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Antarctica, Falklands, & South Georgia - Most popular trip including South Georgia at the best time of year. Great guides and cuisine!
20 Days   |   Departure:  1/14/09   |   From $9 800

Locations:  Antarctic Peninsula | South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands | South Shetland Islands | Falkland Islands

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Southwards, a magnificent Alpine country, illuminated by the rising sun, rose slowly from the sea; there were mighty fells with snowy crowns and with sharp, uncovered teeth, around the valleys through which enormous, broad rivers of ice came flowing to the sea.
J. Gunnar Andersson, 1902 - describing South Georgia

Rates: $9,800 - $18,400
Twins from: $11,900
Above rates are per person, double occupancy.
Single Rate: 1.5 - 1.7 times the share rate

Ship Name: Orlova - Expedition Ship
Passengers: 110

Introduction

This voyage combines the comfortable adventure cruises of Classic Antarctica with visits to the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia. Many of the wildlife and scenic highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are included as well as the best of these two wildlife-rich sub-Antarctic islands. Explorers’ Cruises are designed to include as much wildlife viewing as possible, but also include visits to scientific bases and allow plenty of time to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of icy waterways, glaciers, icebergs and rugged mountains.

Itinerary

Days 1-2: Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
On reaching Ushuaia, check into your conveniently located hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring this historic port ringed by mist-shrouded mountains.

The following morning, local guides take you into 63,000- hectare Tierra del Fuego National Park. Walk coastal paths through forests of twisted guindo trees, keeping an eye out for indigenous species such as Kelp Geese and Black-chested Buzzard-eagles. After your traditional Argentine asado lunch, you transfer to the ice-strengthened, 100-passenger ship for a late-afternoon sailing.

Day 3: At Sea
As you cruise these wildlife-rich waters, your expedition staff introduces the various species of birds and marine life that you will encounter on your voyage. Wandering, Black-browed and Sooty Albatrosses, shearwaters, Giant and Cape Petrels and numerous other seabirds accompany you. A program of lectures will help prepare you for the many adventures that lie ahead. You will also attend safety briefings and familiarize yourself with the guidelines for visitors to Antarctica.

Days 4-5: Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
You will spend these days in the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), renowned for their amazing wildlife. On Carcass Island, highlights include Flightless Steamer Ducks, Magellanic and Gentoo Penguins and a colony of the rare Black-crowned Night Herons. Peale's and Commerson's dolphins are often seen along the coast. Nearby New Island boasts fantastic Rockhopper Penguin rookeries, along with Black-browed Albatrosses and Blue-eyed Shags. You will also explore Stanley, the charming capital of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). Don't miss the chance to visit the small, but interesting museum.

Days 6-7: Southern Ocean
Continuing east, marine mammals and seabirds lure you to the decks as you cross the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar waters sink beneath the warmer waters of the more temperate zones.

Days 8-11: South Georgia
Sharing many of the biological characteristics of Antarctica, South Georgia has awe-inspiring scenery with towering, 7,000-foot mountains and mighty glaciers, but also low-lying, grassy areas, deep fjords and beaches. First sighted by Captain James Cook in 1775, the island attracts an astounding concentration of wildlife and is viewed by many as one of the most inspiring places on earth. Thousands of King Penguins greet you at Salisbury Plain. Wandering Albatrosses nest at Prion Island, where luxurious tussock grass provides a habitat for a variety of seabirds - and camouflage for thousands of breeding fur seals. Huge elephant seals, King and Gentoo Penguins crowd the beaches along the coast at places such as Gold Harbor, while Light-mantled and Sooty Albatrosses nest in the cliffs behind. The island also played a significant role in the story of Shackleton's epic journey after the sinking of his ship, the 'Endurance.' It was here, at the whaling station of Stromness, that he finally arrived after a harrowing voyage in a small boat from Elephant Island across the Scotia Sea and over the never-before-climbed mountain range of South Georgia. You visit his grave at Grytviken, a once-active whaling station.

Days 12-13: Scotia Sea
Two days at sea to relax as well as to review your adventures in South Georgia. The first icebergs appear on the horizon as you head south to the Antarctic Peninsula.

Days 14-17: South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula
Approaching the rugged South Shetland Islands, your first landfall could be Elephant Island where Shackleton's men found refuge during the epic 'Endurance' expedition. Places such as King George Island and Livingston Island support huge numbers of nesting penguins while seabirds nest in the cliffs and elephant seals wallow along the shores.

Deception Island is still considered an active volcano and sailing through the narrow passage into its huge, flooded caldera is a thrilling experience.

Sailing around the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, we hope to navigate the Antarctic Sound, often referred to as ‘iceberg alley.’ Huge tabular icebergs drift north from the Antarctic continent. Pending weather and ice conditions, you may land on Paulet Island. This crater island is carpeted with nesting Adelie Penguins that surround the remains of a primitive hut where Captain Larsen and his men of the ‘Nordenskjold’ expedition sought refuge in 1903. Cruising Palmer Archipelago, several thousand Gentoo Penguins wait for you under the dramatic cliffs of Cuverville and Ronge Islands. Sheathbills, Antarctic Terns, skuas and Blue-eyed Shags nest in this area. Navigating the Neumayer Channel, you enjoy extraordinary vistas of Anvers Island. Your plans also include a landing at Port Lockroy where bleached whale bones commemorate its time as a favorite anchorage of the whalers.

You sail into Paradise Harbour on the Danco Coast where a series of huge glaciers flow into quiet waters. Your Zodiacs take you along rugged cliffs with nesting Cape Petrels, Blue-eyed Shags and Kelp Gulls. You keep watch for humpback whales and groups of crabeater seals on the ice and land at Almirante Brown, an Argentine research station located on the continent. Lemaire Channel is another narrow passage between towering rock faces and stunning glaciers. This channel is one of the highlights of a visit to the Antarctic Peninsula but it can be choked with icebergs and pack ice.

Days 18-19: Drake Passage
You leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. Your expedition staff will review the adventures of your journey as you return to Ushuaia.

Day 20: Ushuaia
After breakfast, you disembark and transfer by bus to the exit of the port which is centrally located in town. Continue independently to the airport for your flight back home.


Notes:

Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife you encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition.

Mandatory Travel Insurance: Passengers travelling on this expedition are required to be covered by a travel insurance policy that includes emergency evacuation coverage. As this voyage travels to remote regions of the world, we recommend that the policy’s emergency evacuation benefit be higher than minimum.

Included:
One pre-cruise night hotel night with breakfast (The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travellers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel.); Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping; All meals on board throughout voyage (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.); All shore landings and Zodiac excursions per the daily program; Formal and informal presentations by Expedition Team and guest speakers; Photographic Journal on DVD; A pair of rubber expedition boots on loan for shore landings. (So you don’t have to pack any.); Hair dryer in every cabin; 24-hour coffee, tea, cocoa, and bottled water; Comprehensive pre-departure materials; Group transfers from the hotel to the ship at the embarkation port, and from the ship to the local airport on disembarkation - plus all baggage handling aboard ship; All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.

Not Included:
All airfare; Passport and visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes; Any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel before embarkation; Baggage, cancellation and travel insurance (please note that emergency medical insurance is mandatory); Excess baggage charges; laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges; Telecommunications charges; Customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for stewards and other service personnel (guidelines will be provided).

Antarctic Peninsula Region Cruises - (not an exhaustive list) - Featured trips -
Trip	Departure Dates	Highlights	Ship / Pax	Options*	Prices**	Days	Departure port
Classic Antarctica	11/9/08, 11/19/08, 11/29/08, 2/10/09, 2/20/09, 3/2/09	South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula, Lemaire Channel, Paradise Bay, Port Lockroy	Expedition Ship Orlova - 110		$3,360 - $9,200	11	Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctica Cruise - Endeavour - Possibly the best overall expedition cruise to Antarctica	10/31/08, 11/11/08, 11/22/08, 12/3/08, 12/14/08, 12/25/08, 1/5/09, 1/16/09, 1/27/09	South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula, Lemaire Channel, Paradise Bay, Port Lockroy	Expedition Ship National Geographic Endeavour - 110	Kayaking Scuba	$10,250 - $17,590	15	Fly from Miami to Santiago - Chile, embark in Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctica Cruise The Peninsula (Adventure Options)	11/22/08, 12/20/08, 12/30/08, 2/6/09, 2/16/09, 2/26/09	South Shetlands, Antarctic Peninsula, Penguin Rookeries, Lemaire Channel, Spectacular Glaciers	Research Vessel Shokalskiy - 48	Kayaking, Camping	$4 800 - $10,600	12	Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctic Peninsula - one of the most active programmes	12/08/08	South Shetland Islands, Abundant Wildlife, Lemaire Channel	Research Vessel Polar Pioneer - 56	Climbing Kayaking	$5,790 - $8,990	12	Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctica Cruise - The Peninsula	11/24/08, 12/4/08, 12/7/08, 12/14/08, 1/4/09, 1/14/09, 2/4/09, 2/14/09, 3/14/09	Antarctica Cruise - The Peninsula - South Shetland Islands, Lemaire Channel, Paradise Bay, Port Lockroy	Research Vessel Professor Molchanov or Multanovskiy - 52		$4,890 - $9,790	11	Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctica Cruise - The Peninsula (Active Adventure)	11/22/07, 12/16/07, 12/20/07, 12/30/07, 1/9/08, 2/6/08, 2/16/08, 2/26/08	South Shetlands, Antarctic Peninsula, Penguin Rookeries, Lemaire Channel	Research Vessel Akademik Ioffe and Akademik Sergey Vavilov - 110	Kayaking, Camping	$4,400 - $9,010	12	Ushuaia, Argentina
Trip	Departure Dates	Visiting	Ship / Pax	Options*	Prices**	Days	Departure port
Antarctica, Crossing The Circle	02/09/09	Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Island, set foot on Antarctica South of the Antarctic Circle	Expedition Ship Ocean Nova - 82	Kayaking, Camping	$8,100 - £16,300	13	Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctica - Cruise - The Peninsula Comfortable expedition ship	12/8/07, 2/13/08	South Shetland, Paradise Bay, Lemaire Channel	Luxury Expedition Ship Minerva - 199		$6,695 - $17,995	14	Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctica Cruise - The Peninsula Hiking voyage	2/24/09, 2/27/09	Antarctic Peninsula, Penguin Rookeries, Lemaire Channel	Research Vessel Professor Molchanov or Multanovskiy - 52	A special walking expedition, be prepared for walks up to six hours	$3,950 - $7,490	10	Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctic Peninsula and Across the Circle	2/6/09, 2/17/09	Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, Crystal Sound, Antarctic Circle	Research Vessel Polar Pioneer - 56	Scuba	$5,490 - $9,790	12	Ushuaia, Argentina
Antarctica Cruise - Emperor Penguin Snow Hill Island Safari	10/8/08, 10/20/08, 11/1/08	Weddell Sea - Ice-Breaker / Helicopter trip Emperor Penguin Rookery, Gentoo and Adelie penguins, set foot on continental Antarctica	Icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov - 108	Helicopter Sightseeing Flights	$11,500 - $20,900	14	Ushuaia, Argentina
Cruises Visiting South Georgia
Trip	Departure Dates	Visiting	Ship / Pax	Options*	Prices**	Days	Departure port
Antarctica, Falklands, & South Georgia - Most popular trip including South Georgia at the best time of year	1/14/09	Falkland Islands,  South Georgia, Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, as much wildlife viewing as possible, visits to scientific bases, Great guides and cuisine!	Expedition Ship Orlova - 110		$9 800 - $18,400	20	Ushuaia, Argentina
South Georgia & the Falklands	10/15/08	Vast Colonies of King Penguins, Breathtaking Scenery, Historic sites - kayaking option, resident photographer	Expedition Ship National Geographic Endeavour - 110	Kayaking option, Resident photographer	$12,740 - $21,660	20	Ushuaia, Argentina
Falklands, South Georgia, & Antarctic Peninsula	11/19/08, 12/17/08, 1/4/09, 1/22/09	Antarctic Peninsula, Vast Colonies of King Penguins with chicks, Breathtaking Scenery, Sir Ernest Shackleton Historical Sites	Research Vessel Professor Molchanov or Multanovskiy - 52		$8,590 - $17,350	21	Ushuaia, Argentina
Notes * options may be at additional cost and are usually booked when the cruise is booked - it may be too late once the cruise has started. ** prices are based per person, the lowest price is usually for triple occupancy and the highest for double occupancy in the best available suite. Feeling overwhelmed? contact our travel partners who will help you find the best cruise for your requirements.