Falklands, South Georgia, Antarctica - from Puerto Madryn
This Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctic Peninsula cruise is an animal-lover’s dream come true. The expedition explores one of the last untamed areas on Earth – a land of ruggedly beautiful landscapes and amazingly varied wildlife.
Albatross and Rock Hopper Penguins in the Falklands, the amazing South Georgia Wildlife, Sir Earnest Shackleton's Grave plus all the icebergs and wildlife of the Antarctica Peninsula.
• Meet at least six penguin species
• Pay our respects at Shackleton's grave
• No. 1 voyage to observe all of Antarctica and the South Atlantic Islands
Brief Itinerary
Day 1 | Embarkation and departure from Puerto Madryn |
Days 2 & 3 | At Sea |
Day 4 | Falkland Islands |
Day 5 | Stanley, Falkland Islands |
Days 6 & 7 | At Sea |
Days 8 to 11 | South Georgia |
Day 12 | At Sea |
Day 13 | South Orkney Islands |
Day 14 | At Sea towards Antarctica |
Days 15 to 18 | Antarctic Peninsula |
Days 19 & 20 | At Sea |
Day 21 | Arrival in Ushuaia and disembark the vessel |
Day 1 — Embarkation and departure from Puerto Madryn
In the afternoon, we embark in Puerto Madryn and sail towards the Falkland Islands. Golfo Nuevo is world renowned for their visiting Southern Right whales and we have a good chance to see them as we head towards open ocean.
Day 2 & 3 — At Sea
At Sea, the ship is followed by several species of albatrosses, storm petrels, shearwaters and diving petrels.
Day 4 — Falkland Islands
We spend this day in the Western parts of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). If the weather conditions are good, we plan a landing on the rarely visited Steeple Jason Island on which the largest Black-browed albatross colony in the world is located (app. 113.000). A true expedition landing. As an alternative, we would take a walk along the Coast of Carcass Island. Here we may encounter breeding Magellanic and Gentoo penguins, but also numerous waders and passerine birds are present. On Saunders Island, we can see the majestic Black-browed albatross and their sometimes-clumsy landings near their nesting site, along with breeding Imperial shags and Rock hopper penguins. King penguins, Magellanic penguins, and Gentoo penguins are also present here.
Day 5 — Stanley, Falkland Islands
In Stanley, the capital of the Falklands, we can experience Falkland culture, which has some South American characteristics as well as Victorian charm, colorful houses, well-tended gardens, and English style pubs. In Stanley and the surrounding area, we can see quite a number of stranded clippers from a century ago. They bear witness to the hardships of sailors in the 19th Century. The small, but very interesting museum is well worth a visit featuring an exhibition covering the early days of settlement up to the Falklands War of 1982.
Approximately 1300 people live in the small capital in which all passengers are free to wander around on their own.
Days 6 & 7 — At Sea
On our way to South Georgia we will cross the Antarctic Convergence. Entering Antarctic currents, the temperature will drop considerably in the time span of only a few hours. Nutritious water is brought to the surface by the colliding water columns, which brings a multitude of seabirds near the ship: several species of albatrosses, shearwaters, petrels, prions and skuas.
Days 8 to 11 — South Georgia
Weather conditions on South Georgia can be challenging and will largely dictate the program.
On Prion Island we will witness the breeding efforts of the huge Wandering albatross and enjoy watching their displays (the island is closed for visitors during the early part of the breeding season from 20 Nov – 07 January).
In Fortuna Bay, penguins and seals inhabit the beaches. We may follow the final section of Shackleton’s route to Stromness, the abandoned whaling village. The route leads us across the mountain pass past the “Shackleton Waterfall”. The terrain is partly swampy and some small streams may have to be crossed along the way.
At Grytviken, we will also see an abandoned whaling station, where King penguins now walk in the streets and Elephant seals have taken residency. Here we will also offer a visit to the Whaling History Museum as well as to Shackleton’s grave nearby.
Salisbury Plain, St Andrews Bay and Gold Harbor house the three largest King penguin colonies in South Georgia but are also home to a substantial number of Antarctic fur seals during the breeding season (December – January).
Day 12 — At Sea
A multitude of seabirds will again follow the ship southwards. At some point, we might encounter sea-ice, and it is at the ice-edge where we might have a chance to see some high-Antarctic species like the South Polar Skua and Snow Petrel.
Day 13 — South Orkney Islands
Weather and ice depending we hope to visit to Orcadas station, an Argentinean base located on Laurie Island in the South Orkney Island archipelago. The friendly base personnel will show us their facilities and we can enjoy the wonderful views of the surrounding glaciers. Alternatively, we may attempt a landing in Shingle Cove on Signy Island.
Day 14 — At Sea towards Antarctica
We will pass large icebergs and have a good chance of Fin whales on the way south. In addition, we have the best chances on the trip to see Antarctic Petrels around the ship.
Days 15 to 18 — Antarctic Peninsula
If the ice permits us, we will sail into the Weddell Sea. Huge tabular icebergs will announce our arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. We hope to visit Paulet Island with a huge number of Adélie penguins and Brown Bluff located in the ice clogged Antarctic Sound, where we may set foot on the continent. If sea ice conditions are not favorable to enter the Weddell Sea from the east, we set course for Elephant Island and head into the Bransfield Strait between South Shetland Island and the Antarctic Peninsula and attempt to gain access to the Antarctic Sound from the northwest.
The volcanic islands of the South Shetlands are windswept and often shrouded in mist, but do offer subtle pleasures. There is a nice variety of flora (mosses, lichens and flowering grasses) and fauna, such as Gentoo Penguins, Chinstrap Penguins and Southern Giant Petrels. On Half Moon Island we will find Chinstrap Penguins and Weddell Seals often haul out on the beach near the Argentinean station Camara.
In Deception Island, our ship braves through the spectacular Neptune’s Bellows and into the flooded caldera. Here we find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, thousands of Cape Petrels and many Kelp Gulls, Brown and South Polar Skuas and Antarctic Terns. Wilson’s Storm Petrels and Black-bellied Storm Petrels nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay. Alternatively, we will offer activities near Telefon Bay further inside the flooded caldera.
In Neko Harbour or Paradise Bay we hope to set foot on the Antarctic continent in a magnificent landscape of huge glaciers calving at sea level. We enjoy the landscape surrounded by alpine peaks. In this area, we have good chances to see Humpback Whales and Minke Whales. After sailing through the Neumayer Channel, we hope to get a chance to visit the old British research station, now living museum and post office at Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Close to Port Lockroy, we may also offer activities around Jougla Point with Gentoo Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags. If ice conditions allow we may opt to venture as far south as the Lemaire Channel to explore opportunities for activities. In the early hours of our last landing day, we hope to conduct our activities at Cuverville Island with the several thousand Gentoo penguins in the largest Gentoo rookery of the Antarctic peninsula. We depart to the Drake Passage around noon of day 18 through the Melchior Islands.
Days 19 & 20 — At Sea
On our way north a great selection of seabirds will follow the ship while crossing the Drake Passage.
Day 21 — Arrival in Ushuaia and disembark the vessel
We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark.
Note: Program may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions, the availability of landing sites and opportunities to see wildlife. The expedition leader on board will determine the final itinerary. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.
* Itinerary may be subject to change
Per Person USD Rates Antarctica 2018-19 |
Quadruple Private
|
Triple Porthole
|
Twin Porthole
|
Twin Window
|
Twin Deluxe
|
Superior
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Camp, Mountaineering, Photography, Kayak, Snowshoe All Activities Free on Basecamp Trips | $7,950Full | $8,950Full | $9,650Full | $10,100Full | $10,850Full | $11,700Full |
Kayak | $7,950Full | $8,950Full | $9,650Full | $10,100Full | $10,850Full | $11,700Full |
Save 20% (26% on Superior) (Prices in Red) | $7,950$6,4001 Berth | $8,950$7,2001 Berth | $9,650$7,700Full | $10,100$8,100Full | $10,850$8,650Full | $11,700$8,650Full |
Whale Watching Voyage Save $1,150 on Superior (Prices in Red) | $5,750Full | $6,400Full | $7,050Full | $7,450Full | $7,950Full | $8,600$7,450Full |
Single Supplement is 1.7 times the standard rate. We can pair you with another person of the same gender in Twin Deluxe and below cabins without the Single Supplement pricing. Mandatory Emergency Evacuation insurance is required. Airfare is not included in these prices.
Adventure options must be pre-booked and paid for prior to start of the trip. Space is subject to availability. Some activities require experience.
Camping - $180 per night, max 30 people
Kayaking - $465 per trip, max 14 people
Snowshoe - No charge but sign up required
Activities are Free for the “Basecamp Plancius” voyages (incl. Camping, Kayaking, Snowshoeing/Hiking, Mountaineering & Photography Workshop)
All trips subject to possible fuel surcharge.
Per Person USD Rates Antarctica 2019-20 |
Quadruple Private
|
Triple Porthole
|
Twin Porthole
|
Twin Window
|
Twin Deluxe
|
Superior
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$5,900Full | $6,650Full | $7,050Full | $7,500Full | $8,100Full | $8,650Full | |
Camp, Kayak Save $1,400 on Twin Porthole & Twin Window (Prices in Red) 1st come 1st served: Free Camping & Free Kayaking. Limited space available. | $7,250Limited | $8,150 | $8,900$7,500Limited | $9,300$7,900 | $9,950 | $10,700 |
$12,750Full | $13,9001 Berth | $15,350Full | $16,100Full | $17,200Full | $18,400Limited | |
Camp, Mountaineering, Photography, Kayak, Snowshoe Free camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, photo workshop. | $8,400Full | $9,450Full | $10,3001 Berth | $10,750Full | $11,550Full | $12,150Full |
Camp, Mountaineering, Photography, Kayak, Snowshoe Free camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, photo workshop. | $8,400Full | $9,450Full | $10,300Full | $10,750Full | $11,550Full | $12,150Full |
Camp, Kayak | $7,950Full | $8,950Full | $9,850Full | $10,250 | $10,900Full | $11,800 |
$14,6001 Berth | $15,800 | $17,500Full | $18,2501 Berth | $19,450Full | $20,950Limited | |
$7,950Full | $8,950 | $9,850 | $10,250 | $10,900Full | $11,800 | |
Camp, Kayak | $7,950Limited | $8,950Full | $9,850Full | $10,250 | $10,900Full | $11,800 |
Camp, Mountaineering, Photography, Kayak, Snowshoe Free camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, photo workshop. | $7,9501 Berth | $8,950Full | $9,850Full | $10,250 | $10,900Full | $11,800 |
Camp, Mountaineering, Photography, Kayak, Snowshoe Free camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, photo workshop. | $7,950Full | $8,9501 Berth | $9,850Full | $10,250 | $10,900 | $11,800 |
$5,950Limited | $6,700Full | $7,150 | $7,550 | $8,150Full | $8,800 | |
$11,800Full | $13,200Full | $14,350Full | $14,950 | $15,950Full | $17,200 | |
$7,150Full | $7,950Full | $8,8001 Berth | $9,150 | $9,650Full | $10,300 | |
$1,6501 Berth | $1,9001 Berth | $2,200Limited | $2,400 | $2,500 | $2,750 |
Single travelers can chose between "single occupancy" at a supplement
of 1,7 x the Twin or Superior cabin rate , or "sharing basis" in Twin, Triple
or Quadruple category at no additional cost.
Adventure options must be pre-booked and paid for prior to start of the trip. Space is subject to availability. Some activities require experience.
Camping - $190 per night, max 30 people
Kayaking - $465 per trip, max 14 people
Snowshoe - No charge but sign up required
Activities are Free for the “Basecamp” voyages (incl. Camping, Kayaking, Snowshoeing/Hiking, Mountaineering & Photography Workshop)
All trips subject to possible fuel surcharge.
Per Person USD Rates Antarctica 2021-22 |
Quadruple Private
|
Triple Porthole
|
Twin Porthole
|
Twin Window
|
Twin Deluxe
|
Superior
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$16,400 | $17,900 | $19,800 | $20,600 | $22,100 | $23,700 |
Superior 2 windows • 1 double bed • 1 sofa bed • Private shower & toilet • Desk & chair • Flatscreen TV • Telephone and Internet connection • Refrigerator • Coffee & tea maker • Hair dryer • Ample storage space |
|
Twin Deluxe 2 windows • 2 lower berths • Private shower & toilet • Desk & chair • Flatscreen TV • Telephone and Internet connection • Hair dryer • Ample storage space • These cabins are corner cabins and are slightly more spacious than the normal twin porthole/window cabins |
|
Twin Window 1 window • 2 lower berths • Private shower & toilet • Desk & chair • Flatscreen TV • Telephone and Internet connection • Hair dryer • Ample storage space |
|
Twin Porthole 1 porthole • 2 lower berths • Private shower & toilet • Desk & chair • Flatscreen TV • Telephone and Internet connection • Hair dryer • Ample storage space |
|
Triple Porthole 1 porthole • 1 upper berth & 2 lower berths • Private shower & toilet • Desk & chair • Flatscreen TV • Telephone and Internet connection • Hair dryer • Ample storage space Suitable for families traveling with children |
|
Quadruple Porthole 1 porthole • 2 upper & lower berths • Private shower & toilet • Desk & chair • Flatscreen TV • Telephone and Internet connection • Hair dryer • Ample storage space Suitable for families traveling with children |