Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands
November 2007 - March 2008
South Georgia is a Mecca for anyone interested in nature and wildlife. The island is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and inspiring places on earth. Here, hundreds of thousands of king penguins nest side by side with elephant seals and wandering albatrosses.
A 19-day expedition to Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands
Our expedition cruise starts in the Falkland Islands, and oasis for penguins and porpoises. Followed by albatrosses we continue to the ice crowned paradise island of South Georgia. The island offers its visitors a stunningly beautiful nature with wild, snow-covered mountains and enormous glaciers. The island’s lush coastline is home to seals, albatrosses and several hundred thousand majestic king penguins. In the waters around the island we may encounter orcas and other whales. We continue to the Antarctic Peninsula where we are met by dramatic landscapes, gigantic icebergs and penguins galore. Join one of PolarQuest’s comfortable expedition ships and let us take you into this fairytale world.
Join us on an expedition cruise on board our comfortable expedition ships >>
Day 1: Santiago, Chile
Fly to Santiago, Chile and check into a centrally located hotel.
Day 2: Santiago, Chile
We explore Santiago, beautifully located by the Andean mountain range.
Day 3: Port Stanley, Falkland Islands
Fly to Port Stanley and explore this charming capital of the Falklands. Sail in the afternoon.
Day 4: Falkland Islands
Today we explore an island where gentoo, magellanic and rockhopper penguins nest. When we leave the Falklands this evening we may see some of the dolphins that live in these waters.
Day 5 - 6: The Southern Ocean
We steam Southeast and keep a lookout for whales. Meanwhile, our guides entertain us with lectures on Antarctic wildlife and history.
Day 7-10: South Georgia
This paradise island offers impressive mountain chains, mighty glaciers and penguin covered beaches. Thousands of king penguins greet us at St. Andrews Bay. On Prion Islet we see nesting wandering albatrosses, the world’s largest flying seabird with a wingspan of nearly 4 metres! Huge elephant seals lounge on sandy beaches and this
early in the season we may see their dramatic harem fights. We also see wild reindeer, fur seals and macaroni penguins. For anyone who likes wildlife South Georgia is a dream! The island played a very significant role in Shackleton’s epic journey. After the sinking of his ship, the Endurance, he crossed a furious ocean in an open boat and reached South Georgia. We visit his grave at Grytviken, a once-active whaling station, which also houses a little museum.
Day 11 - 12: At Sea
We leave South Georgia and travel towards the world’s most remote continent – Antarctica.
Day 13 - 16: South Shetlands, Antarctic Peninsula
We sail south along the Antarctic Peninsula where the pack ice is still covering large parts of the fjords and bays. We watch the experienced officers navigating our ice-strengthened ship. In Paradise Bay, where glaciers fill the calm waters with
icebergs, we set foot on the Antarctic continent. At Port Lockroy we visit a former British scientific station recently renovated into a museum. On Petermann Island, Adélie and chinstrap penguins nest side by side with shags and skuas. Many visitors find the scenery equally as impressive as the abundance of animals. You will be awe-struck by beautiful waterways such as the Lemaire and Neumayer Channels. In Pleneau
Bay we cruise with our Zodiacs through a maze of beautifully sculptured icebergs.
On our way north we sail through a narrow passage into the flooded caldera of Deception Island. Penguins are the only spectators as we plunge into the thermal pools of this volcanic island.
Day 17-18: Drake Passage
On our way north we are accompanied by the wandering albatross gracefully following our ship.
Day 19: Ushuaia, Argentina
Today we sail through the Beagle Channel to Ushuaia, located on Tierra del Fuego by the snowcovered Andes. We go to the airport and fly home.
Please note: Our exact route will depend on ice and weather conditions! Flexibility is the key to a successful expedition.
If our dates do not suit you, PolarQuest offers similar expeditions. These start in Puerto Madryn or Ushuaia, Argentina.