Classic Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands Expedition
Classic Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands Expedition
This expedition is the great Antarctic odyssey, tracing the route of the early explorers across three of the Southern Ocean’s most extraordinary realms. Sailing from Montevideo, you reach the windswept Falkland Islands, with their albatross colonies and the hardy charm of Stanley, before crossing to South Georgia, the so-called Serengeti of the Southern Ocean, where vast king penguin colonies and elephant seals gather beneath glaciated peaks and Shackleton lies buried at Grytviken. From there you press south to the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, going ashore by Zodiac among penguin rookeries and cruising past icebergs and whales, before recrossing the Drake Passage to Ushuaia. It is a long, immersive voyage in the company of an expert expedition team, an accessible way to experience the full breadth of the far south, wildlife, ice, history and all.
Itinerary highlights
Journey across three distinct realms in one voyage: the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula.
Walk among vast king penguin colonies on South Georgia, with three to four days to explore this wildlife-rich island.
Pay your respects at Shackleton's grave at Grytviken and explore the haunting remains of former whaling stations.
Meet the hardy islanders of Stanley and see the Falklands' albatross colonies, the largest black-browed colony in the world.
Go ashore by Zodiac on the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands among gentoo, chinstrap and Adelie penguins.
Watch for orca, humpback and minke whales, and Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, in cold Antarctic waters.
Cross the legendary Drake Passage on the return, completing the explorers' route to the far south.
Travel with an expert expedition team whose daily lectures bring the wildlife, ice and polar history to life.
Classic Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands Expedition
This expedition is the great Antarctic odyssey, tracing the route of the early explorers across three of the Southern Ocean’s most extraordinary realms. Sailing from Montevideo, you reach the windswept Falkland Islands, with their albatross colonies and the hardy charm of Stanley, before crossing to South Georgia, the so-called Serengeti of the Southern Ocean, where vast king penguin colonies and elephant seals gather beneath glaciated peaks and Shackleton lies buried at Grytviken. From there you press south to the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, going ashore by Zodiac among penguin rookeries and cruising past icebergs and whales, before recrossing the Drake Passage to Ushuaia. It is a long, immersive voyage in the company of an expert expedition team, an accessible way to experience the full breadth of the far south, wildlife, ice, history and all.
Itinerary highlights
Journey across three distinct realms in one voyage: the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula.
Walk among vast king penguin colonies on South Georgia, with three to four days to explore this wildlife-rich island.
Pay your respects at Shackleton's grave at Grytviken and explore the haunting remains of former whaling stations.
Meet the hardy islanders of Stanley and see the Falklands' albatross colonies, the largest black-browed colony in the world.
Go ashore by Zodiac on the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands among gentoo, chinstrap and Adelie penguins.
Watch for orca, humpback and minke whales, and Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, in cold Antarctic waters.
Cross the legendary Drake Passage on the return, completing the explorers' route to the far south.
Travel with an expert expedition team whose daily lectures bring the wildlife, ice and polar history to life.
What's Included
- One night's hotel accommodation in Montevideo before embarkation
- Arrival and departure transfers
- All shipboard accommodation aboard a small expedition vessel
- All meals on board throughout the voyage
- Zodiac excursions and shore landings with an expert expedition team
- Lectures and the onboard educational programme
- Loan of waterproof expedition boots
- An expedition parka to keep
What's Included
- One night's hotel accommodation in Montevideo before embarkation
- Arrival and departure transfers
- All shipboard accommodation aboard a small expedition vessel
- All meals on board throughout the voyage
- Zodiac excursions and shore landings with an expert expedition team
- Lectures and the onboard educational programme
- Loan of waterproof expedition boots
- An expedition parka to keep
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FAQs
This voyage runs from Montevideo to Ushuaia. You sail first to the Falkland Islands, then South Georgia, then the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula, and finally cross the Drake Passage northbound to Ushuaia. The Drake crossing comes near the end, after the wildlife islands.
South Georgia is among the greatest wildlife destinations on earth, with vast king penguin colonies, huge numbers of elephant and fur seals, and deep Shackleton history at Grytviken. Combined with the Falklands and the Antarctic Peninsula, it makes this one of the most complete expeditions in the region. You have three to four days there.
It is rated for most fitness levels, but landings use Zodiacs and wet beach landings on uneven, sometimes icy ground, and the ship has no lift between decks. A reasonable level of mobility helps. The Southern Ocean can be rough, particularly across the Drake and Scotia Seas.
The season runs October to March. Early departures bring penguin courtship and pristine snow, midsummer brings long days and penguin chicks, and later sailings offer the best whale watching. South Georgia is spectacular throughout.