This Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctic Peninsula cruise is an animal-lover’s dream come true.
The expedition explores one of the last untamed areas on Earth – a land of ruggedly beautiful landscapes and amazingly varied wildlife.
** The Feb 20, 2024 departure of this itinerary includes Elephant Island and the Polar Circle, and has a duration of 23 days – 22 nights
Your voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of the evening.
Sailing onward, we cross the famed Drake Passage – a body of water that marks the intersection of the cold Antarctic with the warmer Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Several species of albatross follow the vessel into the westerlies, along with storm petrels, shearwaters, and diving petrels.
The capital of the Falklands and center of its culture, Stanley is a great place to enjoy some Victorian-era charm: colorful houses, well-tended gardens, and English-style pubs abound here. You can also see several century-old clipper ships nearby, silent witnesses to the hardships of 19th century sailors. The local museum is also worth a visit and offers free admission, covering the early days of settlement up to the Falklands War. Approximately 2,500 people currently live in Stanley.
There may be sea ice on this route, and at the edge of the ice some south polar skuas and snow petrels could join the other seabirds trailing the vessel south.
Conditions permitting, you might visit Orcadas Base today. Orcadas is an Argentine research station on Laurie Island in the South Orkney archipelago. The personnel will happily show you their facility, where you can enjoy expansive views of the surrounding glaciers. If a visit isn’t possible, however, we may instead land in Coronation Island’s Shingle Cove.
Enormous icebergs and a fair chance of fin whale sightings ensure there’s never a dull moment on this last sea voyage south. Also, this is your best chance to spot Antarctic petrels. Depending on conditions, we aim to begin activities the afternoon of day 15.
We are now into the last leg of this adventurous voyage, heading back to Ushuaia.
After a hearty farewell to vessel and crew, we disembark in the morning after breakfast.
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