Trip Level
The trip is rated Level 1+, Easy. You will be travelling to a very remote destination. You must be able to complete on board safety drills and emergency evacuation procedures without the assistance of others. Rolling seas and windy conditions require you to be stable on your feet, especially when walking on slippery decks or up and down steep gangways. Shore excursions often require hiking over uneven terrain without the benefit of a developed trail. Some agility is required for getting in and out of the Zodiac landing crafts. While several Zodiac landings are dry, many will require that you step in the water to get ashore. Zodiac and shore excursions are weather permitting.
Best time to go
October, November, Early December (late spring - early summer)
The pack ice begins to break up, creating new landscapes of sculpted ice and pristine icebergs with plenty of fresh snow. It’s mating season for the penguins and other birds with whole colonies in spectacular displays of courtship rituals. You’re also likely to witness nest building and egg tending. Adélie, Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins and other seabirds return to their breeding sites.
Spring wildflowers are blooming on the Falklands and South Georgia Islands.
Elephant seals and fur seals are mating, and King Penguins are laying their eggs on South Georgia. Parents can be seen “carrying” eggs on their feet so that one parent can shuffle around the colony while the other adult goes out to sea to feed. Antarctica is never crowded, but in the early season there are far fewer ships and the vastness and purity of the region is even more pronounced.
Mid December - January (full summer)
These are usually Antarctica's warmest months-the height of the Austral Summer when the sun is up 18 to 20 hours a day. Longer days create great light conditions for fabulous photo opportunities. Wildlife in full swing as temperatures warm and activity levels rise. Penguin chicks are hatching, and you’ll likely see them chasing after any adult penguin that is carrying food. Whale sightings of baleen and toothed whales along the Antarctic Peninsula increase and seal pups can be sighted on the beaches. Some 30 days after hatching, penguin chicks can be found in “crèches,” resembling a nursery of sorts, which leaves both of their tired and hungry parents free to rest and hunt for food.
February - March (late summer)
Whale sightings are at their peak. Fur seals are increasingly common along the Peninsula and offshore islands; young fur seals are also quite playful in South Georgia. Penguin colonies are very active as the penguin chicks begin to fledge, losing their fuzzy down and developing their adult plumage. By now, Falklands' chicks are leaving the nest - parents have abandoned any remaining chicks, and have gone out to sea to feed and fatten up for their own molting stage.
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.
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.
