Falklands, S.Georgia, S.Shetlands & Peninsula

Arrive today in the world's southernmost city and transfer to hotel. This afternoon and tomorrow morning take time to shop and explore. In the evening, enjoy succulent Fuegan lamb cooked over an open fire.

Arriving at the ship in the afternoon, you will be greeted by our Expedition Team and ship's officers at a safety and orientation briefing followed by the Captain's welcome dinner. Then, watch the city lights fade in the fresh night air as we sail down the Beagle Channel.

After transiting the Beagle Channel and passing the islands of Tierra del Fuego, we head south across the Drake Passage. On the way we cross the Antarctic Convergence, the biological boundary of the Southern Ocean. The ship’s stabilizing fins provide comfort in the event of rough seas. Briefings, orientations, and lectures from our expert staff prepare you for our arrival in Antarctica.

The land of superlatives, Antarctica! Our Expedition Leader and Captain will create a flexible itinerary based on weather, ice, and opportunity. The route will stress the most scenic bays and channels of the Peninsula with stops at penguin rookeries, seal and bird colonies as well as sites of historic and scientific interest. The trip may include picturesque Neko Harbour, sheltered Paradise Harbour, the humpback whale favoured Wilhelmina Bay, the striking Lemaire Channel, the wildlife-filled Penola Channel, or the majestic Neumayer Channel. We may stop at an active scientific base such as Poland’s Arctowksi or Ukraine’s Vernadskiy as well as an historic base such as U.K.’s Port Lockroy. Adelie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins abound, and Weddell, crabeater and elephant seals are often found hauled out to rest along with predatory leopard seals and the aggressive Antarctic fur seal. Whales and orca are also frequently encountered. 

From Antarctica we head northeast toward South Georgia. 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. Briefings, bio-security procedures, and lectures from our expert staff prepare you for our arrival in South Georgia.

Its unique position inside the Antarctic Convergence yet outside the limit of the yearly sea ice makes this 3,755 square kilometer island home to tens of millions of breeding penguins, seals, and seabirds. Magnificent mountain scenery, glaciers galore, a rugged coastline punctuated with icebergs, a rich history and an astounding array of wildlife are all evident as we travel down South Georgia's leeward. Landing sites feature huge elephant seals, aggressive fur seals, Macaroni penguins, albatross, petrels, skuas and gulls. King penguins from fluffy brown chicks to sleek adults can be seen in the hundreds of thousands. We will visit historic Grytviken whaling station, home of the whaling museum, Norwegian seaman's church, the active British Antarctic Survey station plus the tiny graveyard where the great Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton is buried.

From South Georgia we head west toward the Falkland Islands. Presentations and workshops by our expert staff, as well as our range of onboard recreation facilities, ensure that these days at sea are not idly spent.

Many of the settled outposts in the Falklands are remote farms that have been family-owned for six and seven generations. The sheep graze alongside albatross colonies and rockhopper, king, and Macaroni penguin rookeries while striated caracaras patrol overhead and upland geese graze at the water's edge. Elephant and fur seals can be seen on beaches and orca and dolphins swim offshore. A visit to one of these homesteads often includes an invitation for cakes and a cup of tea. 

We will also visit the very British city of Stanley and maybe enjoy a drink at a local pub.

From the Falkland Islands we proceed north toward Puerto Madryn. We keep a lookout for marine mammals such as dolphins and whales. This is also the time for our End of Voyage ceremonies including slideshow and farewell dinner.

After breakfast we say farewell in the city of Puerto Madryn. A group transfer is provided to the airport or to the town center if you wish to spend more time here. As you look back on your wonderful experience in Antarctica, you may already be looking forward to your next incredible adventure to the ice!