Antarctica, Falklands, and South Georgia

Your gateway for this expedition is Ushuaia, Argentina. Nestled within the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, Ushuaia offers you a small-town feel but has many shops, museums, cafes and restaurants to enjoy before your voyage.  If you’re feeling adventurous, the nearby national park and Martial Glacier offer plenty of hiking and outdoor activities.

After boarding the ship in the late afternoon, sail the Beagle Channel to the Drake Passage. As we embark, the anticipation and excitement grows. Trade your land legs for sea legs, meet and greet your fellow travelers and get acquainted with your ship. As every Antarctic adventure presents new opportunities and experiences, Embarkation day is just as exciting for your Expedition Team as it is for you. They’re onboard to ensure your comfort and safety, as well as help make your wildlife dreams come true.

There are many activities to keep you engaged while we’re at sea. Learn to identify seabirds that glide alongside the ship or attend illustrated presentations by your Expedition Team. You will be prepped on procedures for your Zodiac cruises and shore landings as well as be given instructions for getting the most out of your upcoming kayaking opportunities.

En route to the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), you learn about Charles Darwin, who visited the islands in 1833. Join your fellow adventurers for an in-depth education program introducing the flora and fauna that you can expect to encounter while visiting the archipelago. Properly prepared, you cruise safely from the ship to shore in a Zodiac to stroll the streets of Stanley or wander through the nesting grounds of the Black-browed Albatross.  There may also be the opportunity to see the two endemic species: Cobb's Wren and the Falklands flightless steamer duck. There are activities for a diverse range of interests – historical, natural and physical. Sip a leisurely cup of tea with local residents, before you depart for South Georgia.

Sailing south, we’ll enter Antarctic waters by crossing the invisible biological boundary unique to Antarctica – the Antarctic Convergence. Encircling the continent, cold, northward-flowing Antarctic waters meet and mix with the warmer waters of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, creating the abundance of krill and microscopic marine life that attracts whales and other species to this part of the world. Ship staff will be sure to keep you posted when we cross this invisible, yet important line.

The published account of James Cook’s voyage to South Georgia brought fortune seekers to the island for nearly two hundred years. Now there are only a handful of scientists studying the abundant bird life and the glaciers that cover the island. The Expedition Team plans a series of landings including penguin rookeries, abandoned whaling stations and the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton. The largest King Penguin colony in the world is on the shore of St. Andrew’s Bay. Have your camera ready, it is an unforgettable sight. Different activity levels will be accommodated during the landings. You can be as active as you like. Later, after supper, share your shots with new friends in the lounge, library or bar.

Say goodbye to the king penguins, as your next destination is Antarctica!  Your days at sea are filled with seminars from your Expedition Team, who will prepare you for the wildlife that will be greeting you upon your arrival in Antarctica. In between presentations, spend time chatting with your shipmates over a drink at the bar.

As the ship sails south and west, watch for tabular icebergs. When you arrive in the South Shetland Islands, the Expedition Team will attempt an average of two landings a day, subject to permissions, weather, wind and ice conditions, of course. It is here that you may visit an active research station, where scientists track the life cycle of birds and icebergs. You’ll walk with penguins at a rookery, and cruise rocky coastlines where birds rest after a day on the wing.

You’ll climb craggy hills, cruise in Zodiacs along granite beaches choked with brash ice and take a polar plunge, if you dare. Wildlife viewing will be a priority ashore and from the deck. Optional adventure activities are also planned on specified departures. For all activities, included and optional, the Expedition Team consults weather reports and marine charts to find the best sites for a memorable experience.

“This land feels like a fairytale.”

Amundsen’s quote captures the majesty of Antarctica perfectly. It is vast, pristine and glorious. Massive glaciers, many covering an area equal to that of a small city, are reflected in still, black water. The sheer scale is humbling.

Setting foot on the Peninsula, remember the brave and determined explorers that have preceded you – Ross, Scott, Shackleton and Amundsen. They too were captivated by the antics of penguins, curiosity of seals, and the grace of whales swimming.

This famous passage is notorious for its high winds and rolling seas. Crossing it is as much a part of the Antarctic experience as penguins and krill. All great explorers have braved the Drake Passage. It is a most fitting end to your Antarctic quest. During the crossing, the Expedition Team will recap your adventures and recall the explorers in whose wake you have sailed. You will have gazed at the same shorelines, and marveled at the same stars. As they were, you will be transformed.

You disembark the ship this morning. Return to the airport for an onward flight, or stay and enjoy what Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego have to offer.