Classic South Georgia

The Trip

Day 1: Ushuaia – Board and set sail
Day 2: At sea –  Navigate towards the Falklands
Day 3: Falklands – Explore the Western Falkland Islands
Day 4: Falklands – Explore the Eastern Falkland Islands
Day 5 – 6: At sea – Navigate towards South Georgia
Day 8 – 10: South Georgia – Explore South Georgia
Day 11 – 12: At sea – Cross the Scotia Sea
Day 12: South Shetland Islands: Discover Elephant Island
Day 14: At sea – Navigate to the Antarctic Peninsula
Day 15 – 17: Antarctic: Explore the Antarctic Peninsula
Day 18 – 19: At sea: Cross the Drake Passage
Day 20: Ushuaia: Arrive and disembark

Day 1

In the afternoon you will board the M/V Ushuaia and met your naturalist guide and crew. After getting settled in you will set sail.

Day 2

Today you will continue your navigation towards the Falkland Islands. The ship has an open bridge policy allowing you to visit and met the captain. Along the way you will spot plenty of sea birds including petrels and albatrosses and marine life such as whales.

Day 3

After breakfast you will arrive on the Western Falkland Islands. First visit will be West Point Island lieing off the most north-westerly top of the main island. Here you will visit a huge colony of rockhopper penguins and black-browed albatrosses nesting. In the afternoon visit Carcass Island where you will have the opportunity to see many small birds as well Gentoo and Magellanic penguins which nest here. Enjoy a relaxed evening back on board as you navigate towards the Eastern side of the archipelago.

Day 4

This morning you will disembark and visit the famous capital Stanley, established in the 1840s. There is plenty of wildlife to see on these Eastern Island including steamer ducks, giant petrels, kelp gulls, herons, red-backed hawks, peregrine falcons and turkey vultures. In the afternoon you will board the vessel and continue navigation towards South Georgia.

Day 5 – 6

The next two days are at sea navigating towards South Georgia. This will not be wasted time. There are plenty of sea birds to view as well as marine life. There will be a series of presentations and lectures by expert naturalists who will share their knowledge of the geology and wildlife of the Antarctic.

Day 7

Morning navigation. In the afternoon you will have your first glimpse of South Georgia, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful and inspiring places on earth as well as having a huge variety of wildlife to view.

Day 8 – 10

Over the next few days you will cover almost all of South Georgia. Exact itineraries cannot be given as it will depend on weather conditions. However you are likely to visit Salisbury Plain where you will find several large glaciers and a colony of tens of thousands of king penguins that nest here. Prion Island is a great place to view a breeding colony of wandering albatross. Grytviken is tucked between  Hope Point and Hobert Rock and has a interesting human history of whalers and Sir Ernest Shackleton’s grave. Other places including Godthul, St Andrews Bay, Cooper Bay and Drygalski Fjord. Each night will be spent on board the M/V Ushuaia.

Day 11 – 12

The next two day will be spent crossing the Scotia Sea towards the Antarctic Peninsula. Again, there are plenty of wildlife sightings to be made and a series of presentations and lectures to help you learn about the Antarctic Peninsula.

Day 13

Arrive and disembark on the enigmatic Elephant Island, the infamous place where Shackleton was forced to leave 22 of his men where 5 went in a last-ditch rescue attempt. Here you will learn about the areas fascinating history.

Day 14

Continue at sea navigating towards the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands.

Day 15 – 17

The next three days will be spend in the Antarctic Sound. Again, an exact itinerary is impossible and will be determined by the weather. Possible sites including Brown Bluff, the centre of the Adelie penguin population and Paulet Island which teams with wildlife. Sail through the narrow channels of the Gerlache Strait, Cuverville Island, Deception Island and Half Moon Island.

Day 18 – 19

Leave the Antarctic and spend the next two days crossing the Drake Passage. There will be more wildlife to see from deck and more presentations and lectures by the naturalist guides. Take some time to reflect on the fascinating journey and share stories with fellow guests.

Day 20

Arrive back in Ushuaia in the morning and disembark.

Prices in US Dollars and are per person. Prices in other currencies on request.

For 2022 dates and rates, please contact us.