Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctic Peninsula

The sub-Antarctic Falkland Islands and South Georgia are home to some of the most unique and abundant wildlife on earth. With beaches covered in fur seals, elephant seals, and hundreds of thousands of penguins, it’s one of the most incredible scenes you can experience. Antarctica itself is an incredible icescape with towering icebergs, migratory whales and an array of endemic wildlife.

This magnificent adventure spends a full 19 days exploring the far southern reaches of the globe, where you will find an abundance of unusual wildlife. Explore outstanding landscapes filled with towering glaciers that punctuate still waters and a formidable beauty that overwhelms even the most intrepid travellers. Climb aboard your expedition ship to start this once in a lifetime adventure.

Day 1 - Ushuaia

Today is the first day of our adventure. As we board the vessel in Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city near the tip of Argentina, and start to become familiar with 'your home' for the next 18 days conversations inevitably turn to the exciting journey ahead of us. In the early evening, you will set sail and begin your voyage leaving behind Ushuaia and charting a course through the Beagle Channel.

Day 2 - At Sea

You will have the chance to spend plenty of time with our on-board polar experts. They will be educating you as travel closer to the Great White Continent, on the wonders of Antarctica. Sailing northeast, you will likely be joined by swooping seabirds including the wandering albatross, who you will come to know well on this journey.

Days 3 - 4 - Falkland Islands

Arriving in the Falklands overnight, in the morning you will be able to make your first shore excursion. The plan will be to explore the islands of the West Falkland Archipelago, home to a profusion of seabirds and migratory birds including the black-browed albatross. Our first penguin sightings will be on the island of West Point with its bustling rookeries of rockhoppers. On Carcass Island, you will observe nesting Magellanic penguins along with oystercatchers, geese and the flightless steamer duck who is a permanent Falkland resident. The next day you will make a stop in Stanley, where you will learn how this quiet harbour was once a major port in the 19th century and have the opportunity to visit the philatelic museum.

Days 5 - 6 - At Sea

Now you will sail southeast bound for the island of South Georgia. Much of your time is spent scanning the horizon in search of whales and other marine mammals. Your friendly on-board experts continue to fill minds with heroic stories of some of the earliest daredevils to explore Antarctica. The anticipation grows particularly as you cross the Antarctic Convergence and notice a dramatic drop in temperature.

Days 7 - 10 - South Georgia

Majestic snow-covered mountains greet you on the island of South Georgia - the most rugged island in this region. You will cruise the protected waters of the eastern coast looking for suitable landing spots such as Salisbury Plain and St Andrews Bay. The highlight of both these excursions is the abundance of king penguins and their chicks that live in these locations by the hundreds of thousands, covering every inch of the shore. Fur seals can also be seen poking their heads above the water, skuas and giant petrels swoop in the skies above, and the albatross our constant companion is never far away. You may be able to explore an old whaling station at Grytviken (Greet-vik-in) and visit the grave of the most famous Antarctic explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton.

Days 11 - 13 - At Sea

As you cross the Scotia Sea, sailing ever closer to Antarctica, you may visit the South Orkney Islands. Linked to the Antarctic Peninsula by an enormous sub-marine mountain range these islands, often shrouded in mist, are protected by large icebergs and sea ice. If you’re lucky, there will be an excursion to Coronation Island to observe penguins nesting in moss beds alongside graceful snow petrels. You may also stop at the remote island of Laurie and visit the Argentinean meteorological station located there.

Days 14 - 17 - South Shetland Islands & Antarctic

Dazzling wildlife sightings await you on your excursions to some of these islands including King George, Half Moon, Barrientos or Livingston. Adelie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins thrive here, as do several species of seal. You may even be able to see the gentle humpback whale dining on krill off King George Island. Weather permitting, you will visit the flooded volcanic caldera of Deception Island. With rugged scenery, great sites of geologic interest and an overwhelming display of whaling and scientific exploration history, Deception Island is a perfect museum of natural and exploration history. For those wanting to stretch their legs, a spectacular hike to the crater rim offers a challenge. Finally, after so much anticipation, you will arrive at the Antarctic mainland in Paradise Harbour or Hope Bay. The scenery here from the colossal icebergs to the seemingly endless Antarctic ice sheet is truly breathtaking. Weather permitting, we hope to undertake a shore excursion and set foot on the White Continent itself.

Days 18 - 19 - The Drake Passage

As you leave this magical place and make your way back, heading again across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage before rounding Cape Horn, we have no doubt that time will be spent sharing and reflecting on the wonderful experiences of the last few days. Sailing up the Beagle Channel, you and your fellow guests celebrate the conclusion of our Polar expedition at a special dinner.

Day 20 - Ushuaia

Early this morning you will arrive back in Ushuaia. It is now time to bid a fond farewell to your crew and fellow travellers. Depending on your impending travel plans you will either be transported to your hotel or the airport for your onward flight.

MS Greg Mortimer

The MS Greg Mortimer has been meticulously designed for luxury expedition cruising. Its size enables access to hard to reach areas and its modern, sleek design complete with several open-air observation areas and 270-degree views ensures the best in both comfort and wildlife sightings. This ship is also designed to consider our presence in nature, with reduced emissions and reduced light pollution alongside virtual anchoring to ensure non-intrusive voyages.

M/S Expedition

Features comfortable, spacious cabins throughout which each include a window or porthole with exterior views. Sleeping up to 134 passengers on board, this is a relatively small ship for Antarctic travel, yet it still boasts plenty of communal areas and large decks to allow ample space for you to relax. The ship was built in Denmark in 1972 but has since been refurbished to ensure modern furnishings and comfortable surroundings as well as ship stabilisers to assist with safety when manoeuvering through the ice.

M/V Sea Spirit

The M/V Sea Spirit is a spacious and luxurious ship from the suites, to the restaurant to the outer-deck complete with its own hot tub and outdoor bistro. There is a full fleet of zodiacs on-board with ample space within each one for you to explore on-shore and the incredible wildlife which calls this wilderness home.

Sylvia Earle

Observation lounge and viewing platforms offer spectacular panoramic views of scenery and wildlife and there are purpose-built activity preparation areas including four Zodiac-launching platforms for fast and safe transition off the ship for daily excursions.The majority of cabins have a private balcony, plus there are interconnecting rooms. In between landings, guests can enjoy the heated swimming pool and jacuzzis and admire the impressive scenery from the top deck, and the lecture theatre and science centre are the places to be for presentations on topics including history and culture, and wildlife. The ship will also feature a fully-stocked medical clinic designed for use in remote areas.