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Midnight sun over the flat-topped icebergs of the Weddell Sea

In Shackleton's Footsteps

Roundtrip Ushuaia - Example 19 Day Cruise aboard SH Vega
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On this 19-day In Shackleton's Footsteps Expedition Cruise Roundtrip Ushuaia aboard SH Vega, start your exploration from the top of the Peninsula and venture into the Weddell Sea to reach Elephant Island, where Sir Ernest Shackleton's crew lived for several months. Finally, you will sail across the Scotia Sea to South Georgia, where Shackleton, Worsley, and Crean faced several challenges on land. Throughout the trip, the expert expedition team will be available to provide captivating information, and interesting stories, and guide you to significant sites from that incredible adventure.
Kayaking glassy waters around incredible icebergsMarveling at all the shades of blue!King PenguinsObserve beautiful fur sealsGlacier trekkingA Base camp on Antarctica.Midnight sun over the flat-topped icebergs of the Weddell Sea
Highlights
  • Enjoy a zodiac cruise with the onboard team and learn about the Falkland's wildlife
  • Explore Shackleton's Endurance expedition and its 2022 shipwreck discovery
  • Discover South Georgia's King penguins breed, moult and raise chicks
  • Hike across the undulating dramatic grassy landscape to the Devil's Nose
Places Visited
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Buenos Aires

Arrive in Buenos Aires, relax, and spend the overnight here preparing for your adventure.

*specific hotel and location to be announced.

Day 2: Ushuaia | Embark

Fly from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and embark on SH Vega for your Polar adventure.

Nestled in the foothills of the snow-capped Martial Range, Ushuaia’s colorful streets and mismatched buildings cascade from the imposing mountains before coming to an abrupt halt at the shores of the Beagle Channel. As one of the world’s southernmost cities, Ushuaia carries its ‘end of the world’ reputation well. The moody weather and dramatic surroundings certainly help. Board the boutique ship before departing for your journey through one of the most captivating wilderness regions of the world.

Day 3: At Sea

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

Day 4: West Point Island | Saunders Island

Birdlife is the big draw on this lush, sheep-farming island, where thousands of rams and ewes roam. Settled by British explorers in 1765, the island’s unique scenery includes the beaches at The Neck filled with the cacophony of rockhopper, Gentoo, and king penguin colonies, and the pillar-shaped nests of black-browed albatross. Nine of the Falklands’ 14 endemic plants, including silvery buttercup and hairy daisy, grow here and are a real treat.

Included Excursions:
Zodiac tour with the expedition team
  • Enjoy a zodiac cruise with the onboard team and learn about the Falkland's wildlife.
  • Spot the small Peale's or Commerson's Dolphins and Magellanic Penguins.
Nature walk with the expedition team
  • Hike across the undulating dramatic grassy landscape to the Devil's Nose
  • See Black-browed Albatross and Rockhopper Penguins nesting
Black-browed albatross grace the skies over this remote Falkland Island, while Commerson's dolphins play in its waters. With a sparse population of people and sheep, the island is also a sanctuary for fur seals, burrowing rockhopper penguins, Magellanic penguins, and imperial cormorants, nesting amid its cliffs and the impressive Cliff Mountain. Hiking through the moss-covered terrain unveils beautiful wildflowers like pink-petalled Felton's.

Included Excursions:

Nature walk with the expedition team
  • Explore the rugged rock cliffs and beaches on foot
  • Search of Gentoo, Magellanic, Rockhopper Penguin, and Black-browed Albatross

 

Day 5: Port Stanley

Anyone familiar with Britain’s trademark red post boxes might spot a resemblance in this British outpost. Port Stanley, on East Falkland, is the tiny capital of the Falkland Islands and is small enough to get around on foot. The Historic Dockyard Museum is devoted to maritime history and exploration. Magellanic penguins gather in hordes at nearby Gypsy Cove, and sea lions and dolphins frolic in the harbor.

Included Excursions: 

Stanley Highlights
  • Panoramic Views of Stanley
  • Key Highlights of Stanley
  • Hystoric Dock Yard Musuem

Day 6-7: At Sea

  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind, and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.

Day 8-10: South Georgia

Often called the 'Galapagos of the Poles,' South Georgia has a number of landing sites with half a million king penguins or three million breeding pairs of macaroni penguins, making up the largest population in the world alongside harrumphing elephant seals. Among its remarkable sites is Grytviken, the historic whaling station where legendary British explorer Ernest Shackleton (1874–1922) rests in peace.

Day 11: At Sea

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea allows you to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our onboard lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

Day 12-16: Antarctic Peninsula

Among captivating glaciers, majestic icebergs and snowy islands, the Antarctic Peninsula is where most visitors to the White Continent live their Antarctica dream. It's the most accessible part, with scientific bases and incredible scenery. Shore excursions might include Petermann Island, where among Adelie penguins, blue-eyed shags and skuas, huge, lumbering elephant seals haul out.

Day 17-18: At Sea

Spend your day at sea enjoying your boutique 5-star ship. Treat yourself to a spa day, attend an expert-led onboard lecture or enjoy the ocean views from the deck or the comfort of our Observation Lounge.

Day 19: Ushuaia | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Ushuaia is the gateway to the White Continent. Found at the southernmost tip of South America in Argentinian Patagonia, the city is often described as “the End of the World”. The city’s mountain backdrop rises above the harbor and entrance to the Beagle Channel. The town itself is walkable and has a few small museums as well as pubs, restaurants, and cafes - a good place to try Patagonian lamb cooked over open fire pits.

Ship/Hotel

SH Vega

SH Vega
SH Vega Club Lounge
SH Vega Club Lounge

Buenos Aires - Hotels

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$21,180 2-3 travelers
Rates are subject to change without notice. Book early to get the best rate.
SH Vega Suite OceanViewOceanview
Oceanview D4
19 m2, Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
SH Vega Suite OceanViewOceanview
Oceanview M4
19 m2, Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Balcony
Balcony D5
28 m2, Located at the forward and aft of the ship, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedrooms with a living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
Balcony
Balcony M5
28 m2, Located at the center of the ship, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedrooms with a living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
Balcony
Balcony D6
28 m2, Located on deck six, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedroom with living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
SH Vega SuitePremium suitePremium Suite
Suite
44 m2, Our Suites features a super king bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom, and a 12 sq.m. private balcony.
SH Vega Suite PremiumSH Vega Suite PremiumPremium suitePremium Suite
Premium Suite
49 m2, Our grandest suites feature a super king bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom, a spacious walk-in wardrobe, and a 12 sq.m private balcony.
Included
  • 17 Breakfasts, 16 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
  • Room Service 
  • Wifi
  • Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
  • Lecture programs by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
  • Onboard gratuities & port taxes
  • Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions.
  • Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
  • One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
  • Regional flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia
  • Regional flight from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires
Excluded
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Buenos Aires Hotel tax (up to $2 per person/night) - paid at checkout
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
  • We recommend every traveler to take out a travel cancellation insurance, travel interruption insurance and a travel health insurance policy with an assumption of the return transport costs of repatriation

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen

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