Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica

Your epic itinerary will begin in Santiago, the bustling capital of Chile, where after having arrived independently you will make your way to your included hotel for an overnight stay. The day is yours to do with what you please, and we can arrange an optional city tour in the afternoon if you wish. In the evening you can spend some time sampling the city’s atmosphere before getting a good night’s sleep in preparation for the adventures that lie ahead.

After breakfast it will be time to join your transfer to the airport for your included flight to Punta Arenas, just north of the Strait of Magellan, where your expedition vessel will be waiting for you. After boarding and familiarising yourself with the ship you can enjoy a delicious welcome dinner and spend some time on deck as we sail towards the scenic Magellan Strait and start our journey to the Falklands.

Today will be spent at sea as we make the short crossing to the Falkland Islands. Make sure to spend some time on deck or in the observation lounge watching the myriad seabirds that follow the ship, looking out for whale sightings and soaking up the mesmerising views on offer. Your programme of expert lectures and presentations will begin, covering everything from the environments and wildlife of the regions we will be exploring to historic polar exploration. As the excitement builds we will gather for talks and briefings preparing you for your time on the islands.

We arrive off the coast of the Falkland Islands on the morning of day 4 and prepare to make land to discover these remote and fascinating islands that are simply teeming with wonders of wildlife and nature. The Falkland Islands are home to fantastically clear blue skies, seamless horizons, vast open spaces and stunning white beaches, and we will spend 3 days here exploring some of what the islands have to offer. Stanley, the islands’ charming capital town, makes a wonderful starting point for the various excursions on offer in the area and we expect to visit a number of the smaller islands to see immense colonies of albatross and rockhopper, king and macaroni penguins, as well as striated caracaras and upland geese, residing alongside the sheep grazing on the grasslands. The photographic opportunities here are endless, with curious penguins likely to approach you to take a closer look and beautiful scenery providing the perfect backdrop. Stanley itself is easy to explore on foot and you will have time to visit some of the shops, welcoming pubs and take a stroll along the harbour.

After an exploration of the Falklands we set sail for our 2 day journey towards the wildlife paradise of South Georgia. Along the way your presentation and lecture programme will continue with the focus now being on the geology, history and exceptional wildlife of South Georgia. Your expedition team know all there is to know about the region as well as historical polar expeditions and one of the most fascinating stories will be that of Sir Ernest Shackleton and the men of the ill-fated Endurance and their amazing feats of bravery. Make sure to spend some time on deck looking out for the seabirds following the ships and possibly some whale sightings.

Welcome to the wildlife paradise of South Georgia, quite simply one of the most beautiful and wildlife-filled places on earth. As we make land we will be greeted by the sight of tens of millions of breeding penguins, seals and seabirds all residing amongst the most striking of landscapes. Known as the Serengeti of the Southern Ocean, South Georgia is a wildlife photographer’s dream, with rugged mountain tops and glaciers providing the perfect backdrop to the hive of wildlife activity on show.

Areas we expect to visit on our in-depth exploration of the island include Fortuna Bay where we will see some of South Georgia’s abandoned whaling stations as well as elephant seals lounging on the sand, fur seal pups racing in and out of the water, albatross soaring overhead, and king penguins in their thousands. Other highlights will include Gold Harbour and Grytviken where we can visit the final resting place of Sir Ernest Shackleton as well as enjoying the sight of hanging glaciers and cliffs, lagoons and more large king penguin colonies. We will also visit a whaling museum, the Norwegian seaman’s church and enjoy excellent hiking opportunities.

After our exciting time in South Georgia there is time for more adventure as we make our way across the sea to Antarctica. Spend time on deck spotting our first sightings of icebergs and looking out for the seabirds and whales following the ship, or attend some of the interesting presentation on the history, wildlife and environment of Antarctica. We will likely cruise by the Washington Strait and Coronation Island before setting course towards Antarctica.

Today we have reached one of the most remote areas on earth…Antarctica! A land of superlatives, Antarctica will without doubt take your breath away. We will spend our days here exploring by Zodiac and on foot to get up close to one of nature’s most remarkable areas. As you set foot on the endless expanse of snow and ice it is not uncommon to feel sense of euphoria as you discover a land where few have been and experience unforgettable scenery and wildlife encounters. Throughout your time here you are likely to see thousands of penguins along with numerous seals, whales and seabirds, all set amongst the most picture perfect landscapes you could imagine.

Any expedition to Antarctica requires an element of flexibility as ice and sea conditions can often dictate the routes taken, and your captain will choose each day the best route to take to ensure you experience everything that this amazing region has to offer, with each day offering a new and exciting experience. The first area we expect to visit will be the ice-filled Antarctic Sound. Navigation through here can be difficult but if successful we will be rewarded with some of the most awe-inspiring scenery of the trip as we sail by the most impressive manifestations of icebergs and iceflows. We hope to visit the large Adélie colony of Paulet Island and Brown Bluff which is home to Adélie and chinstrap penguins, kelp gulls and cape petrels nesting below spectacular cliffs that rise 1,445 feet out of the sea.

Next we will visit the often mist-shrouded volcanic islands of the South Shetland Islands group, and make sure to have your cameras ready as we sail into the natural harbour of Deception Island to visit an abandoned whaling station known as Hektor and a derelict British base. We also plan to visit the staggeringly photogenic Half Moon Island, home to the most beautiful Antarctic scenery imaginable.

Sailing west along the peninsula we will travel through the narrow Errera Channel to stop at Cuverville Island to see another of the largest known colonies of Gentoo penguins, scenic Danco Island and Port Lockroy, a British station from the Second World War that was turned into a museum in 1996. Port Lockroy is one of the most popular sites in Antarctica and offers a peek into life on an Antarctic base in the 1950s. If ice conditions allow we plan to then sail south of the Lemaire Channel to the beautiful landing site of Pleneau Island.

Each day will bring a new adventure and focus, with planned activities designed to ensure every moment is memorable. And the fun isn’t restricted to land, as your expert expedition crew will deliver activities and talks to suit a wide range of interests. Your onboard photography expert will offer hints and tips for capturing the perfect pictures and if you prefer to stay on board there will be excellent viewing opportunities from the deck or observation lounges.

From hiking across the snowscapes and optional kayaking excursions to wildlife Zodiac cruises and expert lectures and discussions, this may be the pinnacle of your trip of a lifetime.

After an in-depth exploration of these remarkable areas it’s time to head back towards civilisation as we sail through the famous Drake Passage and on into the Beagle Channel back towards Punta Arenas. Spend some time on deck looking for more seabird sightings, relax in the welcoming lounge and share tales of your adventures, or enjoy the final presentations and lectures. Whatever you choose to do with these last few days you can be sure that you will be filled with contentment as you dissolve the fact that you have just visited some of the most impressive and remote regions on the planet.

Sailing back through the beautiful Beagle Channel it’s sadly time to bid a fond farewell to your expedition team as we disembark in Punta Arenas and take our return flight back to Santiago. If you’re itching for more adventure there are ample opportunities for extensions either in Punta Arenas or Santiago and we would be more than happy to help arrange these for you.