HIGHLIGHTS
- Photograph
nesting black-browed albatross and spot elusive macaroni penguins in
the Falklands~Malvinas
- Watch
as penguin couples take turns incubating their precious eggs
- Witness
elephant seals in their natural habitat, including freshly weaned pups
- Soak
up the rich history with extra time in the Falklands~Malvinas
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
ITINERARY
Day
1 Ushuaia
Arrive
in Ushuaia, where you will be met by a representative of Aurora
Expeditions and transferred to our group hotel. Upon arrival at your
included hotel, kindly remind hotel check-in staff to provide you with
Aurora Expeditions cabin tags. Please clearly label the tags with your
name and ship cabin number.
At
approximately 6.00 pm this evening, meet your fellow expeditioners at a
voyage briefing. Afterwards, there’s free time to enjoy the
local cuisine at one of Ushuaia’s many restaurants. (Dinner
not included).
Accommodation: Las
Hayas Hotel (or similar)
Day
2 Embarkation
This
morning, please ensure your cabin luggage is fitted with cabin tags
clearly labelled with your name and cabin number. Please take your
cabin luggage down to hotel reception by 8.00 am. Your luggage will be
collected from your hotel and transferred directly to the port for
clearance and delivered to your cabin ahead of your arrival on board.
Please keep any valuables or personal items with you throughout the
day. Once you have checked out of your hotel by 11.00 am, you have free
time before meeting back in the hotel lobby at 2.00 pm to commence a
short sightseeing tour of Ushuaia. Alternatively, enjoy time at leisure
and make your own way to the Prison Museum carpark by 3.45 pm to
re-join the group to be transferred to the pier for embarkation.
Ushuaia,
capital of Tierra del Fuego is located at the shores of the Beagle
Channel and surrounded by the Martial Mountains giving you a unique
landscape in Argentina, which is the combination of mountains, sea,
glaciers and forests. On this brief introductory tour, you will visit
“La Mision” neighbourhood, the old Government
House, and the upper area of the city, which offers beautiful panoramic
views of Ushuaia and the Beagle Channel. During the excursion you will
see the antique houses that belonged to the first families settled in
Ushuaia. The excursion ends with a visit to the Old Prison Museum
before transferring to the pier for embarkation at approximately 4.00
pm.
After
embarkation, you’ll have time to settle into your cabin
before our important mandatory briefings. As the ship pulls away from
port, we’ll gather on the deck to commence our adventure with
spectacular views over Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego.
This
evening get to know your fellow expeditioners and friendly expedition
team and crew at a welcome dinner to celebrate the start of a thrilling
adventure to Antarctica.
Day
3 At Sea
As
we commence our trip across the South Atlantic Ocean, we make the most
of our time getting comfortable with the motions of the sea. Our
expedition team prepare you for our first landing with important
wildlife guidelines and biosecurity procedures and start our lecture
program to help you learn more about Antarctica’s history,
wildlife and environment.
Our
wildlife experiences begin as we enjoy watching and photographing the
many seabirds, including majestic albatrosses and giant petrels
following in our wake. They rise and fall skilfully, using air currents
created by the ship to gain momentum.
Days
4-5 Falklands~Malvinas
The
Falklands~Malvinas comprises two large islands (East and West
Falkland), with over 700 islands scattered off the coast. All but seven
of these are uninhabited, with windswept coastlines, white sand beaches
and crystal-clear water. These beautifully barren islands are true
wildlife havens, sheltering an impressive diversity of birdlife,
including the largest black-browed albatross colony on earth. The cold,
nutrient-rich waters surrounding the islands make this a prime location
for spotting marine life.
There
are many beautiful areas to explore across the Falklands~Malvinas, each
offering a unique perspective on this magnificent archipelago. Your
experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this
area, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day,
choosing the best options based on the prevailing winds, weather and
wildlife opportunities.
We
generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day. Even though
we’re north of the Antarctic Convergence it can be quite
chilly here, so you’ll want to layer up before joining Zodiac
cruises into rocky coves or along sea cliffs, keeping watch for seals,
sea lions, dolphins and porpoising penguins. Zodiacs will also
transport you from the ship to land, where you may be able to visit
albatross colonies, penguin rookeries and perhaps even have a
traditional English ‘tea and scones’ at a local
cottage.
We
also aim to land in historic Stanley, the capital of the
Falklands~Malvinas. This charming town has a distinctly British
character, with terraced town houses, pioneer cottages and even an
iconic red telephone box! Colourful buildings house cosy cafes, English
pubs, souvenir shops, a post office and the fascinating Historic
Dockyard Museum, with displays on the maritime history of the Falkland
Islands, natural history and links to Antarctica.
Days
6-8 At Sea
Between
the Falklands~Malvinas and South Georgia, you will be entranced by the
ceaseless flight of the many seabirds that follow our wake, skilfully
using the air currents created by the ship to gain momentum. On this
leg, we are usually travelling into the prevailing weather, so it is
difficult to estimate our precise arrival time in South Georgia. Our
lecture program will continue highlighting all the incredible sights we
have witnessed over the past few days. You will have ample time to
enjoy observing the sea birds, whale-watching from the observation
areas, or simply relaxing with a book.
If
time and weather conditions permit, we may pass close to Shag Rocks, a
fascinating group of jagged rocky islets protruding from the sea, in
the proximity of South Georgia.
Days
9-12 South Georgia
As
you near the rugged island of South Georgia, spare a thought for
Captain James Cook, who arrived here in 1775 and believed it to be the
northern tip of a great southern continent! In fact, it is a small
island only 176 km (110 mi) long, but with a 3,000 m (9,842 ft)
snow-capped mountain range, some of the world’s largest
congregations of wildlife and a truly fascinating human history, South
Georgia is an island of incredible riches.
On
approach, jagged mountain peaks rise steeply, while seabirds are often
spotted soaring around the ship. You’ll sail down the east
coast, taking in the spectacular glaciated scenery and enjoying a
little shelter from the prevailing westerly winds. This enchanting
coastline is yours to explore!
Your
experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this
area, will use their local knowledge to plan your voyage from day to
day, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, sea
state and wildlife opportunities.
We
generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day. Make sure you
layer up before joining Zodiac cruises around craggy coves and along
the rocky coastline in search of nesting penguins, seal haul-outs and
bird cliffs. Remember to keep an eye out for South Georgia’s
kelp forests as well - these remarkable underwater ecosystems are quite
mesmerising as their fronds sway back and forth on the
water’s surface.
Zodiacs
will also transport you from ship to shore, where you can visit some of
the largest king penguin colonies on earth, take a guided walk among
fur seals and elephant seals (making sure you listen to your guides and
keep your distance!) and wander along pebbled streams and grassy
glacial outwash plains. We also hope to visit the remnants of South
Georgia’s thriving whaling stations and pay our respects to
Sir Ernest Shackleton, whose incredible voyage of survival is
synonymous with this island. If you have chosen an optional activity,
you’ll have the option to do that whenever conditions allow.
In
addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, we may ship cruise
through fjords with towering cliffs of ancient stone, or into deeply
indented bays towards dramatic glacier fronts. This is a great time to
find a comfy spot in the observation lounge or make your way to the
bridge to enjoy uninterrupted views of South Georgia’s
majestic coast.
Days
13-14 At Sea
Attend
informative lectures to learn about Antarctica as we sail across the
Scotia Sea towards the white continent. Treat yourself to a massage in
the wellness centre or stay active in the gym; the choice is yours on
how you want to enjoy days at sea.
Days
15-18 Antarctic Peninsula
It’s
almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica.
Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the
most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you
forever.
Once
we arrive, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South
Shetland Islands are ours to explore, and we have a host of choices
available to us. Because we are so far south, we will experience
approximately 18-24 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as
you wish.
Your
experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this
area, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day,
choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, ice
conditions and wildlife opportunities.
We
generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day.
You’ll want to rug up before joining Zodiac cruises along
spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for
whales, seals and porpoising penguins. Zodiacs will also transport you
from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin rookeries, discover
historic huts and explore some of our favourite spots along the
peninsula.
While
ashore we aim to stretch our legs, wandering along pebbly beaches or
perhaps up snow-covered ridgelines to vantage points with mountains
towering overhead and ice-speckled oceans below. If you have chosen an
optional activity, you’ll have the option to do that whenever
conditions allow, and of course keen polar plungers will have the
chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters - conditions
permitting!
In
addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, we may ship cruise
some of the narrow, dramatic straits separating offshore islands from
the mainland, or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or
feeding. This is a great time to enjoy the observation lounge or make
your way to the bridge for uninterrupted views of Antarctica in all its
splendour. Keep an ear out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as
they carve their way from summit to sea, and take a quiet moment to
experience the wonder of this incredible white continent.
Days
19- 20 At sea, Drake Crossing
On
our return sailing to Ushuaia, you may choose to spend your time
editing photos, enjoying the onboard facilities, or attending final
lectures from our team of experts.
Greg Mortimer (Luxury Expedition, 120-guests)
Capable of negotiating the strongest winds and waves, the Greg Mortimer is built to world-class polar standards. It is designed in close consultation with expedition specialists, taking advantage of Auroras more than 25 years of experience.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- All
airport transfers
- One
night’s hotel accommodation with breakfast in Ushuaia on day 1
- Half
day city tour in Ushuaia on day 2 prior to embarkation
- Luggage
transfer from your hotel in Ushuaia to ship on day 2
- Onboard
accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service
- All
meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage
- Beer,
house wine and soft drinks with dinner
- Captain’s
Welcome and Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house
cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages
- All
shore excursions and Zodiac cruises
- Educational
lectures and guiding services from expedition team
- Complimentary
access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consult)
- A
3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket
- Complimentary
use of muck boots during the voyage
- Comprehensive
pre-departure information
- Port
surcharges, permits and landing fees
- Gratuities
for ship crew
Exclusions
- International
or domestic flights to or within South America, unless specified
- Transfers
not mentioned in the itinerary
- Airport
arrival or departure taxes
- Passport,
visa, reciprocity and vaccination charges
- Travel
insurance or emergency evacuation charges
- Hotels
and meals not included in itinerary
- Optional
excursions not included in the itinerary
- Optional
activity surcharges
- All
items of a personal nature including but not limited to: alcoholic
beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry
services, personal clothing, medical expenses, Wi-Fi, email or phone
charges
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Sea
Kayaking - USD 1,745 per person
- Snorkelling
- USD 835 per person
- Camping
- USD 165 per person
- Snowshoeing
- USD 440 per person
- Alpine
Trekking - USD 1,470 per person
