Day 1 Punta Arenas, Chile
Upon arrival in Punta Arenas, Chile, where your Antarctic journey commences, make your way to the hotel for an included pre-voyage stay. This evening, you are encouraged to visit the welcome desk set up in the lobby of the hotel to check in with the representative and to collect luggage tags for your voyage. Punta Arenas is the gateway to Chilean Patagonia, facilitating easy exploration of the region pre-voyage.
Day 2 King George Island, Falkland Islands
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The journey begins this morning with a transfer to the airport for the two-hour flight across the Drake Passage to Antarctica (this flight is included in the price of your voyage). Upon arrival at King George Island, embark the ship via Zodiac. After settling into your cabins and exploring your new surroundings, you meet your expedition team and fellow passengers. Excitement is in the air as you enjoy a welcome refreshment and set sail. No doubt, everyone will be looking forward to the adventure ahead.
Day 3-4 Gerlache Strait & Antarctic Peninsula Exploration
- Ship
- 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Take a deep breath and venture out on deck as the towering peaks of the Antarctic continent are laid out before you. This is the moment you have been waiting for. For the next two days, have a varied itinerary exploring the Gerlache coastline. Aim for Paradise Harbour and an opportunity to step foot on the continental land mass of Antarctica. For many, this is the fulfillment of a life-long goal. A superb hike here leads up to a high point affording incredible views of the glaciers and mountains. This is a good location to observe nesting imperial cormorants on the cliffs. While Zodiac cruising or paddling the kayaks into nearby Skontorp Cove are other memorable activities – the small cove is surrounded by towering glaciers on all three sides.
Your activity program is in full swing by now, and each day enjoy guided walks on shore, visits to wildlife colonies, and Zodiac cruising among the ice with your expert guides providing insight and interpretation. Many of the expedition team members have been exploring this section of Antarctica’s coastline for many years and have a few special locations in mind. The Errera Channel has several such spots – including Danco Island – a dome-shaped sentinel providing some great hiking options. Cuverville Island is another favorite – with its substantial gentoo penguin rookeries.
The ship navigates north through the Gerlache Strait towards Spert Island - a little visited rocky outcrop with remarkable geology. The island is crisscrossed by narrow channels which make for fantastic Zodiac cruising and sea kayaking. The cliffs are home to numerous nesting bird species and you often encounter whales here. Nearby Mikkelson Harbour also allows for another potential off-ship excursion. After several busy days of exploration, head north, bound for the South Shetland islands. This is an important whale migration corridor and you expect sightings of humpbacks or the resident orca group that inhabit this area.
Day 5 South Shetlands
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Having crossed the Bransfield Straight overnight, arrive in the South Shetland Islands. If the weather conditions allow, the ship may sail 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, with the rusted old boiler sand dilapidated wooden huts. 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. There is also an outstanding hike here, high up onto the rim of the crater.
Day 6 Antarctic Sound
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Situated at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctic Sound is about 10 miles wide and separates the Antarctic Peninsula from Joinville Island. The gateway to the Weddell Sea, Antarctic Sound is also an exciting destination in its own right. Home to science stations, Adelie penguin rookeries, and tabular icebergs, experience many of the different faces of Antarctica. While visiting Antarctic Sound, visit sites such as Brown Bluff, Hope Bay, or Gourdin Island.
Day 7-9 Scotia Sea - Towards South Georgia
- Ship
- 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
Point Lookout on the southern tip of Elephant Island is home to an impressive chinstrap penguin colony. Macaroni penguins also breed here and are a species you have yet to encounter on this voyage. Both southern elephant seals and fur seals are hauled out on the rocky beaches. If conditions permit, visit the fabled location of Point Wild on the north coast of Elephant Island. It is here that Shackleton and his men were encamped under their upturned lifeboats before the six men set off on a rescue mission to South Georgia in their tiny lifeboat – the James Caird'. Then chart a south easterly course bound for South Georgia.
Day 10-13 Exploration of South Georgia
- Ship
- 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
South Georgia has often been called the ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’ – and as you approach the deep bays of this rugged, rocky outcrop, you will begin to see why. Launching the Zodiacs you begin your exploration of the island, in the vicinity of Elsehul Bay. Large numbers of fur seals and the much larger elephant seal will line the dark sand beaches. Living in the tussock grass, king penguins and their chicks may number up to 100,000 birds in some locations, including Salisbury Plain, St Andrews Bay, and Gold Harbour. The island is also home to large numbers of nesting albatross as they fill the skies above, coming and going from the nest.
Dotted along the coastline are the rusting relics of the early whaling era. The largest of these locations is Grytviken. Here you find a fascinating museum and a beautifully restored Norwegian Lutheran Church. Adjacent to the old whaling station lies a small cemetery. This is the final resting place of Sir Ernest Shackleton– who was laid to rest here in 1922. For many onboard, being in the presence of the great explorer is a highlight of the trip. Continue your journey along the coastline, hoping to visit Stromness – another former whaling station – and the final destination of Shackleton and companions Frank Worsley and Tom Crean having made the near impossible traverse across the interior of South Georgia after their epic boat trip from Antarctica a century ago.
Day 14-16 Towards the Falklands
- Ship
- 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
By now you are in sensory overload, your cameras full of images and your journey towards the Falkland Islands commences. The spectacular seabirds including several albatross and petrel species are your constant companions as they soar above the ship. The onboard educational program continues, and the experts recap your remarkable journey to date. These days provide a good opportunity to catch up on journal entries, sort through your images at the multimedia stations and catch some rest after several busy days of activity.
Day 17 Falkland Islands
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Wake to the sight of landfall in the Falkland Islands. Situated in the Scotia Sea more than 250 nautical miles off the coast of South America, the Falklands Islands are situated in relatively shallow and very rich waters for marine life. As such, the Falklands are host to an amazing array of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic species as well as many species from neighboring South America. It is entirely possible to see a striated caracara, known locally as a Johnny Rook, stalking Gentoo penguin chicks, with black-browed albatross soaring overhead. This amazing juxtaposition of Antarctic and South American wildlife is one of the many great surprises of the Falkland Islands.
Landing sites in the Falkland Islands will depend in many respects on your crossing from South Georgia. The transit speed will be dependent on the weather systems coming through the Drake Passage, which will, in turn, dictate your arrival time and place in the Falklands. You may visit the East Falklands or push on to the West Falklands for a day of excursions prior to disembarkation in Port Stanley. Possible excursion sites include Bleaker Island in the East Falklands or West Point Island in the West Falklands. Either offer excellent wildlife opportunities with Magellanic penguins, potentially rockhopper penguins and a number of bird species endemic to the Falkland Islands. In the waters around the islands, you may be fortunate to see Commerson’s and/or Peale’s dolphins.
While the wildlife of the Falkland Islands is certainly an attraction for many, there is a vibrant history and an engaging Camp or countryside lifestyle. As you visit the Falkland Islands and are hosted by landowners, you will learn much about life in this isolated outpost of the United Kingdom.
Day 18 Stanley | Disembark | Fly to Santiago
This morning you find yourselves in the port of Stanley. Say goodbye to the crew and make your way to the airport for your return private air charter to Santiago (included in the price of your voyage). On arrival in Santiago, your journey comes to an end. Onward regional and international flight connections may be possible this evening.
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