Highlights

This is a dedicated 15-day expedition to South Georgia, not a stop between destinations but a journey devoted entirely to one of the world’s greatest wildlife sanctuaries. With an aim for eight days exploring the island, you’ll have the luxury of time to discover its spectacular coastline, historic landing sites, dramatic mountain scenery, and extraordinary abundance of wildlife at a pace few expeditions can match.

Early Austral spring reveals South Georgia at a remarkable moment. Frost-white beaches remain untouched, king penguins gather in their hundreds of thousands, elephant seal bulls battle for dominance, and fur seal numbers have yet to peak, opening access to landing sites that become far more restricted later in the season. Long golden evenings stretch across the landscape, with a sense of solitude rarely found elsewhere.

36 guests. Six senior polar guides. One purpose-built expedition vessel with active fin stabilisers and hybrid propulsion for the Southern Ocean crossing. Every landing decided by conditions and opportunity, not by a printed schedule.

South Georgia as the destination, not a stop — 15 days devoted entirely to the island, with no transit ports before or after.
Eight full days on South Georgia — a flexible schedule shaped around weather, wildlife and opportunities in the field.
Early-season wildlife — witness king penguins in courtship, elephant seal bulls competing for dominance, wandering albatrosses, fur seals, macaroni and gentoo penguins.
Explore Shackleton’s island — visit historic sites including Grytviken, Stromness and Fortuna Bay, alongside remote locations such as Bird Island, Cooper Bay and Drygalski Fjord.
Expert photography guidance — a dedicated photography guide accompanies every departure.
Aureum’s fin-stabilised crossing — designed for greater comfort during the Scotia Sea crossing.
Micro-scale exploration — four Zodiacs allow all 36 guests to get ashore within minutes, without the queues associated with larger expedition ships.

Map/Itinerary

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.

Day 1Depart Port Stanley, Falkland Islands

Port Stanley, Falkland Islands
Embarkation day. Most guests fly into Mount Pleasant Airport, where the expedition team will meet you. Luggage is transferred directly to the vessel. We take a charter bus into Stanley together.

If you are already on the Falklands, join us at the Tourist Office from 15:00. The afternoon is yours — the Maritime Museum, a walk along the waterfront, a pint at the Globe.

Aboard by 18:00 for mandatory safety briefings. That evening, the official start: welcome cocktail, dinner, first introductions.

Day 2-3Southern Ocean

The Scotia Sea passage. Aureum’s dynamic fin stabilisers keep the crossing manageable; the programme on board does the rest – polar science lectures, photography workshops, personal accounts from the expedition team.

On day 3, we hope to cross the Antarctic Convergence and pass Shag Rocks – isolated jagged islets with exceptional concentrations of seabirds, seals, and whales. The first land since the Falklands. South Georgia is close.

Day 4-11South Georgia

South Georgia hosts some of the greatest concentrations of wildlife on earth.

Our approach takes us past Bird Island, one of the largest numbers of albatross nesting on earth. Wildlife meets you at the water’s edge before the first landing and the sound of seven million penguins arrives before the sight does.

Stand at Salisbury Plain among 50,000 king penguins, or at St Andrews Bay among 200,000. The sound arrives before the sight does. Our flexible schedule should take us to key colonies at the best times to witness these awe-inspiring moments.

Grytviken is a formal customs stop, the museum and the abandoned whaling station reward proper time. In the whalers’ cemetery, Shackleton and Frank Wild rest beneath simple headstones.

We aim to explore South Georgia’s wildest corners. The eight days that follow are shaped around early morning landings in golden light. Possible locations include: Bird Island, Elsehul Bay, Fortuna Bay, Stromness Bay, Cooper Bay, Drygalski Fjord, Grytviken, Nordenskjold Glacier, Ocean Harbour, King Haakon Bay.

Day 12-14Southern Ocean

Aureum turns north. The return passage mirrors the crossing south — lectures, workshops, time on deck, the rhythm of life at sea.

We hope to reach the Falkland Islands during the second half of day 14. Conditions allowing, a final shore visit before the expedition draws to a close.

Day 15Port Stanley

Disembarkation after breakfast. A briefing from local airport authorities on timings and procedures. The expedition team will organise the transfer to Mount Pleasant Airport.

Inclusions/Exclusions

Inclusions

Scheduled transfers between Mount Pleasant Airport and the vessel in Stanley, as specified in the itinerary.
Leadership throughout the voyage by the experienced Expedition Team, including lectures, workshops, Zodiac cruising and shore landings.
All scheduled Zodiac cruises, transfers and shore landings, subject to weather, sea and operational conditions.
Shipboard accommodation with daily cabin service and full board, including tea, coffee and drinking water; selected beverages served with meals.
Available Starlink Wi-Fi
Complimentary use of rubber expedition boots for shore landings.
Access to the ship’s medical facilities and expedition doctor; treatment and medication may be chargeable.
Photography guidance and workshops.
IAATO fees, permits, South Georgia ESTA, port charges and applicable operational fees.
Comprehensive pre-departure information and assistance.

Exclusions

International and domestic flights, including flights to and from the Falkland Islands, unless expressly listed as included.
Passport, visa, vaccination, reciprocity and other entry requirements or charges.
Comprehensive travel insurance, as required under the Secret Atlas Terms and Conditions.
Excess baggage charges and luggage exceeding any published flight allowance.
Additional accommodation, meals and transfers not expressly listed as included.
Personal expenses, including laundry, bar purchases outside the included service, telephone charges and optional premium internet services.
Medical treatment, medication, evacuation or repatriation costs.
Optional activities, private arrangements or independent excursions not expressly listed as included.
Gratuities for shipboard crew and Expedition Team.