This voyage follows the path of Shackleton's odyssey from the northern Weddell Sea, past Elephant Island and across the Scotia Sea to the south-western side of South Georgia. This voyage is the reverse of our other two South Georgia voyages. Shackleton's epic story of survival, which started with the sinking of his ship, Endurance, in the Weddell Sea six months previously, symbolises heroic Antarctic exploration.
We included the Shackleton Odyssey in our Antarctic Peninsula program for the first time in 2000. The voyage was immensely popular and very successful, as we managed to visit all of the accessible sites significant to The Boss's Southern Ocean epic. This is a magical region, where only a privileged few have walked among the tussock grass, sat quietly near an albatross nest, or gazed at the enormity of an ice cliff reflected in still, midnight-blue water.
Day 1 Embark in Ushuaia
We board our ship Polar Pioneer mid-afternoon, then slip away from the dock in the early evening. The cruise down the Beagle Channel provides a fine view of the mountains and beech forests of Tierra del Fuego.
Day 2 Drake Passage
While crossing the Drake Passage, accompanied by albatross and petrels, we are busy with lectures and briefings.
Day 3 Crossing the Antarctic Convergence
By mid-afternoon, we should have crossed the Antarctic Convergence cold water boundary to Antarctica, and hope to see our first icebergs near the South Shetland Islands.
Days 4-5 Gerlache Strait
We make contact with penguins, seals and whales in the beautiful Gerlache Strait, using our Zodiacs to cruise among the ice or make landings.
Day 6 Antarctic Sound
At the northern end of the Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctic Sound is often choked with icebergs but this waterway provides a wildlife-rich corridor into the Weddell Sea. We begin to retrace Shackelton's path near Paulet Island.
Day 7 Elephant Island
If the weather is kind we will land on the steep slopes of Elephant Island, the unexpected home for Shackelton's men for many months.
Day 8 South Orkney Islands
We cruise among the mountainous South Orkney Islands.
Day 9 Enroute to South Georgia
Cruising the Scotia Sea towards South Georgia.
Day 10 Cave Cove, South Georgia
We enter King Haakon Bay on South Georgia, hopefully stopping for a ceremonial landing at Cave Cove where Shackelton made his first landfall after the epic open boat voyage.
Days 11-15 South Georgia
Exploring the whaling stations, bays and promontories of South Georgia. These will be busy days as we immerse ourselves in South Georgia's extraordinary wildlife diversity - at places like Salisbury Plain, St Andrews Bay and Gold Harbour, where hundreds of thousands of king penguins line the beach, or Albatross Island, where the lords of the Southern Ocean, the wandering albatross, nest among tussock grasses.
Days 16-17 At Sea
While at sea we have time to reflect on our days on South Georgia and enjoy the delights of birdwatching from the outer decks.
Day 18 Falklands
We visit the southern islands of the Falklands, bristling with nesting birds.
Day 19 At Sea
We complete our lecture program during the short hop to the South American coast.
Day 20 Disembark in Ushuaia
We dock in Ushuaia after cruising back along the Beagle Channel in the early morning. Transfer to a city hotel or commence your homeward journey.
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is $1350, 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 | $1350 deposit |
| 0-90 days | 100% trip cost |
