On this 16-day cruise expedition aboard the Greg Mortimer, experience the Antarctic Peninsula in mid-Spring and witness penguins in various stages of courtship in the Antarctic Peninsula--a wildlife hotspot and a paradise for birders. Zodiac cruise through the maze of sea ice, tread on fresh snow and witness penguins courting, mating, and tending their nests.
Highlights
Experience Antarctica and its wildlife
Witness penguins in various stages of courtship in the Antarctic Peninsula
Encounter black-browed albatross that breed in the Falklands
Search for wildlife including southern rockhopper penguins
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Having made your way to Santiago, Chile, you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred to our group hotel.
This evening, enjoy a light refreshment as you meet your fellow expeditioners at a Welcome Reception and Pre-Voyage Briefing. Afterward, dine at your leisure.
Please ensure that your luggage is fitted with cabin tags clearly labeled with your name and cabin number. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before walking back to the international terminal to prepare for your charter flight to Stanley, the capital of the Falklands-Malvinas. In Stanley, if time permits, the cruise will plan to discover the main sights before embarking on your vessel.
After embarkation, you will have time to settle into your cabin before our important mandatory briefings. As the ship pulls away from the port, and will gather on the deck to commence our adventure with spectacular views over Stanley.
The Falklands-Malvinas is a wildlife hotspot that attracts discerning adventurers, particularly birdwatchers, from around the world. There are 63 breeding species and 23 annual migrants. The black-browed albatross breeds here in large colonies and another six species have been seen offshore. If seeing penguins is high on your wish list, there are no less than six species of breeding penguins found in the Falklands~Malvinas that you can hope to see.
The landscape is made up of mountain ranges, rolling moorlands, flat plains, a rugged coastline that is battered and shaped by the wild Atlantic Ocean, sandy beaches, and cliffs. A tall, native tussock grass that is mostly found near the coast provides an important habitat for many birds and shelter for some seals.
In this remote wilderness, nature determines what you are able to do and see. Your expedition team will draw on their deep experience to curate your day-to-day ‘itinerary’ and to share their knowledge of the wildlife, natural environment, and rich history of the region with tales of early exploration and exploits.
Between Falklands-Malvinas and the Antarctic Peninsula, you will be enthralled by the ceaseless flight of the many seabirds that follow the ship. Join our naturalist at the stern and test your skills in photographing seabirds as they gracefully glide close to our ship. Our expedition team will continue with their informative and entertaining talks on seabirds, marine wildlife, photography tips, and tales of Antarctic exploration. You may wish to spend your time staying active in the gym, borrow a book from our well-stocked library or enjoy a treatment in the wellness center.
It’s almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica. Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the freshest, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever.
Join a privileged group of adventurers to visit Antarctica, a true final frontier. Explore the Antarctic Peninsula and be dazzled by the icy landscapes of glaciers, icebergs, and towering mountains. Witness unique wildlife that thrives nowhere else but here, in this stark, desolate and unimaginably beautiful environment. Penguins are courting and mating and ice seals are breeding on ice. Zodiacs gently forge a path through the sea ice to take you ashore for walks along the beach, where the wildlife is equally as curious about you as you are about them. Make sure your cameras are fully charged, they will be snapping non-stop.
Enjoy a final morning landing in the South Shetland Islands before you re-enter the Drake Passage for our return journey to South America.
With lectures and film presentations to complete our Antarctic experience, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home. There is time for reflection and discussion about what you have seen and experienced. The cruise hopes you become ambassadors for Antarctica telling your family, friends, and colleagues about your journey to this magical place, advocating for its conservation and preservation so that they might one day visit the region to experience what you have been lucky to see and do here.
As you approach the tip of South America, our Captain may sail close to legendary Cape Horn, weather and time permitting.
Day 16: Disembarkation
1 Breakfast
During the early morning, you will cruise up the Beagle Channel, before quietly slipping into dock in Ushuaia, where you disembark from approximately 8.00 am. Farewell to your attentive crew, expedition team, and fellow passengers as you all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature. A transfer to Ushuaia airport or to your hotel is included in the voyage fare.
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.
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Aurora Stateroom Triple
230.34 ft² - 245.41 ft² - 6 rooms available. All include en-suite bathrooms, three single beds, porthole window, desk area and 42" flat-screen TV
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Aurora Stateroom Twin Share
170 ft² - 245.41 ft² - Greg Mortimer features 8 porthole rooms, all with private en-suites. Located on Deck 3, they're close to the mudroom and loading platforms, perfect for adventurers who are looking for a comfortable base that's close to the action.
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Balcony Stateroom C
224.97 ft² - 266.95 ft² - 14 rooms available. All include en-suite bathrooms, floor to ceiling windows and balconies and a select number are also connecting rooms, perfect for families or groups.
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Balcony Stateroom B
254.03 ft² - 266.95 f - 22 rooms available. All include en-suite bathrooms, floor to ceiling windows and balconies and a select number are also connecting rooms, perfect for families or groups.
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Balcony Stateroom A
259.41 ft² - 301.39 ft² - 22 rooms available. All include en-suite bathrooms, floor to ceiling windows and balconies and a select number are also connecting rooms, perfect for families or groups.
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Balcony Stateroom Superior
303.54 ft² - 432.70 ft² - With a bit more room to stretch the legs, the Greg Mortimer's two Balcony Suites are perfect for polar adventurers who travel with plenty of gear. Featuring private balconies, en-suite bathrooms and a comfortable desk area, these will sell out quickly!
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Junior Suite
The Greg Mortimer's four Junior Suites take in some impressive scenery from their vantage 418.71 ft² - points on Deck 7. When you aren't enjoying a landing, you can relax in the suites' separate lounge area, or just watch the world float by from the private balcony.
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Captain's Suite
478.99 ft² - The largest of all the rooms, the Greg Mortimer's singular Captain's Suite will take you to the polar regions in ultimate style and comfort. Complete with large lounge area, balcony, walk-in wardrobe and en-suite.
Initial deposit is $2,500 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 Only Visa and Mastercard credit cards are accepted
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
14 Breakfasts, 13 Lunches, 14 Dinners
15 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.
Map
When to Go
Jan
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Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
KC Chan
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.