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Penguins on the shores of Antarctica

Exploration of Antarctica, Patagonia, and the Falklands - Southbound

Example 19 Day Cruise aboard MS Fridtjof Nansen
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Combine five days in Antarctica with three days in the Falkland Islands, as well as time spent in Montevideo and in Patagonia’s Puerto Madryn. October is also the mating season for seals.
Plaza Independencia in MontevideoAn old ship rusts in a Falkland Islands harborMidnight sun over the flat-topped icebergs of the Weddell SeaThe End of the WorldPenguins on the shores of Antarctica
Highlights
  • Meet the famous Gentoo Penguins in Cuverville Island, Antarctica
  • Admire the birdlife and penguin colonies of the Falkland Islands
  • Visit during the season for seals and nest-building time for penguins
  • Discover Puerto Madryn to spot sea lions and join a range of excursions
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: Montevideo

Unescorted overnight in Montevideo. Guests can explore the capital of Uruguay with its unique mixture of Colonial Spanish, Italian, and Art Deco architectural styles.
 

Day 2: Montevideo | Embark

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The bus will take guests on a city tour of Montevideo’s many highlights as we transfer from the hotel to the port where the ship awaits. 
 
Some of the possible attractions include the central Plaza de la Independencia which in turn leads to Ciudad Vieja (the old town), with art deco buildings, colonial homes, and landmarks, including the towering Palacio Salvo and neoclassical Solís Theatre. If time allows, guests can also tour Mercado del Puerto, an old port market with many steakhouses.
 
Once aboard the ship, guests join a mandatory safety drill before the Captain’s introduction and welcome dinner.

Day 3-4: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
While at sea, guests may be able to sight whales, dolphins, and sea birds such as albatrosses and petrels. Join lectures about the upcoming destination in the Science Center or spend time enjoying the ship’s infinity pool, hot tubs, gym, and Wellness Center. 

Day 5: Puerto Madryn

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Founded by Welsh settlers, Puerto Madryn is the city gateway to nearby Valdes Peninsula which is famous for its many sea lions, elephant seals, Magellanic penguins, and Southern right whales. Guests have a range of optional excursions to bring them closer to the wildlife found here.
 
Included activity:
Welsh Tea and Sea Lion Lookout (5 hrs 30)
Puerto Madryn was founded by Welsh settlers in the late 19th century so it is fitting to enjoy some Welsh tea even though we are in Argentina. Actually, you find a number of tea houses around town. Puerto Madryn is also a great place to observe sea lions after you've enjoyed your tea.

Day 6: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
While at sea, guests may be able to sight whales, dolphins, and sea birds such as albatrosses and petrels. Join lectures about the upcoming destination in the Science Center or spend time enjoying the ship’s infinity pool, hot tubs, gym, and Wellness Center. 

Day 7-9: Falkland Islands

  • Ship
  • 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
The Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory and guests can enjoy a pint of beer in one of the many typically English local pubs in the capital of Stanley. The ship will try to call at New Island, to the west of the Falkland archipelago and characterized by beautiful white-sand beaches. It is a habitat for Gentoo, Magellanic, and Rockhopper penguins, the black-browed albatross, and peregrine falcons.

May also visit Carcass Island. Its steep cliffs and pretty coves attract rich birdlife such as various species of songbirds, ducks, geese, caracaras, and wrens. Visiting in late October means guests may see Magellanic penguins nest building and seals in their mating season. 
 
Included:
 
·  Stanley self-guided walk (1-2 hrs)
·  Daily landings with short hikes to scenic or wildlife spots 
·  Small boat cruises near the ship and landing site
·  Lectures on a wide range of scientific topics
 
Included activity:
Stanley self-guided walk (1 - 2 h)
Take a short self-guided walk to get insight into life in the Falklands. Start at the historic Jubilee Villa gardens where local flora and fauna are found, stroll along Ross Road and visit Christchurch Cathedral and the Whalebone Arch before proceeding to the Historic Dockyard Museum. Take the tour as part of a group or on an individual basis.

Day 10-11: Drake Passage

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
While at sea, guests may be able to sight whales, dolphins, and sea birds such as albatrosses and petrels. Join lectures about the upcoming destination in the Science Center or spend time enjoying the ship’s infinity pool, hot tubs, gym, and Wellness Center. 

Day 12-16: Antarctica

  • Ship
  • 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners
Each day, we venture to one of 22 possible sites to go cruising in small boats and to make landings where guests are able to observe penguin colonies, seals, whales, glaciers, and icebergs up close.
 
All aboard are invited to participate in lectures on glaciology, climate change, and marine biology. Guests can also engage in Citizen Science programs like photographing leopard seals and spotting whale tails that contribute directly to scientific research.
 
Included:
 
·  Daily landings with short hikes to scenic or wildlife spots 
·  Small boat cruises near the ship and landing site
·  Lectures on a wide range of scientific topics 
 
Additional optional activities may include:
 
·  Kayaking near icebergs, and possibly seals and penguins
·  Longer small boat cruises to explore hard-to-reach areas
·  Guided longer hikes to scenic viewpoints
·  Camping ashore possibly with penguins
·  Snowshoeing through pristine snowfields
·  In-depth photography lessons

Day 17-18: Drake Passage

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
The Drake Passage connects the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern Oceans and is the shortest crossing to and from Antarctica. It is also nicknamed the ‘Drake Shake’ when the seas are stormy or the ‘Drake Lake’ when the waters are still. 

Day 19: Ushuaia | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
It’s time to return to Buenos Aires via Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Guests can extend their trip with a choice of excursions or a post-voyage program.
 
Included transfers and flight:
 
•      Transfer from the ship to Ushuaia airport
•      Flight in coach class from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires

Ship/Hotel

MS Fridtjof Nansen

MS Fridtjof Nansen

Montevideo - Hotels

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$15,086
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Select a Date
Outside cabin on lower/middle deck(RS)
183 sq ft, Cabins on middle decks with queen bed
MS Fridtjof Nansen outside cabin
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Outside Cabin on Lower/Middle Decks (RR)
205–248 sq ft, Larger cabins on middle decks with flexible sleeping arrangements, some with sofa bed. Most are 215 sq ft.
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Outside cabin on upper deck
High deck cabins with balcony. Spacious cabins, different sizes, flexible sleeping arrangements, some with sofabed, TV, kettle, tea and coffee. Please note: This cabin is automatically made with a double bed. To order twin beds, please notify us at time of booking.
MS Fridtjof Nansen outside cabin
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Outside Cabin on Lower/Middle Decks (TY)(TT)
258–291 sq ft, Large cabins without balcony. On middle decks, with flexible sleeping arrangements, sofa bed, amenity kit, kettle, tea and coffee.
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Outside Cabin with Balcony (XT)(XTD)(XY)
161–205 sq ft, Spacious high-deck cabins with a balcony, flexible sleeping arrangements, some with sofa bed, amenity kit, kettle, tea and coffee
MS Fridtjof Nansen corner suite
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Corner Suite (MF)
237 sq ft, Corner suite with large windows, without a balcony, with flexible sleeping arrangements, mini-bar, amenity kit, bathrobe, kettle, tea and coffee, espresso maker.
MS Fridtjof Nansen suite w/ balcony
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Suite with Balcony (ME)
215–301 sq ft, Suites with a private balcony on high decks, with flexible sleeping arrangements, some with sofa bed, mini-bar, amenity kit, bathrobe, kettle, tea and coffee, espresso maker
MS Fridtjof Nansen large suite w/ balcony
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Large Suite with Balcony (MD)
377 sq ft, Large corner suite with a private balcony, flexible sleeping arrangements, sofa bed, mini-bar, amenity kit, bathrobe, kettle, espresso maker. Accessible to guests with limited mobility.
MS Fridtjof Nansen corner suite w/ balcony
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Corner Suite with Balcony (MC)
215–323 sq ft, Aft corner suites with a private balcony and hot tub, large windows, flexible sleeping arrangements, some with sofa bed, mini-bar, amenity kit, bathrobe, kettle, tea and coffee, espresso maker.
MS Fridtjof Nansen XL suite w/o balcony
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XL Suite (MB)
474 sq ft, Extra-large corner suites without a balcony. Aft corner suites with sofa bed, flexible sleeping arrangements, large windows, mini-bar, amenity kit, bathrobe, kettle, tea and coffee, espresso maker.
MS Fridtjof Nansen XL suite w/ balcony
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XL Suite with Balcony (MA)
495–517 sq ft, Extra-large corner suites with a private balcony. The ship’s most spacious cabins, with large windows, flexible sleeping arrangements, sofa bed, mini-bar, amenity kit, bathrobe, kettle, tea and coffee, espresso maker.
Included
  • 18 Breakfasts, 17 Lunches, 17 Dinners
  • 18 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Photography Guide on Expedition Team
     
  • Complimentary Expedition Jacket
  • Loan of Boots, Trekking Poles, & All Equipment for Activities
  • Photos & Film/Video Footage from the Voyage Shared in The Expedition Logbook
  • Wine, beer, juice, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board ship
  • Coffee and tea are included throughout the day. Beverages (beer and wine, sodas, and mineral water in all ship restaurants)
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi on board. Be aware that we sail in remote areas with very limited connection. Streaming is not supported.
  • À la carte restaurant Lindstrøm included for suite guests
  • Domestic flight Ushuaia/Buenos Aires in Economy class
  • Group Transfer upon Disembarkation in Ushuaia from the Ship to the Local Airport
  •  Transfer from the Hotel in Montevideo to the Ship Before the Voyage
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Luggage Handling 
  • Mandatory medical evacuation insurance

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The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor

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