Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Explorer

Arrive into Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Make your way to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure. You can visit the Argentinean leather markets and succulent lamb dishes that make Patagonia famous as you explore the southernmost town in the world in anticipation of your Antarctic cruise. Highlights of Ushuaia include an award-winning museum and trips to nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park and its popular “Train at the End of the World”.

Arriving at the ship in the afternoon, you will be greeted by your Expedition Team and ship's officers at a safety and orientation briefing followed by the Captain's welcome dinner. After dinner, relax and take in the mountainous scenery on your early evening sail down the Beagle Channel past Magellanic Penguin, Rock Cormorant, and Sea Lion colonies.

At sea, in the westerlies the ship is followed by several species of albatrosses, storm petrels, shearwaters and diving petrels. Observe them from the bridge or decks.

Plan to visit both West and East Falklands on these first stops of your Antarctic trip. It is possible to experience the wildlife of the East Falklands from Stanley including sea lions and Peale’s and Commerson’s dolphins in the harbor or bird life in nearby Gypsy Cove.

In the western part see magellanic and gentoo penguins, as well as encounter with water fowl and night herons. In addition, on Saunders you will be able to observe rockhopper, macaroni and king penguins, black-browed albatrosses and king cormorants.

At sea, on your way to South Georgia cross the Antarctic Convergence. Entering Antarctic waters, the temperature will drop as much as 10°C within only a few hours. Near the Convergence see a multitude of southern seabirds near the ship; several species of albatrosses, shearwaters, petrels, prions and skuas.

Magnificent mountain scenery, glaciers galore, a rugged coastline punctuated with icebergs, a rich historical tapestry, and an astounding array of wildlife are all available as you travel down South Georgia’s leeward coast.

In South Georgia visit the bay of Elsehul, with its 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 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 Stomness Bay.

Heading farther south trough Scotia Sea watch as the icebergs become more and more plentiful. Your ship is again followed by a multitude of seabirds.

Your Expedition Leader and Captain create a flexible itinerary based on weather, ice, and opportunity. The course will stress the most scenic bays and channels of the Peninsula with stops at penguin rookeries, seal wallows, bird colonies and whale feeding areas as well as historic and scientific sites.

The trip may also include the Gerlache Strait area including Neko Harbor, Paradise Harbor, Wilhelmina Bay, and Neumayer Channel. Depending on ice, you may also be able to visit the beautiful Antarctic Sound including Brown Bluff, Hope Bay, and Paulet Island.

Active scientific bases such as Poland’s Arctowksi or Ukraine’s Vernadskiy and historic bases such as U.K.’s Port Lockroy or Wordie House may also be visited. Adelie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins abound, and weddell, crabeater, elephant seals and the predatory leopard seal are often found. Minke and humpback whales are frequent visitors and orca sightings are also common.

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

Morning disembarkation lets you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.