Antarctica, Falklands and South Georgia

Itinerary

Day 1: Ushuaia / Embarkation

Today is the first day of your adventure. Board your ship in Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city on the tip of Argentina, and settle into your "home" for the next 11 days. In the early evening, you set sail and begin your voyage leaving behind Ushuaia and charting a course through the Beagle Channel.

Day 2: At Sea

You have the chance to spend plenty of time with you onboard polar experts. They will be educating you as you travel through 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: Exploring the Falklands

Arriving in the Falklands during the night, by morning you are excited to make your first shore excursion. The plan is to explore the islands of the West Falkland Archipelago, home to a profusion of seabirds and migratory birds including the black-browed albatross. Your first penguin sightings will be on the islands of West Point with its bustling rookeries of rockhoppers. On Carcass Island, observe nesting Magellanic penguins along with oystercatchers, geese and the flightless steamer duck who is a permanent Falkland resident. The next day, make a stop in Stanley, the captial of the Falkland Islands. As you wander through the charming streets of brightly painted houses, you learn how this quiet harbor was once a major port in the 19th century for ships attempting to round the formidable waters of Cape Horn. You also make a stop in Stanley's famed philatelic museum with its impressive collection of historic stamps.

Days 5-6: At Sea

Now you sail southeast bound for the island of South Georgia. These days at sea are never dull. Much of your time is spent scanning the horizon in search of whales and other marine mammals as well as seabirds. Your friendly onboard experts continue to fill minds with heroic stories of some of the earliest daredevils to explore Antarctica. You also learn about Polar conservation--a theme particularly close to the hearts of your guides and crew. The anticipation grows particularly as you cross the Antarctic Convergence and notice a dramatic drop in temperature.

Days 7-9: South Georgia

Majestic snow-covered mountains greet you on the island of South Georgia, the most rugged island in this region. You 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 mind-boggling abundance of king penguin adults and young that live in these locations by the hundreds of thousands, covering every inch of the shore. That is not the only wildlife on display. Fur seals can be seen poking their heads above the water, skuas and giant petrels swoop in the skies above, and the albatross--your constant companion--is never far away. You may explore an old whaling station at Grytviken (Greet-vik-in) and visit the grave of the most famous Antarctic explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton.

Days 10-12: Sea and South Orkneys

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 are 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 13-16: South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Mainland

Elephant Island, en route to the South Shetland Islands, will be your next destination if conditions are suitable. Here, you learn more about the famous Antarctic adventures of Sir Ernest Shackleton. This island was a place of refuge in 1916 for Shackleton and his crew after his ship was destroyed by pack ice in the Weddell Sea. Next, you spend some time cruising among the South Shetland Islands just off the Antarctic Peninsula. Dazzling wildlife sightings await you on your excursions to some of these islands including King George, Half Moon, Aicho or Livingston. Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins thrive here, as do several species of seal. You may even see the gentle humpback whale dining on krill off King George Island. Weather permitting, you enter the flooded volcanic caldera of Deception Island. At this recently active volcano the hot, thermal water mixes with the icy, Southern Ocean making this a great place for a quick dip for the more intrepid guest. If you prefer to stay dry, you may choose to enjoy a spectacular walk to the higher points of the crater rim. There is also an abandoned whaling station nearby begging exploration. Finally, after so much anticipation, you 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, you may undertake a shore excursion and set foot on the White Continent itself.

Days 17-18: Drake Passage

Make your way back, heading again across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage before rounding Cape Horn. Sailing down the Beagle Channel, you celebrate the conclusion of your Polar expedition at a special dinner.

Day 19: Ushuaia

In the early morning, arrive back in Ushuaia. It is time to say farewell to your crew and fellow travellers. Guests will be transported to their hotels or to the airport for return flights home.