This all-encompassing voyage covers the wildlife havens of the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, as well as heading deep into the continent to the Weddell Sea. You'll enter a world inhabited by king penguins, the second tallest in the world, elephant seals and killer whales (orcas), plus various other penguin species. You're also in Shackleton's domain, and will see where this pioneering explorer's crew survived for four months in the harsh Antarctic winter.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
1
Join in Ushuaia
Step aboard in the late afternoon to a cordial welcome, introductory briefing and an evening departure along the Beagle Channel. Settle into your homely cabin, explore the ship and enjoy a drink with your shipmates.
Overnight Comfortable Cruise Boat
2
Cross Drake Passage
Tune into the Southern Ocean as we cross Drake Passage. Our naturalists and historian inform us about Antarctica and the weeks ahead. Safety and environmental briefings prepare us for landings, while the outer decks and flying bridge offer the best vantage points for photography and wildlife viewing.
Overnight Comfortable Cruise Boat
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
3
Cross the Antarctic Convergence
The temperature plummets as we cross the biological boundary of the Antarctic Convergence. Cormorants, penguins and seals mark our approach to the South Shetland Islands, where we may well land.
Overnight Comfortable Cruise Boat
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
4 to 6
The Weddell Sea
Sail through Antarctic Sound with its spectacular iceberg parade, and into the Weddell Sea. Along the way we may set foot on the Antarctic continent, watch for whales and seals in a sea of abundance, and visit magnificent penguins rookeries at the Antarctic Peninsula’s northern end. In the Weddell Sea we begin to trace Shackleton’s path.
Overnight Comfortable Cruise Boat
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
7
Elephant Island
Approaching the steep slopes of Elephant Island, home to 22 of Shackleton’s men for four months, we hope for a clear view of the spot where the men wintered beneath upturned boats. With luck we go ashore to pay tribute to these hardy souls.
Overnight Comfortable Cruise Boat
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
8
Sail across Scotia Sea
Following in Shackleton’s wake, we sail across the Scotia Sea, detouring to the remote, mountainous South Orkney Islands. Zodiac cruise through a maze of icebergs, landing at a beach decorated with autumnal-hued lichen-encrusted boulders.
Overnight Comfortable Cruise Boat
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
9
Continue across the Scotia Sea
Time to reflect on all we’ve seen and learned, to prepare for the next phase of our journey as we continue across the Scotia Sea
Overnight Comfortable Cruise Boat
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
10
South Georgia's Southern Coast
We enter King Haakon Bay on South Georgia’s southern coast and may make a ceremonial landing at Cave Cove, Shackleton’s first landfall after his epic open boat voyage. We farewell our alpine crossing party here as they begin their own adventurous journey through the crevassed terrain of the island’s interior
Overnight Comfortable Cruise Boat
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
11 to 14
South Georgia
While the alpine party crosses the mountains and passes of South Georgia, the shipboard party explores the bays and promontories, revelling in the island’s extraordinary diversity of wildlife. We are spoiled for choice of landings: the world’s largest penguin rookeries, wandering albatross on nests, beaches of elephant and fur seals, and Grytviken’s whaling museum vie for our attention. You may choose to hike from Fortuna to Stromness, whose whaling station marked the ending of Shackleton’s arduous island crossing.
Overnight Comfortable Cruise Boat
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
15 to 17
Back to the Scotia Sea
Back to the Scotia Sea for a relaxing interlude. We continue our Antarctic education and wildlife watching en route to the Falkland Islands.
Overnight Comfortable Cruise Boat
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
18
Sea Lion Island
Sea Lion Island offers a welcome opportunity to stretch our legs. Amongst a treasure trove of birdlife, Falkland Island steamer ducks and Magellanic penguins enliven walks through the tussock. There are clifftops to explore, birds and southern sea lions to watch.
Overnight Comfortable Cruise Boat
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
19
At Sea
Prions, petrels and albatross accompany us on the last leg of our voyage as we swap photos and stories and reflect on shared adventures.
Overnight Comfortable Cruise Boat
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
20
Cruise ends Ushuaia
In the wee hours we sail up the Beagle Channel to dock in Ushuaia. A hearty breakfast and fond farewell prepare us for leave-taking and the next leg of our respective journeys.
Included meals: Breakfast