Antarctica, South Georgia and Falklands Odyssey

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OCEAN ENDEAVOUR

Day 1 Ushuaia, Argentina

Overview:

The small city of Ushuaia is the perfect starting point for our expedition cruise to Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland/Malvinas Islands. Located near the southern tip of South America, it boasts beautiful views of the Andres Mountains and the Beagle Channel. 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 entrée at one of the many casual restaurants. If you arrive early, you will want to visit beautiful Tierra del Fuego National Park.

If you arrive early there is plenty to see and do in this fascinating city. Take a look at some of the hiking excursions available in Ushuaia here. Contact us to book additional accommodation and activities in Ushuaia to your itinerary.

Day 2 Embarkation in Ushuaia

In the afternoon take the group transfer to the pier and board your ship. Explore the ship and get comfortable in your home away from home for the extraordinary adventure to come. In the early evening sail through the scenic Beagle Channel as you get to know your fellow travellers and the expedition team.

Day 3-4 At Sea

Whilst at sea enjoy educational presentations from the team of experts. Keep an eye out as you cross the Antarctic Convergence for marine activity. You will see many sea birds diving for fish.

Days 5-8 South Shetlands & Antarctic Peninsula

Over the next four days you will explore the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Explore by Zodiac, cruising among huge icebergs and perhaps spotting whales breaching. Make sure landings where you can take hikes to magnificent viewpoints. Spend some time watching the penguins porpoise across the water and waddle along shore. You may see chinstrap, Gentoo and Adelie penguins in this area. Weddell , fur and elephant seals are also seen in this area, relaxing on icebergs soaking up the sun. You will pass many glaciers and watching an iceberg calve is a thrilling scene.

Days 9-10 Scotia Sea

En route to South Georgia enjoy more presentations and other activities onboard. Sea birds are able to be seen from the ship and if you are lucky you may spot some whales.

Days 11-14 South Georgia

South Georgia is a peak emerging from the Scotia Arc, an underwater mountain chain that extends the Andes to the Antarctic Peninsula. Spend four days exploring the alpine landscapes and viewing subantarctic wildlife. Visit to the historic settlement of Grytviken with its whaling era remnants is one of the highlights of South Georgia.

This long and narrow, whale bone shaped island is a home and abundance of wildlife including:

Four seal species – southern elephant seal, Antarctic fur seal, Weddell seal, and leopard seal

Several whale species – the southern right whales, humpbacks, fin whales, sperm whales, orcas, and southern bottlenose whales)

More than 100 million seabirds – grey headed albatross, blue eyed shags, giant petrels, white chinned petrels and Antarctic prions

Penguins – Macaroni penguins, Gentoo penguins, chinstrap penguins and the most attractive residents of the South Georgia are King Penguins with their orange-yellow crowns. There are approx. 400,000 breeding pairs of King Penguins on South Georgia.

Days 15-16 At Sea

From South Georgia the ship will head west toward the Falkland Islands. Attend presentations and workshops by the expedition team. You may like to spend some time sorting through your photographs as you are sure to have quite a collection by this stage.

Days 17-18 Falkland Islands

Have your camera at the ready as the ship approaches the ruggedly beautiful Falklands archipelago to capture not only the abundant wildlife but also the incredible scenery. Over the next couple of days explore the Falkland Islands by Zodiac and on foot as you make daily shore landings. Learn about the intriguing and controversial history of the Falkland Islands in the capital of Port Stanley, with its British outpost feel. Near the town you may see Southern giant petrels, the endemic Falkland steamer ducks, kelp gulls and dolphin gulls. There are also black-crowned night herons, red-backed hawks, peregrine falcons and turkey vultures.

On these islands you may be able to see 5 species of penguins as well as large populations of black-browed albatrosses, elephant and fur seals, Peale’s and Commerson’s dolphins, orcas and a myriad of bird species including the Falkland’s flightless steamer duck, imperial shags and Cobb’s wrens.

Days 19-20 At Sea

Departing from the Falklands, the captain will set course for Puerto Madryn. The next few days are spent at sea, as as the ship heads towards Puerto Madryn, but there are the many on board amenities to enjoy including a spa, saunas, pool and gym and relaxing yoga classes and of course a final presentation or two. These last days at sea give you one final chance to view the marine life of these southern waters. On the last night join the captain for a farewell dinner tonight on board the ship and toast the end of an epic voyage.

Day 21 Disembark in Puerto Madryn

Morning disembarkation in Puerto Madryn. Farewell your expedition team and fellow travellers. Right after the disembarkation you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.