Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands Explorer

Welcome to the port city of Ushuaia for the start of your Antarctic adventure. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the hotel and settle in before meeting your fellow travellers. If you’re arriving earlier there are plenty of activities to choose from. Visit Tierra del Fuego National Park on a full day’s adventure, or perhaps take a walk around town, visiting the waterfront overlooking the Beagle Channel. The Museo Maritimo (Maritime Museum which is housed in an old prison) sets the scene of the city’s history or enjoy a delectable combination of Argentinean wine and steak at a local restaurant.

You will have some time this morning to shop for any last-minute items and take a final look around town before departing in the afternoon. The main street of Avenida San Martin (San Martin Avenue), in downtown Ushuaia, has plenty of stores stocked with clothing, Argentinian crafts and a selection of wines and food products. This afternoon, you’ll be transferred from your hotel to the pier where you’ll board your vessel and new home for the duration of your Antarctic exploration. Here you’ll meet your expert crew and take a tour of the amenities and services available on the ship. In the evening, the ship sets off through the Beagle Channel and we bid farewell to the southernmost tip of South America as we make our way towards the crossing of the legendary Drake Passage. Join your shipmates and meet the polar crew this evening for drinks during the Captain’s Welcome, then sit down to dinner in the evening.

The infamous Drake Passage has a reputation for rough seas, but it’s also a rite of passage and part of the adventure of Antarctica. Over the next two days get to know your team of polar experts as they share in-depth knowledge into the Great White Continent, its wildlife, history and geology so you can gain a greater understanding and be prepared for exploration off board. Depending on weather conditions, make your way out to the deck for the chance to spot Antarctic wildlife such as whales, dolphins or perhaps albatross and other seabirds such as prions and petrels. The polar crew is familiar with the wildlife that inhabit these parts and are there to help point out any approaching marine life.

Set your eyes on the incredible terrain of the world’s most southern land. Get ready for onshore exploration over the next four days, stepping off the ship and into a Zodiac and taking your first steps on the Antarctic Peninsula. There are a number of potential landing sites and the crew will make a decision on which will be visited based on conditions. A list of these sites can be found at https://www.peregrineadventures.com/en-au/antarctica/landing-sites. Enjoy Zodiac rides to get closer to marine life such as whales and seals; onshore exploration at penguin rookeries; and optional activities such as snowshoeing, kayaking and camping overnight (these must be booked before departure). Wildlife encounters on the Antarctic Peninsula are likely to include Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals; gentoo, Adelie and chinstrap penguins; and elephant seals. If the weather conditions make an excursion unsafe, the crew will arrange for alternative activities on the ship – such as wildlife presentations, documentary screenings or you can make the most of the wellness spa, heated pool and sauna, library and gym on board.

Retracing Shackleton’s path to South Georgia, look out for seabirds, whales and other wildlife. Listen to sessions from our onboard Antarctic experts and take in the shapes of the seascape. The ship will head towards Elephant Island where, weather permitting, we will attempt to make a landing. Elephant Island is where Sir Ernest Shackleton left 24 of his men after being shipwrecked in 1917, then embarked on one of the greatest survival stories of all time on a mission to South Georgia.

Continuing the journey following the route of Shackleton across the ocean to South Georgia, life on board is a very different experience to that of the explorers at the start of the twentieth century. The islands of South Georgia, located in the southern Atlantic Ocean, were described by Shackleton’s crew as a ‘piece of the Alps transplanted in the Atlantic – with peaks, glaciers and frozen lakes on which man has yet to venture’.

Over the next few days, explore the island of South Georgia, once the homestead of whalers and lonely explorers but now a protected area with dedicated Antarctic research teams. Home to hundreds of thousands of breeding pairs of king penguin at St Andrew’s Bay, the largest king penguin rookery on South Georgia – this is a wildlife spectacle to behold. See enormous quantities of sea birds, fur and elephant seal pups and discover a wealth of history. Spend time at the old whaling settlement of Grytviken and pay a visit to the grave of the legend himself – Sir Ernest Shackleton. The island has been a British Overseas Territory since 1775 and, at 3,755 square kilometres (1450 square miles), it's the largest island in the territory.

Leave South Georgia and chart a course for the Falkland Islands. From the deck, scan the horizon for seabirds and other wildlife. Prepare for the Falklands by attending the onboard presentation highlighting the dramatic history and wildlife encounters that await.

The two main islands (East Falkland and West Falkland) have much to offer and provide a rare opportunity to witness the biological diversity, extraordinary scenery and history of the southern islands. The Falklands have the largest black-browed albatross colony in the world and five species of penguin breed on the islands (gentoo, king, macaroni, magellanic and rockhopper). Here we will explore the capital of Port Stanley, located on East Falkland Island, offering an opportunity to meet the locals whose colourful houses provide contrast to the icy backdrop. In addition, depending on time and conditions, we will endeavour to visit the islands’ penguin breeding grounds.

Cruise towards Ushuaia with time to reflect on the spectacular scenery and prolific wildlife you've encountered during the voyage, along with the endeavours of legendary explorers like Shackleton.

As the journey comes to an end, disembark in Ushuaia where you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight home.