HIGHLIGHTS
- Encounter
hundreds of thousands of stately king penguins on the beaches of
incomparable South Georgia
- Experience
abundant wildlife including seabirds, seals and even some of the great
whales at close range
- Witness
the breeding efforts of the huge Wandering Albatross
- See
the rarely visited and uninhabited South Sandwich Islands
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
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| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
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Rates are listed per person
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| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
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ITINERARY
Day
1: End of the world, start of a journey
Your
voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to
be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern
tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this
small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of
the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for
the remainder of the evening.
Day
2: The winged life of the westerlies
Several
species of albatross follow the vessel into the westerlies, along with
storm petrels, shearwaters, and diving petrels.
Day
3: Finding the Falklands
The
Falkland (Malvinas) Islands offer an abundance of wildlife that is
easily approachable, though caution is always advised. These islands
are largely unknown gems, the site of a 1982 war between the UK and
Argentina. Not only do various species of bird live here, but chances
are great you’ll see both Peale’s dolphins and
Commerson’s dolphins in the surrounding waters.
During
this segment of the voyage, you may visit the following sites:
Carcass
Island – Despite its name, this island is pleasantly
rodent-free and hence bounteous with birdlife. Anything from breeding
Magellanic penguins and gentoos to numerous waders and passerine birds
(including Cobb’s wrens and tussock-birds) live here.
Saunders
Island – On Saunders Island you can see the black-browed
albatross and its sometimes-clumsy landings, along with breeding
imperial shags and rockhopper penguins. King penguins, Magellanic
penguins, and gentoos are also found here.
Day
4: The seat of Falkland’s culture
The
capital of the Falklands and center of its culture, Port Stanley has
some Victorian-era charm: colorful houses, well-tended gardens, and
English-style pubs are all to be found here. You can also see several
century-old clipper ships nearby, silent witnesses to the hardships of
19th century sailors. The small but interesting museum is also worth a
visit, covering the early days of settlement up to the Falklands War.
Approximately 2,100 people live in Port Stanley. Feel free to wander at
will, though be aware that admission fees to local attractions are not
included in the voyage.
Day
5-6: Once more to the sea
En
route to South Georgia, you now cross the Antarctic Convergence. The
temperature cools considerably within the space of a few hours, and
nutritious water rises to the surface of the sea due to colliding water
columns. This phenomenon attracts a multitude of seabirds near the
ship, including several species of albatross, shearwaters, petrels,
prions, and skuas.
Day
7-10: South Georgia Journey
Today
you arrive at the first South Georgia activity site. Please keep in
mind that weather conditions in this area can be challenging, largely
dictating the program.
Over
the next several days, you have a chance to visit the following sites:
Prion Island
– This location is closed during the early part of the
wandering albatross breeding season (November 20 – January
7). From January on, the breeding adults have found their partners and
are sitting on eggs or nursing their chicks. Enjoy witnessing the
gentle nature of these animals, which possess the largest wingspan of
any birds in the world.
Fortuna Bay
– Near beaches inhabited by various penguins and seals, you
have the chance to follow the final leg of Shackleton’s route
to the abandoned whaling village of Stromness. This path cuts across
the mountain pass beyond Shackleton’s Waterfall, and as the
terrain is partly swampy, be prepared to cross a few small streams.
Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay,
Gold Harbor – These sites not only house the
three largest king penguin colonies in South Georgia, they’re
also three of the world’s largest breeding beaches for
Antarctic fur seals. Literally millions breed on South Georgia during
December and January. Only during the mid-season do they peak in their
breeding cycle. Watch the large bulls keep a constant vigil (and
occasionally fight) over territories where dozens of females have just
given birth or are about to deliver. Watch your step and stay cool when
walking the beaches during this time.
Grytviken
– In this abandoned whaling station, king penguins walk the
streets and elephant seals lie around like they own the place
– because they basically do. Here you might be able to see
the South Georgia Museum as well as Shackleton’s grave.
Day
11: Southward bound
There
may be sea ice on this route, and at the edge of the ice some south
polar skuas and snow petrels could join the other seabirds trailing the
vessel south.
Day
12: The scenic vistas of South Orkney
Depending
on the conditions, you might visit Orcadas Base, an Argentine
scientific station on Laurie Island in the South Orkney archipelago.
The personnel here will happily show you their facility, where you can
enjoy expansive views of the surrounding glaciers. If a visit
isn’t possible, you may instead land in Signy
Island’s Shingle Cove.
Day
13: Last push to the Antarctic
Enormous
icebergs and a fair chance of fin whale sightings ensure
there’s never a dull moment on this last sea voyage south.
Also, your best chance to spot Antarctic petrels is here.
Day
14-16: Awe-inspiring Antarctica
If
the ice conditions permit, you now sail into the Weddell Sea. Here
colossal tabular icebergs herald your arrival to the eastern side of
the Antarctic Peninsula. Paulet Island, with its large population of
Adélie penguins, is a possible stop. You might also visit
Brown Bluff, located in the ice-clogged Antarctic Sound, where you
could get the chance to set foot on the Antarctic Continent itself.
If
conditions aren’t favorable to enter the Weddell Sea from the
east, the ship will set course for Elephant Island and head into the
Bransfield Strait, between South Shetland Island and the Antarctic
Peninsula. Here you can attempt to access the Antarctic Sound from the
northwest.
The
breathtaking scenery continues in the southern Gerlache Strait, and if
ice conditions allow, we may even reach Lemaire Channel. Conditions on
the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure.
Day
17-18: Familiar seas, familiar friends
Your
return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake,
you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered
from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to you
now, and you to them.
Day
19: There and back again
Every
adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end.
It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that
will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.
Plancius (Expedition, 108-guests)
MV Plancius offers a restaurant/lecture room on deck 3 and a spacious observation lounge (with bar) on deck 5 with large windows, offering full panorama view. The vessel has large open deck spaces (with full walk-around possibilities on deck 4), giving excellent opportunities to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. She is furthermore equipped with 10 Mark V zodiacs.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Voyage
as indicated in the itinerary
- All
meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee
and tea
- All
shore excursions by Zodiac and activities throughout the voyage
- Program
of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced
expedition staff
- Free
use of rubber boots and snowshoes
- Pre-scheduled
group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly
after disembarkation)
- All
miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- Comprehensive
pre-departure material
