Antarctic Peninsula first, we'll explore the wonders of South Georgia in the second half.

Day 1 - Arrive in Ushuaia:

Arrive in Ushuaia, where you will be transferred to our downtown hotel.

Day 2 - Embark in Ushuaia:

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel before exploring Ushuaia on a half-day city tour.

Capital city of the province of Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia is located on the shores of the Beagle Channel and it is surrounded by the Martial Range. It has a unique landscape; a combination of mountains, sea, glaciers and forest. The city tour will visit The Mission, Brown and Solier neighbourhoods, where you can see old houses belonging to the first families to settle in Tierra del Fuego.

You will then head 11km (7 miles) out of town to Martial Glacier. Riding the chair lift to the trails leading up to the glacier provides wonderful regional views and of Ushuaia town, the Beagle Channel and its islands. Continue afterwards to the End of the World Museum to learn the history of Tierra del Fuego.

Transfer to the pier where our expedition team will warmly welcome you on board the vessel. As we pull away from port, we’ll gather on the deck to commence our adventure with spectacular views over Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego. You’ll then have time to settle into your cabin before our important briefings.

Day 3 - Drake Passage:

As we commence the Drake Passage crossing, our expedition team prepare you for our first landing with important wildlife guidelines and biosecurity procedures. We will also start our lecture program to learn more about Antarctica’s history, wildlife and environment. There will be opportunities to enjoy watching and photographing the many seabirds, including majestic albatrosses and giant petrels following in our wake as they rise and fall in the air currents created by the ship.

Day 4 - Drake Passage & South Shetland Islands:

As we near the tip of the South Shetland Islands on day four, the excitement builds as everyone converges on the bridge to search for our first iceberg. Once we are below the Antarctic Convergence, the ocean takes on a whole new perspective; surreal floating ice sculptures appear. The memory of seeing your first big iceberg is likely to remain with you for a lifetime. If weather permits, we may attempt our first landing in Antarctica by late afternoon.

Days 5 to 7 - Antarctic Peninsula:

Over the next few days, and depending on ice and weather conditions, the whole of the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula is ours to explore. Having visited this area countless times and using their expertise, our expedition team will design our voyage from day to day to allow us to make best use of the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities.

With 18-20 hours of daylight, the days can be as busy as you wish. We will usually attempt two landings or zodiac excursions each day: cruising along spectacular ice cliffs, following feeding whales, landing on the continent and its off-shore islands to visit seal haul outs, penguin rookeries and historic huts, and stopping by a few of our other favourite spots along the peninsula. Our itinerary is deliberately flexible to allow us to pick the best spots on the day based on ice and weather conditions.

A sample of some of the places where we may cruise, hike, land, photograph or view spectacular wildlife include:

• We’ll keep our eyes open for humpbacks, orcas, minkes, and crabeater seals as we head out on zodiacs into the beautiful protected bays around the Antarctic Peninsula surrounded by magnificent peaks and spectacular glaciers.

• We can see large chinstrap penguin colonies and fur and elephant seals hauled out on the pebble beaches of wildlife-rich islands, where glaciers and mountains dominate the vista.

• If ice conditions allow, standing on the ship’s observation deck as the ship sails quietly along the narrow Lemaire Channel could certainly be one of the highlights of our voyage. Cliffs tower 700m/2296ft straight out of the ocean on either side of the ship. The water can sometimes be so still that perfect reflections are mirrored on the surface, or gigantic icebergs may clog the channel or occasionally even obstruct our passage, creating navigational challenges for our Captain and crew.

Day 8 - Elephant Island:

If weather permits, we set course for the half-submerged mountain cloaked with an ice sheet at the outer limits of the South Shetlands that is Elephant Island. We’ll learn Shackleton’s story, hearing how his ship, the Endurance, was crushed in pack ice in the Weddell Sea, before he and his men climbed into three open boats, and made landfall on this tiny stretch of rock and ice after spending 16 months in the vastness of the Southern Ocean.

We plan to sail past Cape Valentine, to see the beach where the men first put ashore over 100 years ago. If the weather permits, we also hope to follow the coastline six miles west to Point Wild, where the men eventually set up camp using two of their upturned open boats and some old tents and if possible, we’ll attempt to make a landing on historic Point Wild.

Days 9 & 10 - Scotia Sea:

We’ll head across the Scotia Sea, on our way to South Georgia, following the route that Shackleton and five of his men took in an attempt to arrange the rescue of the rest of their crew. They launched the most seaworthy of their open boats, the James Caird, to attempt a perilous journey to South Georgia, some 1290 km (802 miles) away. There Shackleton would enlist the help of the whalers and return to Elephant Island to rescue the men who had been left behind. As excitement builds for our arrival in South Georgia, there will be a chance to catch up with fellow travellers in the bar, watch for wildlife with our naturalist from the bridge, or learn more of Shackleton’s story from our onboard historian.

Days 11 to 15 - South Georgia:

Over the next few days, you’ll experience the wonder of South Georgia: fur seals jostling for space on the beach, enormous, bustling king penguin colonies, and jaw-dropping mountain landscapes. On zodiac cruises, you will discover bays filled with wildlife: raucous and playful fur seals, and curious penguins. Challenge yourself on hikes and enjoy dazzling pristine landscapes seen by few.

South Georgia is one of the world’s most amazing natural environments; a life-sustaining haven to some of the world’s largest congregations of wildlife. The surrounding seas are one of the most productive areas on Earth supporting millions of seals, whales, penguins and seabirds. Between the mountains, glaciers carve their way through the tussock grass to a deeply indented coastline one that is synonymous with the epic survival story of Shackleton, Worsley, and Crean. There is history everywhere with abandoned whaling stations and remnants of explorers and the legacy continues with summer workers conducting scientific and regeneration projects. If conditions permit, we plan to follow in Shackleton, Worsley, and Crean’s footsteps and walk the final leg of their journey from Fortuna Bay to Stromness.

Some of the places where we may land in South Georgia include:

Grytviken – originally a Norwegian sealing and whaling station, closed in 1965. Sir Ernest Shackleton’s body was laid to rest here.

St Andrews Bay –  with a long black sandy beach that fronts a broad valley and stretches well back from the sea; home to the largest king penguin colony on South Georgia.

Godthul – bays lined with bleached whale bones, teeming with penguins and fur seals. A careful descent leads us to a magnificent Macaroni penguin rookery.

Salisbury Plains – With about 100,000 pairs, Salisbury Plain has one of the largest king penguin colonies on South Georgia. You will also find fur and elephant seals here.

Fortuna Bay & Stromness – Fortuna Bay is surrounded by high mountains and glaciers leading into an open valley that is home to a small king penguin colony. This is where Shackleton, and his colleagues descended from the treacherous interior towards Stromness whaling station.

Days 16 to 18 - At Sea:

Between South Georgia and the Falkland Islands (Las Malvinas), you will be captivated by the flight of many seabirds following in our wake, skilfully using the air currents created by the ship to gain momentum. Our lecture program will continue, highlighting all of the amazing sights we have witnessed over the past few days and there is of course plenty of time to enjoy the sea birds, whale watching from the bridge, or simply relaxing in the bar with a book. If time and weather conditions permit, we could pass close to Shag Rocks, a fascinating group of rocky islets protruding from the sea around South Georgia.

Day 19 - The Falkland Islands (Las Malvinas):

Located 477km (296 miles) east of Argentina, the Falklands are a unique mix of inhabited outpost and wildlife hotspot. An archipelago of over 700 islands, only seven of the islands are inhabited and only two of those are the main islands: East and West. The cold nutrient-rich waters surrounding the islands makes them a prime location for marine life, including seabirds and seals.

Our time here includes a short walk around the historic town of Stanley, and a visit to Sea Lion Island located in the south of East Falkland. The raw beauty and solitude of the island makes it a haven for visitors and wildlife alike. In 2009, Sea Lion Island was officially declared a National Nature Reserve, and no introduced predators live on the island.

It is ideal habitat for elephant seals and sea lions and a plethora of birds such as thrushes, finches, tussac birds and Magellanic penguins. Pods of orcas, Peale’s dolphins and leopard seals are regularly seen in the waters surrounding the island. You’ll also see southern giant petrels, with a wingspan of two metres, rockhopper, gentoo and Magellanic penguins breeding there and Macaroni, king penguins and striated and crested caracaras are also regular visitors.

Day 20 - At Sea:

As we return to the mainland, you may choose to spend the remaining days at sea browsing and editing your photos or listening to an informative lecture.

Day 21: Disembark Puerto Williams, fly to Punta Arenas

During the early morning, we dock in Puerto Williams and you bid farewell to your expedition team. We will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Punta Arenas and then to your hotel for your overnight stay.

Day 22 - Punta Arenas:

We all continue our onward journeys, with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature.

Please note:

This itinerary is for guidance only; each voyage will vary depending on ice and weather conditions. Flexibility is key and part of the adventure of an expeditionary cruise.

The 8-Dec-2020 departure operates in reverse, starting with 2 days in the Falkland Islands, then 4 in South Georgia, and ending with 4 in Antarctica.

The 10-Mar-2021 departure is 22 days long, ending in Punta Arenas.

Includes:

• Complimentary parka jacket
• Voyage aboard the vessel as indicated in the itinerary
• Accommodation during the voyage on full board basis
• Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner
• 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
• Port taxes and any entry fees to historic landing sites
• A printed photo book produced with photos from your voyage

Excludes:

• Flights to and from points of embarkation/disembarkation
• Any additional services before and after your voyage
• Transfers not specific to the itinerary
• Travel insurance
• Optional adventure activities
• Any visa, passport and vaccination expenses
• Airport arrival or departure taxes
• Items of a personal nature: laundry, beverages, etc
• Customary staff gratuity at the end of the voyage
• Additional onboard purchases (i.e. gift shop)