King Penguins, South Georgia Island

Tens of thousands of stately king penguins nest on the Salisbury Plain of South Georgia. Our cruise explores this magnificent island rising 10,000 feet out of the Scotia Sea as well as the Falklands and Antarctic Peninsula.

Photo by Drew Thate

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Antarctica, So. Georgia and the Falkland Islands

Our Most Comprehensive Exploration of the Antarctic

Antarctica, So. Georgia and the Falkland Islands route-map

Trip Details at-a-Glance

Cost From: $11,690   see pricing
Length: 20 days
Arrive: Ushuaia, Argentina
Depart: Ushuaia, Argentina
Lodging: 17 nights aboard deluxe vessel describe
Meals: All meals aboard ship included
Activity: Wildlife & Natural History, Small Ship Cruising
Trip Level: 18-day expedition cruise, nature walks, Zodiac explorations
1 explain

Highlights

  • Enjoy the best of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean in one voyage: Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, the Falklands
  • Explore by Zodiac with expert Antarctic naturalists, view spectacular bird and marine life
  • Extraordinary wildlife: whales, leopard seals, massive elephant seals, millions of penguins


It was surreal—like being on another planet.Charles A.—Berkeley, CA

Choosing the Right Trip

We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
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References

We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.

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Departure Notes

Once you have signed up on the trip, we send a complete packing list, relevant health information, and required travel documents.

Resources

This dream journey takes us to Antarctica, the fabled Terra Australis Incognita, and beyond, on a comprehensive cruise of the Southern Ocean and its epic destinations. Aboard a deluxe expedition ship, we explore the wildlife-rich oasis of the Falkland Islands, breathtaking South Georgia Island, with its enormous colonies of stately king penguins and haunting tales of Shackleton, and the celebrated Antarctic Peninsula itself, a land of towering peaks and glacier-lined fjords. Our “go-anywhere” Zodiacs grant us access to hidden bays full of drifting icebergs and to pebbled shores where we walk amid chattering penguins and their chicks, while a team of expert naturalists and historians unlock the secrets of the awesome world of Antarctica.

Itinerary at a Glance

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

Days 1-6
Ushuaia / At Sea / The Falkland Islands

In Ushuaia, a small Patagonian town set on the Beagle Channel and ringed by snowcapped peaks, we board our expedition vessel, among the most luxurious expedition ships cruising the Antarctic, with all-suite, outside-facing cabins. Voyaging across the ocean to the Falkland Islands, home to phenomenal concentrations of wildlife, we head ashore for fascinating encounters with Magellanic penguins, nesting gentoos, and dashing rockhopper penguins. After visiting the quaint capital of Port Stanley, a remote outpost of British culture, we spend two days at sea, watching for whales and seabirds as we navigate across the Antarctic Convergence.

Days 7-10
South Georgia Island

South Georgia is absolutely stunning—more than a hundred glaciers flow from its spine of mountains to the sea. It’s also a haven for sub-Antarctic wildlife, and our Zodiacs take us to amazing places including the Salisbury Plain, with colonies of elegant king penguins numbering in the tens of thousands, and the Bay of Isles, where we find nesting sites of wandering albatross and breeding colonies of fur seals. At the old whaling station of Grytviken, we visit the simple grave of legendary explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton.

Days 11-15
Scotia Sea / Antarctic Peninsula and its Islands

After crossing the Scotia Sea, we arrive in Antarctica, a pristine and spectacular wilderness of ice-blue glaciers and glaciated mountains rising above a cobalt sea. Our explorations may include the Aitcho Islands, with their colonies of chinstrap penguins with the distinctive black stripe beneath their chin, unique Deception Island, a sea-filled volcano with steamy thermal springs and an abandoned whaling station, aptly named Paradise Bay, whose spectacular icescapes include the towering tabular icebergs from the Antarctic Sound, and Pleneau Island, with its dazzling ice formations and gentoo penguin rookeries. We also navigate through the sublime Lemaire Channel and watch for humpback, minke, and gray whales as we cruise the expansive Neumayer Channel. On all outings, our naturalists share their expertise and knowledge of this legendary corner of the world.

Days 16-18
Drake Passage / Ushuaia

Our journey comes full circle as we voyage across the famed Drake Passage and arrive in Ushuaia. Disembark on Day 18 and depart.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

What the Trip is Like

The trip is rated Level 1, Easiest. It is appropriate for anyone in good health who is physically active. Some agility is required for getting in and out of the Zodiac landing crafts. There are daily shore excursions featuring walks and sightseeing.

Explanation of Trip Levels

 

Departures

Nov 25-Dec 14, 2010  Clipper Adventurer
Nov 25-Dec 11, 2011  Prince Albert II
Dec 26, 2011-Jan 16, 2012  Clipper Adventurer
Jan 13-Feb 3, 2012  Clipper Adventurer
Jan 13-30, 2012  Prince Albert II
Feb 9-26, 2012  Prince Albert II

*Cruise length, itinerary, and ship vary by departure. Click on boat name or call for details.

Tour Costs

To see complete breakdown of cabin prices by category and a deck chart for each ship, click on ship name.

Clipper Adventurer
Nov 25-Dec 14, 2010: from $11,690
Dec 26, 2011-Jan 16, 2012: TBA
Jan 13-Feb 3, 2012: TBA

Prince Albert II
Nov 25-Dec 11, 2011: from $11,798
Jan 13-30, 2012: TBA
Feb 9-26, 2012: TBA

Tour Cost Includes:

Aboard the Clipper Adventurer

  • Accommodations aboard the ship, pre-expedition hotel night in Ushuaia on November 2010 departure, pre-expedition hotel night in Buenos Aires on December 26, 2011 and January 13, 2012 departures
  • All meals aboard ship
  • Complete program of shore landings and Zodiac excursions
  • Educational program of lectures and discussions by accompanying Expedition Team
  • Professional Expedition Leadership
  • Complete pre-departure materials
  • Baggage handling and transfers on the designated program arrival and departure dates
  • Port fees and embarkation taxes
  • Photographic Journal on DVD, documenting the voyage
  • The loan of a pair of waterproof boots for the duration of the voyage
  • An official Expeditions parka to keep
  • Coffee, tea, and cocoa available around the clock
  • Hair dryer and bathrobes in each cabin
  • Comprehensive pre-departure package including a map and Reader
  • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
  • All shipboard luggage handling
  • Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a maximum benefit of $100,000 per person.
  • Transfer from Ushuaia airport to the hotel on Day 1

Tour Cost Does Not Include:

Airfare to Ushuaia, Argentina, and return; visa and passport fees; government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; baggage, cancellation and accident insurance; personal expenses such as laundry, bar, beverage, telephone calls, faxes and e-mail service; gratuities to shipboard personnel.

Trip Payment Schedule*

Nov 25, 2010 departure only
At time of reservation: $1500
90 days prior to departure: Balance

*Please note that this differs from our regular catalog departures.

Cancellation Fee Schedule*

Nov 25, 2010 departure only
Minimum fee: $750
120-60 days prior to departure: 30% of cruise cost
60-30 days prior to departure: 60% of cruise cost
30 days or less prior to departure: 100% of cruise cost

*Please note that this differs from our regular catalog departures.

The Prince Albert II

Designed specifically for navigating waters in some of the world’s most remote destinations, including Antarctica, the 132-guest Prince ...
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Clipper Adventurer

The 122-guest Clipper Adventurer has a richly deserved reputation as an elegant, well-appointed expedition ship. Each of the 61 cabins ...
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Client Comments

It was surreal—like being on another planet. Charles A., Berkeley, CA Truly amazing—the trip of a lifetime! Jim and Chris W., Portland, OR This was the ‘trip of a lifetime.’ I enjoyed every minute of it! Susan D., Hartland, WI This trip is unique—there is nothing comparable. The expedition director was superb, and the procedures for getting ashore were well organized. There was a rich variety of lectures that expanded the experience and our knowledge. Stuart G., Golden, CO
The entire expedition staff was awesome! Bernd B., Reno, NV It was the thrill of a lifetime to visit the Falklands and South Georgia in addition to Antarctica. The Zodiac rides were great and the staff was always making every effort for us to see and do everything. Joanne G., Denver, CO