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Exploring Antarctica

Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands

Example 21 Day Cruise aboard Island Sky
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Set foot on the Antarctic continent and revel in the incredible scenery of snowcapped peaks, mighty glaciers, and glistening icebergs on this 21-day voyage aboard the Island Sky. In the beautiful Falkland Islands, find huge populations of rockhopper, gentoo, and Magellanic penguins, as well as the regal black-browed albatross. Witness the vast penguin colonies of South Georgia—king, macaroni, gentoo, and chinstrap—as well as large numbers of elephant and fur seals crowding the beaches. Visit the burial site of Sir Ernest Shackleton and learn about early polar exploration and whaling history.
Birds of the southExplore Antarctica by zodiac and get close to impressive iceburgsRock hoppersThe fluke of a humpback whaleExploring Antarctica
Highlights
  • Set foot on the Antarctic continent and revel in the incredible scenery
  • Visit the beautiful Falkland Islands, home to huge penguin populations
  • Witness large numbers of elephant & fur seals on the beaches of So.Georgia
  • Learn about early polar exploration and whaling history
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina

Arrive in Ushuaia. Transfer to your group hotel with the rest of the day at leisure. Gather at the hotel this evening for a welcome dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Ushuaia | Embark Island Sky

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
Today, enjoy a boat trip on the Beagle Channel and disembark in Tierra del Fuego National Park for nature hikes surrounded by dramatic scenery. Or, enjoy a city tour in Ushuaia, with free time to explore on your own. Board the Island Sky this afternoon and set sail for the Falkland Islands. 

Day 3: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Attend lectures on the natural and historical highlights ahead during a day at sea.

Day 4: Saunders Islands, Falkland Islands

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Go ashore on Saunders Island to find colonies of gentoo, rockhopper, Magellanic penguins, as well as black-browed albatross.

Day 5: Stanley

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Step ashore in Stanley, capital of the Falkland Islands and enjoy a short tour of this British-flavored town.

Day 6-7: Cruising the South Scotia Sea

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Lecturers recap your experiences and prepare you for your visit to South Georgia. On deck, join naturalists in search of the seabirds and marine mammals that flourish in these nutrient-rich waters.

Day 8-10: South Georgia

  • Ship
  • 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
Flexibility in this area is a must. Many of your leaders have been to South Georgia numerous times and, if the weather is in your favor, they may offer a landing before breakfast or even after dinner. Call at some of the many islands, bays, and coves where you can see outstanding birdlife and elephant and fur seals close at hand. The following is a list of places you may visit on South Georgia; some of them are pending final government approval.

Elsehul Bay – This beautiful bay is home to thousands of fur seals as well as macaroni penguins, the most numerous of all penguin species. Listen for the high-pitched trumpeting of king penguins amid the magnificent sounds of marine mammals that echo in the bay.

Salisbury Plain – Two glaciers flank Salisbury Plain on South Georgia’s north coast. Here, more than 200,000 king penguins congregate and breed, and you are greeted by one of the more remarkable sights—and sounds—on Earth.

Stromness Bay – Site of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his party’s arrival after their harrowing crossing of the island’s glaciers on foot, Stromness offers views of cliffs and a glacier from which the adventurer and his companions descended.

Grytviken – Go ashore to discover the ruins of this once-active whaling station. The cemetery holds a special fascination, as it is here that Shackleton is buried. Seabirds, penguins, and marine mammals can also be found here.

Gold Harbour – At the foot of the Bertrab Glacier, Gold Harbour is often referred to as the “jewel in the island’s crown.” In addition to a large king penguin colony, you are likely to see elephant and fur seals, gentoo penguins, giant petrels, and with luck, light-mantled albatross.

Day 11-12: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Naturalists recap your memorable visit to South Georgia and introduce you to the history, geology, and wildlife of the Antarctic Peninsula and its surrounding islands.

Day 13: Elephant Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today arrive at Elephant Island, made famous by the Shackleton expedition. Awesome glaciers, speckled with pink algae, create a dramatic backdrop. Weather permitting, enjoy a Zodiac cruise around the island and the opportunity to view a thriving chinstrap penguin colony.

Day 14-18: Antarctic Peninsula

  • Ship
  • 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners
As you cruise the waters of the Antarctic Peninsula and its adjacent islands, landings are dependent upon weather and ice conditions. There is the possibility that you may visit a research station and witness the scientific activities conducted by the multinational community of scientists working there. The expeditionary nature of this voyage precludes guaranteeing specific stops. This list serves as a guideline only of the places you may experience:

Brown Bluff – Located on the Antarctic continent, Brown Bluff rises 2,450 feet above an ash beach littered with bizarrely shaped boulders. Some 20,000 pairs of Adelie, and hundreds of gentoo penguins, make their home here. Skuas and pintado petrels nest near the top of the cliff and kelp gulls fill the air with perpetual sound and motion.

Deception Island – As you approach Deception through Neptune’s Bellows, a channel just wide enough for the ship to navigate, southern fulmars and pintado petrels soar overhead. Weigh anchor inside a volcano whose collapsed cone was filled by rushing seawater.

Lemaire Channel and Pleneau Island – Cruising the beautiful Lemaire Channel, keep watch for the humpback and minke whales frequently spotted here. This narrow channel is one of the most visually impressive areas of the Antarctic Peninsula. Steep mountain peaks jut out of the sea on both sides, and the waters are often choked with icebergs and frequented by crabeater seals. A stunning labyrinth of grounded icebergs lies in the shallow waters west of Pleneau Island, presenting a superb Zodiac cruising experience. Crabeater and leopard seals haul out on the ice, and elephant seals and gentoo penguins occupy the island itself.

Day 19-20: Drake Passage

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
During your Drake crossing, watch for wandering and black-browed albatross, sooty shearwaters, and white-chinned petrels. Whales are also frequently seen in these waters.

Day 21: Ushuaia, Argentina | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Disembark in Ushuaia and transfer to the airport for your independent flight home.

Ship/Hotel

Island Sky

Reception
Spacious public spaces to enjoy the ships fine amenities
Lecture Room

Ushuaia - Hotels

Dates & Prices

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Per person starting at
$23,480
Island Sky's Category 1 Magellion Deck.
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Category 1
Magellan Deck. 230 square feet and feature beds that are configurable into two twins or one queen, a sitting area, en suite bathroom, and four portholes.
Island Sky's Category 2 Columbus Deck.
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Category 2
Columbus Deck. 240 square feet and feature beds that are configurable into two twins or one queen, a sitting area, en suite bathroom, and a large picture window.
Island Sky's Category 3 Marco Polo.
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Category 3
Marco Polo Deck. 225 square feet and feature beds that are configurable into two twins or one queen, a sitting area, en suite bathroom, and a large picture window.
Island Sky's Category 4 Marco Polo.
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Category 4
Marco Polo Deck. 240 square feet and feature beds that are configurable into two twins or one queen, a sitting area, en suite bathroom, and a large picture window.
Island Sky's Category 5 Erikson Cabin.
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Category 5
Erikson Deck. 270 square feet and feature beds that are configurable into two twins or one queen, a sitting area, en suite bathroom, and patio doors which lead to a private balcony.
Island Sky's Category 6 Explorer Cabin.
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Category 6
Explorer Deck. 325 square feet and feature beds that are configurable into two twins or one queen, a sitting area, en suite bathroom, and patio doors which lead to a private balcony.

Notes

- Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
- Singles may be available at 1.6 times the share rate.
Included
  • 20 Breakfasts, 19 Lunches, 20 Dinners
  • 20 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)

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Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
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