IN SHACKLETON'S FOOTSTEPS

ITINERARY

DAY 1
USHUAIA
Nestled in the foothills of the snow-capped Martial Range, Ushuaia’s colourful streets and mismatched buildings cascade from the imposing mountains before coming to an abrupt halt at the shores of the Beagle Channel. As one of the world’s southernmost cities, Ushuaia carries its ‘end of the world’ reputation well. The moody weather and dramatic surroundings certainly help. Board your boutique ship before departing for your journey through one of the most captivating wilderness regions of the world.

DAY 2
DAY AT SEA
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

DAY 3
WEST POINT ISLAND
Birdlife is the big draw on this lush sheep-farming island, where thousands of rams and ewes roam. Settled by British explorers in 1765, the island’s unique scenery includes the beaches at The Neck filled with the cacophony of rockhopper, gentoo and king penguin colonies, and the pillar-shaped nests of black-browed albatross. Nine of the Falklands’ 14 endemic plants, including silvery buttercup and hairy daisy, grow here and are a real treat.

EXPEDITION ACTIVITES (SEE OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES)

DAY 3
SAUNDERS ISLAND
Black-browed albatross grace the skies over this remote Falkland Island, while Commerson's dolphins play in its waters. With a sparse population of people and sheep, the island is also a sanctuary for fur seals, burrowing rockhopper penguins, magellanic penguins and imperial cormorants, nesting amid its cliffs and the impressive Cliff Mountain. Hiking through the moss-covered terrain unveils beautiful wildflowers like pink-petalled Felton's.

EXPEDITION ACTIVITES (SEE OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES)

DAY 4
PORT STANLEY
Anyone familiar with Britain’s trademark red post boxes might spot a resemblance in this British outpost. Port Stanley, on East Falkland, is the tiny capital of the Falkland Islands and is small enough to get around on foot. The Historic Dockyard Museum is devoted to maritime history and exploration. Magellanic penguins gather in hordes at nearby Gypsy Cove, and sea lions and dolphins frolic in the harbour.

SHORE EXCURSIONS (SEE OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES)

DAY 5-6
DAY AT SEA
Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.

DAY 7-9
SOUTH GEORGIA
Often called the 'Galapagos of the Poles,' South Georgia has a number of landing sites with half a million king penguins or three million breeding pairs of macaroni penguins, making up the largest population in the world alongside harrumphing elephant seals. Among its remarkable sites is Grytviken, the historic whaling station where legendary British explorer Ernest Shackleton (1874–1922) rests in peace.

DAY 10
DAY AT SEA
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

DAY 11-15
ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
Among captivating glaciers, majestic icebergs and snowy islands, the Antarctic Peninsula is where most visitors to the White Continent live their Antarctica dream. It's the most accessible part, with scientific bases and incredible scenery. Shore excursions might include Petermann Island, where among Adelie penguins, blue-eyed shags and skuas, huge, lumbering elephant seals haul out.

EXPEDITION ACTIVITES (SEE OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES)

DAY 16-17
DAY AT SEA
Spend your day at sea enjoying your boutique 5-star ship. Treat yourself to a spa day, attend an expert-led onboard lecture or enjoy the ocean views from the deck or the comfort of our Observation Lounge.

DAY 18
USHUAIA
Ushuaia is the gateway to the White Continent. Nestled in the foothills of the snow-capped Martial Range in Argentina's Patagonia region, Ushuaia’s colourful streets and mismatched buildings cascade from the imposing mountains before coming to an abrupt halt at the shores of the Beagle Channel. Often described as 'the End of the World', the city carries the reputation well - the moody weather and dramatic surroundings certainly help.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
• One-night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
• All meals onboard
• 24-hour room service
• Coffee, tea, soft drinks, and selected alcoholic beverages available 24 hours per day
• Lecture programs by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
• Standard WiFi
• Self-service laundry
• Onboard gratuities and port taxes
• One selected shore excursion/expedition activity per port of call

Regional flights to the port of embarkation and/or disembarkation are only available for:

• Antarctica cruises starting or ending in Ushuaia;
• Arctic cruises starting or ending in Longyearbyen and Kangerlussuaq.

DAY 3
WEST POINT ISLAND

ZODIAC TOUR WITH THE EXPEDITION TEAM
Included
02 h 00 m

• Enjoy a zodiac cruise with the onboard team and learn about the Falkland's wild life
• Spot the small Peale's or Commerson's Dolphins and Magellanic Penguins

NATURE WALK WITH THE EXPEDITION TEAM
Included
02 h 00 m

• Hike across the undulating dramatic grassy landscape to the Devil's Nose
• See Black-browed Albatross and Rockhopper Penguins nesting

DAY 3
SAUNDERS ISLAND

NATURE WALK WITH THE EXPEDITION TEAM
Included
02 h 00 m

• Explore the rugged rock cliffs and beaches on foot
• Search of Gentoo, Magellanic, Rockhopper Penguin and Black-browed Albatross

DAY 4
PORT STANLEY

MOUNT WILLIAM HIKE
Optional
04 h 00 m

• Hike across some of the important battlesites of the 1982 conflict
• Panoramic Views of Stanley and the surrounding mountains
• Hike Both Mount william and Mount Tumbledown

FALKLANDS NATURE TREK
Optional
03 h 00 m

• Local bird and wildlife sightings
• Explanations of Flora and Fauna
• Exploration of one of the Falklands Nature Reserves

STANLEY HIGHLIGHTS
Included
02 h 00 m

• Panoramic Views of Stanley
• Key Highlights of Stanley
• Hystoric Dock Yard Musuem

MEET THE AUTHOR MENSUN BOUND
Optional
01 h 00 m

• Enjoy the visit to the Port Stanley home of maritime archaeologist, Mensun Bound
• Meet Mensun and his wife Joanna and hear the story about how he and an amazing team of subsea technicians found the ‘unreachable’ Endurance at the heart of what Shackleton called ‘the worst portion of the worst sea in the world’

DAY 11-15
ANTARCTIC PENINSULA

KAYAK IN ANTARCTICA WITH SWAN HELLENIC EXPEDITION TEAM (SINGLE OUTING)
Optional
02 h 00 m