In the footsteps of Sir Ernest Shackleton on his final voyage aboard the Quest, 100 years on. This voyage includes the wildlife rich Falklands Islands and South Georgia with it's historical relics and ties. We continue to Elephant Island where the crew of the Endurance spent 137 days awaiting rescue before a short visit to the Weddell Sea and then to the Western side of the Antarctic Peninsula.
South
Georgia + Antarctic Peninsula + Falklands
Shackleton's Final Quest
A classic tour of some of the
greatest sights in the Antarctic Peninsula region and sub-Antarctic
islands.
$17,995 - $27,295 - Feb 8th - 27th, 2022,
21 days, 18 nights on board ship
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Regions:
Antarctic Peninsula |
South Georgia |
South Shetland Islands |
Falkland Islands -
Arctic
The Shackleton-Rowett Expedition (1921-1922) also known as the Quest expedition from the ship's name was to unexpectedly herald the end of the Heroic Age of Antarctic exploration with the sudden death from a heart attack of legendary Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. This voyage takes place almost exactly 100 years to the day after the Quest expedition.
South Georgia is one of the most visited locations in Antarctica. There is a small scientific and governmental presence, though the great majority of visitors are tourists who all arrive by sea as there is no air-strip on the island. It is spectacularly picturesque, over half the island is permanently glaciated, wildlife is abundant, approach by sea is usually straightforward and it is steeped in the history of Antarctic exploration and the stories and relics of Antarctic whalers and sealers. There are many landings possible in sheltered bays.
The Peninsula and South Shetland Islands are the easiest Antarctic destinations to reach from a departure port in South America, it takes less time to get there and back than any other place on the continent. There is a good variety of some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet to be seen within a relatively small area. Jagged mountain peaks clad in glaciers flowing sometimes down to the sea and sometimes spilling into mid air from an altitude of hundreds of feet or more. Huge open skies, enormous icebergs, enigmatic clouds, sudden weather changes and constant surprises from the hugely abundant wildlife you see will keep you in a constant state of awe.
The Falklands are a place that manages to maintain much of the lure and appeal of a time gone by, a place that seems somehow vaguely familiar, sometimes described as being "More British than Britain". They are a place of wide open skies where a walk along a beautiful long white sandy beaches may bring you in contact with five different types of penguin, elephant seals, sea lions an assortment of other South American and Antarctic birds such as albatrosses and petrels, if you're lucky some dolphins or whales will be swimming off shore.
King penguins in Gold Harbour South Georgia - picture courtesy
Ella Derbyshire
Highlights
- A reception on board for the Governor of the
Falkland Islands.
- King Haakon Bay, McCarthy Island and Peggotty
Bluff on South Georgia are in our sights.
- A special service at the Whaler's Church
in Grytviken, South Georgia.
- Shackleton's Final Hike from Fortuna Bay
to Stromness, South Georgia.
- Attempt to land on Elephant Island to
pay tribute to the men that endured a winter under the command
of Frank Wild.
- A visit Port Lockroy and Lambert Island.
- The spectacular icescapes and wonderful wildlife of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Joining the cruise will be the Hon. Alexandra Shackleton, Rear Admiral Nick Lambert and a select group of outstanding polar historians and enthusiasts.
Itinerary

Shackletons' Final Quest Voyage
Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Antarctic Peninsula and South
Shetland Islands
- Day: 1 - Ushuaia.
Arrive at the ship in the afternoon, after the Captain's
welcome dinner watch the city lights fade in the fresh night
air as we sail seaward.
- Day: 2 - At Sea.
Our onboard polar experts will be sharing their expertise
on deck, wildlife watching and giving lectures in the presentation
room. Swooping seabirds will be seen around the ship including
the wandering albatross, we may also be welcomed by parties
of long- finned pilot whales as we approach the Falklands.
- Day: 3-4 -
Falklands. Explore the West Falklands, home
to a profusion of seabirds and migratory birds including
our first penguin sightings with bustling rookeries of rockhoppers.
along with nesting magellanic penguins, oystercatchers,
geese and the endemic flightless steamer duck. The next
day we will make a stop in Port Stanley, the capital of
the Falkland Islands to wander through the charming streets
of brightly painted houses, where you can visit the museum
and cathedral. An event to commemorate the Heroic Age will
also take place today.
- Day: 5-6 -
At Sea. Sailing southeast for the island
of South Georgia scan the horizon in search of whales and
other marine mammals and seabirds. Onboard experts will
be on hand giving lectures covering history, the natural
world, photography and much else. The anticipation grows
particularly as we cross the Antarctic Convergence and notice
a dramatic drop in temperature and the presence of marine
wildlife.
- Day: 7-8-9-10
- South Georgia. "The Alps in Mid-Ocean".
Visiting King Haakon Bay where Shackleton landed after the
epic voyage of the James Caird, we may be able to see Peggotty
Bluff. Shackleton's Trek and the last few miles of his legendary
walk from Fortuna Bay to the abandoned whaling station of
Stromness is on our itinerary, as well as a full day of
events at Grytviken in Cumberland Bay. We will explore the
old whaling station and visit the whalers graveyard where
lie the remains of Sir Ernest Shackleton and Frank Wild
and the more recent resting place of Henry Worsley. A service
will be held in the little Norwegian Lutheran Whalers' church,
where Shackleton's and Wild's funeral took place. We will
cruise the protected waters of the northern coast with the
intention to visit places like Salisbury Plain and St Andrews
Bay with king penguins in the hundreds of thousands, covering
every inch of the shore. Fur and elephant seals will be
seen poking their heads above the water or resting on the
beach, ravenous skuas and giant petrels swoop and the albatross
our constant companion is never far away.
- Day: 11-12-13 - At
Sea and South Orkney and Elephant Island.
Crossing the Scotia Sea and sailing ever southwards we hope
to visit the South Orkney Islands, the peaks of an enormous
sub-marine mountain range, which grounds giant icebergs
and sea ice. Elephant Island visited as we head to the South
Shetland Islands will be paramount in our expedition if
conditions are suitable. It is here we will get a sense
of the terrible difficulties faced by Shackleton and his
crew in their efforts to survive the sinking of the Endurance.
We will make every effort to land on Elephant Island, though
it is notoriously difficult to make landfall here, we will
hope for kind weather!
- Day: 14-15-16-17
- South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.
We will cruise amongst the South Shetland Islands off the
Antarctic Peninsula. Dazzling wildlife sightings await us
on our excursions to Half Moon, Barrientos and Livingston
islands amongst others. Weather permitting, we will visit
the flooded volcanic caldera of Deception Island with its
rugged scenery, great sites of geologic interest and an
display of whaling and scientific exploration history. Finally,
we will sail along the Antarctic Peninsula hoping to visit
the ice filled bays along the Gerlache Strait. If possible
we will set foot on the White Continent itself. Adelie,
chinstrap and gentoo penguins thrive here, as do several
species of seal. It is a perfect time of the year to see
the gentle humpback whale dining on krill or the shy minke
whale.
- Day: 18-19 - Drake
Passage. As we leave this magical place
and make our way back, heading again across the Antarctic
Convergence and the Drake Passage before rounding Cape Horn,
we have no doubt that time will be spent sharing and reflecting
on the wonderful experiences of the last few days. Sailing
up the Beagle Channel, we celebrate the conclusion of our
Polar expedition at a special dinner.
- Day: 20 - Ushuaia. In the early morning, we will arrive back in Ushuaia. It is time to say farewell to your crew. Yet, there is more. A flight to Buenos Aires and a ferry ride across the Rio de la Plata with a visit to Montevideo the city that gave Shackleton a hero's funeral. Here, our sightseeing will give us insight into how Montevideo honoured the Boss.





Pre-voyage historical extension
Montevideo, Buenos Aires
- Day: 1 - Montevideo.
Arrival, transfer to hotel, evening drinks reception
.
- Day: 2 - Montevideo.
A private guided tour of Montevideo, we are honoured
to receive an invitation from the British Ambassador to
Uruguay for an early evening reception at the Embassy.
- Day: 3 - Colonia
del Sacramento - Buenos Aires. By bus to
Colonia del Sacramento one of the oldest towns in Uruguay
by the Rio de la Plata, the Historic Quarter is a UNESCO
world heritage site. Board the ferry to Buenos Aires, arriving
in the early evening and transfer to the Madero Hotel, near
the Port.
- Day: 4 - Buenos
Aires - Ushuaia. A private guided tour of
Buenos Aires followed by a flight to Ushuaia where you will
be met and transferred to the lovely Arakur Hotel, located
in the nature reserve of Cerro Alarken offering breathtaking
views of the Beagle channel.
- Day: 5 - Ushuaia. A guided visit to Tierra del Fuego National Park, through some of the most beautiful and impressive locations. A Shackleton Commemorative Dinner at the Arakur hotel, hosted by Ice Tracks Expeditions.
Inclusions and Exclusions
Included in the price of this voyage:
Prior to Departure
- Two pre-voyage hotel nights in Ushuaia for all departures which embark in Ushuaia
- Transfer from airport in embarkation city to group hotel if arriving on Day 1 of itinerary, and providing we have your confirmed air itinerary at least 90 days prior to departure
- Transfer from group hotel to ship for embarkation
On Board MS Seaventure:
- Shipboard accommodations
- All scheduled Landings / excursions
- All meals onboard Coffee/tea/cocoa 24 hours daily
- House wine / beer / soft drinks with meals
- The Shackleton Legacy Expedition jacket (yours to keep)
- A pair of boots for your use during the voyage
- WiFi from the public computers in the library
- 200 MB WiFi card (for use on your personal devices)
- Daily international news service
- All port fees
- All landing fees
- Digital Voyage Log
- In Owner's Suite, Penthouse, Veranda, Deluxe and Promenade categories: champagne and chocolates on arrival, and complimentary mini-bar. Mini-bar is restocked once daily.
Excluded in the price of this voyage:
- Any airfare or travel expenses not mentioned as part of the voyage
- Transfer from airport to group hotel, unless arriving on Day 1 of the itinerary
- Pre or post voyage expenses
- Laundry and personal expenses incurred on board
- Onboard communication charges such as outgoing phone calls, WiFi from personal devices in excess of the 200 MB provided
- Staff gratuities
Grytviken South Georgia - picture used courtesy of Ella
Derbyshire
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South Georgia / Falkland Islands / Antarctica - Sample Cruises - 2022 / 2023
Trip | Highlights | Prices USD* | Days |
---|---|---|---|
South Georgia, Falkland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula | All the major Antarctic highlights, anticipate penguins, whales, seabirds and seals as well as magnificent scenery. | $13,000 - $35,175 | 18-21 |
Antarctica, South Shetlands, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands | All the major Antarctic highlights, anticipate penguins, whales, seabirds and seals as well as magnificent scenery. | $11,795 - $42,076 | 15 |
* Prices are based per person, the lowest price is usually for triple occupancy in a basic cabin, the highest for double occupancy in the best available suite.
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.
Picture credits: Satellite pictures provided courtesy of NASA Earth Observatory