FALKLANDS AND SOUTH GEORGIA WILDLIFE ADVENTURE 

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Ultramarine

Launched in 2021 the Ultramarine is designed to go beyond the familiar in polar exploration, to discover new places, and immerse you in the best the region has to offer. Ultramarine accommodates 199 guests and is equipped with two twin-engine helicopters to offer the most robust portfolio of adventure activities in the industry, the most spacious suites in its category, breathtaking public spaces, and more outdoor wildlife viewing spaces than other expedition ships its size. With two dining areas, four bars, a panoramic lounge, theatre, library, spa and fitness centre, Polar boutique and an ocean view sauna your days at sea can be as busy or relaxing as you decide.

Day 1 Buenos Aires, Argentina

Upon arriving in this cosmopolitan city, known for its architecture and rich European heritage, you will independently transfer to your group hotel, which is in your Charter Flight and Hotel Package.

Day 2 Buenos Aires to Puerto Madryn

Following breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your charter flight to Puerto Madryn, in the Patagonian province of Chubut on Argentina’s stunning Atlantic coast. Upon arrival in Puerto Madryn, your checked bags will be transferred directly to your cabin on Ultramarine, leaving you free to explore this lively Patagonian port town. As you stroll the shoreline, you may spot sea lions basking on the beach or catch sight of southern right whales offshore. Visit the local cafés and artisan markets for a taste of the region’s Welsh-Argentine heritage. In the afternoon, gather for the group transfer to the port to board Ultramarine. After check-in, you’ll be shown to your comfortable cabin— your home for the next 18 nights. Once you’ve settled in, your warm and friendly Expedition Team will introduce themselves and the ship, sharing important details about the voyage ahead. Expect an air of excitement as you set off toward the wildlife-rich subAntarctic islands of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia.

Days 3 – 4 At Sea

Days 5 – 7 The Falkland Islands

With extended time in the Falklands, your destinations will depend entirely on weather and marine forecasts and the locations that offer the best—and safest—conditions for exploration. One such site is Steeple Jason which has been featured in numerous wildlife documentaries for its prolific black-browed albatross colony—the largest in the world, with an estimated 100,000 to 180,000 breeding pairs.

Your explorations may also take you to New Island, just over thirty nautical miles south of Steeple Jason. A paradise for birders, around 25,000 to 30,000 black-browed albatross nest here, joined by Magellanic, gentoo, and southern rockhopper penguins—each with its own distinct nesting style. Other common sightings include songbirds and the formidable striated caracara. Dolphins, including those in shallow waters, are frequently seen in the area, adding to the island’s remarkable wildlife encounters.

Other wilderness destinations may include bird-rich West Point and Saunders Islands in the western Falklands. Saunders Island will amaze you with its long white-sand beaches and the gentoo, Magellanic, and southern rockhopper penguins. There’s also a smaller colony of black-browed albatross nests on a nearby cliff. Look for Commerson’s dolphins, often spotted in the shallow waters near Saunders’ sandy beaches. West Point Island is another Falkland gem, with vibrant green vegetation and blooming spring flowers. From the rocky beach, a gentle walk leads to a cliff where 2,000 breeding pairs of black-browed albatross nest. Peale’s dolphins, Falkland steamer ducks, and striated caracara are often seen here.

Carcass is another excellent destination, boasting stunning white-sand beaches. Magellanic and gentoo penguins nest here, and the tussock grasses are especially impressive. Look overhead for peregrine falcons soaring high above.

No visit to the Falklands is complete without a stop in its largest community— Stanley. Highlights include the museum (admission covered) and the striking arch monument built from the jaws of blue whales. Pop into a local restaurant or traditional British pub for Falkland fish and chips or a pint. Stanley has a distinct boundary—where residential streets end and open wilderness and sheep meadows begin to stretch into the horizon.

Days 8 – 9 At Sea

While at sea, you will transit over the Antarctic Convergence, or Polar Front. This biological boundary marks where the South Atlantic meets the Southern Ocean, and you’ll notice the change as you cross it. Below the Convergence, the water is much colder; where it meets the warmer Atlantic, cloudy or foggy conditions often form. This mixing of currents creates an ideal foraging ground for a variety of birds and marine mammals. You’ll likely be accompanied by albatross, petrels, and shearwaters, and may spot whales—some species more often than others. Seeing prions (part of the petrel family) and shags in greater numbers indicates we’re approaching South Georgia.

Days 10 – 15 South Georgia

Biodiverse South Georgia—often described as the Galapagos of the south seas—is one of the most fertile breeding grounds in the world for sub-Antarctic wildlife, with beaches blanketed with penguins and seals. It is a birder’s paradise, with burrowing seabirds, albatrosses, and petrels being seen in abundance. South Georgia, once a popular base for whalers and sealers, is also scattered with abandoned relics and evidence of human activity from centuries gone by.

One of the most significant sites you will visit on South Georgia is Grytviken. This settlement is one of the first whaling stations established in sub-Antarctic waters and has a special appeal as the site of the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton, one of the most famous Antarctic explorers. Guests and expedition team members will raise a toast to him at Grytviken cemetery.

Mid-October and early November are exceptional times to visit South Georgia, especially for wildlife enthusiasts. At this time of year, male elephant seals battle for control of beach sections, securing breeding rights for females entering their territories. As the largest pinniped species on the planet, watching these giants spar is a true spectacle.

If conditions allow, you may visit King Haakon Bay and the very beach where Ernest Shackleton and his party aboard the James Caird landed after their perilous journey from Elephant Island. If not, you’ll spend more time along the island’s leeward coast, aiming to visit its massive king penguin colonies. The largest of these colonies. St. Andrew’s, which—by conservative estimates—is home to more than 150,000 breeding pairs. You’ll also seek out macaroni penguin colonies, with possible sites including Hercules Bay, Royal Bay, and Cooper Bay.

Days 16 – 19 At Sea

To say that South Georgia is remote would be an understatement, and as such, you’ll need to invest the necessary time to travel the more than 1,000 nautical miles on your return to South America. Begin your westward journey through the Southern Ocean, crossing back over the Antarctic Convergence and passing near Burwood Bank—a shallow underwater plateau surrounded by deeper waters. All three of these dynamic regions can provide opportunities for bird-watching and marine mammal sightings, and you’ll feel the gradual shift from the chillier ecological Antarctic to the somewhat warmer environments of Tierra del Fuego. If the skies are clear and visibility is good, you might catch your first views of the South American mountains on the horizon well before nightfall. After dinner, sail west through the famous Beagle Channel on your approach to Ushuaia, Argentina.

Days 20 Ushuaia to Buenos Aires

Arrive in Ushuaia in the morning and disembark after breakfast. You will be transferred to the airport for the return group charter flight to Buenos Aires, which is part of your Charter Flight and Hotel Package.