Epic Antarctica: The Falklands, South Georgia and Crossing the Circle
The epic journey is not called that for nothing - it includes all the important highlights of Antarctica that you can imagine.
Duration
23 Day
Number
Starts from
Ushuaia
Price
from 44.220 €
1. Highlights of the Route
- You are traveling on one of the most adventurous routes in Antarctica.
- Your journey begins in Ushuaia and ends in Ushuaia in southern Argentina.
- You travel on an expedition ship with Polar Class PC6 in suites from 21 m² with a maximum of 199 passengers and one of the leading expedition teams in Antarctica.
Your Trip at a Glance
The epic itinerary includes all the major highlights of Antarctica that you can imagine. From the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) to South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula, you will experience countless unforgettable moments on this adventurous 23-day journey.
You begin your journey with the Falkland Islands, which are reminiscent of both sandy Cape Cod and the English moors and are home to albatrosses, dolphins, and five species of penguins. From there, you continue to South Georgia, where 300,000 breeding king penguins, 50 million other seabirds, and 5 million seals are at home.
Then you explore the breathtaking Antarctic Peninsula and finally cross the Antarctic Circle – an important milestone for any world traveler.
You reach your destination on one of the most modern expedition ships in Antarctica with two helicopters, specially built to push the boundaries of polar travel.
Arrival Package:
You can travel independently, have us plan an individual travel package for you, or opt for the local travel package from your ship for an additional fee.
The travel package for an additional fee includes:
– One night’s accommodation in a hotel in Buenos Aires before the expedition with breakfast (Note: The number of guests per room corresponds to the cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who reserve a suite on board will be accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel. Triple rooms may not be available).
– Group flight from Buenos Aires domestic airport (Aeroparque/AEP) to Ushuaia and back to Buenos Aires international airport (Ezeiza/EZE).
– Group transfer from the hotel to the airport in Buenos Aires.
– Group transfer from Ushuaia airport to the ship and back (Note: The transfer upon arrival in Buenos Aires from the airport to the hotel at the beginning of the trip is not included. Please make your way to the included hotel).
– Combined airport transfer and express bus tour through Tierra del Fuego National Park after disembarkation in Ushuaia
Post Itinerary Package:
On request, we’ll be happy to arrange a customized post-tour itinerary or your return trip.
2. The Itinerary
1st Day: Arrival in Buenos Aires
After your arrival in the Argentine capital, known for its architecture and rich European heritage, you will be taken to your group hotel (the pre-expedition overnight hotel stay is included in the mandatory transfer package).
2nd Day: Flight to Ushuaia and embarkation
After breakfast at the hotel, your group will be transferred to the airport and board a private charter flight to Ushuaia, Argentina. Upon arrival, you will be transferred from the airport to a central location in the city center, where you will have some time to explore the picturesque port town on your own before making your way to the pier. After embarkation in the late afternoon, you will sail through the historic Beagle Channel, which traverses the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. The next time you see land, you will be in the remote Antarctic wilderness.
3rd Day: At sea
The day at sea is filled with lectures by your expedition team on topics such as photography, wildlife, glaciology, and history. Between lectures, you can watch for wildlife from the deck or socialize with your shipmates over a drink at the bar.
4th to 5th Day: Falkland Islands
Your camera will be truly challenged for the first time on the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) to capture the rich wildlife and rugged natural landscapes of the subantarctic region. Your team of polar experts will enrich your understanding of the local flora and fauna and help you make the most of your time in the Falkland Islands. The archipelago consists of two main islands, East and West Falkland, which you will explore with daily Zodiac excursions and landings. The main town Stanley, also known as Port Stanley, is a popular landing site as the town offers a unique British outpost feel. You are free to explore the town, have a pint at the local pub, or visit the numerous churches and museums. The archipelago is rich in wildlife, especially birds, and is home to Magellanic, Gentoo, and Southern Rockhopper penguins. With luck, you may even see King penguins. Chances are high that you will see a black-browed albatross.
6th to 7th Day: At sea
You will travel southeast towards South Georgia. Once you cross the Antarctic Convergence, you will officially be in Antarctic waters. This is an invisible biological boundary surrounding the continent. Where the oceans meet at the Convergence, nutrient-rich waters support vast swarms of krill, drawing whales, seals, and seabirds to the region. Your expedition team will inform you when you cross this invisible but important boundary and help you look out for seabirds and other marine life that frequent this nutrient-rich area.
8th to 11th Day: South Georgia
The remote island was a popular stop for many historical Antarctic expeditions and was once a center for whaling and sealing. Today, wildlife populations on the island have recovered, but you will still see remnants of old whaling stations. One of the most significant sites on South Georgia is the grave of the great explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. You can visit his grave in the settlement of Grytviken, which also features an old whaling station, museum, gift shop, church, and small research station. The immense wealth of wildlife will also captivate you. With each landing on South Georgia, often referred to as the Galapagos of the Poles, you have the opportunity to observe enormous wildlife populations. One day you might see colonies of hundreds of thousands of king penguins waddling ashore, and the next day you might visit another beach dominated by hundreds of fur or elephant seals. Your expedition leaders will help you understand and appreciate the delicate balance between these fragile and interconnected relationships.
12th to 13th Day: At sea
You bid farewell to the king penguins. Your next destination is Antarctica! Your days at sea are filled with presentations, workshops, and activities led by your expedition team.
14th to 16th Day: South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
The most common reaction upon arrival on the Antarctic continent is a sense of awe and wonder. You reach a land of extremes. In one moment, you are immersed in complete silence and solitude, in the next you are laughing at the comical antics of a penguin. Zodiac rides, visits to historic sites, and of course encounters with seals and penguins will be the highlights. You might spot a Leopard Seal, or you might encounter an Antarctic Minke whale while out on a Zodiac. Each day and each excursion offers a new collection of impressions that will captivate you and keep your camera busy. If you’re up for more, treat yourself to an optional kayaking adventure (reserve in advance when booking your trip), or throw caution to the wind and participate in the Polar Plunge – something you’ll never forget!
17th to 18th Day: Southern Polar Circle
Crossing the Antarctic Circle is a memorable experience and an impressive achievement. Few travelers venture this far south. If conditions allow crossing this famous latitude of 66°33′ South, you will toast to the early polar explorers who ventured here. You can raise a glass and be proud that you’ve made it to a part of the world visited by very few people. This is where you’ll find the raw Antarctica, home of the midnight sun, Weddell seals, and your best chances to see sea ice – the foundation of the Antarctic marine ecosystem.
19th to 20th Day: Northward along the peninsula
As you head north along the western Antarctic Peninsula, you will continue to make Zodiac excursions. Your expedition team will always be on the lookout for seabirds, seals, and whales that you may have missed on your journey south.
21st to 22nd Day: Crossing the Drake Passage
After more than three weeks of rare wildlife encounters and remarkable landscapes, your journey home begins. The unpredictable and exciting Drake Passage is an adventure in itself. While you’re well looked after by expert staff on board, you’ll have plenty of time to gaze out at the ocean, photograph seabirds swooping around the ship, and reflect on your remarkable Antarctic adventure.
23rd Day: Disembarkation in Ushuaia and flight to Buenos Aires
You arrive in Ushuaia in the morning and disembark after breakfast. The mandatory transfer package includes a taste of Patagonia with a tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park before you are transferred to the airport to board the group charter flight to Buenos Aires.
- Departure From: Ushuaia
- End Point: Ushuaia
3. Services Included
Included
- Antarctic cruise in the booked cabin category.
- All shore excursions and activities throughout the entire journey including Zodiac excursions.
- Scientific lectures and entertainment on board.
- All meals, including snacks, coffee and tea throughout the entire journey on board the ship.
- Complimentary beer, house wines, spirits and cocktails during bar opening hours and with dinner.
- An official Quark Expeditions® parka for you to keep.
- Free rubber boots rental.
- A photographic journal documenting the expedition.
- Free WiFi for one device, allowing basic internet browsing, email, social media posts and apps. (Premium packages for more data-intensive apps are available.)
- Emergency evacuation insurance for all passengers up to a maximum amount of USD 500,000 per person.
- Comprehensive pre- and post-trip information material.
Excluded
- International flights: We can book a suitable flight for you at an additional cost.
- Voluntary tips at the end of the trip for the expedition staff and ship's crew.
- Personal expenses, for example in the on-board shop.
- Massages and similar services.
- Personal travel insurance.
4. Travel Dates and Prices
Please contact us directly for the current daily prices of the trips and the prices for single occupancy or special cabins. Our polar experts will answer all your questions about the itinerary, the ship, and the cabins.
Appointments on request. Please contact us directly using the contact form.
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy per cabin or suite and subject to availability.
For solo travelers, cabins or suites may be available without a single supplement, subject to availability. Please contact us for details for solo travelers.
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