Ultimate New Year’s: Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Circle

Upon arrival at the airport, receive a warm welcome and transfer to the luxurious Arakur Resort & Spa, or another premier hotel in Ushuaia. Take time to relax or explore the world’s southernmost city before joining the evening briefing to meet fellow travelers and ask questions.

Spend the morning relaxing at your hotel, visiting a museum, or browsing Ushuaia’s shops before your mid-afternoon transfer to the ship. Once on board, meet the Expedition Team and crew, settle into your cabin, and attend a safety and orientation briefing before enjoying the Captain’s welcome dinner as you set sail for Antarctica.

As you sail south, important briefings on environmental regulations and expedition safety are held, and you won’t want to miss the scientific and environmental
experts as they begin their deeply knowledgeable, and always entertaining talks about the wildlife, history, and geology of the areas you soon be exploring.

Welcome to a wildlife lover’s dream. As you approach this ruggedly beautiful archipelago, keep the camera ready to capture the abundant wildlife and breathtaking
scenery of this fascinating part of the world. Here, you can find the largest black-browed albatross colony in the world and five species of breeding penguin. Bird lovers, stay on the lookout for kelp gulls, dolphin gulls, blackcrowned night herons, red-backed hawks, peregrine falcons and turkey vultures. East and West Falklands provide a rare opportunity to witness the biological diversity, extraordinarily diverse landscapes and rich history of the southern islands. Weather permitting, explore Saunders Island, the second-largest island in the Falklands, and The Neck, a narrow peninsula with sandy beaches and subtle cliff faces, where the mighty black-browed albatross build their nesting colonies.

Things continue ramping up with plenty of birdlife sightings as you make your way east across the Antarctic Convergence and officially enter Antarctic waters. See if you can identify the world’s largest bird, the Wandering albatross. From soaring giants like the Southern Giant petrel to the tiny Wilson’s Storm petrel, a range of
impressive bird species will be hitching a ride on the updrafts created by ocean swells and waves. And be on the lookout for whale blows and your very first iceberg sighting.

South Georgia is often referred to as the ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’ and it’s easy to see why as you take in tens of thousands of breeding penguins, seals, and seabirds. Breathtaking mountain scenery, majestically sculpted icebergs, glaciers in every direction, and a rich historical tapestry are all here to complement the incredible array of wildlife on view as you travel down South Georgia’s leeward coast. Visit the historic Grytviken whaling station, featuring the tiny graveyard where the great Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton is buried.

Heading farther south, continue with informative presentations and wildlife spotting as the icebergs become bigger and more plentiful.

With twice-daily outing as your goal, explore any number of picturesque bays and famed landing sites, maneuvering through iceberg-rich channels as you travel
alongside an array of wildlife. There are opportunities to stop at several active scientific bases and historic landing sites as you take in the wide range of penguin
species, seals, and whales along the rugged coastlines and in the sea. Four days give you plenty of time to explore, discover, and be forever changed by the power of the last wild place on earth.

Venturing to the ends of the earth is a moment to cherish, as not all expeditions venture this far south. Take your time gliding through the famed Lemaire channel, accompanied by icebergs of every dazzling shape and size, with the anticipation of reaching latitude 66°33’S. Along the way, marvel at one of most spectacular 360 landscapes, ushering you towards to the legendary Antarctic Circle. Marvel the sheer rawness of the surroundings and revel in the moment. A toast and celebration awaits should the Circle welcomes you. While not a typical landing, the crossing of the Antarctic Circle will leave you breathless, and with one of life’s greatest memories.

Test your newfound penguin expertise and sharpen your wildlife-spotting skills as you identify fur, leopard, and Weddell seals. Zodiac cruises and shore landings will continue, offering ample opportunities to encounter the peninsula’s diverse wildlife and capture stunning photographs of your adventure. 

Leave this magical place and make your way north, once again crossing the legendary Drake Passage. You have one last hurrah as you celebrate the conclusion
of your expedition with a special slideshow, passenger photo contest, and a final celebratory meal together. Congratulations, explorers!

With huge smiles on weary, content faces, disembark in the morning, letting you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.