Shackleton Route

Your adventure begins in Montevideo where after having arrived independently you will be transferred to a conveniently located hotel for an included overnight stay. Spend some time exploring the sights and sounds of Uruguay’s capital city and enjoy a good night’s rest in preparation for the adventures that lie ahead.

This morning you will be free to explore the city and its colourful neighbourhoods and impressive architecture. In the afternoon you will join the transfer to the port for embarkation and after settling into your cabin and attending some safety briefings, you can make your way out on deck to watch the city lights fade behind as we start our journey southwards towards the Falkland Islands.

As your ship makes its way towards the Falkland Islands you can enjoy the informative and entertaining lecture and talk programme, taking in everything from the wildlife and geology you will encounter on your expedition to the history of Antarctic exploration. Your expedition team will be comprised of professional and highly skilled historians, marine biologists, and naturalists who offer keen insight and a unique personal perspective to each and every adventure. Make sure to spend some time on deck looking out for albatross and whales following in the ship’s wake.

As we spend 2 days exploring the Falkland Islands you will have the unique opportunity to witness the biological diversity and extraordinary scenery of the southern islands. The Falklands are a haven for birdlife and the keen birders amongst us will be happy to spot king cormorants, black-browed albatross, skuas, night herons, giant petrels and striated caracaras amongst many other species. Penguins are also abundant here with large colonies of Magellanic, rockhopper, gentoo, and king penguins, and we are also likely to spot elephant seals and sea lions. We will spend our days exploring in search of these unique wildlife encounters as well as taking a visit to Stanley, the Falklands capital, to meet the hardy local inhabitants whose colourful houses provide contrast to the long, dark winters. Stanley is home to many historical sites and remnants of the conflict of the 80’s, and the expert historians accompanying you on your voyage will offer some interesting insights into the history behind the islands.

Leaving the Falkland Islands behind, your ship will sail eastwards towards South Georgia Island. Days will be filled with lectures and presentations as well as bio-security briefings for your time on the island. Keep an eye out on deck for seabirds following the ship and the numerous whales that frequent these waters.

Today we arrive at South Georgia, one of the most remote and intriguing islands in the world. A wildlife paradise, South Georgia is home to millions of penguins, including a large colony of King penguins, as well as being the best place in the world to observe the southern elephant seal, the largest breed of seal. The nearby islands are also the nesting grounds for Wandering albatross, a species of albatross that only stays on land to breed and eat, and during our time here we expect many sightings of these majestic sea birds.

Weather permitting we will enjoy 3 full days of exploration here, on a constant search for wildlife encounters and fascinating scenic experiences. We will visit old whaling stations, and hope to make a visit to Shackleton’s grave to pay our respects and learn about his historic journeys.

As we leave the wonders of South Georgia behind we will sail for 2 days, retracing Shackleton's route backwards on course towards the Antarctic Peninsula, passing Elephant Island along the way. The waters on this stretch are rich with nutrients, allowing for excellent opportunities to spot several species of whales, seals, and seabirds from deck. Your lecture programme will continue, with talks focusing on Antarctica and the adventures that lie ahead, and as we near the South Shetland Islands make sure to have your camera ready for your first of many Antarctic iceberg photographs.

Welcome to the majestic wilderness of Antarctica! We will spend our days exploring the wonders of this magical area, with its awe-inspiring scenery and unique wildlife. In true expedition style our exact itinerary here will be dependent on ice and weather conditions, with your captain deciding each day on the best course to take to make the most of our time here and to offer the very best experiences and sights. On arrival we will navigate southwards making stops in the South Shetland Islands then through the Bransfield Strait and to the Antarctic Peninsula. Weather dependent there will be 2 Zodiac excursions per day, allowing you to hopefully step foot on Antarctica and bringing you up close to Antarctica’s best spectacles, whilst searching for wildlife including a variety of seal species, whales, and of course numerous penguin rookeries.

During your time on the white continent your team of experts will offer insight into some of the most important and dramatic expeditions to these remote areas, and there should be time to visit an abandoned whaling station or a working scientific research station to gain a new perspective on life at the bottom of the world. For the adventurous there will be ample opportunities for optional kayaking excursions (please enquire for prices and availability), or you can choose to simply observe the sheer beauty and breathtaking scenery of the ice-choked waterways, blue and white icebergs, impressive glaciers and rugged snow-capped mountains.

As your exhilarating time in Antarctica comes to end it’s time to head back to South America as we sail across the famous Drake Passage towards Ushuaia in Argentina. Enjoy the last of the informative lecture programme, some more wildlife spotting on deck, and some time to reflect on the wonderful experiences you will have had during your time at the bottom of the world.

Arrival into the port of Ushuaia signals the end of our exciting Antarctic adventure. Disembarkation will begin after breakfast and a complimentary transfer will be provided either to the airport for onward flights or to a downtown location should you wish to extend your stay here in the world’s southernmost city.