Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands Explorer - 20 Days

Once you have arrived in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel.

This afternoon, you can unwind and settle in after your journey or head out to explore Ushuaia at your own pace. The city’s bustling harbour, colourful buildings, and crisp southern air create a distinctive atmosphere that perfectly marks the beginning of our Antarctic adventure.

Later in the day, we invite you to join an optional evening briefing – an opportunity to meet some of your fellow travellers and ask questions about the voyage ahead.

Today, you will have the morning at leisure. You may wish to take a gentle walk through Ushuaia, visit a local museum, or relax at the hotel before the adventure begins.

In the mid-afternoon, we transfer to the port where our expedition ship awaits. Once on board, we’re greeted by the Expedition Team and crew and shown to our cabins. Before setting sail, we attend a short safety and orientation briefing, followed by the Captain’s Welcome Dinner.

As evening approaches, we set sail and begin our journey south toward the white continent, leaving the lights of Ushuaia behind and heading into the vast Southern Ocean.

As we sail south into the vast Southern Ocean, our Antarctic adventure truly begins with a day of preparation, learning, and discovery on board.

We attend important briefings on environmental regulations and expedition safety, ensuring we’re fully prepared for the days ahead. Between sessions, our team of scientific and environmental experts deliver engaging presentations on the wildlife, history, and geology of the regions we’ll soon be exploring. Their knowledge and enthusiasm bring the Antarctic environment vividly to life.

When not attending talks, you may wish to spend time on deck watching for seabirds or simply enjoy the rhythm of the ocean as we make steady progress south towards Falkland Island.

We reach the remote and rugged western islands of the Falklands today, a landscape defined by dramatic coastlines, windswept grasslands, and abundant wildlife.

As we go ashore, we explore some of the region’s most isolated settlements and unspoiled environments. The western islands are renowned for their thriving bird colonies, and we’ll have the chance to walk among nesting Albatross and several species of penguin, including Rockhopper, King, and Magellanic. Their lively calls and curious behaviour make this a memorable first encounter with the Southern Ocean’s remarkable wildlife.

Between landings, we take time to enjoy the scenery from deck as our expedition vessel cruises along the islands’ rugged cliffs, offering excellent views of seabirds gliding effortlessly on the wind.

Today, we arrive in Stanley, the main settlement of the Falklands, nestled along a sheltered harbour on East Falkland Island. This lively town offers an interesting insight into daily life in one of the world’s most remote communities.

During our time ashore, we visit the Falkland Islands Museum, which houses fascinating exhibits on maritime exploration, natural history and the 1982 conflict. We also visit Gypsy Cove, part of the Cape Pembroke peninsula and designated as a National Nature Preserve. Here, Magellanic penguins breed in underground burrows close to the beach.

Other native birds often seen in this area include Black crowned Night Herons, Long-tailed Meadowlarks, Two-banded Plovers and both Upland and Kelp Geese. Nearby Ordnance Point is another place of interest where several World War II guns remain in place as historical reminders of the past.

Over the next two days, we make our way east across the Antarctic Convergence and officially enter Antarctic waters. These nutrient-rich seas attract an incredible variety of birdlife, and we keep our binoculars close at hand as the skies fill with movement.

We may spot the world’s largest bird, the Wandering Albatross, gliding effortlessly above the waves, along with Southern Giant Petrels and the tiny Wilson’s Storm Petrels, all using the ocean winds to their advantage.

Keep watch for whale blows in the distance and perhaps even our very first iceberg sighting, a thrilling sign that we are drawing closer to the polar world ahead.

During these days, we explore the extraordinary island of South Georgia, often called the Serengeti of the Southern Ocean for its astonishing abundance of wildlife. The island teems with penguins, seals and seabirds, set against a backdrop of snow-covered mountains, towering glaciers and glittering icebergs.

As we journey along the sheltered coast, we combine remarkable wildlife encounters with a glimpse into the island’s history. We visit the old whaling station at Grytviken, once a centre of Antarctic industry, where Sir Ernest Shackleton is buried in a small, windswept cemetery.

Each day offers a new highlight, from beaches packed with King Penguins to fur seals resting on the shore and albatross soaring above. South Georgia’s powerful blend of natural beauty, wildlife and history makes it one of the most memorable destinations of our voyage.

As we continue our journey south across the Scotia Sea, the scenery becomes ever more dramatic. The icebergs grow larger and more frequent, their brilliant shapes glinting in the sunlight as we sail onwards.

As we sail, our team continues to deliver engaging presentations that deepen our understanding of the remarkable environment around us. Between talks, we spend time on deck keeping watch for seabirds and marine life that thrive in these cold southern waters.

Over the next four days, we will explore the magnificent Antarctic Peninsula and the nearby South Shetland Islands, a region of striking beauty and abundant wildlife. We navigate through narrow channels filled with icebergs and into calm bays.

There may be visits to active research stations and historic landing sites that share the story of early exploration and ongoing scientific work in this remote part of the world. Along the coastline and out at sea, we encounter lively penguin colonies, seals resting on the ice and whales surfacing nearby.

Each day offers something extraordinary, whether it’s the stillness of an icy bay, the sight of a glacier calving into the water or the quiet thrill of seeing wildlife thriving in its natural habitat.

For the next two days, we sail north across the legendary Drake Passage, leaving the frozen landscapes of Antarctica behind. Known for its strong swells, this stretch of ocean offers a final taste of adventure as we make our way back towards South America.

We join talks and informal discussions that reflect on the highlights of our voyage, from remarkable wildlife sightings to the history and geology of the polar regions. There is time to relax, enjoy the ship’s facilities or stand on the deck watching seabirds glide above the waves.

On our last evening, we celebrate our shared journey with a farewell dinner and a presentation of photographs that capture the spirit of our Antarctic adventure.

After our final breakfast, we arrive back in Ushuaia and prepare to disembark. We will then say goodbye to our fellow travellers and crew. Safe travels!