Explore more of pristine Antarctica in significantly less time by flying from Stanley, Falkland Islands (Malvinas) back to Santiago, Chile on the culmination of your journey. In just 17 days, explore the remote South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula, historically significant South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), teeming with wildlife. As you explore the rugged remoteness and magnitude of these spectacular regions, marvel at the abilities its bountiful penguins, seals and whales have to completely charm you. You never feel quite as alive as you do here, following in the footsteps of famed explorers, gliding past towering ice-blue glaciers, or wandering across rare polar beaches and dramatic landscapes, taking it all in.
Highlights
Cross the Drake Passage and enjoy the convenience of flying back to Chile
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small but bustling port town at the tip of South America. This Argentinean town is an ideal gateway for you to explore the southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for your adventure ahead. Get active in the mountains or enjoy handcrafted chocolate at a café in town.
Day 2: Embarkation Day
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The Beagle Channel sets you on your way as the ship sails in the late afternoon. The channel opens up to the vastness of the Southern Ocean, where your next land sighting is along the Antarctic Peninsula. Named after the famed ship in which Charles Darwin voyaged, the channel presents great photo opportunities to capture sea
birds hovering overhead.
Day 3-4: Crossing the Drake Passage
2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
The waters of the Drake Passage are unpredictable, so hope for clear skies and a calm ocean. You have plenty of time to gaze out at the sea, get to know your fellow shipmates and chat with your Expedition Team. Time over these two days is spent preparing for the exciting days ahead, with numerous educational and informative lectures from your Expedition Team. Learn about everything from safety procedures to the history of whaling in Antarctica.
Day 5-7: Antarctic Peninsula | South Shetland Islands
3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
Get the sense that you've arrived on a new planet during the start of your Antarctic voyage, as the pristine nature and dramatic environments are like nothing else on earth. From the vessel you can watch whales swim and feed in nutrient-rich waters and spot penguins frolicking in the water and jumping aboard ice floes. Just as amazing as the wildlife are the towering snow-covered mountains and massive glaciers of the Peninsula, which are your playground for the next four days.
Day 8-10: At Sea
3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
Spend your days at sea enjoying the view from the deck, or taking in presentations by the expedition team.
Day 11-13: South Georgia
3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
With a rich history of exploration in the Antarctic, South Georgia has many stories to tell. Learn that the original inhabitants here arrived to hunt whales and fur and elephant seals to perilously low levels. Thankfully populations have rebounded and whaling and sealing cease to exist today. Explore many remnants of these days gone by, including several whaling stations and other abandoned outposts.
Perhaps the most historic and famous site on the island is the grave of the great explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton. Visit his grave at the settlement of Grytviken, which is also home to a museum, small gift shop, church, and an active scientific research station.
After that history lesson, experience some wildlife encounters. South Georgia is sometimes called the Galapagos of the Poles as it is home to a captivating number of inquisitive and curious creatures. Indeed, the number of animals seen here rival that of all the other days of your voyage combined.
Each landing you make on South Georgia opens your eyes to a new wonder of wildlife - one day may be a beach filled with a hundred thousand pairs of king penguins, the next may present some close encounters with massive elephant seals or the smaller fur seals. Different penguin and bird species utilize the island landscape differently here, making it a fascinating destination teeming with wildlife from the shoreline to the top of the highest grassy hills.
Day 14-15: At Sea
2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
The next few days at sea can be as busy or as relaxing as you desire. Go on deck to spot whales and sea birds flying overhead, or attend lectures from on-board specialists. Whatever you choose, remember to take a moment to reflect on the amazing creatures you’ve met so far.
Day 16: Disembark Stanley, Falklands Islands | Fly to Santiago, Chile
Upon arrival in the Falklands (Malvinas), be greeted by a feeling of rugged remoteness. Disembark in Stanley, a unique outpost with a British country charm. There are plenty of churches and museums to explore, as well as friendly locals willing to chat over a drink at the pub. This afternoon, board a charter flight to Santiago, Chile. Overnight at airport hotel.
Day 17: Depart Santiago
1 Breakfast
In the morning, enjoy breakfast before continuing on your flight home.
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Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
Lisa Bridge
TrustScore 4.6 | 108 reviews
TrustScore 4.6 of 5
Based on 108 reviews on
1 day ago
Personal knowledge of the trip I was considering. Patience with our figuring out which dates we could travel.
Brian
2 days ago
Clara and Rhenee were gracious and available. Phone contact is so important to answer questions and discuss all aspects of trip. If not immediately available they scheduled a time to speak.
They were knowledgeable, honest, realistic and very friendly. They are both very professional and take their role seriously.
Happy Camper
2 days ago
Jason has been wonderful. He is full of information and was very willing to listen to what was of interest to us.
Lee
4 days ago
The ability (of Kassandra) to tailor a guided trip to my exact preferences is very valuable to me, as well as the ability (of Kassandra) to provide expert guidance on destinations and travel dates. I also appreciate the ability of the backup staff (Maria Ignacio, Exito Travel) to coordinate all the details to make the travel logistics easy for the customer.
Mark Whalen
4 days ago
Our Costa Rica trip was amazing! Kassandra planned everything and the excursions, hotels, overall organization were outstanding. Everything worked out smoothly, the excursions guides were knowledgeable allowing us to see so much of the fauna and flora of the country. The hotels were great as well, all in fantastic locations and with beautiful views.