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Southern Rockhopper Penguin.

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica

Puerto Madryn to Ushuaia - Example 21 Day Cruise aboard Ortelius
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Visit all the sub-Antarctic highlights in one voyage on this 21-day expedition cruise. Land on the Falkland Islands for spectacular scenery and encounters with black-browed albatrosses and rockhopper penguins. This voyage also includes time in South Georgia, one of the most beautiful places on earth. Be prepared for tens of thousands of king penguins and their chicks, sea lions on the beaches, elephant seals, wandering albatrosses, gentoo penguins, and great historical sites including the trails of British Polar explorer, Ernest Shackleton.
A young seal warms itself on the iceHiking through the Falkland Islands.A humpback whale breaches the polar watersSouthern Rockhopper Penguin.
Highlights
  • Experience Falkland culture with a visit to Port Stanley
  • Observe the distinctive breeding behaviors of the wandering albatross
  • Spot fin whales from the ship while cruising past large icebergs
  • Visit the volcanic and windswept islands of the South Shetlands
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: Puerto Madryn, Argentina | Embark

Embark your ship in Puerto Madryn in the afternoon, your prow aimed for the Falkland Islands. Golfo Nuevo is renowned for its visiting southern right whales, so you have a good chance of spotting one as you sail toward the open ocean.

Day 2-3: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
At sea, in the westerlies the ship is followed by several species of albatrosses, storm petrels, shearwaters, and diving petrels.

Day 4: Falkland Islands

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
In the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) plan to spend the whole day on the fascinating western side of the archipelago. A hike along the shore of Carcass Island gives views of Magellanic and gentoo penguins, as well as close encounters with waterfowl, night herons, and passerines. In addition, on Saunders observe four species of breeding penguins (gentoo, king, Magellanic and rockhopper), black-browed albatrosses, and king cormorants.

Day 5: Stanley, Falkland Islands

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
In Stanley, the capital of the Falklands, experience Falkland culture, which has some South American characteristics as well as Victorian charm. In Stanley and the surrounding area see quite an important number of stranded clippers from a century ago. All passengers are free to wander around on their own. A visit to the local church and museum are recommended.

Day 6-7: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
At sea, on your way to South Georgia, cross the Antarctic Convergence. Entering Antarctic waters, the temperature may drop significantly in the time span of only a few hours. Near the Convergence see a multitude of southern seabirds near the ship, including several species of albatrosses, shearwaters, petrels, prions, and skuas.

Day 8-11: South Georgia

  • Ship
  • 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
Arrive at the first landing site in South Georgia. You might visit the bay of Elsehul, with its very active fur seal breeding beach, and then set course to Right Whale Bay, Salisbury Plain, Godthul, St. Andrews Bay, Gold Harbour, Cooper Bay and Drygalski Fjord to give you a good opportunity to see a wide spectrum of landscapes and wildlife, like the elephant seals, fur seals, and king and macaroni penguins. One of the highlights might be your visit to Prion Island, where you can witness the breeding efforts of the huge wandering albatross and enjoy watching their displays.

At Fortuna Bay try to follow in the footsteps of the great British Explorer Ernest Shackleton and hike over to Stromness Bay. There and at Grytviken see an abandoned whaling village, where king penguins now walk in the streets and seals have taken over the buildings. At Grytviken visit the Whaling History Museum as well as Shackleton´s grave nearby. Depart from South Georgia in the afternoon of day 10.

Day 12: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Spend the day at sea, where the ship is again followed by a multitude of seabirds. At some point you might encounter sea-ice, and it is at the ice-edge where you might have a chance to see some high-Antarctic species like the McCormick skua and snow petrel.

Day 13: South Orkney Islands

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Visit Orcadas station, an Argentinean base located in the South Orkney Islands. The friendly base personnel show you their facilities with wonderful views of the surrounding glaciers. Alternatively you may attempt a landing in Shingle Cove on Signy Island.

Day 14: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today pass large icebergs and have a good chance of fin whales on the way south. You also have the best chances on the trip to see Antarctic petrels around the ship.

Day 15-18: Antarctic Peninsula

  • Ship
  • 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
Sail into the Weddell Sea through the ice-clogged Antarctic Sound as huge tabular icebergs announce your arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. Plan to visit Brown Bluff where you may set foot on the continent. In good sailing conditions more time may be spent in the Weddell Sea. Potential landing sites include:

Half Moon Island
Aim for Half Moon Island in the South Shetland Islands for a visit to a Chinstrap penguin rookery and the usually non-occupied Argentinean Camara station. Often Weddell seals haul out on the beaches here.

Deception Island
Venture to Deception Island through Neptune's Bellows. Deception itself is a subducted crater, which opens into the sea, creating a natural harbor for the ship. Here, find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, thousands of Cape petrels and many Dominican gulls, brown and south polar skuas, and Antarctic terns. Wilson’s storm petrels and black-bellied storm petrels nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay.

Neko Harbour or Paradise Bay
In Neko Harbour or Paradise Bay you have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of huge glaciers calving at sea level. Enjoy the landscape surrounded by alpine peaks. In this area you have good chances to see humpback whales and minke whales. 

Goudier Island
After sailing through the Neumayer Channel, hope to get a chance to visit the old British research station, now living museum and post office at Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Close to Port Lockroy you may also offer a landing on Jougla Point with gentoo penguins and blue-eyed shags.

Cuverville Island
In the early hours of your last landing day hope to land at Cuverville Island with the several thousand Gentoo penguins in the largest Gentoo rookery of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Day 19-20: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
On your way north you are again followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Drake Passage.

Day 21: Ushuaia, Argentina | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark. Transfer to the airport for flights home.

Ship/Hotel

Ortelius

M/V Ortelius Reception Area
M/V Ortelius at Torellneset, Spitsbergen
The bar and observation lounge aboard the Ortelius.

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$14,250
M/V Ortelius Quadruple Porthole
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Quadruple Porthole
4 quadruple cabins with 2 portholes, 2 upper / lower berths, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Hairdryer, Ample storage space.
M/V Ortelius Triple Porthole
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Triple Porthole
4 quadruple cabins with bunk beds and private facilities (these can also be used as triple or twin cabins). Spacious outside cabins with a minimum of two portholes or windows per cabin
Twin Porthole on the Ortelius
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Twin Porthole
23 twin cabins with 2 portholes, 2 lower berths, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Hairdryer, ample storage space.
Twin Window on the Ortelius
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Twin Window
10 twin cabins with 2 windows, 2 lower berths, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Hairdryer, ample storage space.
M/v Ortelius Twin Deluxe
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Twin Deluxe
6 superior cabins with 3 windows, 2 lower berths, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Small sofa, Refrigerator, Coffee & tea maker, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Hairdryer, ample storage space.
M/V Ortelius Superior Cabin
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Superior
1 suite with 2 windows (minimum), 1 double bed, 1 single (sofa) bed, Private shower & toilet, Desk & chair, Flatscreen TV, Telephone & WiFi (supplemented), Refrigerator, Coffee & tea maker, Hairdryer, ample storage space.

Notes

- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy.
- Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the double occupancy rate.
- Children between the ages of 3-15 will be discounted 40% in triple or quad cabins, one child per cabin.
- Due to the extreme nature of itinerary destinations, travel insurance is mandatory for all cruises aboard the Ortelius - including medical, accident and repatriation/evacuation insurance.
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
  • Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
  • All Miscellaneous Service Taxes and Port Charges Throughout the Program
  • All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
  • Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
  • All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
  • Comprehensive pre-departure material.
  • Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation)
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
  • Government arrival and departure taxes
  • Pre- and Post Land Arrangements
  • Fuel Surcharge - to be invoiced separately
  • Meals ashore
  • Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
  • Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
  • Medical travel insurance, including emergency medical attention and evacuation coverage with a minimum of $100,000 of evacuation coverage is required.

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The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
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