Embark on a 24-day Atlantic Odyssey cruise aboard the MV Plancius, an extraordinary journey to some of the world’s most remote islands and wildlife havens. Highlights include sailing the Beagle Channel from Ushuaia, crossing the Antarctic Convergence to witness dramatic marine and bird life changes, and exploring South Georgia’s massive king penguin rookeries, fur seals, and historic Grytviken. Visit Gough Island and Tristan da Cunha for sightings of rockhopper penguins, albatrosses, and rare seabirds while experiencing the untouched beauty of Nightingale and Inaccessible Islands. Before returning home, start with a cultural stop in St. Helena and explore Napoleon’s Longwood House and stunning snorkeling spots.
Highlights
Explore Ushuaia's rugged landscapes surrounded by dramatic Beagle Channel views
Sail South Georgia's thriving waters alive with seals and seabirds
Visit Grytviken's historic ruins showcasing abandoned whaling station and museum
Admire St. Helena's cultural landmarks like Napoleon’s Longwood House and more
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.
Your journey begins at the edge of the world in Ushuaia, Argentina, renowned as the southernmost city on Earth. Nestled at the southern tip of South America, this charming resort town on Tierra del Fuego, often called "The End of the World," is your gateway to adventure. In the afternoon, embark on an unforgettable voyage, setting sail from Ushuaia and cruising through the rugged, picturesque Beagle Channel, surrounded by towering mountains and dramatic landscapes, as the evening unfolds.
Today, continue your journey toward South Georgia, crossing the Antarctic Convergence—a remarkable natural boundary where cold, northward-flowing Antarctic waters meet the warmer currents of the sub-Antarctic. This transition ushers you into the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone, an area teeming with life. As the marine ecosystem transforms, so does the avian population. Keep your eyes on the skies for an array of albatrosses, petrels, Cape pigeons, and southern fulmars, all drawn to this nutrient-rich region.
Today, you aim to visit some of the world’s top king penguin rookeries. This time of year, you have a good chance of seeing these animals nesting on eggs with their chicks nearby. The rookeries are sometimes overflowing, with penguins traveling to and from the beach.
Possible visits in this region include:
Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay, Gold Harbor – You can see the massive king penguin colony, elephant seals, and limitless fur seal pups playing in the surf.
Grytviken – You can also have the opportunity to check out this abandoned whaling station, where king penguins walk the streets, and elephant seals lie around like they own the place – because they do! You might also see the South Georgia Museum and Shackleton’s grave here.
Cooper Bay – This is a fine place for a Zodiac cruise, and this bay also houses a rookery of macaroni penguins. King penguins, pintails, and giant petrels may also appear here.
Moltke Harbor – Located in Royal Bay, this scenic spot allows you to see the huge king penguin colony that lives here.
A pleasant tailwind often accompanies the vessel through the westerlies, and on both sides of the Antarctic Convergence, you might see large numbers of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic seabirds.
Today, if the weather permits, approach Gough Island for a Zodiac cruise in Quest Bay. Here, you might see northern rockhopper penguins and sub-Antarctic fur seals. In previous years, it has been possible for the team to circumnavigate most of Gough Island’s 33-mile circumference, taking in this area’s splendid scenery and abundant wildlife.
The remote islands of Tristan da Cunha are famed for their plentiful bird populations, including rockhopper penguins, several albatross species, petrels, skuas, terns, and many others. Your goal during this stage of your voyage is to visit the small settlement on the west side of the main island, but you might also land at Seal Bay on the south side of Tristan da Cunha or at Sandy Point on the east side.
In these stunning locations, you could encounter such exotic wildlife as yellow-nosed albatrosses and sub-Antarctic fur seals, all while exploring a rarely visited spot. You also intend to land at Nightingale Island and Inaccessible Island, which offer great views of beautiful seabirds ranging from yellow-nosed albatrosses to brown noddies.
Two days are reserved at Tristan da Cunha in case of bad weather. Still, please remember that nature determines your itineraries here: Since the beginning of the Atlantic Odyssey cruise in 1998, adverse weather led to the cancellation of 35% of Tristan da Cunha's landings. If the team has to divert for safety reasons, they will find suitable alternatives.
After landing at Jamestown on Saint Helena Island, you can have the opportunity to enjoy the area’s local culture, pleasant climate, and endemic bird life. You can visit Longwood House, where Napoleon died in exile; walk the 699-step Jacob’s Ladder if you’re feeling ambitious; or snorkel the shallows offshore, seeing multitudes of tropical and subtropical fish.
Day 24: St. Helena | Disembark
1 Breakfast
This morning, disembark after breakfast and begin your journey home.
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.
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
- Single occupancy: All cabins 1.7 times the share twin price
-Children between the ages of 3-15 will be discounted 40% in triple or quad cabins, one child per cabin.
- Due to the extreme nature of itinerary destinations, travel insurance is mandatory for all cruises aboard the Plancius - including medical, accident and repatriation/evacuation insurance.
Initial deposit is 20%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
23 Breakfasts, 22 Lunches, 23 Dinners
23 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
All Miscellaneous Service Taxes and Port Charges Throughout the Program
All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Upon boarding, passengers receive an internet voucher, providing 1.5 GB of free internet per day. This daily allowance resets every 24 hours. Supplementary internet vouchers are available to purchase on board for those requiring additional internet availability.
Luggage Transfer from Pick-up Point to the Vessel on the Day of Embarkation in Ushuaia
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
Government arrival and departure taxes
Pre- and Post Land Arrangements
Fuel Surcharge - to be invoiced separately
Meals ashore
Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
Medical travel insurance, including emergency medical attention and evacuation coverage with a minimum of $100,000 of evacuation coverage is required.
Parkas are not provided on your cruise. Please bring your own windproof, waterproof, insulated parka with you. You will want to make sure it is roomy enough to fit warm layers underneath. Click here for information about parka rentals for Antarctica voyages.
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.
Really enjoyed Thatch Caye. The staff was great. Really liked our guide Raffi. And snorkeling at night was wonderful.
Cheryl Brenton
4 days ago
The persons I spoke with knew the material. I wont know until I actually take the trip if it was all correct but at this point they were helpful in finding a trip that met my criteria
SS
1 week ago
Creating a checklist was very beneficial and meeting objectives on certain dates helped as well (to keep my trip organized). The Adventure Travel personnel helped keep me on track which is why my trip was so successful. Communication from both travel agencies (AT/MT) was vital.
Iziah Carthens
1 week ago
This is an amazing company to work with. I generally do not use tour companies as I am more of an independent traveller so I was slightly reticent. They were fantastic from the start - 10/10 - from lining up a phone call to discuss requirements, then their ongoing communication in the lead up to the tour and during it (thank you, Franny and Phen). They also explored cost-effective options (eg group transfers). The tour was in Patagonia so Adventure Life organised a pickup from the El Calafate airport to the El Chalten accommodation, two day hikes with a private guide and then to the El Calafate accommodation. A tour coordinator came to the hotel to explain, using the maps, what was involved in each day tour and what should be expected, and patiently answered all questions. The tour guide Marcos was excellent - very professional, knowledgable, communicative and at all times felt very safe with his navigational skills (important in the Patagonian wilderness). On the second day I forgot to take hiking poles so Marcos kindly gave me his. I honestly wouldn't have changed a thing and would happily recommend and book through them again.
Petrina Sta
1 week ago
Adventure Life has been great throughout my planning process for our up and coming Galapagos cruise. Kevin Moore, in particular, was very helpful in assisting me in making choices and providing me with options. He was also very patient, as I worked through figuring out what I really wanted in this vacation.
