Day 1 Santiago, Chile | Stanley, Falkland Islands | Embark
Depart Santiago this morning on your special charter flight direct to Stanley, the small capital of the Falkland Islands. You are met on arrival and transfer from the airport into town. There is time to explore the town or enjoy a guided visit to nearby Gypsy Cove which provides your first opportunity for observing the local wildlife, including nesting Magellanic penguins and other sea birds. Making your way to the port, board your expedition ship, RCGS Resolute in the afternoon. After settling into your cabins and exploring the ship, meet your expedition team and fellow passengers. Excitement is in the air as we enjoy a welcome cocktail and cast off to explore one of the most remote regions on Earth.
Day 2-3 At Sea – Towards Antarctica
- Ship
- 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Chart a southerly course for Antarctica. The Drake Passage is rich in biodiversity and showcases a great abundance of wildlife. You are joined by hundreds of seabirds including the wandering albatross. Giant petrels and smaller Cape petrels are also constant companions as you make your way south. Photographing these magnificent birds takes patience and skill and the photography expert is on hand to show you the best techniques. Join the ship’s Captain on the bridge and learn about the operations of your modern expedition vessel. Throughout the day the onboard experts educate you with a series of presentations about the environment, the wildlife, history, and the locations you may visit in the coming days. As you approach the coastline of Antarctica, encounter more icebergs as you anticipate whale sightings.
Day 4-5 Antarctic Sound | Weddell Sea | Northern Gerlache Strait
- Ship
- 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
As you explore the Antarctic Sound, witness the vastness and majesty of the Antarctic icecap. See more than 100,000 Adelie penguins rookeries staging here and some are nesting. Gourdin Island and Brown Bluff are two such locations featuring substantial penguin rookeries. The region is also full of history of early exploration and has fascinating geological sites with thousands of fossils strewn over the shoreline.
The Gerlache Strait is an important whale migration corridor and might as well be on the bridge or the outer observation decks for the tell-tale blows of the migrating whale pods. With luck, you can even catch a glimpse of the resident orca group that inhabit this stretch of water.
Day 6-7 Southern Gerlache Strait Exploration
- Ship
- 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Anvers Island is one of the largest of the off-shore ‘barrier’ islands of the Antarctic Peninsula. There are several outstanding sites here as well as on neighbouring Wiencke Island. These locations provide us with opportunities to venture on shore, breaking into smaller groups.
Enjoy a short or longer hike, wander over to observe penguins guarding their precious eggs or newborns on the nest, cruise in the Zodiacs or just sit and soak it all in. The choice is yours. A short transit across the Gerlache Strait brings us along the actual continental landmass of Antarctica. A potential shore landing at Paradise Harbour will be a highlight for many – as you step foot on the continent proper, for the very first time. A nearby hike up a snow-covered hill provides staggering 360-degree views. A Zodiac cruise or paddle into the nearby ice ‘cathedral’ of Skontorp Cove is another memorable experience. If the conditions are right, we aim to offer our overnight camping program to all adventurers somewhere in this vicinity. We have all the gear onboard and an experienced team to make this a night to remember. However, camping always depends on the weather and this activity is never guaranteed on any voyage.
One of the largest gentoo penguin colonies along this stretch of coastline can be found on Cuverville Island, situated at the northern end of the Errera Channel. This is an important research site with the populations being carefully monitored by visiting scientists. Our naturalist guides will be able to tell you more about this important work. Cuverville is a good location for a Zodiac cruise and a circumnavigation of the entire island is sometimes possible. Other locations in the area we hope to explore include Willhelmina Bay. biologists is a known whale 'hotspot'. This is a magnificent location with towering glaciers tumbling off the mountainous spine of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Day 8 South Shetland Islands
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The adventure is not over and if the weather conditions allow, sail the ship into the flooded volcanic caldera at Deception Island. This is a very dramatic place and history is all around as you explore the old whaling station. At the far end of the beach is an old aircraft hangar. This is where Australian, Sir Hubert Wilkins, made the very first flight in Antarctica in 1928.
The nearby Aitcho Islands provide some great hiking routes showcasing the colourful mosses and lichens found on the island. Gentoo and chinstrap penguins nest here and on the beaches, and they usually encounter seals coming and going from the surrounding waters. Fort Point situated on Greenwich Island is another possible location for a visit. Eventually leave the snow-covered peaks of Antarctica behind, pushing northwards on your return trip to the Falkland Islands
Day 9-10 Drake Passage
- Ship
- 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
As you make your way back to Stanley and the Falkland Islands, the educational presentations continue and enjoy an entertaining and memorable voyage recap by the Expedition Leader. Join the photography experts at the multimedia station and download your precious images. Approaching the coast of the Falkland Islands in the early evening light, enjoy a special dinner attended by the Captain of the ship.
Day 11 Stanley | Disembark
This morning you will find yourselves back in the port of Stanley. Say goodbye to the crew and after some free time in town, make your way to the airport for your return charter flight to Santiago.
Plan My Trip