Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica Explorer

Land Tour

17 days

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Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica Explorer
  • About
  • Gallery
  • Itinerary
  • Location

$AUD 1,335 per day

Departure: Stanley, Antarctica

Polar

River/Small ship/Barge

Commencing our journey in the Falkland Islands we explore the capital Stanley and the wildlife rich outer islands. Continuing south through the Scotia Sea we arrive at South Georgia - an island of incomparable beauty. The northern flanks of the island comprise of a series of harbours that once sheltered large fleets of whaling ships, now a safe haven for a staggering variety and profusion of wildlife. Our time here will be spent visiting rookeries home to thousands of King, Macaroni and Rockhopper penguins. From here we head for the western flanks of the Antarctic Peninsula allowing ample time for shore excursions to visit scientific stations and historic sites, walk among wildlife and savour the surreal landscapes of the world's most pristine wilderness. Leaving the white continent behind we sail across the Drake Passage and back in to Ushuaia. This voyage aboard the MV Sea Spirit will surely be one to remember.
About
16 breakfasts, 15 lunches and 16 dinners
Group flight in economy class flight from Santiago, Chile to Stanley, Falkland Islands on the day of embarkation;
Group transfer to the ship on day of embarkation
Comfortable cabin accommodation and use of all public areas on cruise
Specialist expedition staff
All sightseeing and shore excursions from the ship including the use of Zodiacs
Lectures, videos, slide and film shows and guide services
Medical services. There is a resident medical officer and infirmary on board (charges may apply)
Port taxes and port charges imposed by government authorities
Complimentary Polar Expedition Parka
Rubber boots for shore landings for the time of the cruise
Pre-departure information
Digital Voyage Log
Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport or central Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation).
Hightlights
Visit the Falkland Islands, Port Stanley and magnificent South Georgia
Walk the historic sites of the Sub-Antarctic islands, including Shackleton's last resting place
Explore the most accessible and wildlife-rich part of Antarctica - penguins, whales, seals, sea birds
Cruise through the cool waters viewing icebergs and active glaciers
Active scientific stations
Immerse yourself in the spectacular and varied landscapes
Kayaking through Antarctic waters (optional charges apply)
Photography Workshops (optional)

Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 - Join Stanley in Falkland Islands
Arrival of your transfer flight at the Falkland Islands. Welcome to Stanley, the charmingly British capital of the Falkland Islands. Attractions within pleasant walking distance along the waterfront promenade include the Falkland Islands Museum, the governor’s house, a cathedral with impressive whalebone arch outside, a war memorial, quality gift shops, pubs, and views of shipwrecks in the harbor. We provide a group transfer to the pier and welcome you aboard the luxury expedition ship M/V Sea Spirit. Explore the ship and get comfortable in your home away from home for the extraordinary adventure to come.
NB: We suggest that our tourists arrive in Santiago de Chile a day earlier to have a good rest after a long flight before our Subantarctic adventures begin. A pre-cruise night is not included in the price of the itinerary, but we highly recommend the Holiday Inn Hotel due to its most favorable location right in the airport terminal.
Day 2 - Falkland Islands
The remote and sparsely-populated Falkland Islands are a birders’ paradise. We anticipate visiting one or more of the isolated outer islands on the south of the archipelago which are particularly important for their colonies of cormorants and different breeding birds that have been recorded there, including Magellanic, southern rockhopper, macaroni and gentoo penguin. The Falklands are also a great place to observe marine mammals. Fur seals and elephant seals can be found on sandy beaches while the waters in and around the archipelago are home to various whale and dolphin species. Our route and exploration opportunities are dependent on weather among these windswept islands.
Days 3-4 - Southern Ocean
From the Falkland Islands we head east toward South Georgia, passing the remote, seabird-covered pinnacles known as Shag Rocks on the way. We also cross the Antarctic Convergence, the biological boundary of the Southern Ocean. Briefings, bio-security procedures, and lectures from our expert staff prepare you for our arrival in South Georgia.
Days 5-8 - South Georgia
The next four days will be devoted to the exploration of the unique and spectacular wilderness of South Georgia, home to some of the greatest concentrations of wildlife on the planet. This is expedition cruising at its most authentic. Our route and exploration opportunities in South Georgia are heavily dependent on the weather conditins we encounter. Our experienced captain and expedition leader decide the itinerary and continually adjust plans as conditions and opportunities warrant. You can be sure that the best possible advantage will be taken of the circumstances presented to us by nature in this wild and remote corner of the world. We take every safe opportunity to go ashore in this amazing place. South Georgia is a scenic wilderness and an unrivalled paradise for subantarctic wildlife viewing. The islands are said to host upwards of 100 million seabirds, including numerous species of albatross, penguins, prions, petrels, and terns. On beaches such as those at Salisbury Plain and St. Andrews Bay, over 100,000 elephant seals and three million fur seals jostle for space among innumerable penguins including stately king penguins and sprightly macaroni penguins. The recently completed rat eradication program is sure to make this wilderness even more pristine and rich with birdlife. The bountiful waters surrounding South Georgia are also inhabited by an increasing number of whales. The historical whaling station of Grytviken is now home to the excellent South Georgia Museum managed by the South Georgia Heritage Trust. This is also the final resting place of Ernest Shackleton, the legendary polar explorer. Our days in South Georgia are filled with memorable excursions, sumptuous meals, presentations by our experts, and enough incredible scenery and wildlife to fill your camera and overwhelm your emotions.
Days 9-10 - Southern Ocean
After our amazing time in South Georgia we proceed southwest toward the Antarctic Peninsula. Pelagic seabirds including the majestic albatross are common in these waters and can readily be viewed from panoramic open decks or from exterior stateroom windows and balconies.
Days 11-14 - Antarctic Peninsula
During the next four days, we explore the highlights of the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. This region contains some of the world’s most impressive scenery and the best wildlife viewing in Antarctica. Sheltered bays and channels sparkle with ice and reflect towering mountain peaks coated in permanent snow and immense glaciers. Icebergs of every size and description complete an image of incomparable beauty. Waters rich with krill are home to huge numbers of marine mammals and seabirds. The whole area is alive with penguins foraging at sea and forming large rookeries at special places on land. Here we also find Antarctic research bases of various nationalities, some with gift shops and post offices. The South Shetland Islands are the northernmost islands in Antarctica and will likely be our first sight of land. This wildly beautiful island chain contains many landing sites with historical significance and abundant wildlife. Among them is Elephant Island, where men from Shackleton’s famous Endurance expedition spent the winter of 1916. We will also explore the supremely picturesque Gerlache Strait area of the Antarctic Peninsula, a pristine wilderness of spectacular white landscapes, colossal icebergs, obliging marine mammals and bustling penguin colonies. Here we have a chance to land on the continent of Antarctica. Throughout this area, we find nesting colonies of gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguins, sometimes side by side. This a great time for close encounters with inquisitive penguin chicks, who are now gaining independence as they fledge. The bravest chicks are testing their swimming skills in the sea, where they face a gauntlet of hungry leopard seals and killer whales. This is also the peak of the whale-watching season. Having gorged themselves on krill all summer, humpback and minke whales become more playful and obliging to Zodiacs and kayakers. Crabeater and Weddell seals are joined by Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals. The skies are full of newly fledged seabirds. Antarctica is a true wilderness with unpredictable weather and ever-changing ice conditions, which will dictate our route and exploration opportunities. With more than 14 hours of daylight per day, we seize every chance to experience excellent wildlife viewing and amazing scenery via Zodiac cruises and shore excursions.
Days 15-16 - Drake Passage
It is now time to head north across the Drake Passage toward South America, but the adventure is not quite over. Seabirds are our constant companions and there is always the possibility of whale encounters in these wild waters. This is also the time for festivities such as the Captain’s Farewell Cocktail and the end-of-voyage slideshow. Finally, as we enter the calm Beagle Channel, we enjoy a night of smooth sailing toward Ushuaia.
Day 17 - Disembark in Ushuaia where trip concludes
After a final delicious breakfast on board, we bid you a fond farewell in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. We provide a group transfer to the airport or to the city center if you wish to spend more time in Tierra del Fuego. As you look back on your wonderful experience in the Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica, you may already be looking forward to your next polar adventure!
Location

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