IN-DEPTH ANTARCTICA
FALKLANDS, SOUTH GEORGIA AND ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
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IN-DEPTH ANTARCTICA
Combine the history and landscapes of the Falkland Islands with the scenery and wildlife of South Georgia and the Antarctica Peninsula, crossing the Antarctic circle making for a truly unforgettable voyage. On top of world-class bird-watching opportunities on the Falklands, you’ll be breath taken by the wildlife of South Georgia. Vast king penguin colonies exist next to beaches covered with fur seals and elephant seals.
ITINERARY SUMMARY
| Day | Place | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santiago, Chile | Day at leisure, overnight in Ushuaia |
| 2 | Fly to Punta Arenas board MS Fram | Embark Punta Arenas |
| 3 | At Sea | Cruise through the Strait of Magellan |
| 4 - 6 | Falkland Islands | Hikes and excursions are, as always, guided by the conditions. We hope to visit albatross and penguin colonies |
| 7 - 8 | At Sea | Sail towards South Georgia |
| 9 - 12 | South Georgia | Penguins, seals and seabirds with a magnificent backdrop of snow-capped mountains |
| 13 - 14 | At Sea | Relax and enjoy the many on board facilities or observe the many seabirds and whales from the bridge |
| 15 - 19 | Antarctic Peninsula | Penguins, seals, zodiac cruises and the Antarctic Continent |
| 20 -22 | At Sea | Relax,enjoy the many on board facilities and reflect on your amazing trip |
| 23 | Punta Arenas - Santiago | After breakfast, disembark the MS Fram and board a flight to Santiago |
SHIP OFFERING THIS ITINERARY
Ms Fram
Purpose-built (2007) as an expedition cruise ship, MS Fram is an exceptional base camp for explorers. On board, comfort is a top priority (she was fully upgraded in 2022), so after a day of exploration you can relax in a hot tub, dine in your choice of two restaurants or at the outdoor BBQ and catch up with your fellow guests with a cocktail in hand as you watch the scenery glide past in the Explorer Lounge and Bar. In the Science Centre, at the heart of the ship, you’ll discover more about the places you sail to and listen to talks by the Expedition Team.
Day 1 Santiago
Santiago, Chile’s bustling capital. With its colonial-era architecture, award-winning restaurants and fascinating museums, it’s the perfect place to start your expedition cruise. There’s a lot to see, from the Mercado Central market to the Plaza de Armas and the Presidential Palace.
Day 2 Embarkation in Punta Arenas
You’ll have an early start today departing Santiago and flying to Punta Arenas, Chile’s southernmost port. Your expedition ship awaits you. Once you’ve boarded, get settled in, explore the ship, and meet your Expedition Team.
Day 3 At Sea
With our course set for the Falkland Islands, soak up the mesmerising views all around you as you cruise through the Strait of Magellan. You can take in the scenery from the deck, the outdoor hot tub or the panoramic Explorer Lounge & Bar.
The expedition team will prepare you for your first landing with important wildlife guidelines and bio-security procedures, and start the lecture program to help you learn more about Antarctica’s history, wildlife and environment. Enjoy watching and photographing the many seabirds, including albatrosses and giant petrels following in the ships wake. They rise and fall skillfully, using air currents created by the ship to gain momentum.
Days 4-6 Falkland Islands
The Falkland archipelago is filled with seamless horizons and white sands teeming with birdlife. Only the occasional farm dots the landscape. You’ll find grassy hills and wildflowers, in contrast to the vast whiteness of Antarctica to come. You’ll also enjoy a community walk of Stanley, taking in the Jubilee Villas gardens, Christ Church Cathedral and the Historic Dockyard Museum. Our landings, hikes and excursions are, as always, guided by the conditions. We hope to visit albatross and penguin colonies (5 species found here), which are often found sharing space with seals, and getting as close as we can without disturbing them.
Days 7-8 At Sea
Sailing from the Falklands, we spend two days cruising towards beautiful South Georgia. You can look forward to seeing an archipelago filled with diverse wildlife. Meet up with the Expedition Team as they prepare you for what lies ahead. They’ll tell you everything they know about South Georgia, including the area’s wildlife, polar history, geology, glaciology, and stories of Norwegian whalers. For those who head out on deck there’s the chance of viewing several albatross and whale species.
Days 9-12 South Georgia
South Georgia’s abundant wildlife has earned it the nickname ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’. Its unique position free from sea ice makes the island a breeding site for large colonies of penguins, other seabirds and seals. In fact, it’s an Important Bird Area, home to albatrosses, petrels, shags, skuas and terns.
Over the next few days explore South Georgia’s spectacular north coast. Visit the world’s largest king penguin rookeries, the nesting grounds of majestic wandering albatross and if weather allows, follow Shackleton’s route from Fortuna Bay to Stromness. Kayakers revel paddling in waters alive with king penguins and playful seals. Photographers will enjoy a backdrop of 3000-metre peaks, basking elephant seals, feisty fur seals and penguins cluttering kelp-strewn beaches.
Days 13-14 At Sea
After visiting the Falklands and South Georgia, take some time while we head towards Antarctica to relax and reflect on your journey so far. Antarctica is a continent dedicated to peace, science and wildlife. As you get closer, the Expedition Team will talk about the IAATO environmental guidelines and sustainability rules that we follow when visiting. We leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but pictures.
Days 15-19 Antarctic Peninsula
Nothing prepares you for your first sight of Antarctica’s immense, frozen beauty. Icebergs, sculpted by nature, float in the straits. Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adélie Penguins watch erect from the shores. Countless seabirds wheel overhead. Nature is in charge. You’ll spend five exciting days exploring several landing sites, on and around the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. Wherever we go and whatever we do, each day will offer something different and thrilling.
We might sail into a flooded volcanic caldera or land in icy bays, where remnants of whaling paraphernalia lie abandoned. You may also get a chance to go kayaking among icebergs and seals, or snowshoe to a stunning viewpoint. Bird enthusiasts should look skywards for Antarctic seabirds such as skuas, petrels and terns. Through onboard lectures and onshore talks, you’ll learn more about this precious habitat and how we can all protect it for the future
Days 20-22 At Sea
As we say goodbye to the frozen continent, MS Fram turns to take you north across the Drake Passage and towards Punta Arenas. This is the perfect time to go through your pictures and relive your experiences in the Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica. Enjoy the onboard comforts. Relax in the hot tubs or panoramic sauna or unwind in our Explorer Lounge & Bar. Leaving the Drake Passage you enter the scenic Beagle Channel, surrounded by mountains plunging straight into the icy water. Watch for Patagonian wildlife as we sail through this wild and remote area.
Day 23 Punta Arenas – Santiago
Your expedition cruise of the Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica comes to an end in Punta Arenas. From here, you’ll catch a flight back to Santiago de Chile, taking with you a wealth of fantastic memories that will no doubt endure.
We are perfectly placed to assist with any additional arrangements in Patagonia or Atacama.
We will tailor the perfect holiday to suit your needs.
Extend your trip to Patagonia
To make the most of your time in South America we can tailor a holiday to Patagonia to suit your voyage dates. If you have a bit more time we can create a tailor-made itinerary to some of the highlights of South America. Take a look at the Patagonia sample itineraries below and contact us to begin creating your perfect holiday.
