21-day Antarctica cruise with Falklands and South Georgia

Welcome to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Our staff will greet you at the airport and take you to a quality hotel, included in the trip. Spend the day exploring the city. Visit the Museo del Fin del Mundo for an introduction to local history and wildlife. Optional activities like hiking in Tierra del Fuego National Park or wildlife viewing in the Beagle Channel can be arranged. Enjoy Patagonian lamb or Fuegian seafood for dinner.

Start your day off with a delicious breakfast at your hotel, then take some time to explore the charming waterfront of Ushuaia. Take in the stunning views of the snowcapped Martial Range, the southernmost peaks of the Andes. Browse the local shops for souvenirs or any last-minute cold-weather gear you may need. Don’t forget, you will soon receive your own parka to keep and waterproof boots to borrow on board the ship.

For lunch, there are plenty of options to choose from on Avenida San Martín, including cafes, parrillas, and gelato shops. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the pier where you will be warmly welcomed aboard the luxury expedition vessel, M/v Sea Spirit. Get settled into your spacious suite and explore the ship that will be your home for the next adventure. After setting sail, you’ll be introduced to the full schedule of events, including informative briefings and introductions from your expedition staff.

After the first of many delicious dinners on board, step out onto the open decks to admire the scenery and gorgeous evening light as we pass through the Beagle Channel.

Sail through the stunning Beagle Channel, as we pass the picturesque islands of Tierra del Fuego and make our way northeast towards the Falkland Islands. Keep a lookout for the diverse marine life such as dolphins and whales that call these waters home. The ship’s stabilizing fins will ensure a smooth and comfortable journey, even in rough seas. As we approach the Falkland Islands, our experts will give presentations to prepare you for your visit, highlighting the best ways to experience this unique destination. Get ready to explore the remote and sparsely-populated archipelago and discover its natural beauty, rich history, and diverse wildlife.

Discover the natural beauty of the Falkland Islands, a birders’ paradise. We will spend two days exploring the remote outer islands where you can easily access large colonies of penguins and albatross. The Falklands are also a great place to observe marine mammals such as fur seals and elephant seals found on sandy beaches and cetaceans like Peale’s and Commerson’s dolphins found in the surrounding waters. However, the weather conditions in these isolated and windswept islands may affect our exact route and exploration opportunities.

Additionally, we will visit Stanley, the charmingly British capital of the Falkland Islands. Take a stroll along the waterfront promenade where you can find a variety of attractions such as the Falkland Islands Museum, the Governor’s House, a cathedral with an impressive whalebone arch outside, a war memorial, quality gift shops, pubs, and views of shipwrecks in the harbor.

Sail eastward from the Falkland Islands, as we make our way towards the remote and rugged island of South Georgia, passing by the seabird-covered pinnacles known as Shag Rocks. As we cross the Antarctic Convergence, the biological boundary of the Southern Ocean, our experts will provide valuable information about the unique marine ecosystem. Before we reach South Georgia, you’ll be prepared for your visit with briefings on bio-security procedures and lectures from our experts.

South Georgia is renowned for its spectacular landscapes and abundant wildlife. The island is home to large colonies of king penguins, seals, and albatrosses, as well as many other species of birds and marine life. Explore the island’s rugged terrain, from its glaciers and snow-capped peaks to its sandy beaches and lush valleys. Get ready for an unforgettable experience as you discover the natural beauty and unique wildlife of South Georgia.

Experience the ultimate adventure of expedition cruising in South Georgia, where the itinerary and exploration opportunities are heavily dependent on the weather conditions. Our highly experienced captain and expedition leader will make adjustments as needed to ensure the best possible experience in this wild and remote corner of the world. Every safe opportunity will be taken to go ashore and explore the scenic wilderness and its abundant wildlife.

The islands of South Georgia are home to over 100 million seabirds, including various species of albatross, penguins, prions, petrels, and terns. Beaches such as Salisbury Plain and St. Andrews Bay are home to over 100,000 elephant seals and three million fur seals that share space with countless penguins, including the stately king penguins and sprightly macaroni penguins. The recently completed rat eradication program has made this wilderness even more pristine and rich with birdlife.

The waters surrounding South Georgia also offer an increasing number of whale sightings. The historical whaling station of Grytviken is now home to the excellent South Georgia Museum, managed by the South Georgia Heritage Trust, and the final resting place of Ernest Shackleton, the legendary polar explorer.

Each day in South Georgia will be filled with unforgettable excursions, delicious meals, presentations by experts, and endless incredible scenery and wildlife to fill your camera and overwhelm your emotions. Whether you’re a nature lover, wildlife enthusiast, or just someone who appreciates the beauty of the wild, this expedition is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you don’t want to miss.

As we continue westward towards the Antarctic Peninsula, we will encounter an abundance of pelagic seabirds, including the majestic albatross, that can easily be viewed from panoramic open decks or exterior stateroom windows and balconies. Along the way, we may also come across enormous tabular icebergs drifting north from the Weddell Sea. These stunning natural wonders are a testament to the raw power and beauty of the Antarctic environment.

The Antarctic Peninsula region is a place of unparalleled beauty and offers some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the world. Protected bays and narrow channels are surrounded by towering peaks covered in snow and glaciers, while icebergs of all shapes and sizes add to the stunning scenery. The waters are rich with krill, providing a home for a variety of whale and seal species, and penguins can be seen foraging at sea and forming large nesting colonies on land.

The region also houses research stations from various countries, some of which have gift shops and post offices. The South Shetland Islands, the northernmost islands in Antarctica, are the first land sightings and offer abundant wildlife and historical significance, such as Elephant Island where Shackleton’s men spent the winter. The Gerlache Strait area, located on the Antarctic Peninsula, offers sheltered bays, accessible wildlife, and breathtaking scenery. Places like Paradise Bay encapsulate the essence of Antarctica with glaciated mountains, towering icebergs, feeding whales, seals on ice floes, and bustling penguin colonies. The Lemaire Channel, also known as the “Kodak Gap,” is a famous spot due to its photogenic mountainous sides reflected in the calm waters surrounded by icebergs.

The unpredictable weather and ever-changing ice conditions make this a true expedition and every opportunity will be taken to experience the best wildlife viewing, scenery and excursions via Zodiac. The itinerary will be decided by the experienced captain and expedition leader who will adjust as necessary to ensure the best possible experience in this wild and remote corner of the world.

The journey continues as we set our course towards the north, traversing the Drake Passage towards South America. Despite nearing the end of the adventure, we remain alert for sightings of marine life such as mammals and seabirds in these untamed waters. As we sail, we also take the opportunity to celebrate and bid farewell to our captain with a cocktail party and a presentation of memories from the voyage. As we navigate the tranquil Beagle Channel, we savor the serenity of a peaceful night at sea, making our way towards the port of Ushuaia.

Following a hearty breakfast, we bid adieu in Ushuaia, the city where our journey first began. We arrange for a group transfer to either the airport or the town center for those who wish to spend more time in this charming city. Reflecting on the remarkable adventure we had in Antarctica, the pristine landscapes, unique wildlife and the camaraderie shared with the other passengers will stay with us forever. The cruise was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it’s hard not to look forward to the next opportunity to explore this frozen continent again.