Luxury Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica

Luxury Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Peninsula 16 Days

Prices From £10,679pp
5 DEC, 2018 | Up to 15 nights

Luxury Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Peninsula 16 Days

Aboard: L'Austral

This luxury expedition gives a taste of the Falkland Islands with landings on New Island and Grave Cove, where there is not only some of the most beautiful scenery, but also lots of wildlife viewing with four species of penguins, albatross and dolphins. Then on to the wildlife paradise of South Georgia, before continuing to the magnificent Antarctic Peninsula, including the Weddell Sea.

Highlights

  • Rarely visited Falkland Islands
  • South Georgia, abundant birdlife and mammals, glacial scenery
  • Spectacular Antarctic icebergs and scenery
  • The treasures of the Weddell Sea
  • Marine mammals including whales and seals
  • Amazing birdlife
  • Historical sites

What's Included

  • Full board accommodation on board, including bar/beverage service
  • Flights Buenos Aires - Ushuaia and return
  • Transfers between airport and ship
  • Zodiac cruises and shore excursions
  • Entertainment and expert lecture programme
  • Optional excursion in Ushuaia pre-cruise
  • Loan of rubber boots
  • Expedition parka

Our popularitinerary Suggestions

All our itinerary holidays are fully customisable

Ushuaia
1Day

Ushuaia

Meet at Buenos Aires airport for flight to Ushuaia, the world's southern-most city and also the main town in Tierra del Fuego.

Transfer to ship, board and set sail in the afternoon.



At Sea
2Day

At Sea

Get used to life on board and spend time on deck watching for your first whale sightings and spotting the various seabirds following the ship.



Falkland Islands
3Day

Falkland Islands

New Island and Grave Cove


New Island, with its distinctive jagged relief is located on the western edge of the Falkland Islands and is home to a tiny village of two families. Step onto the golden sand of its flower-lined beaches, beside which an old stone house still stands, and you'll feel like you've entered a natural paradise. A narrow pathway weaves around typical Falkland moorlands. Follow it and in under 20 minutes you'll find yourself at the heart of a colony of southern rockhopper penguins, black-browed albatross and imperial shags. It's the perfect opportunity to watch the albatross swoop down from the cliffs and skim the waves that crash against the rocks on the exposed side of the island.

Later we will make our way through the turbulent Woolly Gut strait and emerge in the stillness of Grave Cove. Located in the northern edge of the Falkland Islands, this bay owes its name to the vestiges of whalers’ graves that overlook the beach. As you step off the boat and onto the white-sand beach, you might find yourself escorted by a few hospitable Commerson's dolphins, elegantly adorned in black and white. A stroll along the grassy dunes will lead you to a vast plain of lush green grass, tended by a few sheep. On the other side of the island you'll find one of the largest gentoo penguin colonies in the area. With some luck, you'll also glimpse a sea lion scouring the waves for his next meal.

At Sea
4 - 5Days

At Sea

As we sail south, listen to interesting expert lectures and keep a look out for whales and other sea mammals as well as spotting sea birds for the deck.



South Georgia - Salisbury Plain, Fortuna Bay
6Day

South Georgia - Salisbury Plain, Fortuna Bay

We hope to disembark at the splendid Fortuna Bay among the penguins and be allowed to approach the sea elephants lounging in the weak southern sunshine. This glacial expanse of Salisbury Plain, surrounded by high mountains is home to over 250,000 king penguins and the spectacle is truly amazing.

Grytviken, St Andrews Bay
7Day

Grytviken, St Andrews Bay

At Grytviken, we disembark and spend time looking at the ruins of this historic whaling station. Here, we will also pay our respects at the grave of the famous explorer, Ernest Shackleton and visit the museum, from where you can also send postcards home from one of the most remote places on earth.

Gold Harbour
8Day

Gold Harbour

Majestic glaciers with a bluish sheen, waterfalls that reflect the rays of the setting sun, pitch-black volcanic sand beaches: these are just a few of the wonders to be found in Gold Harbour's landscape. This natural gem is blanketed by bright green tussocks and framed by snow-capped peaks. On this island where summer days are endless, the wildlife stays up with the sun. Fur seals, elephant seals and king penguins move about the island like tiny black dots along the landscape. Those humans who enter this kaleidoscope of colours and sensations do so as privileged and tolerated observers of the austral wildlife.

At Sea
9 - 10Days

At Sea

As we cross the Scotia Sea, there are lots of chances to see whales and seabirds.





Antarctica - Cruising the Weddell Sea & Brown Bluff
11Day

Antarctica - Cruising the Weddell Sea & Brown Bluff

Our call at Brown Bluff on the Antarctic continent brings you to the foot of an imposing cliff where we'll find a colony of some 40,000 Adelie penguins. This area is also the habitat of the Weddell Seal, distinctive for its spotted belly.


Wilhelmina Bay
12Day

Wilhelmina Bay

Between 1897 and 1899, Belgian explorer Adrien de Gerlache led an Antarctic expedition aboard the Belgica. There, he discovered a quiet, protected bay which he named in honour of the Dutch queen, Wilhelmina of Orange-Nassau. In this enchanting place, towering mountains reflect off of still waters, offering up a magnificent and colourful feast for the eyes. Yet another source of wonder: humpback whales, majestic and frequent visitors to the bay, feed in the surrounding waters amidst a stunning seascape of ice floes and icebergs.

Deception Island and Half Moon Bay
13Day

Deception Island and Half Moon Bay

One of the best known of the South Shetland Islands because of its horseshoe shape, Deception has the black sand of volcanic beaches and the remains of abandoned huts that have been overrun by the largest colony of Chinstrap Penguins in the Antarctic Peninsula. Excursions aboard our Zodiacs will allow you to set foot on this expanse of land where more than 100,000 pairs of penguins, elephant seals and fur seals live side by side.

Nestled among the South Shetland Islands in the icy waters of the Antarctic, Half Moon plunges visitors into a surreal and mystical setting. Long, jagged coastlines alternate with gently sloping bays, overlooked by petrified volcanic pipes. Camara, a former Argentine research station built at the centre of the island in 1953, still stands in the crook of a vast, crescent-shaped beach of large ash-coloured pebbles battered by icy electric-blue waves. Half Moon's wild lunar landscape is home to a number of animal species, including chinstrap penguins, fur seals, Weddell seals and Antarctic terns.

At sea, Drake Passage
14 - 15Days

At sea, Drake Passage

We navigate the Drake Passage named after the famous explorer, Sir Frances Drake, who sailed in these waters way back in 1578. Last opportunities to see marine mammals and watch albatrosses and petrels swooping around the ship.

Ushuaia - Buenos Aires
16Day

Ushuaia - Buenos Aires

Disembark and transfer to airport for flight to Buenos Aires

A view from Above

All Aboard

L'Austral
Luxury vessel

L'Austral

L'Austral is a purpose built, luxury expedition vessel which combines a private yacht style ambience with gastronomic French cuisine and high standards of service. All suites and staterooms are twin or double and have private balconies and bathrooms along with minibar, satellite TV, DVD, I-pod docks, WiFi and direct dial satellite telephone. Public areas and amenities include passenger lifts fore and aft, restaurant, lounge with dance floor and bar, reception desk, shop, leisure area with Wii and slot machines, clinic, theatre, hairdresser, fitness room, spa with massage, hammam and balneo treatments, grill and buffet restaurant, outdoor pool, panorama lounge and terrace with bar, library and internet room and plenty of deck space. The ship has a 1C ice classification for cruising in polar waters.

we work hard to earn passionate reviews from our clients.

4.9
44 Google reviews

Now that I am back from my odyssey voyage, I thought I would let you know that after all that planning it really did exceed my expectations – we managed landings everywhere even on Tristan da Cuhna and had great bird sightings. The guides all knew what they were talking about too and made sure I got some great photos – still sorting them all out! Thanks for everything and see you at Birdfair!

Dave Martin

Overall I think that it was an excellent trip that was well worth the price paid and I would have no hesitation recommending your company to others.

Steve Sutton

Just a quick note to express my sincere thanks to you and all your staff for making this an epic adventure of immense proportions. Everything went smoothly, pickups, hotels and most of all the expedition itself. Truly a mind blowing experience unlike any I have ever taken.

Mr J Borg, Malta

Too much to choose from? This is where we come in

Take advantage of our vast experience, passion and expertise to help you hand craft the perfect Antarctica adventure for you.

Michael Gardiner Senior Travel Expert

Mike has more than 15 years of experience in the travel industry and continues to be inspired by the people, places and wildlife he discovers. His in-depth personal knowledge of a diverse range of destinations ensures your adventure itinerary will be a holiday like no other.

Simon Rowland Senior Travel Expert

With a lifetime of unforgettable nature and adventure based travel under his belt, Simon shares his passion, enthusiasm and hands-on experience to help create the perfect itinerary for every client.

Sheena Ogley Senior Travel Expert

Having amassed a host of extraordinary adventures in destinations all over the world, Sheena’s experience, skills and enthusiasm for helping clients plan their ideal itinerary will help make your holiday unforgettable, action packed and life-changing.

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0800 195 3385
Outside the uk
+ 44 1625 5811 43
Call us
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Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

Call us - 0800 195 3385
Outside the uk? + 44 1625 5811 43
+ 44 1625 5811 43 Call us - 0800 195 3385

Chat Now

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callback

Fill in our
Enquiry form

Book Consultation

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