IN SHACKLETON’S FOOTSTEPS
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IN SHACKLETON’S FOOTSTEPS
ITINERARY SUMMARY
| Day | Place | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Buenos Aires, Argentina | Arrive into Buenos Aires and enjoy a pre-cruise hotel night |
| Day 2 | Buenos Aires to Ushuaia | Board a charter flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, embark the ship and set sail |
| Day 3 | At Sea | Enjoy the ship facilities, take in incredible views, attend lectures from knowledgeable on-board experts |
| Day 4 | West Point Island and Saunders Island | Incredible birdlife, Commerson's dolphins, fur seals, rock hopper and Magellanic penguins |
| Day 5 | Port Stanley | Tiny capital of the Falkland Islands, Historic Dockyard Museum, Magellanic penguins |
| Days 6 - 7 | At Sea | Mingle with other passengers, watch the world go by from an observation deck |
| Days 8 - 11 | South Georgia | “Galapagos of the Poles”, tens of thousands of King Penguins and gentoo penguins, harrumphing elephant seals, visit Grytviken |
| Day 12 | At Sea | Get an expert’s view in an on-board lecture or perfect your photography skills with an onboard professional photographers |
| Days 13 - 17 | Antarctic Peninsula | Captivating glaciers, majestic icebergs, gentoo penguins, snowy sheathbills, skuas, Antarctic Weddell seals |
| Days 18 - 19 | At Sea | Reflect on your incredible experience as you cross the Drake Passage |
| Day 20 | Ushuaia to Buenos Aires | Disembark and fly back to Buenos Aires |
SHIPS OFFERING THIS ITINERARY
Swan Hellenic Vega
Making her maiden voyage in July 2022, the SH Vega is a 5 star elegant Scandi-design boutique ship offering you an intimate setting from which you will be fully immersed in all the sights and scenery of your voyage. Carrying a maximum of 158 guest in 76 cabins.
The ship incorporates a PC5 ice-strengthened hull combined with extra-large stabilisers to make your journey as smooth as possible. For the comfort of guests, suites have a separate living room and bedroom. All staterooms are equipped with spacious wardrobes and bathrooms.
Swan Hellenic Minerva
Making her maiden voyage in July 2021, the SH Minerva was built in Finland’s Helsinki Shipyard, and offers a truly unforgettable cruising experience. Unobstructed views throughout the ship, welcoming spaces to relax, and world-class restaurants, staterooms and amenities make travelling on this modern cruise ship a complete pleasure. Carrying a maximum of 158 guest in 76 cabins.
The ship incorporates a PC5 ice-strengthened hull combined with extra-large stabilisers to make your journey as smooth as possible. For the comfort of guests, suites have a separate living room and bedroom. All staterooms are equipped with spacious wardrobes and bathrooms.
Day 1 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Arrive into Argentina’s capital of Buenos Aires, known for its vibrant culture, European-influenced architecture, delicious cuisine, and lively nightlife. Enjoy one night of pre-cruise accommodation here.
Day 2 Buenos Aires to Ushuaia
Board a group charter flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia.
Nestled in the foothills of the snow-capped Martial Range, Ushuaia’s colourful streets and mismatched buildings cascade from the imposing mountains before coming to an abrupt halt at the shores of the Beagle Channel. As one of the world’s southernmost cities, Ushuaia carries its ‘end of the world’ reputation well. The moody weather and dramatic surroundings certainly help. Board your boutique ship before departing for your journey through one of the most captivating wilderness regions of the world.
Day 3 At Sea
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to the library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of the on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from onboard professional photographers.
Day 4 West Point Island and Saunders Island
Settled by British explorers in 1765, West Point Island’s unique scenery includes golden sand beaches filled with the cacophony of rockhopper, gentoo and Magellanic penguin colonies, and the pillar-shaped nests of black-browed albatross. Nine of the Falklands’ 14 endemic plants grow here and thousands of rams and ewes roam on the lush sheep-farming land.
Black-browed albatross grace the skies over Saunders Island, while Commerson’s dolphins play in its waters. With a sparse population of people and sheep, the island is also a sanctuary for fur seals, rockhopper penguins, Magellanic penguins and imperial cormorants, nesting amid its cliffs and the impressive Cliff Mountain. Hiking through the moss-covered terrain unveils beautiful wildflowers like pink-petalled Felton’s.
Day 5 Port Stanley
Anyone familiar with Britain’s trademark red post boxes might spot a resemblance in this British outpost. Port Stanley, on East Falkland, is the tiny capital of the Falkland Islands and is small enough to get around on foot. The Historic Dockyard Museum is devoted to maritime history and exploration. Magellanic penguins gather on the beach at nearby Gypsy Cove, and sea lions and dolphins frolic in the harbour.
Days 6 – 7 At Sea
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to the library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of the on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from onboard professional photographers.
Days 8 – 11 South Georgia
Often called the ‘Galapagos of the Poles,’ South Georgia has a number of landing sites with tens of thousands of King Penguins and gentoo penguins, making up some of the largest populations in the world alongside harrumphing elephant seals. Among its remarkable sites is Grytviken, the historic whaling station where legendary British explorer Ernest Shackleton (1874–1922) is laid to rest.
Day 12 At Sea
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to the library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of the on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from onboard professional photographers.
Days 13 – 17 Antarctic Peninsula
Among captivating glaciers, majestic icebergs and snowy islands, the Antarctic Peninsula is where most visitors to the White Continent live their Antarctica dream. It’s the most accessible part, with scientific bases and incredible scenery, like the photogenic Lemaire Channel. Shore excursions might include Mikkelsen Harbour, where among gentoo penguins, snowy sheathbills and skuas, Antarctic Weddell seals haul out.
Days 18 – 19 At Sea
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to the library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of the on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from onboard professional photographers.
Day 20 Ushuaia to Buenos Aires
Farewell your fellow passengers and expedition staff before disembarking in Ushuaia. Board the group charter flight back to Buenos Aires where you can continue your onwards journey.
