Luxury Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica

Arrive independently to Puerto Madryn, located in the Patagonian province of Chubut, and spend some time enjoying the sights of the city. A popular resort destination for wildlife excursions, Puerto Madryn is one of Argentina's fastest growing cities and the gateway to the Peninsula Valdés. There are many opportunities here for wildlife excursions including whale watching tours and trips to visit Magellanic penguin colonies.

A two-night hotel stay in Puerto Madryn is included in the price of your package, allowing for more time to explore and flexibility for international flight arrivals. On the evening of day 2 you can attend an optional briefing to meet your fellow travellers and ask any questions you may have about the adventures ahead.

In the morning you will have time to explore more of this unique Patagonian city before embarkation begins in the afternoon. Your expedition team and ship's officers will welcome you on board and after a safety and orientation briefing you can enjoy the Captain's welcome dinner with your new shipmates. As you settle into your comfortable cabin you can watch the city lights fade behind us as your ship begins its journey south towards the Falklands.

As your ship sails through the Southern Ocean towards the Falkland Islands you can take this opportunity to join some of the informative and entertaining talks and presentations delivered by your team of onboard experts. You can learn about the wildlife, history, and geology of The Falkland Islands and Southern Ocean and prepare for your time on the islands. There will also be briefings on the environmental regulations of the Falklands and expedition safety.

Make sure to spend some time on deck looking for the albatrosses, prions, and petrels that frequently follow the ship. Your expedition team will be out on deck as well, looking for the whales and dolphins that can be seen in the area.

As your ship arrives along the western coast of the Falkland Islands your adventure will begin in earnest. Exploring by Zodiac and enjoying daily landings you will visit some of the remote islands that make up the western side of the archipelago. The homesteads that make up these islands have been family-owned for six and seven generations, and a visit here usually includes an invitation for cakes, a cup of tea and a chat about life on the islands’ westernmost settled outposts. Wildlife and birdlife opportunities here are excellent, the sheep graze alongside albatross colonies and Rockhopper, King, and Magellanic penguin rookeries, while striated caracaras patrol overhead and upland geese graze at the water's edge.

On our 2nd day in the Falklands your ship will sail further east where we will stop at Port Stanley, the capital of the Falklands. Enjoy the sights of this unique town with its quintessentially British feel and its shops and lively pubs. A visit to the museum is recommended and a walk around the lovely harbour may lead to sightings of sea lions and Peale's and Commerson's dolphins. You could also enjoy excellent birdwatching opportunities in nearby Gypsy Cove.

As your ship sails further south towards South Georgia you will cross the Antarctic Convergence and officially enter Antarctic waters. Your expedition crew will make sure to notify you as you cross this invisible, yet important line, and expert presentations and talks on history and wildlife will prepare you for your time in South Georgia. Spend time on deck looking for the abundance of marine life following the ship.

Welcome to the wildlife paradise of South Georgia! Upon arrival on this remote and scenic island your first impression may be penguins, penguins and more penguins! Home to tens of millions of breeding penguins, fuzzy little chicks to fattened adults, these fascinating creatures dot the landscape in a sea of activity and you will have more than ample opportunities for capturing that perfect wildlife picture. However, it’s not only the penguins that make this island such a pull for intrepid travellers. As well as penguins, the island is home to millions of seals and seabirds, and as we explore by Zodiac making daily landings you can get up close to the action.

The rugged coastline is punctuated with castellate and tabular icebergs and the magnificent mountain scenery makes for excellent photo opportunities. During your time here you can visit the historic Grytviken whaling station, home of the whaling museum, the Norwegian seaman's church, the active British Antarctic Survey station plus the tiny graveyard where the great Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton is buried.

After your thoroughly enjoyable time in South Georgia it’s time for another adventure as your captain expertly navigates your ship towards the white continent, mighty Antarctica. Expert presentations on the wildlife, history and geology of Antarctica will entertain, whilst the sight of more and more icebergs of all shapes and sizes coming into view is likely to take your breath away.

As you arrive in spectacular Antarctica there may be a feeling of euphoria as you witness nature in all its glory. Your itinerary will be flexible, with your expedition leader and captain deciding each day on the best route to make the most of your time here. Exploring by Zodiac you can marvel up close at the dramatic icebergs and scenic bays, with stops at penguin rookeries, seal wallows, bird colonies and whale feeding areas, as well as sites of historic and scientific interest. 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 assertive Antarctic Fur Seal.

Places you may visit during your time here include picturesque Neko Harbor, sheltered Paradise Harbor, the Humpback Whale favored 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 a historic base such as U.K.’s Port Lockroy or Wordie House.

As you leave the magic of Antarctica behind it’s time to head back towards South America as your ship sails through the famous Drake Passage, followed by an abundance of seabirds, towards Ushuaia. Take the time to reflect on what will have been an unforgettable journey and join your fellow shipmates at a special slideshow presentation to commemorate the expedition.

After sailing through the scenic Beagle Channel your ship will reach Ushuaia in the early hours of the morning, allowing for disembarkation in time to catch onward or homeward flights. If you wish to spend more time in Ushuaia there are numerous options for excursions including trips to the beautiful Tierra del Fuego National Park.