Wild Nature of Argentina & The Falklands

Your adventure will start in Buenos Aires where after having arrived independently you will join your transfer to your hotel for your included overnight stay. An early check-in is available and the rest of the day is free to spend at your leisure, giving you time to sample some of this incredible city. A group dinner will be arranged for the evening.

After breakfast the following morning your transfer will take you to the airport for your included flight to Ushuaia in southern Argentina. The flight will take approximately 3.5 hours and upon arrival you will be transferred to the port to begin embarkation. As you settle in to your luxury ship, we will set sail through the scenic Beagle Channel where some time on deck should reward in multiple seabird sightings.

Our first adventure will see us, if weather conditions allow, head for South America’s southernmost tip as we visit the famous Cape Horn in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. Known as the meeting point between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, we will hope to disembark here to enjoy a walk to the Horn’s iconic albatross monument and take in the spectacular views from this 425-metre high cliff.

We now turn north to begin our journey towards the Falklands and along the way we will sail past the mountainous and rugged Isla de los Estados where we will hope to be able to see the lighthouse that inspired Jules Verne’s Lighthouse at the End of the World. This tiny Argentinean island in the extreme far-east of the Tierra del Fuego is a real nature sanctuary and as we sail we will hope for sightings of the Commerson’s dolphins and Magellanic penguins that are often seen here.

Today we will arrive along the southeast coast of the Falkland Islands and will prepare to begin our exploration of this remote and remarkable archipelago. Our first stop is likely to bring us to beautiful Bleaker Island to discover its rugged cliffs and vast beaches of white sand or pebbles. The island is, in part, a National Nature Reserve and as we explore by Zodiac dinghy or on foot, we will hope for some wildlife sightings here including gentoo and king penguins, sheep and over 50 bird species including blackish oystercatchers and large colonies of imperial shags.

Later this afternoon we will make our way to Port Stanley, the vibrant capital of the Falklands where we will go ashore to sample the town’s uniquely British feel. Discover the brightly coloured houses, beautiful waterfront, quirky pubs, museum and church of this remote and fascinating town.

We now make our way westwards towards the Falkland Sound where we will stop at the southern entrance to the sound to discover the coves and coastline of Barren Island. As we reach the island by Zodiac, we are likely to be greeted by the sight of seals and sea lions basking along the shore, an abundant colony of gentoo penguins and large colonies of giant petrels flying overhead, all surrounded by truly unspoiled and majestic scenery.

We will then cruise through the Falkland Sound, a first for expedition cruising, between the two main islands of the Falkland Islands, West Falkland and East Falkland. Admire as the deep blue of the water merges with the distinctive green of the peat-covered moors and soak up the beauty of the peaceful prairie landscape punctuated by coves and bays which you will discover as you sail along.

We now arrive at The Neck, a narrow stretch of land connecting the two sides of Saunders Island, where you will join your naturalist guides for a walk around these blustery surroundings where a veritable paradise of endless shoreline lapped by turquoise waters creates a most spectacular sight. This stunning location is also home to several bird species including black-browed albatross and Magellanic, king and southern rockhopper penguins.

On Carcass Island, more scenic wonders await as we soak up the island’s landscape of steep rocks, sheer cliffs, wild expanses and white-sand beaches where, thanks to being one of the few islands where no predators have been introduced, an abundant number of birds live, breed and are born in total serenity. Royal and southern rockhopper penguins are also likely to be spotted here.

Next up we will make our way through the turbulent Woolly Gut strait and emerge in the stillness of Grave Cove where, as we step on to the wide sandy beach, we may be accompanied by some of the Commerson's dolphins that are regularly sighted here. More wildlife awaits as we make our way across the grassy dunes to one of the largest gentoo penguin colonies in the area that resides here alongside the famous Falkland Islands sheep. We may also have good chances of spotting sea lions here.

On the distinctive jagged landmass of New Island, we will make land to enjoy a walk across the golden sand of the flower-lined beaches to discover more of this remote natural paradise. A short walk through the typical Falkland moorlands will see you reach a colony of southern rockhopper penguins. In this location we will also have the opportunity to observe large colonies of imperial shags and the mighty black-browed albatross as they swoop majestically from the cliffs to the waves.

Your last stop in the Falklands will bring you to the spectacular Steeple Jason Island on the extreme north-west corner of the archipelago. Home to the largest black-browed albatross colony in the world, birders and photographers alike will delight in witnessing these magnificent birds as they perform their endless ballet and soar majestically across the beautiful coastline. Caracaras, gentoo penguins and Magellanic penguins are also in abundance here…the perfect way to round off your Falklands adventure.

After more than a week of exciting adventures, it’s time for some well-deserved relaxation as we spend the day sailing back towards the Argentina mainland. Treat yourself with a relaxing visit to the spa, chill out in the bar with your new-found friends, join some of the onboard lectures and presentations delivered by your team of destination experts, or spend some time on deck searching for sightings of marine mammals and seabirds.

As we reach southern Argentina’s enchanting Chubut province, we will make land at the small town of Camarones which is noted for its wealth of geological and paleontological features. As we explore along its lengthy unspoiled coastline we will hope for more wildlife sightings and scenic wonders.

Your final adventure will see you discover the city of Puerto Madryn which is nestled in the Golfo Nuevo and is surrounded by wild and abundant nature. We will spend 2 days here exploring, with a highlight being a visit to the Valdes Peninsula nature reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we are likely to spot a wealth of wildlife on land and at sea, including southern right whales, southern elephant seals, southern sea lions and orcas, alongside Magellanic penguins, guanacos and Patagonian maras.

As your journey nears its conclusion, we will spend 2 days relaxing at sea as we sail towards the bustling city of Buenos Aires, a stark contrast to the remote lands you will have discovered on your adventure.

Your Argentina and Falklands expedition concludes back in vibrant Buenos Aires where it will be time to disembark and make your way homewards or onwards.