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Exploring Antarctica

Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands

Example 20 Day Cruise aboard Ocean Diamond
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Set foot on the Antarctic continent and revel in the incredible scenery of snowcapped peaks, mighty glaciers, and glistening icebergs on this 20-day voyage aboard the Ocean Diamond. In the beautiful Falkland Islands, find huge populations of rockhopper, gentoo, and Magellanic penguins, as well as the regal black-browed albatross. Witness the vast penguin colonies of South Georgia—king, macaroni, gentoo, and chinstrap—as well as large numbers of elephant and fur seals crowding the beaches. Visit the burial site of Sir Ernest Shackleton and learn about early polar exploration and whaling history.
Birds of the southExplore Antarctica by zodiac and get close to impressive iceburgsRock hoppersThe fluke of a humpback whaleExploring Antarctica
Highlights
  • Set foot on the Antarctic continent and revel in the incredible scenery
  • Visit the beautiful Falkland Islands, home to huge penguin populations
  • Witness large numbers of elephant & fur seals on the beaches of S. Georgia
  • Learn about early polar exploration and whaling history
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina

Arrive in Ushuaia. Transfer to your group hotel with the rest of the day at leisure. Gather at the hotel this evening for a welcome dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Ushuaia | Embark Ocean Diamond

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today, enjoy a boat trip on the Beagle Channel and disembark in Tierra del Fuego National Park for nature hikes surrounded by dramatic scenery. Board the Ocean Diamond this afternoon and set sail for the Falkland Islands.

Day 3: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Attend lectures on the natural and historical highlights ahead during a day at sea. On Saunders Island, you will find colonies of gentoo, rockhopper, and Magellanic penguins.

Day 4-5: Saunders Islands, Falkland Islands | Stanley

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Go ashore on Saunders Island to find colonies of gentoo, rockhopper, and Magellanic penguins. The next day, visit Stanley, the British-flavored capital of the Falklands.

Day 6-7: Cruising the South Scotia Sea

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Lecturers recap your experiences and prepare you for your visit to South Georgia. On deck, join naturalists in search of the seabirds and marine mammals that flourish in these nutrient-rich waters.

Day 8-10: South Georgia

  • Ship
  • 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
Flexibility in this area is a must. Many of your leaders have been to South Georgia numerous times and, if the weather is in your favor, they may offer a landing before breakfast or even after dinner. Call at some of the many islands, bays, and coves where you can see outstanding birdlife and elephant and fur seals close at hand. The following is a list of places you may visit on South Georgia; some of them are pending final government approval.

Elsehul Bay – This beautiful bay is home to thousands of fur seals as well as macaroni penguins, the most numerous of all penguin species. Listen for the high-pitched trumpeting of king penguins amid the magnificent sounds of marine mammals that echo in the bay.

Salisbury Plain – Two glaciers flank Salisbury Plain on South Georgia’s north coast. Here, more than 200,000 king penguins congregate and breed, and you are greeted by one of the more remarkable sights—and sounds—on Earth.

Stromness Bay – Site of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his party’s arrival after their harrowing crossing of the island’s glaciers on foot, Stromness offers views of cliffs and a glacier from which the adventurer and his companions descended.

Grytviken – Go ashore to discover the ruins of this once-active whaling station. The cemetery holds a special fascination, as it is here that Shackleton is buried. Seabirds, penguins, and marine mammals can also be found here.

Gold Harbour – At the foot of the Bertrab Glacier, Gold Harbour is often referred to as the “jewel in the island’s crown.” In addition to a large king penguin colony, you are likely to see elephant and fur seals, gentoo penguins, giant petrels, and with luck, light-mantled albatross.

Day 11-12: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Naturalists recap your memorable visit to South Georgia and introduce you to the history, geology, and wildlife of the Antarctic Peninsula and its surrounding islands.

Day 13: Elephant Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today arrive at Elephant Island, made famous by the Shackleton expedition. Awesome glaciers, speckled with pink algae, create a dramatic backdrop. Weather permitting, enjoy a Zodiac cruise around the island and the opportunity to view a thriving chinstrap penguin colony.

Day 14-17: Antarctic Peninsula

  • Ship
  • 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
As you cruise the waters of the Antarctic Peninsula and its adjacent islands, landings are dependent upon weather and ice conditions. There is the possibility that you may visit a research station and witness the scientific activities conducted by the multinational community of scientists working there. The expeditionary nature of this voyage precludes guaranteeing specific stops. This list serves as a guideline only of the places you may experience:

Brown Bluff – Located on the Antarctic continent, Brown Bluff rises 2,450 feet above an ash beach littered with bizarrely-shaped boulders. Some 20,000 pairs of Adelie, and hundreds of gentoo penguins, make their home here. Skuas and pintado petrels nest near the top of the cliff and kelp gulls fill the air with perpetual sound and motion.

Deception Island – As you approach Deception through Neptune’s Bellows, a channel just wide enough for the ship to navigate, southern fulmars and pintado petrels soar overhead. Weigh anchor inside a volcano whose collapsed cone was filled by rushing seawater.

Lemaire Channel and Pleneau Island – Cruising the beautiful Lemaire Channel, keep watch for the humpback and minke whales frequently spotted here. This narrow channel is one of the most visually impressive areas of the Antarctic Peninsula. Steep mountain peaks jut out of the sea on both sides, and the waters are often choked with icebergs and frequented by crabeater seals. A stunning labyrinth of grounded icebergs lies in the shallow waters west of Pleneau Island, presenting a superb Zodiac cruising experience. Crabeater and leopard seals haul out on the ice, and elephant seals and gentoo penguins occupy the island itself.

Day 18-19: Drake Passage

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
During your Drake crossing, watch for wandering and black-browed albatross, sooty shearwaters, and white-chinned petrels. Whales are also frequently seen in these waters.

Day 20: Ushuaia, Argentina | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Disembark in Ushuaia and transfer to the airport for your independent flight home.

Ship/Hotel

Ocean Diamond

Albatross cruising the Drake Passage to Antarctica
A young seal rests on the shore
A huge colony of king penguins.

Ushuaia - Hotels

Dates & Prices

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Per person starting at
$17,980
Ocean Diamond's Triple Cabin.
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Triple
Lower Deck, 200 sq feet. Two twin beds and an upper bed, two portholes, and private bath with shower.
Ocean Diamond's Twin Cabin.
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Twin Obstructed View
Captains & Upper Decks, 200 sq feet, one double bed or two twin beds, picture window with a partially obstructed view, and private bathroom with shower.
Ocean Diamond's Twin Cabin.
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Twin Window
Upper, Main & Captain´s Decks, 183-200 sq feet. One double bed or two twin beds, picture window, and private bathroom with shower.
Ocean Diamond's Single Porthole Cabin.
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Single with Porthole
Lower Deck, 200 sq feet, one double bed, two portholes, and private bathroom with shower.
Ocean Diamond's Single Cabin.
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Single Obstructed View
Captain's Deck, 200 sq feet, one double bed, picture window with obstructed view, and private bathroom with shower.
Ocean Diamond's Suite.
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Suite
Main Deck, 400 sq feet, one double bed or two twin beds, two picture windows and separate sitting area with sofas, two easy chairs, small table and two private bathrooms with shower.
Ocean Diamond's Balcony Suite.
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Balcony Suite
Observation Deck, 325 sq feet, one double bed or two twin beds, window and sliding glass door, private 96 sq ft deck, and private bathroom with shower.

Notes

- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy. Request the Twin Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.

- Standard Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the double occupancy rate. The supplement for a Premium Cabin is 2 times the shared rate.

Insurance: Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a maximum benefit of US$500,000 per person is included. Travelers should have a minimum US$50,000 (or equivalent) of emergency medical coverage prior to embarkation. It is recommended that you and all members of your party have comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation, trip delay (interruption or after departure coverage), baggage, and repatriation. Contact us for details.
 
Included
  • 19 Breakfasts, 18 Lunches, 19 Dinners

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Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
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