What Makes Our Antarctica Trips Special?
- With over 30 years of experience in Antarctica, we know the continent intimately and have selected the best designed itineraries that combine adventure, style and safety.
- Small ships provide a wonderful advantage, letting you anchor closer to shore and allowing more time to explore on land—larger vessels are far less maneuverable, and because of regulations in Antarctica must have their passengers wait in shifts to make landfall.
- A stellar team of on-board experts accompanies you on twice-daily landings and provides fascinating presentations on their fields of expertise, from marine biology to Antarctic history.
- Each of the ships we’ve chosen have ice-strengthened hulls and advanced stabilization systems—and all adhere to the IAATO’s strict environmental guidelines designed to preserve Antarctica’s unique environment.
- The majority of the itineraries we’ve selected are aboard all-suite luxury expedition ships with ocean-view staterooms, and abundant public space for relaxing. A few adventure expedition ships are also featured which offer fascinating options to camp, ski, kayak and even scuba in Antarctica.
Choose from a Variety of Ships
We offer several exciting voyages to Antarctica aboard a variety of ships. This is the detailed information for Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falklands: Seaventure. To see all departures on all ships, please click here.Overview
Experience three epic destinations of the Southern Ocean: the wildlife-rich oasis of the Falkland Islands, breathtaking South Georgia Island, with its legends of Shackleton and massive colonies of king penguins, and the celebrated Antarctic Peninsula, a world of towering peaks and icebergs. On our small-ship expedition cruise during the austral summer, adventures by go-anywhere Zodiacs grant us fantastic access to hidden bays full of drifting bergs and shores thronged with chattering penguins and basking elephant seals, while our expert naturalists and historians illuminate the fascinating world of the Antarctic.
Note: This cruise is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as agent in booking your reservation with the ship operator. The itinerary, lecturers, and all other arrangements are subject to change at the discretion of the cruise line.
Itinerary
Days 1-2
Ushuaia, Argentina
Enjoy the Argentinean leather markets and succulent lamb dishes that make Patagonia famous as you explore the southernmost town in the world. The small city of Ushuaia boasts beautiful views of the Andes Mountains and the Beagle Channel. Highlights of Ushuaia include an award-winning museum and trips to nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park. Stroll the lively main street of cafes, shops and outfitters, perhaps picking up a last-minute item for your voyage or enjoying a typical Argentine grill entree at one of the many casual restaurants. If you arrive early, you will want to visit beautiful Tierra del Fuego National Park. Guests will overnight at the stunningly situated five-star Arakur Resort and Spa, a member of the "Leading Hotels of the World."
Day 3
Embarkation
Arriving at the ship in the afternoon, you will be greeted by our Expedition Team and ship's officers at a safety and orientation briefing followed by the Captain's welcome dinner. After dinner, relax and take in the mountainous scenery on your early evening sail down the Beagle Channel past Magellanic Penguin, Rock Cormorant, and Sea Lion colonies.
Day 4
Southern Ocean
Among the wildlife spotting opportunities as you sail south are the albatrosses, prions, and petrels that frequently follow the ship. Your Expedition Team will be out on deck as well, looking for the whales and dolphins that may also be seen in the area. The experts will begin the presentations with informative and entertaining talks on the wildlife, history, and geology of the Falkland Islands and Southern Ocean. Helpful briefings on environmental regulations and expedition safety will also be held in the comfortable lounge.
Day 5
West Falklands
The westernmost settled outposts in the Falklands are remote farms that have been family-owned for six and seven generations. The sheep graze alongside albatross colonies and rockhopper, king, and macaroni penguin rookeries while striated caracaras patrol overhead and upland geese graze at the water's edge. A visit to one of these homesteads often includes an invitation for cakes and a cup of tea.
Day 6
Stanley, East Falkland
Chosen for its sheltered harbor and access to abundant fresh water and peat for fuel, Stanley is easy to discover on foot as shops and most services are centered on the port. The museum, the post-office featuring first day covers, plenty of shops with locally made wool items and Stanley's lively pubs will all be available. It is possible to experience the wildlife of the Falklands from the town, including sea lions and dolphins in the harbor or bird life in nearby Gypsy Cove.
Days 7-8
Southern Ocean
There will be plenty of wildlife spotting as you make your way east across the Antarctic Convergence and officially enter Antarctic waters. Shipboard presentations will continue featuring the exciting history and abundant wildlife of South Georgia.
Days 9-12
South Georgia
Its unique position inside the Antarctic Convergence yet outside the limit of the yearly sea ice makes this 3,755 square kilometer island home to tens of millions of breeding penguins, seals and seabirds. Magnificent mountain scenery, glaciers galore, a rugged coastline punctuated with castellate and tabular icebergs, a rich historical tapestry, and an astounding array of wildlife are all available to you as you travel down South Georgia's leeward coast. Landing sites feature huge elephant seals, aggressive fur seals, macaroni penguins, albatross, petrels, skuas, and gulls. King penguins from fuzzy little chicks to fattened adults can be seen in the hundreds of thousands. Plan to visit historic Grytviken whaling station, home of the whaling museum, Norwegian seaman's church, the active British Antarctic Survey station plus the tiny graveyard where the great Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton is buried.
Days 13-14
Scotia Sea
Heading farther south, continue your informative presentations and wildlife watch as the icebergs become more and more plentiful.
Days 15-18
Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands
The land of superlatives, Antarctica! Your Expedition Leader and Captain will create a flexible itinerary based on weather, ice, and opportunity. Approaching the Antarctic Peninsula from the east, cross the northern boundary of the Weddell Sea; this large cold body of water rotates clockwise driving cold water and ice north towards South Georgia and the South Orkney Islands. Large tabular icebergs born in the Weddell drift north into our path while the ocean currents drive nutrients from the deep, feeding countless species of marine animals. Large groups of whales are common, along with scores of seabirds thriving off the bounty the Weddell provides. Your route will stress the most scenic bays and channels of the Peninsula with stops at penguin rookeries, seal wallows, bird colonies and whale feeding areas as well as sites of historic and scientific interest. The trip may include picturesque Neko Harbor, sheltered Paradise Harbor, Wilhelmina Bay (a favorite of humpback whales!), or the majestic Neumayer Channel. You may stop at an active scientific base such as Poland’s Arctowksi or a historic base such as U.K.’s Port Lockroy or Wordie House. Adelie, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins abound, and Weddell, crabeater ,and elephant seals are often found hauled out to rest along with predatory leopard seals and the aggressive Antarctic fur seal. Minke and humpback whales are frequent visitors in the late season and orca sightings are also common.
Days 19-20
Drake Passage
Continue your lecture series and wildlife spotting as you sail back to Ushuaia and reflect on beautiful Antarctica and its fragile future. Arrive at Ushuaia in the early hours of Day 20.
Day 21
Ushuaia Disembarkation
Morning disembarkation lets you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.
Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands: Seaventure
Highlights
Highlights
Details
21-day expedition cruise, nature walks on uneven ground, Zodiac cruising with wet landings, often rough seas and cold weather
Download Brochure
Download a PDF of our Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands Detailed Itinerary to learn more about our day-to-day itinerary, prices and dates, and boats.
