This 20-day polar voyage aboard the Hebridean Sky features the unspoiled scenery, exhilarating wildlife, and rich history of the Antarctic Peninsula, as well as the crown jewels of the Southern Ocean: South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.
Highlights
Explore the museum, shops, and pubs of Stanley, East Falkland
Cruise the most scenic bays and channels of the Antarctic Peninsula
Stop at historic Grytviken Whaling Station, home of the whaling museum
View penguin rookeries, seal wallows, bird colonies and whale feeding areas
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Ushuaia anytime today, and stay at the beautiful Arakur Hotel & Resort, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World. Explore the trails, take a spa, relax and soak in the surroundings, or head into Ushuaia and browse the Argentinean leather markets. Your optional evening briefing is a great opportunity for you to ask questions and to meet some of your fellow travelers. Enjoy a complimentary buffet breakfast in the morning.
Note: If you are on a tight schedule, you can choose to arrive on Day 2. Embarkation is on Day 3.
Day 2: Ushuaia
1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
Explore the sights of Ushuaia such as the museums and Argentinean leather markets or continue relaxing at the hotel. Attend the optional evening briefing for the opportunity to ask questions and meet some of your fellow travelers.
This morning, you’re free to explore Ushuaia or unwind at the resort until our mid-afternoon transfer to the ship. On board, you’ll be greeted by our Expedition Team and the ship’s officers. A concise safety and orientation briefing will be followed by the Captain’s welcome dinner. After dinner, relax and take in the scenery on our early evening sail through the Beagle Channel, past porpoising Magellanic penguins, Rock Cormorants, and Black-browed albatross.
Among the wildlife spotting opportunities as you sail south are the albatrosses, prions, and petrels that frequently follow the ship. Your Expedition Team is sure to be out on deck as well, looking for the whales and dolphins that may also be seen in the area. On board experts begin the presentations with informative and entertaining talks on the wildlife, history, and geology of the Falkland Islands and Southern Ocean. Helpful briefings on environmental regulations and expedition safety are held in the ship's comfortable lounge.
The westernmost settled outposts in the Falklands are remote farms that have been family-owned for six and seven generations. The sheep graze alongside albatross colonies and rockhopper, king, and Magellanic penguin rookeries while striated caracaras patrol overhead and upland geese graze at the water's edge. A visit to one of these homesteads often includes an invitation for cakes and a cup of tea.
Chosen for its sheltered harbor and access to abundant fresh water and peat for fuel, Stanley is easy to discover on foot as most shops and services are centered on the port. The museum, the post-office featuring first day covers, plenty of shops with locally-made wool items, and Stanley's lively pubs are all available. It is also possible to experience the wildlife of the Falklands from the town, including sea lions and dolphins in the harbor or bird life in nearby Gypsy Cove.
There is plenty of wildlife spotting as the ship makes its way east across the Antarctic Convergence and officially enters Antarctic waters. Shipboard presentations continue, featuring the exciting history and abundant wildlife of South Georgia.
South Georgia holds a unique position inside the Antarctic Convergence, yet it remains outside the limit of the yearly sea ice - this makes the 3,755 square kilometer island an ideal home for tens of millions of breeding penguins, seals, and seabirds. Magnificent mountain scenery, glaciers galore, a rugged coastline punctuated with castellate and tabular icebergs, a rich historical tapestry, and an astounding array of wildlife are all available as you travel down South Georgia's leeward coast.
Landing sites feature huge elephant seals, aggressive fur seals, macaroni penguins, albatross, petrels, skuas, and gulls. King penguins, from fuzzy little chicks to fattened adults, can be seen by the hundreds of thousands! Plan to visit historic Grytviken Whaling Station, home of the whaling museum, Norwegian seaman's church, the active British Antarctic Survey station, plus the tiny graveyard where the great Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton is buried.
Explore any number of picturesque bays and famed harbors, maneuvering through majestic channels as we travel the wildlife-rich waters. There are great opportunities to stop at several active scientific bases and historic landing sites as we spot numerous species of penguins, seals, and whales along the rugged coastlines and in the sea.
As you leave this magical place and make your way north, heading again across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage, continue your presentation series and wildlife spotting. Sailing back to Ushuaia through the Beagle Channel, celebrate the conclusion of your expedition with a special slideshow.
Day 21: Ushuaia | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Morning disembarkation lets you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$17,995
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Single Suite
Averaging 225 sq. ft. Queen size bed or two twin-sized beds and a third berth, window and sitting area.
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Triple Suite
Averaging 225 sq. ft. Queen size bed or two twin-sized beds and a third berth, window and sitting area.
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Porthole Suite
Averaging 240 sq. ft. Queen size bed or two twin-sized beds, porthole and sitting area.
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Window Suite
Averaging 225 sq. ft. Queen size bed or two twin-sized beds, window and sitting area.
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Promenade Suite
Averaging 220 sq. ft. Queen size bed or two twin-sized beds, window and sitting area.
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Deluxe Suite
Averaging 240 sq. ft. Queen size bed or two twin-sized beds, bow & side windows and sitting area.
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Veranda Suite
Averaging 260 sq. ft and a 40 sq. ft. balcony. Queen size bed or two twin-sized beds, private balcony and sitting area.
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Penthouse Suite
Averaging 325 sq. ft and a 80 sq. ft. balcony. Queen size bed or two twin-sized beds, private balcony and sitting area.
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Owners Suite
Averaging 385 sq. ft and a 110 sq. ft. balcony. Two room suite with sitting area and bedroom, queen size bed or two twin-sized beds,
Notes
Single supplement - Single occupancy of a twin cabin is available at 1.7 times the twin occupancy rate.
Travel Insurance - All passengers are required to carry valid travel insurance which must contain medical and evacuation coverage of no less than $150,000 as well as cancellation and trip interruption.
Initial deposit is $1500, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
20 Breakfasts, 19 Lunches, 19 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
Coffee, Tea and Cocoa Available Around the Clock
Expedition Parka
500 MB WiFi for personal devices
Digital Voyage Log
Citizen Science program: participation in a variety of scientific activities that support important research projects
Beer/wine/soft drinks with lunch and dinner
All scheduled landings and excursions
A pair of loaner boots for use during the voyage
All port and landing fees
All gratuities
World-class lecture and expedition team
Daily activity options including cultural tours, nature walks, and Zodiac cruises
Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
Gift certificates for recommended expedition gear and reading materials
Port Surcharges, Permits, and Landing Fees
Two Nights Pre-voyage Hotel Accommodation in Ushuaia
Kayaking Option
Excluded
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Pre- or post-voyage expenses
All passengers that travel with Polar Latitudes, the operator of your ship, are required to carry valid travel insurance. This insurance must contain medical and evacuation coverage and should include cancellation and trip interruption as well. As any potential evacuation from Antarctica can cost up to $150,000 no policy should carry less than this amount of coverage.
Onboard communication charges such as outgoing phone calls or more than 500 MB WiFi from personal devices
Airport Departure Tax - Airport arrival or departure taxes
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.