This Sub-Antarctic adventure takes you to the wildlife sanctuaries of the Falkland Islands/Malvinas and South Georgia. Join on-board photography workshops and capture the region's untouched beauty while seeing the fascinating fauna that inhabits these unique islands. Get up-close with one of the world's largest king penguin rookeries at Salisbury Plain in South Georgia, observe the majestic wandering albatross, keep an eye out for funny rockhopper penguins in the Falklands, or watch male elephant seals fight for territory!
Highlights
Explore the rarely-visited Steeple Jason Island in the West Falklands
Visit Saunders Island's working sheep farm
Take advantage of the amazing bird-watching opportunities in Carcass Island
Discover South Georgia's pristine beaches alive with fur & elephant seals
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Today travel from Santiago. Chile to the Falkland Islands. Enjoy a tour of Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands located in the east side of the island before embarking Polar Pioneer in the late afternoon.
Start the day with a visit to the rarely-visited Steeple Jason Island in the West Falklands, home to the world's largest colony of black-browed albatross, followed by Saunders island, the second-largest offshore island in the archipelago. Saunders is a working sheep farm, rich in wildlife including four species of penguins. Carcass Island offers amazing bird-watching opportunities, including the endemic Cobb's Wren, the dark ground tyrants, tussac birds and more.
Sail between the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, with plenty of time to relax and enjoy the spectacular seabirds on your way. Prepare yourself for the next stop through a series of informative talks and lectures on wildlife and history of the region.
Before your first landing on South Georgia, receive guidelines and instructions on the wildlife and some insight on the Antarctic Treaty. As a true wildlife sanctuary, South Georgia boasts some of the world's largest king penguin rookeries and majestic bird life including the wandering albatross. Playful seals and basking elephant seals provide entertainment as you explore the pristine, kelp-strewn beaches.
Zodiac cruise through the magnificent Elsehul Bay and visit Grytviken, once a Norwegian whaling station, now the administrative capital of South Georgia. Your naturalist and historian provide in-depth interpretation, whilst your photography guide can assist you in capturing perfect photographs. Other locations you may explore include Salisbury Plain, Prion Island, Fortuna Bay, Gold Harbour, Cooper Bay and others - all dependent on weather and sea conditions of course.
Start cruising back to the Falkland Islands, accompanied by fascinating sea birds. Reflect on your adventure and enjoy more lectures and talks, as well as opportunities to sort or exchange photos.
Day 15: Falkland Islands (Malvinas) | Disembark | Santiago
1 Breakfast
This morning, cruise into Stanley harbor in the Falkland Islands/Malvinas. Extend your stay in the Falklands, or continue directly on the afternoon flight to Punta Arenas and on to Santiago.
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.
$12,500
Select a Date
Twin Shared
Twin Shared Cabins have two lower bunks, a desk, small washbasin, ample storage and hanging space and portholes. Showers and toilets are very close by and are shared with other Main Deck cabins.
Notes
Please note that all of Polar Pioneer itineraries are at the mercy of weather conditions and not all landings are guaranteed. These itineraries are flexible and will change voyage to voyage, allowing the best chance to make the most of surprising wildlife displays and unexpected opportunities.
- Rates represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or Triple 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.
Initial deposit is $2700 plus $250 USD deposit for any activities at the time of booking, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 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
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
14 Breakfasts, 13 Lunches, 14 Dinners
14 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Comprehensive pre-departure information
Beer, House Wine, and Soft Drinks with Dinner
Educational Lectures and Guiding Services from Expedition Team
Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consult)
Port Surcharges, Permits, and Landing Fees
Captain's Welcome and Farewell drinks including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.
A 3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket
Complimentary use of Muck boots during the voyage
All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises
All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
On-board accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
Airport Departure Tax - Airport arrival or departure taxes
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, Wi-Fi, email or phone charges
Hotels and meals not included in itinerary
Optional activity surcharges
Reciprocity and Vaccination Charges
Passengers traveling with Aurora Expeditions are required to be covered by a reputable travel insurance policy that includes baggage loss, cancellation & curtailment of the holiday, medical, accident, and repatriation/emergency evacuation coverage worth at least $250,000 USD.
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days 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
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
