Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctic Peninsula

Day 1 Arrive Ushuaia, Argentina / Embark Ship

In the afternoon, embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located in the shadow of the Andes and right at the Beagle Channel shore. Sail through this scenic waterway during the afternoon.

Day 2 At Sea

At sea, in the westerlies the ship is followed by several species of albatrosses, storm petrels, shearwaters and diving petrels.

Day 3 Falkland Islands

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 will give views of Magellanic and Gentoo-Penguins, as well as close encounters with water fowl and Night herons. In addition, on Saunders observe Rockhopper Penguins, Black-browed Albatrosses and King Cormorants.

Day 4 Stanley, Falkland Islands

In Stanley, the capital of the Falklands, experience Falkland culture, which has some South American characteristics as well as Victorian charm. In Stanley and surrounding area see quite an important number of stranded clippers from a century ago. Especially for the birders, a three hours excursion outside Port Stanley will be offered.

Days 5-6 At Sea

At sea, on your way to South Georgia cross the Antarctic Convergence. Entering Antarctic waters, the temperature will drop as much as 10 degrees C in the time span of only a few hours. Near the Convergence you will see a multitude of southern seabirds near the ship; several species of Albatrosses, Shearwaters, Petrels, Prions and Skuas.

Days 7-10 South Georgia

In South Georgia visit the bay of Elsehul, with it´s very active fur seal breeding beach, and then take course to Right Whale Bay, Salisbury Plain, Gold Harbour and Cooper Bay to give you a good opportunity to see a wide spectrum of landscapes and wildlife, like the introduced Reindeer, Elephant seals, King and Macaroni Penguins. At Fortuna Bay try to follow in the footsteps of the great British Explorer Ernest Shackleton and hike over to Stømness 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 to Shackleton´s grave near by. One of the highlights might be your visit to Prion Island, where you will witness the breeding efforts of the huge Wandering Albatross and enjoy watching their displays.

Day 11 At Sea

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 Maccormick Skua, Snow Petrel and the elusive Emperor Penguin.

Day 12 South Orkney Islands

Planning a visit at Orcadas station, an Argentinean base located in the South Orkney Islands. The friendly base personnel will show you their facilities and you can enjoy the wonderful views of the surrounding glaciers.

Day 13 At Sea

Days 14-16 Weddell Sea / Deception Island / Cuverville Island

Sail into the Weddell Sea through the ice-clogged Antarctic Sound. Huge tabular icebergs will announce your arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. Plan to visit Paulet Island with a million pairs of Adelie Penguins and the remains of the Nordenskiöld expedition. At Brown Bluff you can put your feet on the continent.

At Deception Island, you will try to land at Baily Head home to a colony of ten thousands of Chinstrap Penguins. Deception itself is a sub ducted crater, which opens into the sea, creating a natural harbour for the ship. Here find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, thousands of Cape Pigeons 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. Good walkers may hike from Baily Head over the ridge of the crater into Whalers Bay, while your ship braves its entrance into the crater through the spectacular Neptune’s Bellow into the ring of Deception Island. In the afternoon you may land at Half Moon Island, where you can observe Elephant, Weddell and Fur Seals as well as Chinstrap Penguins, Blue-eyed Shags, Wilson’s Storm Petrels, Kelp Gulls, Snowy Sheatbills, Antarctic Terns and Antarctic Brown Skuas.

On your way south, sail to Cuverville Island in the Errera Channel, a small precipitous island, nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula. It contains a large colony of Gentoo Penguins and breeding pairs of Brown Skuas. Time and conditions allowing we hope to be able to sail further south to Neko Harbour in Andvord Bay. We leave from here via the Melchior Islands to the open sea with direction Ushuaia.

Days 17-18 At Sea

On your way north you are again followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Drake Passage.

Day 19 Ushuaia / Disembark / Return Home

Arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark. Transfer to the airports for flights home.