Shackleton’s Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands Explorer

Today, you’ll hop aboard the ship–your home for the next 20 days. Set sail towards the Falkland Islands, where your journey in Shackleton’s footsteps begins. Sir Ernest Shackleton is known as one of the greatest polar explorers, with one of the best survival stories that has ever touched the Antarctic (or the world). Shackleton led the British Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition between 1914 and 1916, planning to cross Antarctica from a base on the Weddell Sea towards McMurdo Sound, via the South Pole. Unfortunately, their ship Endurance became trapped in ice off the Caird Coast, and this began the epic story of survival for Shackleton and his men–all of whom survived due to the skill, optimism and extraordinary leadership of their team and captain.

With nothing but you and the big blue for the next couple of days, take advantage of all the amenities and activities on board your fully equipped expedition vessel. Brush up on your history in the library, relax in the spa and sauna or watch the ice floes pass you by on the sundeck. Look up and you might just spot one of the huge albatrosses along their migration route. Keep your eyes peeled for breaching whales and other marine mammals in the southern oceans and cozy up with a drink while you get to know your shipmates at the bar.

There will also be a series of lectures and presentations throughout each day, available to educate you about the local geography, environment and wildlife you can expect along the way. These are a great way to prepare for your expedition, so take it all in while you hear from an expert team that highlights the dramatic history and wildlife encounters that may await you.

Have your camera ready as you approach the ruggedly beautiful Falklands archipelago to capture not only the abundant wildlife, but also the incredible scenery. The two main islands (East Falkland and West Falkland) have much to offer and provide a rare opportunity to witness the biological diversity, extraordinary landscape and history of the southern islands. The Falklands are a wildlife photographer’s dream and have the largest black-browed albatross colony in the world, as well as five species of penguins that breed on the islands.

Learn about the intriguing and controversial history of the Falkland Islands as you explore the quaint capital of Stanley. Near the town, you may see southern giant petrels, Falkland steamer ducks, kelp gulls or dolphin gulls (calling all birdwatchers!). There are also black-crowned night herons, red-backed hawks, peregrine falcons and turkey vultures.

Witness dramatic landscapes, including wetlands, lakes and some rolling peaks, as you explore the other stunning islands in the archipelago. Weather permitting, this will include Saunders Island, the second largest island in the Falklands. The Neck, which is a narrow peninsula with sandy beaches and subtle cliffs, is home to gentoo, Magellanic, king and rockhopper penguins.

Farewell the Falkland Islands and prepare for what lies ahead in South Georgia–fascinating history, geology and of course–wildlife. From the outer decks, you can scan the horizon for seabirds and underwater silhouettes. You’ll have another chance to attend presentations from the expert team, which highlight the dramatic history of the area, extraordinary marine wildlife encounters and so much more. These days at sea are a great opportunity to swap stories with your fellow expeditioners, whether that be in the Jacuzzi or over lunch at the onboard restaurant.

Arrive in South Georgia, where across the island, dark volcanic beaches are backgrounded by hanging glaciers and local penguins nest among tussock grass. Over the next few days, explore the island, once the homestead of whalers and isolated explorers–now, a protected area with dedicated Antarctic research teams. Learn more about Sir Ernest Shackleton’s story on your various excursions to land. It’s on these very shores in South Georgia that Shackleton landed his crew of the James Caird in search of help for his party who were stranded back on Elephant Island.

You’ll spend several days retracing Shackleton’s steps, as well as visiting his grave at the ex-whaling station of Grytviken, located on the east side of the island. Wander among hundreds of thousands of king penguins in the dramatic South Georgian light, as you consider the extraordinary feat that was Shackleton’s (and his crew’s) fight for survival. Your expedition team will help bring these days to life, with educational presentations, daily excursions and the option of paid activities, like day paddling and photography lessons.

Take in panoramic views from the observation lounge and spacious decks or make the most of the onboard facilities during your days at sea. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to reflect, or somebody to help you edit your photos of the penguin colonies, the ship has something for you. Rejuvenate mind and body with one of the relaxing wellness facilities on board. Get the blood pumping at the gym, join a ‘floe’ yoga and meditation class or indulge in a massage or facial at the spa. The ship is yours to explore!

Voyage south towards continental Antarctica. Your days will begin with a wake-up call from your expedition leader around 7:00am, which gives you time to prepare for the day before joining your fellow expeditioners for breakfast. You’ll usually have two excursions per day–one in the morning and one in the afternoon, with lunch served in between.

For the next 4 days, enjoy copious wildlife, small group outings on the Zodiacs and unforgettable vistas at every turn. With multiple landing sites available, your ship’s crew will work out the best places to stop, considering the elements, accessibility and potential for wildlife sightings. Well-known sites like Neko Harbor, Orne Harbor and Kontorp Cove will also be on the captain’s radar.

Settle back into life at sea as you prepare for the return journey across the Drake Passage. The ship will track north towards Cape Horn and your destination in Ushuaia, Argentina. During this time, you can attend more onboard lectures and travel talks, and enjoy our voyage slideshow including images taken by your expedition photographer–yours to enjoy and share after your expedition. Now is also the chance to catch up with your shipmates and share stories about your voyage over a meal or a drink at the bar.

This morning, say goodbye to the ship as you disembark in Ushuaia. A transfer to the airport or downtown is included in your fare. With much to see and do in this quaint End of the World town, including the Museo Maritimo, Avenida San Martin or even an adventurous hike to the Martial Glacier, your adventure doesn’t have to end here.

After breakfast, the morning is yours to explore windswept Ushuaia. Stroll through the quaint town with a camera or grab a last-minute necessity (you haven’t forgotten your waterproof pants and gloves, have you?) In the afternoon, you’ll transfer to the port of Ushuaia and hop aboard the ship–your home on the sea for the next 22 days.

After greeting your fellow passengers and expedition team and settling into your cabin, set sail through the historic Beagle Channel towards Antarctica. Find the perfect spot to soak up the incredible views, as you catch your last sight of Argentina–then, head inside to join the excitement and learn more about what’s to come on this Antarctic adventure. This evening is a great opportunity to explore the ship (and its amenities) and enjoy a delicious dinner at the onboard restaurant with your new crew.

With nothing but you and the blue horizon for the next couple of days, your time at sea is the perfect chance to take advantage of all the amenities and activities on board. Spot seabirds from the sundeck, lounge in the day spa and sauna, keep warm in the gym and Jacuzzi or study up in the library. There will also be a series of lectures and presentations throughout the days aboard, so you can really sink your teeth into the local geography, environment and wildlife.

Prepare for your expedition by attending comprehensive presentations from the expedition team, which highlight the dramatic history of upcoming spots, as well as the potential wildlife sightings that may await you. Up on deck, keep an eye out for wandering albatross on their migration route, as well as breaching whales and other mighty mammals. In the evenings, cozy up with a drink at the bar and get to know your shipmates.

This morning, you’ll approach The Falklands–a wildlife photographer’s dream. Here, you can find the largest black-browed albatross colony in the world, as well as five species of penguins who breed on the islands (including gentoo, king, macaroni, Magellanic and rockhopper). As you approach the ruggedly beautiful archipelago, keep the camera ready to capture not only the abundant wildlife, but also the breathtaking scenery.

East Falkland and West Falkland have so much to offer and provide a rare opportunity to witness the biological diversity, extraordinary landscapes and rich history of the southern islands. Learn about the intriguing and controversial past of the Falkland Islands from local experts, as you explore the quaint capital of Stanley. Near the town, you may see southern giant petrels, Falkland steamer ducks, kelp gulls, dolphin gulls, black-crowned night herons, red-backed hawks, peregrine falcons and turkey vultures! A spot of birdwatching, anyone?

Witness an ever-changing horizon, with wetlands, lakes and rolling peaks waiting to be trekked. Weather permitting, you may explore Saunders Island, the second-largest island in the Falklands, and The Neck, a narrow peninsula with sandy beaches and subtle cliff faces. The rookery stretches along the northern slopes of Saunders Island and is one of the largest black-browed albatross nesting colonies in the area. This is where the mighty birds nest in the cliffs, around October, with their chicks hatching about ten weeks later.

Farewell the Falkland Islands and sail towards South Georgia. From the history and geology to the incredible wildlife, this next stop has a lot to offer. South Georgia Island is known for its thousands of nesting penguins, leopard seals, snowcapped peaks and otherworldly landscapes. From the cozy innards of the ship, you can engage in a few presentations to prepare for your next stop. From the outer decks, scan the horizon for seabirds and other passing wildlife. Why not take this opportunity to hit the Jacuzzi or day spa for a bit of wellness action, too?

Over the next few days, you’ll explore the island of South Georgia, once the homestead of whalers and isolated explorers–now, a protected site with dedicated Antarctic research teams. You’ll explore a variety of different landing sites and learn about the history of Sir Ernest Shackleton, known for his incredible survival during a failed expedition south.

Shackleton led the British Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition between 1914 and 1916 and planned to cross Antarctica from a base on the Weddell Sea to McMurdo Sound, via the South Pole with his crew. However, Endurance became trapped in ice off the Caird Coast and eventually sank, which began this epic story of survival. Through months of hard trekking, improvising and incredible leadership, Shackleton and all his men survived. It’s on these very shores in South Georgia that Shackleton landed his crew of the James Caird, in search of help for the rest of his party, who were stranded back on Elephant Island. You’ll spend several days retracing some of Shackleton’s steps, as well as visiting his grave at the ex-whaling station of Grytviken, located on the east side.

Wander among hundreds of thousands of king penguins in the dramatic South Georgian light, visit old whaling stations and enjoy educational presentations on the then and now of the area. Across the island, you’ll see dark volcanic beaches backgrounded by hanging glaciers and have the chance for day hikes among alpine lakes.

During your next couple of days at sea, take in the stunning panoramic views from the observation lounge or the spacious decks and make the most of the onboard facilities. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to reflect, or somebody to help you edit your penguin photos, the ship has something for you. Rejuvenate mind and body with one of the invigorating ‘floe’ yoga and meditation classes or indulge in a massage or facial at the day spa. You may want to take this opportunity to relax and recharge or play a few (hundred) games of cards at the bar with your shipmates. Whatever takes your fancy–the ship is yours to explore.

Today, you’ll voyage south towards continental Antarctica. An average day on board begins with a wake-up call from your expedition leader at around 7:00am. This gives you time to get ready before joining your fellow expeditioners for breakfast. Usually, you’ll have two excursions per day–in the morning and the afternoon, with lunch served on the ship in between.

For the next 5 days, you’ll dedicate your time to searching for wildlife, both from land and from Zodiacs for smaller-group sails. Soak up the unforgettable vistas at every turn and take every opportunity that awaits you. With multiple landing sites available, your expedition team will work out the best places to stop, taking into account the wild-and-woolly elements, accessibility options and any wildlife sighting possibilities.

Venturing to the ends of the earth is a moment to revel in, as not all expeditions venture this far south. If weather conditions permit, a celebration will be in order after reaching latitude 66°33’S and crossing the fabled Antarctic Circle. Toast to the sheer rawness of the surroundings and take it all in! While not a typical landing, the crossing of the Antarctic Circle leaves a lasting memory. You’ll travel past colossal icebergs, to a point only a few travelers have ever sailed.

Here in the Antarctic Circle, you may see Weddell seals, specially adapted to this icy environment. They use their canines and incisors to rasp open new ice, using the holes to breathe. They also have extremely accurate powers of navigation, to seek out breathing holes when their teeth are worn down and they are no longer able to maintain or create holes in the ice.

Settle back into your comfortable surroundings aboard for the return journey across the Drake Passage. The ship will track north towards Cape Horn and your destination in Ushuaia, Argentina. During this time, you can attend more onboard lectures and enjoy a slideshow of images captured by your expedition photographer during your voyage–yours as a memento of your epic Antarctic expedition. These are sure to make your nature snaps the best they can be. Now is also the chance to catch up with your shipmates and share stories about your voyage over a meal or a drink at the bar.

This morning, you’ll say goodbye to the ship and disembark in Ushuaia. A transfer to Ushuaia airport or downtown is included if you are departing today. With much to see and do in Ushuaia, including the Museo Maritimo, Avenida San Martin or even an adventurous hike to the Martial Glacier, your adventure doesn’t have to end here.