Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia

If you want adventure, but like the creature comforts, then this expedition is for you! Enjoy the service and many of the amenities of a classic passenger vessel. The outstanding cuisine may vie with the landscape and wildlife for your attention. This voyage combines many of the wildlife and scenic highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands with visits to the Falkland Islands and spectacular South Georgia. Explorers? Cruises are designed to include as much wildlife viewing as possible; but visits to scientific bases are also included, and plenty of time to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of icy waterways, glaciers, icebergs and rugged mountains.

Our friend, Melanie Bonadore, has sailed on this voyage. Click to view her travel journal and photos.

Itinerary

Days 1-2: Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Arrive in Ushuaia, a small town at the "end of the world" surrounded by rugged peaks and glaciers, and transfer independently to your conveniently located hotel. The following day, in the afternoon, the Expedition Team gets you settled aboard your ship as you sail into the Beagle Channel to start your Antarctic expedition.

Day 3: At Sea

As you cruise these wildlife-rich waters, your expedition staff introduces the various species of birds and marine life that you will encounter on your voyage. Wandering, Black-browed and Sooty Albatrosses, shearwaters, Giant and Cape Petrels and numerous other seabirds accompany you. A program of lectures will help prepare you for the many adventures that lie ahead. You will also attend safety briefings and familiarize yourself with the guidelines for visitors to Antarctica.

Days 4-5: Falkland Islands (Malvinas)

You will spend these days in the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), renowned for their amazing wildlife. On Carcass Island, highlights include Flightless Steamer Ducks, Magellanic and Gentoo Penguins and a colony of the rare Black-crowned Night Herons. Peale's and Commerson's dolphins are often seen along the coast. Nearby New Island boasts fantastic Rockhopper Penguin rookeries, along with Black-browed Albatrosses and Blue-eyed Shags. You will also explore Stanley, the charming capital of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). Don't miss the chance to visit the small, but interesting museum.

Days 6-7: Southern Ocean

Continuing east, marine mammals and seabirds lure you to the decks as you cross the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar waters sink beneath the warmer waters of the more temperate zones.

Days 8-11: South Georgia

Sharing many of the biological characteristics of Antarctica, South Georgia has awe-inspiring scenery with towering, 7,000-foot mountains and mighty glaciers, but also low-lying, grassy areas, deep fjords and beaches. First sighted by Captain James Cook in 1775, the island attracts an astounding concentration of wildlife and is viewed by many as one of the most inspiring places on earth. Thousands of King Penguins greet you at Salisbury Plain. Wandering Albatrosses nest at Prion Island, where luxurious tussock grass provides a habitat for a variety of seabirds - and camouflage for thousands of breeding fur seals. Huge elephant seals, King and Gentoo Penguins crowd the beaches along the coast at places such as Gold Harbor, while Light-mantled and Sooty Albatrosses nest in the cliffs behind. The island also played a significant role in the story of Shackleton's epic journey after the sinking of his ship, the 'Endurance.' It was here, at the whaling station of Stromness, that he finally arrived after a harrowing voyage in a small boat from Elephant Island across the Scotia Sea and over the never-before-climbed mountain range of South Georgia. You visit his grave at Grytviken, a once-active whaling station.

Days 12-13: Scotia Sea

Two days at sea to relax as well as to review your adventures in South Georiga. The first icebergs appear on the horizon as you head south to the Antarctic Peninsula.

Days 14-17: South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula

Approaching the rugged South Shetland Islands, your first landfall could be Elephant Island where Shackleton's men found refuge during the epic 'Endurance' expedition. Places such as King George Island and Livingston Island support huge numbers of nesting penguins while seabirds nest in the cliffs and elephant seals wallow along the shores.

Deception Island is still considered an active volcano and sailing through the narrow passage into its huge, flooded caldera is a thrilling experience.

Sailing around the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, we hope to navigate the Antarctic Sound, often referred to as ?iceberg alley.? Huge tabular icebergs drift north from the Antarctic continent. Pending weather and ice conditions, you may land on Paulet Island. This crater island is carpeted with nesting Adelie Penguins that surround the remains of a primitive hut where Captain Larsen and his men of the ?Nordenskjold? expedition sought refuge in 1903. Cruising Palmer Archipelago, several thousand Gentoo Penguins wait for you under the dramatic cliffs of Cuverville and Ronge Islands. Sheathbills, Antarctic Terns, skuas and Blue-eyed Shags nest in this area. Navigating the Neumayer Channel, you enjoy extraordinary vistas of Anvers Island. Your plans also include a landing at Port Lockroy where bleached whale bones commemorate its time as a favorite anchorage of the whalers.

You sail into Paradise Harbor on the Danco Coast where a series of huge glaciers flow into quiet waters. Your Zodiacs take you along rugged cliffs with nesting Cape Petrels, Blue-eyed Shags and Kelp Gulls. You keep watch for humpback whales and groups of crabeater seals on the ice and land at Almirante Brown, an Argentine research station located on the continent. Lemaire Channel is another narrow passage between towering rock faces and stunning glaciers. This channel is one of the highlights of a visit to the Antarctic Peninsula but it can be choked with icebergs and pack ice.

Days 18-19: Drake Passage

You leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. Your expedition staff will review the adventures of your journey as you return to Ushuaia.

Day 20: Ushuaia

After breakfast, you disembark and transfer by bus to the exit of the port which is centrally located in town. Continue independently to the airport for your flight back home.