Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica: Explorers and Kings

The starting point of your expedition is the small town of Ushuaia in southern Argentina. It is located in Tierra del Fuego and has a small-town flair, but many shops, museums, cafes and restaurants that you can visit before your journey. If you’re feeling adventurous, the nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park offers outdoor activities such as hiking.

With embarkation, the anticipation grows. You exchange your land legs for sea legs, greet your fellow travelers and familiarize yourself with your ship. As each Antarctic adventure offers new possibilities and experiences, embarkation day is just as exciting for your expedition team as it is for you. On board, your team will ensure both your comfort and safety as well as help make your wildlife dreams come true.

The sea day on the way towards the Falkland Islands is filled with lectures from your expedition team on topics such as photography, wildlife, glaciology and history. Between lectures, you can watch for wildlife on deck or chat with your shipmates over a drink at the bar.

With arrival at the Falkland Islands, your camera will be truly challenged for the first time to capture the rich wildlife and rugged atmosphere of this sub-Antarctic landscape. The archipelago consists of two main islands, East and West Falkland, which you will explore with daily excursions. The capital Stanley, also known as Port Stanley, is a popular landing site, as the charming town offers a unique British outpost feel. You are free to explore the town, have a beer at the local pub, or visit the cathedral and museum. As for wildlife, the island group is home to Magellanic, gentoo and southern rockhopper penguins. If you’re lucky, you might even see king penguins on the Falklands! You can also expect to see albatrosses as well as two endemic bird species. Your expert expedition team will introduce you to the local flora and fauna and ensure you get the most out of your time in the Falkland Islands.

As you cross the Antarctic Convergence on your journey towards South Georgia, an invisible biological boundary, you officially enter Antarctic waters. The meeting of the oceans at the convergence, where cold Antarctic waters mix with the warmer waters of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, helps attract krill, whales, seals and birds to this part of the world. Your expedition team will alert you when you cross this invisible but important boundary, and also look out for the seabirds and marine life that frequent this nutrient-rich area.

The remote and mountainous island of South Georgia was a popular stopover for many historic Antarctic expeditions and was known for whale and seal hunting. Today, the island’s animal populations are recovering, but the remains of old whaling stations and other abandoned outposts are still visible. A significant and historic site is the grave of the great explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton in the settlement of Grytviken. You can visit his grave in the settlement, which also houses an old whaling station, as well as a museum, gift shop, church and small research station. Although South Georgia’s history is an important attraction of the island, the highlight is the incredible abundance of wildlife. South Georgia is the Serengeti of Antarctica. The animal density is higher than on the Galapagos Islands. Each landing you make on South Georgia will bring the wonderful lifestyles of Antarctic wildlife to your eyes. One day you might see colonies of hundreds of thousands of king penguins waddling ashore, and the next day you might visit another beach inhabited by hundreds of fur seals or elephant seals. The grasses, mountains and beaches of South Georgia all play an important role in the breeding and survival of various species. Your expedition team will introduce you to this fragile and interwoven relationship during your time here.

You say goodbye to the king penguins and head to your next destination – Antarctica! Your days at sea are filled with presentations, workshops and activities led by your expedition team. If conditions allow, you will attempt to land on the South Orkney Islands, your first official stop in Antarctica.

The most common reaction after taking the first step on the Antarctic continent is a feeling of awe and wonder. The experience is indescribable, as few places are as pristine and as special as Antarctica. The continent is a land of extremes. In one moment you will be overwhelmed by a sense of complete silence, the next moment nature inspires you as a calving glacier plunges into the brilliantly blue sea or a curious penguin waddles by to observe the humans. Your expedition team will accompany you on every excursion, whether you’re traveling by Zodiac, visiting a historic site or a penguin colony. Here you will find chinstrap, Adelie and gentoo penguins as well as Weddell, fur, crabeater and leopard seals. During Zodiac rides, also keep an eye out for whales such as humpbacks, as you might get the chance for a very close encounter with one of the majestic animals. Each day and each excursion will present you with a new collection of impressions that will entertain you and keep your camera busy. As exciting as the Zodiac excursions and landings are, you might treat yourself to a particularly Antarctic experience by participating in an optional sea kayaking tour (at additional cost) or throwing all reason to the wind and jumping into the Antarctic waters during the Polar Plunge!

After more than two weeks of wildlife encounters, your journey home begins. Crossing the Drake Passage is the unofficial rite of passage that concludes your Antarctic adventure. You enjoy the final moments celebrating with your shipmates and savoring the silence of the sea for as long as possible.

After breakfast on board your ship, it’s time to say goodbye to your expedition team. For those flying out on the first flights home, an airport transfer will be arranged. Other guests will be taken into town, from where they can continue their journey or start their journey home.