Antarctica, Puerto Madryn & Falklands Special

Your exciting itinerary will begin in Buenos Aires, the bustling and vibrant capital of Argentina, where after having arrived independently you will make your way to your included hotel for an overnight stay. The rest of the day is at your leisure, 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 unique atmosphere before getting a good night’s sleep in preparation for the adventures that lie ahead.

After breakfast at your hotel you will take your transfer to the airport for your included flight to Ushuaia, the southernmost town in Argentina, where your ship awaits. After settling in to your comfortable cabin and familiarising yourself with the ship, you can enjoy a fantastic welcome dinner and spend some time on deck as we sail through the scenic Beagle Channel towards the Drake Passage.

We will now spend up to 2 days making our way across the famous Drake Passage towards 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 presentations on the history, wildlife and environment of Antarctica. We will cruise across the Antarctic Convergence and the temperatures will start to drop, raising the anticipation for the adventures that lie ahead.

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 often mist-shrouded volcanic islands of the South Shetland Islands group, and make sure to have your cameras ready as we visit the staggeringly photogenic Half Moon Island, home to the most beautiful Antarctic scenery imaginable, and Yankee Harbour to visit its large colony of Gentoo penguins. As we sail to the Peninsula itself we will plan to stop at Cuverville Island to see another of the largest known colonies of Gentoo penguins, the aptly named Paradise Bay and beautifully scenic Neko Harbour. For whale spotting we may visit Wilhelmina Bay, often called “Whale-mina Bay”, because of the large number of humpback whales that are often spotted here.

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 the excitement of Antarctica we now make our way northwards again towards the Falkland Islands. Your programme of expert presentations and lectures will continue along with bio-environmental briefings preparing you for your time on the islands. The Falklands are a haven for birdlife so keen birders will enjoy some time on deck or in the observation lounge. Your onboard photography expert may join you to offer some tip and hints on capturing the perfect pictures.

We arrive off the coast of the Falkland Islands on the morning of day 12 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 we offer in the area and we expect to visit some 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.

While we are here, you can join several optional excursions like history tours, bird watching tours, nature walks and even a scenic plane tour where you can discover the Falklands by air in a classic island-hopping aircraft. There will also be chances for hikes in the hills or along the coastline, or kayaking in the clear waters surrounding the islands.

Islands we may visit include New Island, where with the white sandy beaches and turquoise sea you could be forgiven for thinking you had landed in the Caribbean, and the birding paradise of Carcass Island.

Today will be spent at sea as we make our way towards Puerto Madryn. Make sure to spend some time enjoying the sun on deck or in the observation lounge watching the myriad seabirds that follow the ship and looking out for whale sightings. Your programme of expert lectures and presentations will continue, and this is also the perfect time for some relaxation after your recent adventures.

Today we will arrive in Puerto Madryn, the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Valdez Peninsula. This beautiful nature reserve overlooking the huge natural amphitheatre of Nuevo Gulf is one of the most vibrant areas in Patagonia and is home to some of the country's most dramatic wildlife habitats, with elephant seals, Magellan penguins, the southern right whale and a great variety of birds. We have a number of optional activities and excursions available today including horseback riding, snorkelling or kayaking with sea lions, whale watching or a visit to Estancia San Lorenzo where you will see wildlife including rheas (flightless, ostrich-like birds), guanacos (related to alpacas and llamas) and elephant seals.

Please note: optional excursions today are not included in the cost of your voyage.

After our in-depth exploration of these remarkable areas it’s time to head back to reality as we sail towards Buenos Aires. 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.

Your thrilling adventure sadly comes to an end in Buenos Aires where it will be time to bid a fond farewell to your expedition team as we disembark and head homewards or onwards. If you’re itching for more adventure there are ample opportunities for extensions here in this remarkable city, and we would be more than happy to help arrange these for you.