Embark on an unforgettable adventure through some of the most remote and stunning landscapes on the planet. This expedition voyage will take you to explore the majestic Falkland Islands, the astonishing wildlife of South Georgia, and the mystical beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Your journey begins in Ushuaia, sailing to the Falkland Islands, where you'll witness incredible colonies of penguins and albatrosses. You'll then cross the sea to reach South Georgia, a true paradise for wildlife lovers. Here, you'll be surrounded by thousands of king penguins, elephant seals, and seals, while exploring historic whaling stations and glacial landscapes.
Finally, the expedition will immerse you in Antarctica, sailing through the iconic Drake Passage and the Antarctic Sound. You'll visit scientific bases, explore volcanic calderas, and marvel at glaciers calving into the sea, all in a setting of unparalleled beauty.
Aboard the USHUAIA, you'll enjoy a program of lectures led by expert naturalists, who will guide you through the history and ecosystems of these places, making your trip an educational experience full of discoveries.
Itinerary
Day 1: Departure from Ushuaia
Embarkation in the afternoon aboard USHUAIA. After a welcome cocktail and introductions to the crew and expedition staff, you'll have time to meet your fellow travelers. We'll sail toward the westernmost islands of the Falklands (Malvinas), known for their rugged beauty and abundance of birdlife.
Day 2: Underway
The "open bridge" policy aboard USHUAIA will allow you to join our officers on the bridge and learn some aspects of navigation, go whale watching, or simply enjoy the view. These waters are home to countless seabirds, such as albatrosses and petrels, which often follow the ship. Join our lecturers and naturalists on deck to look for seabirds and local wildlife, such as orcas and dolphins. Our expedition team's lecture program will help prepare you for your visit to the Falkland Islands.
Day 3: Western Falkland Islands
Under favorable conditions, our onboard lecturers and naturalists will accompany you on your first excursion. Off the west coast, we hope to explore the following islands:
- West Point Island: Located off the northwestern tip of West Falkland, here you will find a spectacular colony of rockhopper penguins alongside a colony of black-browed albatrosses. From Devil's Nose Cliff, you'll enjoy splendid views of Cliff Mountain.
- Rosario Island (Carcass Island): Located in the northwest of the archipelago, this island is known for its large population of small birds. Gentoo and Magellanic penguins also nest here. You can enjoy tea with the locals in the estancia's main house.
In the evening, we'll sail east around the islands to reach the capital, Stanley, the next morning.
Day 4: Soledad Island (Eastern Falkland Islands) - At Sea
In the morning, we'll explore the picturesque Stanley with its museum, souvenir shops, and pubs. The village, established in the 1840s, has a history marked by two World Wars. Even without leaving the urban area, you can appreciate the extraordinary wildlife, such as southern giant petrels, Falkland steamer ducks, and kelp gulls.
In the afternoon, we will set sail for South Georgia.
Day 5 and 6: At Sea
During these days, we will continue our extensive lecture program on board. Our expert naturalists will share their knowledge about the wildlife and the unique ecosystems you will encounter during the voyage. South Georgia is considered one of the most beautiful and inspiring places in the world.
Day 7: At Sea - South Georgia
South Georgia in sight! Despite being extremely isolated, the island offers a landscape with high mountains, huge glaciers, deep fjords, and low-lying grasslands. We will try to visit the following sites:
- Elsehul Bay: A small harbor where you can see colonies of black-browed albatrosses and grey-headed albatrosses from the zodiacs.
- Right Whale Bay: Here we hope to find a small colony of king penguins, along with giant petrels, gulls, and elephant seals with their young on Black Ash Beach.
Day 8-12: South Georgia
Our itinerary will be tailored to local conditions. We hope to explore the following destinations:
- Salisbury Plain: Known as the “Serengeti of the South” for its wildlife. Here you will be surrounded by thousands of curious king penguins, elephant seals, and southern giant petrels.
- Grytviken: The ruins of the old whaling station, now the South Georgia Museum. You can also visit Sir Ernest Shackleton's grave. The landscape in this area is exceptionally beautiful, with glaciers and snow-capped peaks.
- Godthul: A cove with gentoo penguins and sooty albatrosses. Rusty barrels and bones from whales and elephant seals are fascinating relics from the whaling era.
- St Andrews Bay: Home to South Georgia's largest king penguin colony. The coast stretches for 3 km of dark sands, carpeted by penguins and elephant seals.
- Cooper Bay: A spectacular setting with volcanic rocks. From the zodiac, we can observe chinstrap and rockhopper penguins.
- Drygalski Fjord: Here, glaciers continue to be one of the main attractions of the coast. With a little luck, you can see a glacier calving from the boat.
Days 13 and 14: Underway
We will begin crossing the Scotia Sea towards the Antarctic Peninsula. Days at open sea offer excellent opportunities to be on deck, reading, editing photographs, or reflecting on the fantastic experience in South Georgia. There will be lectures and activities on board.
Day 15: Elephant Island, South Shetland Islands
We hope to visit the enigmatic Elephant Island, a historic site for admirers of Sir Ernest Shackleton. In 1916, Shackleton left 22 of his men here to find help, which became one of the greatest rescue stories of all time.
Day 16: Underway – Antarctic Peninsula: Antarctic Sound
Our expedition staff will prepare you for your Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands experience. In the afternoon, we hope to reach the Antarctic Peninsula, in the scenic Antarctic Sound. We will attempt to land at one of the following sites:
- Argentina Esperanza Base: We will attempt to navigate through the passage east of the Antarctic Peninsula, where this base is located.
- Brown Bluff: A spectacular reddish headland south of Esperanza Bay, conducive to a land visit. The Weddell Sea is the center of the Peninsula's Adélie penguin population.
Day 17-19: Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
In the Antarctic Sound area, we hope to explore the following sites:
Gerlache Strait: A landscape of beautiful channels, mountainous islands, and sheltered bays. The main attractions are the peaks never reached by man and the immense glaciers that flow into the sea.
- Hydrurga Rocks: A small group of islands with chinstrap penguins, Antarctic shags and kelp gulls.
- Cuverville Island: A raised beach that is an excellent nesting site for many gentoo penguins.
- Deception Island: The largest volcanic centre in the South Shetland Islands. We'll sail through the narrow entrance to the flooded caldera, and you'll hike to a spectacular vantage point.
- Crescent Island: On this crescent-shaped island, you'll see chinstrap penguins amid a landscape of astonishing beauty.
Days 20 and 21: Underway
We'll leave the Antarctic Peninsula and head north to cross the Drake Passage. Our staff will help you identify seabirds and whales. You'll also enjoy the last lectures of the voyage. Take time to relax and reflect on your fantastic adventures.
Day 22: Arrival at the Port of Ushuaia
Early in the morning, we'll arrive at the Port of Ushuaia, where you'll disembark after breakfast.
