This is a once in a lifetime adventure for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers alike. Antarctica is the land of penguins, seals, whales and icebergs. As we sail to South Georgia from Elephant Island, we follow in the footsteps of the heroic polar explorer, Shackleton. Penguins rule South Georgia. They number in the hundreds of thousands and carpet beaches as far as the eye can see. It is home to the greatest concentration of wildlife on Earth and the final resting place of Shackleton. The Falkland Islands are ruggedly beautiful, with their spectacular array of birdlife, flora and fauna
Day 1 - Ushuaia, Argentina
(*October 2024 departure from Puerto Madryn - contact us for itinerary details).
On arrival at Ushuaia Airport, please make your way through to the
Arrivals Hall where our representative will be waiting for you to
transfer you to your hotel. The first night of your voyage is spent in
the quaint town of Ushuaia, the most southerly city in the world and
the capital of Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire). The remainder of the
day is at leisure and you are free to explore, maybe making a few last
minute purchases from the many shops or artisan markets, or relaxing
in a café. Avenida San Martin is the main street and there are some
excellent museums to visit or you may prefer to wander the streets
taking in the town’s dramatic setting, with views of the mountains to
the north and the Beagle Channel to the south.
Day 2 - Embarkation in Ushuaia
This morning is again free for you to explore Ushuaia further, or
maybe discover Tierra del Fuego National Park, the most southerly
national park of South America. The park offers a range of hiking
trails that lead you through the stunningly beautiful and dramatic
scenery of snow-capped peaks, lush meadows, rugged coastline,
glaciers, waterfalls and lakes. Look out for guanaco, Andean foxes,
muskrats and the North American beaver. Birds found here include the
Andean condor, Magellanic oystercatcher, kelp goose, austral parakeet
and torrent duck. Late this afternoon we transfer to the port of
Ushuaia in time for embarkation on board the Ocean Endeavour. The
Expedition Team and the Ship’s Officers will be waiting to welcome us
aboard. As we set sail, familiarise yourself with the layout of the
Ocean Endeavour and its great amenities and enjoy a welcome dinner.
This evening we sail along the wildlife-rich Beagle Channel, towards
the White Continent of Antarctica. As we leave the lights of Ushuaia
behind, look out for Magellanic penguins, rock cormorants, petrels and
black-browed albatross from the deck as well as noisy sea lion
colonies.
Days 3 to 4 - At Sea, Crossing the Drake Passage
The infamous Drake Passage, named after the famous English explorer,
Sir Frances Drake, separates the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula from
the southernmost tip of South America. It is often rough and
turbulent, but sometimes as calm as a lake. It is unpredictable, so be
prepared! Enjoy the fabulous on board facilities, maybe join a yoga
class, or attend a presentation or two given by the Expedition Team to
prepare you for what lies ahead - from the geology of Antarctica to
the history, wildlife and even the ice! As we sail towards Antarctica,
there is a fall in temperature as we cross the Antarctic Convergence
and enter the waters of the Antarctic Ocean. The Antarctic Convergence
is marked by an increased number of seabirds, whales and other species
that are attracted by the nutrient-rich waters pushed to the surface
by the colder waters of the polar region flowing north and meeting the
warmer equatorial waters flowing south. Head out on deck to look for
the mighty albatrosses that fly overhead, scan the waters for
breaching whales and icebergs, or gaze out from the panoramic windows
of the observation deck. We continue our course south and hope to make
landfall by the evening of Day 4, depending on the weather conditions.
Keep on the look out for the first sighting of land - that heralds
your arrival to the White Continent!
Days 5 to 8 - South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
The next four days are spent exploring the South Shetland Islands and
Antarctic Peninsula, a region that has captivated explorers for
centuries and now enthrals travellers. We explore by Zodiac, cruising
amongst the magnificently sculpted icebergs and making shore landings
where we mingle with penguins, climb to vantage points to absorb the
spectacular panoramic views, maybe visiting a scientific or historic
base. There may even be opportunities to kayak and snowshoe and of
course learn more about photography with one of the experts.
Antarctica will enchant you with its incredible scenery, from imposing
glaciers to towering snow-capped peaks, vast icebergs and ice-strewn
channels. Not to mention the wildlife - from extensive colonies of
chinstrap, Gentoo and Adelie penguins, to crabeater, Weddell, fur and
elephant seals and a plethora of fascinating birds. Keep your eyes and
ears peeled for the mighty crack of a calving glacier. Maybe you will
be one of the brave few to take a polar plunge in the icy waters!
Every day brings a new experience and new landing site. As we cruise
from one landing site to the next, enjoy the continued lecture
programme and take in the scenery from the outer decks of the Ocean
Endeavour. Make the most of the health and fitness facilities from the
relaxing spa and saunas to the pool and gym.
Day 9 - Elephant Island
We leave the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands
behind us as we chart a course for historic Elephant Island. If
conditions permit, we will attempt to take the Zodiacs to Point Wild.
Elephant Island has its place firmly etched in polar history, as this
is where Shackleton’s crew from the 1914-17 Trans Antarctic Expedition
took refuge when their ship, The Endurance, was crushed by pack ice in
the Weddell Sea. They set up camp at Point Wild, a harsh and
inhospitable place and waited for over four months, whilst Shackleton
sailed with 5 other men in the James Laird lifeboat to South Georgia.
This is one of the most incredible adventure stories and most heroic
survival stories of all times.
Days 10 to 12 - At Sea
Leaving Elephant Island, we chart a course northeast towards South
Georgia. Learn to identify the seabirds that follow in the wake of the
ship or glide alongside the vessel including albatrosses, storm
petrels, shearwaters, and diving petrels. Look out for whales and
dolphins as you enjoy the silence of the sea. Attend lectures and
presentations by the Expedition Team as they prepare you for what lies
ahead on South Georgia - from the history and geology to the
incredible wildlife. Take in the panoramic views from the observation
lounge and spacious decks, or make the most of the on board facilities
that include a spa, saunas, saltwater pool, gym and yoga classes. If
weather conditions are favourable, we hope to make landfall on South
Georgia by late evening on day 12.
Days 13 to 15 - South Georgia
South Georgia captivates every traveller that steps foot on its
shores. Home to the greatest concentration of wildlife on the planet,
here penguins number in the hundreds of thousands, blanketing beaches
as far as the eye can see. We spend three days exploring this
stunningly beautiful island, an island that is not only overrun with
an incredible array of fauna, but one that is steeped in history.
South Georgia was an intrinsic part of Sir Ernest Shackleton's
ill-fated Endurance Expedition and was once the centre of the whaling
industry. South Georgia is home to over 30 million breeding birds,
thousands of seals, the introduced Norwegian reindeer, nesting sites
of the wandering albatross, four breeding species of penguin and the
largest colony of king penguins on this planet. It is known as the
‘Galapagos of the South’. If the wildlife is not enough of a draw card
- then the spectacular scenery against which it is set can only
enhance your visit - emerald green bays, snow-covered peaks and blue
glacier ice. We explore by Zodiac and kayak and on foot, with
opportunities to learn more about photography from one of our expert
guides. Every day provides a different experience and a different
location. Stand in awe amongst tens of thousands of penguins, look out
across beaches carpeted with elephant seals, visit the remains of
abandoned whaling stations and even the grave of Shackleton himself.
Days 16 to 17 - At Sea
Saying goodbye to the wildlife of South Georgia, we head west towards
the isolated and sparsely populated Falklands archipelago, where the
silence is broken only by the call of birds. Attend lectures and
presentations by the Expedition Team, relax and unwind in the His and
Hers saunas and spa and take advantage of all the other amenities on
board.
Days 18 to 19 - Falkland Islands
Have your camera at the ready as we approach the ruggedly beautiful
Falklands archipelago to capture not only the abundant wildlife but
also the incredible scenery. Over the next couple of days we explore
East and West Island by Zodiac and on foot as we make daily shore
landings and maybe even discover smaller inlets by kayak. Learn about
the intriguing and controversial history of the Falkland Islands as we
explore the quaint capital of Port Stanley, with its British outpost
feel. Near the town you may see Southern giant petrels, the endemic
Falkland steamer ducks, kelp gulls and dolphin gulls. There are also
black-crowned night herons, red-backed hawks, peregrine falcons and
turkey vultures. As we explore the islands, look out for the 5 species
of penguins found here, large populations of black-browed albatrosses,
elephant and fur seals, Peale’s and Commerson’s dolphins, orcas and a
myriad of bird species including the Falkland’s flightless steamer
duck, imperial shags and Cobb’s wrens.
Day 20 - At Sea
After our exploration of the Falkland Islands, we set sail on a
course west, bound for the city of Ushuaia, the most southerly city in
the world and the capital of Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire).
Day 21 - Disembarkation in Ushuaia*
We are scheduled to arrive into Ushuaia early this morning, and we
disembark after a final breakfast aboard the Ocean Endeavour. After
saying our farewells to our Expedition Team and the crew of the Ocean
Endeavour, we transfer you to the airport for your onward flight, or
you may like to spend a extra days in Ushuaia, giving you time to
explore this fascinating town and the surrounding areas.
Please Note:
*October departure starts in Puerto Madryn*, Argentina - contact us for a detailed itinerary!
You are advised not to book a flight out of Ushuaia before midday
on disembarkation day, in case of delays caused by unfavourable
weather conditions.