Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia

Itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Buenos Aires

Fly to Buenos Aires, via Sao Paulo or Madrid, with LAN or Iberia. Alternatively, for a supplement, fly direct from London to Buenos Aires with British Airways (N)

Day 2: Buenos Aires (or Montevideo*)

Morning arrival. Transfer to Hotel Intersur Recoleta or similar for 1 night. Afternoon at leisure or take an optional city tour. (N)

Day 3: Ushuaia (or Puerto Madryn*)

Fly to Ushuaia, the world’s most southerly city and stay overnight at Hotel Albatros or similar. (B)

Day 4: Ushuaia / embark cruise

Morning at leisure or take an optional excursion. This afternoon, board your expedition vessel and set sail for the Falkland Islands. The voyage itinerary and excursions are subject to weather, sea and ice conditions, as well as wildlife sightings. (B, D)

Day 5: At sea

Sail east towards the Falkland Islands. While at sea you will be presented with lectures on the islands’ wildlife and history. (B, L, D)

Days 6-7: Falkland Islands

Spend two days exploring these islands, which have a unique sub-Antarctic eco-system. Around 70 different animal species live on these islands, including black-browed albatrosses, striated caracaras, southern sea lions as well as rockhopper, gentoo, Magellanic and king penguins. (B, L, D)

Days 8-9: At sea

Continue sailing east across the Southern Ocean towards South Georgia. The vessel will cross the Antarctic Convergence and into Antarctic waters. Prepare for arrival in South Georgia with lectures about the island, its history and stories from the expeditions of Shackleton and other polar explorers. (B, L, D)

Days 10-13: South Georgia

Remote and rugged South Georgia features spectacular scenery with magnificent mountains and icy glaciers. Here, learn about the human history and marvel at the superb concentration of wildlife. Visits may include whaling stations, historic sites, including Shackleton’s grave, and wildlife colonies. The wildlife here is very different to that in Antarctica and you can expect to see vast colonies of fur and elephant seals and king penguins. Birdlife species include the cape petrel, giant petrel and the Antarctic prion. (B, L, D)

Daya 14-15: At sea

Sail south across the Scotia Sea past Elephant Island to the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula. A series of talks on the wildlife of Antarctica and the history of exploration will be given during these days at sea. Keep a watch out for sea birds, whales and icebergs. (B, L, D)

Days 16-20: Antarctica & the South Shetland Islands

Voyage around the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands and search for penguins, beautiful sea birds and whales, while taking in the spectacular icy scenery, geology and historic sites. Weather, wind and ice conditions will greatly influence the programme, however, places that may be visited include Deception Island, Port Lockroy, Paradise Harbour, Wilhelmina Bay and the Antarctic Sound. (B, L, D)

The expedition team aims to make daily excursions by zodiac, which may include shore landings to hike along snowy ridges or pebbled beaches, explorations of bays and channels, and navigations amid icebergs.

Days 21-22: The Drake Passage

Cross this infamous stretch of water, which is the meeting point of two of the world’s greatest oceans, the Atlantic and the Pacific. On board the ship, relive some of the experiences of this fascinating voyage in a series of lectures. Pass Cape Horn, the southernmost point of South America, en route to Ushuaia. (B, L, D)

Day 23: Fly to Buenos Aires

Arrive in Ushuaia and disembark. Fly to Buenos Aires for an overnight stay. (B)

Day 24: Fly home

Fly to London via Sao Paulo or Madrid with LAN or Iberia, or direct to London with British Airways. Arrive the following day. (B)

Day 25: Arrive in London

Morning arrival. (N)