In 2010, during the Southern Hemisphere’s late summer months, Corinthian II will ply a route utterly unknown to cruise ships of our era: from continent to continent, the most southerly point in South America to the most southerly point in Africa. This voyage encompasses the sub-Antarctic islands of the Falklands, South Georgia, and the most remote inhabited island on Earth, Tristan da Cunha. A night in Buenos Aires will be travelers’ last experience of the urban world for 20 days, lending itself flawlessly to a program on astronomy. This unique voyage focusing on the southern skies will be accompanied by Frederick Hauck, a former NASA astronaut who will share his experiences and provide lectures on topics such as Flying the Space Shuttle: The Pilot’s Perspective, Around the World in 90 Minutes, and Lessons from the Challenger and Columbia. Also joining this program is the acclaimed astronomer Rick Fienberg, editor emeritus who worked at Sky + Telescope for nearly 22 years. And Piers Brendon, who has written several books on the British Empire, will offer a historical perspective of the places on the itinerary. By day, you will enjoy the rugged, rocky, windswept islands, crowned by tussock grasses and ice-capped peaks, which are congregation points for thousands of penguins, albatross, shearwaters, and prions, while whales surface from the deep all along the route; and by night, you will savor the views of the southern skies from the decks of the elegant Corinthian II, your home for this incredible voyage.
Day 1 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Arrive in Buenos Aires. Transfer to the Hotel Palacio Duhau - Park Hyatt Buenos Aires. Enjoy a cocktail reception in the evening.
Day 2 Buenos Aires/Ushuaia/Embark
Fly to Argentina’s Patagonia region, to the city of Ushuaia, nicknamed “Fin del Mundo” (“End of the World”). Upon arrival, enjoy lunch and take a tour of this southernmost city in the world, built between the Andes and the Beagle Channel. Board Corinthian II and sail through the scenic Beagle Channel.
Day 3 At Sea
Day 4 Westpoint Island & Saunders Island, Falkland Islands
Reach the windswept Falkland Islands, consisting of two main islands and some 200 small ones, which are mostly rugged, rocky moorlands. Located 450 miles northeast of Cape Horn in the exceptionally rich waters of the southern Atlantic, they boast abundant wildlife, including over 219 bird species and the world’s largest numbers of black-browed albatross and rockhopper and gentoo penguins. On Westpoint Island, take a walk across the moors to a rookery of raucous rockhopper penguins. Also explore the dramatic beaches of Saunders Island, teeming with gentoo and magellanic penguins, as well as cormorant and black-browed albatross colonies.
Day 5 Stanley
Call at Stanley, the capital of the Falklands. Tour this quaint town to see its colorful architecture, and visit the cathedral and the Britannia House Museum.
Days 6-7 At Sea
Days 8-10 South Georgia
Mountainous and magnificent, the remote, crescent-shaped island of South Georgia is renowned for its wildlife, its stunning natural beauty and its vital role in the history of Antarctic exploration. First claimed in 1775 by Captain Cook, the island hosted such explorers as Larsen and Shackleton, as well as a long succession of sealers and whalers. In 1912-13, American ornithologist Robert Cushman Murphy journeyed here to study the island’s prolific wildlife. South Georgia’s more regular visitors include four species of albatross, eight species of penguin, a million southern fur seals, and hundreds of thousands of elephant seals. Explore the island, searching the grassy slopes for nesting wandering albatross with 12-foot wingspans and enjoying the raucous antics of tens of thousands of stately, 3-foot-high king penguins. You may also visit the abandoned whaling station at Grytviken, now overtaken by fur seals and elephant seals, and the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton. Please note that stops are subject to weather conditions and approval by authorities.
Days 11-14 At Sea
Day 15 Nightingale,Tristan da Cunha
Arrive at Nightingale Island, one of five islands in the Tristan da Cunha group. Uninhabited by humans, it is home to millions of birds, including greater shearwaters, Tristan buntings, penguins and the rare yellow-billed albatross.
Day 16 Tristan da Cunha
Anchor off the coast of Tristan da Cunha, considered to be the most remote inhabited island in the world. Located halfway between South America and South Africa, this small volcanic island is usually only seen by adventurers, naturalists and its population of 300, who sustain themselves by fishing and farming. In 1961, a volcanic eruption forced the evacuation of the entire island, but almost all of the residents chose to return. The island is an ornithologist’s dream, with 14 different types of petrel found here, including the Great Shearwater, the prion and the storm petrel. Rockhopper penguins and wandering albatross are also common. Visit the settlement of Edinburgh, set on a rugged volcanic cone rising 6,760 feet above sea level. And be sure to purchase a few postage stamps, prized by philatelists and other collectors.
Days 17-20 At Sea
Day 21 Cape Town, South America
Arrive in Cape Town, regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Just a short ride from Cape Town, nestled in three bucolic valleys, are South Africa’s celebrated wine lands. The rambling vineyards and whitewashed Cape Dutch farmhouses found here make this one of the country’s prettiest regions. Most famous among the wine towns is Stellenbosch, with its historic buildings and oak-lined streets, which we will explore. Sample some great South African wines, which rival those of California and Australia. Stay overnight aboard ship docked in Cape Town.
Day 22 Cape Town/Disembark
Tour the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, home to a variety of wildlife and over 250 species of birds, as well as flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world. Also explore the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, set in the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Established in 1913 to research and protect the indigenous flora, it is one of the finest botanical gardens in the world, with proteas, ericas, restios, pelargoniums and much more growing and on display. Return to Cape Town for leisure time before transferring to the airport for return flights to the U.S.
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is $1000 (10% on Cape of Good Hope to Gibraltar), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. Alternatively, you can send a check to our Missoula, Montana, office or register online at: https://www.adventure-life.com/mail/fourways.php
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure, and most travelers will pay the final balance with a check, money order, or bank transfer. You can also pay the final balance by credit card, but please note there is a 3% convenience fee assessed to all credit card-not-present final payments.
Booking last minute? No problem! Please contact one of our trip planners, and we can get you on your way if booking less than 100 days prior to departure.
Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
| Days Prior to departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| 90 days or more | $500 per person |
| 61-90 days | 55% trip cost |
| 0-60 days | 100% trip cost |
| For Cape of Good Hope to Gibraltar Cruise | . |
| 280 days or more | $500 |
| 91-279 days | 15% |
| 61-90 days | 55% |
| 0-60 days | 100% |
