South Georgia and Antarctic Odyssey featuring the South Sandwich Islands

Upon your arrival in Ushuaia, you will be greeted by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and taken to your booked hotel. Check-in is possible from 3:00 PM. In the afternoon, you can visit the hospitality desk at the hotel to collect your luggage tags and clarify details about embarkation and the Beagle Channel and Isla de Los Lobos cruise. Late-arriving expedition participants will find a welcome package at check-in and can visit the hospitality desk the next morning between 8:00 and 10:00 AM.

Enjoy your breakfast in the morning and check out. Bring your labeled cabin luggage to the reception by 11:00 AM. Afterwards, the morning is at your leisure. For the catamaran trip, the meeting point is at 12:15 PM in the hotel lobby. Alternatively, meet in the lobby at 3:00 PM or at the parking lot near the pier at 3:30 PM to get to the embarkation transfer. On board, settle into your cabin and participate in the safety briefings. A welcome dinner in the evening offers you the opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers and the expedition team.

At the beginning of the Drake Passage, you will get used to the movements of the sea, while the expedition team prepares you for the first landing and gives interesting lectures about Antarctica. You can observe numerous seabirds, including albatrosses and petrels. On sea days, the ship’s facilities such as gym, sauna, and whirlpools are at your disposal. On the fourth day, excitement builds as the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula come into view, and the first landing could take place in the late afternoon.

Arrival in Antarctica is unforgettable, especially at the first sight of an iceberg and breathing in the fresh air. The west side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands offer many exploration opportunities, which the experienced expedition team selects depending on weather, ice, and animal conditions. Daily landings or Zodiac excursions to ice formations and animal observations take place. On land, penguin colonies, historic huts, and impressive landscapes await exploration.

On the way to the South Sandwich Islands, exciting lectures about the wildlife, history, and culture of the region await you. The sauna and whirlpools invite you to relax, while the gym offers the opportunity to stay active. The observation lounges are the perfect place to enjoy the view.

You explore the South Sandwich Islands, which Captain James Cook discovered during his second voyage of discovery (1772-1775). Cook described these icy, uninhabited islands as “lands condemned by nature to perpetual frigidness.” The volcanic islands are largely covered with ice, and some volcanoes are still active. On Zavodovski Island, there is an impressive colony of chinstrap penguins, comprising about a million penguins.

Enjoy a drink while reminiscing about the adventures on the South Sandwich Islands and listen to the stories of the experts on board as you prepare for the exciting days in South Georgia.

The experienced expedition team plans the journey daily according to weather, sea conditions, and animal observations. Warm clothing is recommended for Zodiac excursions to rocky bays, where penguins, seals, and birds can be observed. On land, huge king penguin colonies and historic whaling stations are on the program, as well as exploring the impressive landscape of South Georgia.

On the way to the Falkland Islands, there is much to experience on board. The expedition team gives interesting lectures about the wildlife, history, and nature of the region. You can observe seabirds from the stern of the ship, look out for whales, or simply enjoy the many amenities on board.

On the Falkland Islands, many beautiful places await discovery, and each has its own perspective on this impressive archipelago. The experienced expedition team plans the daily schedule depending on wind, weather, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Typically, there are landings or Zodiac excursions twice daily to rocky bays and cliffs, where you can observe seals, sea lions, dolphins, and penguins.

On the way to Ushuaia, you have the opportunity to edit your photos, enjoy the on-board offerings, or attend the final lectures. A special farewell dinner from the captain offers the chance to celebrate the end of this unforgettable journey with newly made friends. Use the remaining time to reflect on your experiences and become an ambassador for the protection and preservation of Antarctica.

Early in the morning, you navigate through the Beagle Channel and reach Ushuaia. Here it’s time to say goodbye to your expedition team and fellow travelers. Guests with early flights will be taken directly to the airport, while others have the opportunity to explore Ushuaia before departing for the airport in the afternoon.