This is a “once in a lifetime” small ship voyage: all islands, all “hot spots” combined in one polar exploration voyage. During this unique Antarctic cruise combine the Falkland islands (Carcass and Saunders), South Georgia (famous for its Elephant Seals, King Penguins and breeding grounds of the Wandering Albatrosses) with the rarely visited and uninhabited South Sandwich Islands, home to the world’s largest Chinstrap Penguin colony (over a million breeding pairs!). In addition, travelers can opt for the kayaking option, and exclusive opportunity to be the first kayakers in the Sandwich Islands! The expedition will aim for a landing on the continent of Antarctica.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
In the afternoon, embark in Puerto Madryn and set sail to the Falkland Islands.
Day 2-3: At Sea
On your way to the Falkland Islands, the ship is followed by several species of albatrosses, storm petrels, shearwaters and diving petrels.
Day 4: 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 you views of Magellanic and Gentoo-Penguins, as well as close encounters with water fowl and Night herons and passerines. In addition, on Saunders you will be able to observe four species of breeding penguins (Gentoo, King, Magellanic and Rockhopper), Black-browed Albatrosses and King Cormorants. Kayaking excursion possible this day, weather conditions permitting.
Day 5-7: At Sea
Continuing on your polar expedition cruise, make your way to South Georgia across the Antarctic Convergence. Entering Antarctic waters, the temperature will drop by 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.
Day 8-10: South Georgia
Visit the areas where the German explorers, von Neumayer, Drygalski, Filchner, Kohl-Larsen, have worked and put their marks (e.g. Grytviken, Royal Bay/Moltke Harbour, Drygalski Fjord and more). The sites visited give a good opportunity to see a wide spectrum of landscapes and wildlife, like King and Macaroni Penguins, Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Fur Seals, and Elephant Seals. There will be opportunities for walkers in the group to hike on South Georgia. All hiking excursions are subject to weather and landing site availability. The voyage in South Georgia ends at Drygalski Fjord, which is a great scenic place for zodiac cruising. Kayaking excursions possible these days, weather conditions permitting.
Day 11: At Sea
On your way to South Sandwich Islands again be followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Southern Atlantic.
Day 12-13: South Sandwich Islands
At the rarely visited and uninhabited South Sandwich Islands (British Territory) try to land on Zavodovski Island, home to over a million pairs of breeding Chinstrap Penguins, making it one of the world's largest penguin colonies. Other landings will be pursued on the steep-sided Candlemas Island, Saunders Island and Montagu Island. These volcanic islands, discovered by James Cook in 1775, with an ice cap on the top, are windswept and often shrouded in mist and fog, but do offer subtle pleasures. There is a nice variety of flora (mosses, lichens and flowering grasses) and fauna, such as Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguins and Southern Giant Petrels. Elephant Seals and Fur Seals also haul out at the beaches. This is the area where you will meet the remains of the huge table ice bergs from the Weddell Sea of which those deep blue ice bergs remain with penguins huddling in ice grottos. Southern Thule is a huge crater with a natural harbour like Deception Island. German explorer Wilhelm Filchner visited the South Shetland Islands in November 1911 onboard the ´Deutschland´ prior to exploring the unknown Weddell Sea. Kayaking excursions possible these days, weather conditions permitting.
Day 14: At Sea
Sailing along the ice edge to the west the ship is again followed by a multitude of seabirds. At the edge of the pack-ice which extends far to the north you might have a chance to see some high-Antarctic species like the McCormick Skua and Snow Petrel. and the elusive Emperor Penguin.
Day 15: South Orkney Islands
If the island are not still surrounded by sea-ice plan a visit to Orcadas station, an Argentinean base located in the South Orkney Islands. The friendly base personnel will show you their facilities and enjoy the wonderful views of the surrounding glaciers. Kayaking excursion possible today, weather conditions permitting.
Day 16: Elephant Island
In the evening your expert crew will try to land at Elephant Island, or just cruise by. You will spend only a few hours here. Depending on the weather conditions (often very challenging) visit Point Lookout on the South side of the Island or Point Wild on the North Coast. Point Lookout is a favored haul-out site for Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals. Point Wild is the historical outpost west of Cape Valentine where Shackleton’s men beached here after the Endurance sank in the Weddell Sea. Shackleton started from here his successful open-boat passage to South Georgia. Shackleton´s voyage onboard `James Caird´ was originally retraced by German explorer Arved Fuchs in a replica of the boat. A brave adventure.
Day 17: South Shetland Islands
Land at Half Moon Island at the South Shetland Islands, where you can observe Elephant, Weddell and Fur Seals as well as Chinstrap Penguins, Blue-eyed Shags, Wilson’s Storm Petrels, Kelp Gulls, Snowy Sheathbills, Antarctic Terns and Antarctic Brown Skuas. At Deception Island, sail into the crater through the spectacular narrow entrance Neptune’s Bellow into the ring of the caldera to reach Whalers Bay. 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. Kayaking excursion possible today, weather conditions permitting.
Day 18-20: Antarctic Peninsula
On your way south, sail to Danco Island and 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. Hope for a continental landing at Neko Harbour in Andvord Bay. Your team is aiming to sail further south to Paradise Bay with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, while having chances of seeing large Whales. Have opportunities for zodiac cruising between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords. Land at the Argentinian station Almirante Brown, which is most of the time not manned. Sailing South through the Lemaire Channel visit Petermann Island (named after the German geographer August Petermann), the most southery point of this voyage. Head back North with direction Neumayer Channel (named after German scientist Georg von Neumayer). Aim for the historic British station Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Hope for a landing on the neighbouring island Jougla Point which is inhabited by Gentoo Penguins and Imperial Shags. Sailing north again through Neumayer Channel and Gerlache Strait, pass by the Melchior Islands with a final glimpse at the beautiful landscape with icebergs, where you may encounter Leopard Seals, Crabeater Seals and whales. Leave from here to the open sea with direction Ushuaia. Kayaking excursions possible these days, weather conditions permitting.
Day 21-22: At Sea
On your way north again are followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Drake Passage.
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.
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
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.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 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
I could not be happier with my Adventure Life experience, from beginning to end. I travel a lot, and I think your company and personnel do an outstanding job. I truly appreciate your professionalism, attentiveness, and flexibility. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend your company and would be happy to serve as a reference.
Constance Block
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.
