Highlights

No other voyage compares: spend more time exploring the Falkland Islands and South Georgia than ever before on this exclusive 20-Day Falkland Islands and South Georgia expedition. Sailing from the Patagonian coastal city of Puerto Madryn, you’ll reach the northwesternmost islands of the Falklands—a rare achievement for even the most seasoned polar adventurers. Enjoy three days exploring the Falklands archipelago, with visits to spectacular sites like Steeple Jason—the world’s largest black-browed albatross colony—and New Island. Then immerse yourself for six full days in wildlife-rich South Georgia—virtually unheard of in expedition travel.

Enjoy more time in the Falklands and South Georgia than any other itinerary
Explore spectacular Steeple Jason and New Island, famous for diverse wildlife
Encounter southern elephant seals during peak pupping season
Potentially see six penguin species: gentoo, chinstrap, Magellanic, rockhopper, king and macaroni
Pay homage at the grave of explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton
Potentially see four species of dolphins: Commerson’s, Peale’s, dusky, and hourglass

Map & Itinerary

Day 1Arrive in Puerto Madryn, Argentina

Arrive in Puerto Madryn and transfer independently to your hotel, which is included in the Charter Flight & Hotel Package. Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to explore this vibrant coastal city, known for its sweeping beaches and rich marine life along the shores of the Golfo Nuevo. Puerto Madryn offers a unique blend of nature and culture, with opportunities to observe diverse wildlife and enjoy the tranquil waters that define this Patagonian gateway.

Day 2Embarkation in Puerto Madryn

Following breakfast at your hotel, you’ll board your vessel in Puerto Madryn and begin your expedition. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure ahead.

Day 3-4At Sea: Getting to know your ship and fellow travelers

From Puerto Madryn we set our course for Islas Malvinas, also known as the Falkland Islands, where we aim to dedicate at least three days to exploration. En route, we will transit rich waters that support an array of wildlife, and in these latitudes—between 42 and 51 degrees north—you may spot avian and marine species you might not see further south. Be sure to spend time on the outer decks taking in the open water, and keep your binoculars handy for any wildlife sightings. Your Expedition Team will host expert presentations about the Patagonian coastlines and the isolated wildlife hotspots of the Falklands and South Georgia.

Day 5-7The Falkland Islands (Las Malvinas)

With extended time in the Falklands, we’ll seek opportunities to visit seldom explored sites renowned for birdlife and beauty. Our destinations will depend entirely on weather and marine forecasts, as the outer Falklands are exposed to oceanic swells. We’ll choose locations that offer the best—and safest—conditions for exploration.

Day 8-9At Sea: Traversing the Antarctic Convergence

While at sea, we may become aware of our transit over the Antarctic Convergence, or Polar Front. This biological boundary marks where the South Atlantic meets the Southern Ocean, and we’ll notice the change as we cross it. Below the Convergence, the water is much colder; where it meets the warmer Atlantic, cloudy or foggy conditions often form. This mixing of currents creates an ideal foraging ground for a variety of birds and marine mammals. We’ll likely be accompanied by albatross, petrels, and shearwaters, and may spot whales—some species more often than others. Far from shore, we might see Antarctic fur seals. Seeing prions (part of the petrel family) and shags in greater numbers indicates we’re approaching South Georgia.

Day 10-15South Georgia: Galapagos of the South Seas

After enjoying South Georgia from a distance, we’ll head toward its numerous beaches to find a bay for your first excursion. Landing sites are varied, largely determined by the weather conditions. The sites you visit will deliver wildlife encounters unrivaled anywhere else on Earth. Biodiverse South Georgia—often described as the Galapagos of the south seas—is one of the most fertile breeding grounds in the world for sub-Antarctic wildlife, with beaches blanketed with penguins and seals. It won’t take you long to realize that you are in a birder’s paradise, as burrowing seabirds, albatrosses, and petrels can be seen in abundance. You’ll find that South Georgia, once a popular base for whalers and sealers, is also scattered with abandoned relics and evidence of human activity from centuries gone by.

Day 16-19At Sea: Starting the Journey Home

To say that South Georgia is remote would be an understatement, and as such, we’ll need to invest the necessary time to travel the more than 1,000 nautical miles on our return to South America. We’ll begin our westward journey through the Southern Ocean, crossing back over the Antarctic Convergence and passing near Burwood Bank—a shallow underwater plateau surrounded by deeper waters. All three of these dynamic regions can provide opportunities for bird-watching and marine mammal sightings, and we’ll feel the gradual shift from the chillier ecological Antarctic to the somewhat warmer environments of Tierra del Fuego. If the skies are clear and visibility is good, we might catch our first views of the South American mountains on the horizon well before nightfall. As with other regions we’ve visited, the shelves near the continent can be rich with birdlife and occasionally marine mammals—but the journey isn’t over quite yet. After dinner, we will sail west through the famous Beagle Channel on our approach to Ushuaia, Argentina.

Day 20Disembark in Ushuaia

Once the ship has docked in Ushuaia, you will bid farewell to your Expedition Team and shipmates before completing your disembarkation. You are then free to continue your onward journey.

Please note: This itinerary is meant to serve as a general guide. Plans may change along the way, depending on weather, sea conditions, or choices made by the Expedition Leader and team to give you the safest and most rewarding experience.

Inclusions/Exclusions

Rates include the following:

An official expedition parka to keep
Leadership throughout your voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore landings and other activities
All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
All shore landings as per the daily program
Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible.)
Complimentary select beer, wines and cocktails during bar service hours and dinner
Complimentary coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
A photographic journal documenting the expedition
A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
Complimentary Wi-Fi service on one device permitting basic Internet browsing, email, posting on social media and voice applications. (Premium packages are available for more data-intensive applications.) Note: Internet access in the polar regions is subject to geography, climate, and other factors beyond our control
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
All luggage handling aboard the ship

Rates do not include the following:

Passport and visa expenses
Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above
Meals ashore unless otherwise specified
Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
Excess-baggage fees on international and domestic flights
Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned
Laundry, bar, spa and other personal charges unless specified
Phone charges may vary by location
Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew
Additional overnight accommodation
Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities

Adventure Activities

Sea Kayaking (at an additional cost)

Paddling Excursion (at an additional cost)

Gallery

Dates & Prices

All prices are subject to availability, quoted per person and expressed in USD.

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