SOUTH GEORGIA AND ANTARCTIC ODYSSEY
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SOUTH GEORGIA AND ANTARCTIC ODYSSEY
Combine the history and landscapes of the Falklands-Malvinas with the scenery and wildlife of South Georgia and the Antarctica Peninsula making for a truly unforgettable voyage. On top of world-class bird-watching opportunities on the Falklands-Malvinas, 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, fighting, mating and caring for their young.
ITINERARY SUMMARY
| Day | Place | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Ushuaia | Arrive Ushuaia |
| Day 2 | Ushuaia | Embarkation |
| Day 3 | At Sea | Our wildlife experiences begin, enjoy watching and photographing the many seabirds, including majestic albatrosses and giant petrels. |
| Day 4 | Malvinas | Exploring the Malvinas, each offering a unique perspective on this magnificent archipelago. |
| Days 5 - 7 | At Sea | Between Malvinas and South Georgia be enthralled by the ceaseless flight of the many seabirds. Lecture program continues with presentations from the team of experts |
| Days 8 -12 | South Georgia | Zodiacs will transport you ashore visiting some of the largest king penguin colonies on Earth. |
| Days 13 - 14 | At Sea | Time to reflect and chill at sea using this time as you please. Observe the sea birds, whale watching from the bridge, or simply relaxing in the bar with a book. |
| Day 15 | Elephant Island | Set course for this half-submerged mountain cloaked with an ice sheet at the outer limits of the South Shetlands. |
| Days 16 -18 | Antarctic Peninsula | Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever. |
| Day 19 | Fly King George Island to Punta Arenas | Approach Frei Base on King George Island and farewell Antarctica before boarding flight to Punta Arenas, Chile. |
| Day 20 | Depart Punta Arenas | Enjoy breakfast and farewell your fellow travellers. |
SHIP OFFERING THIS ITINERARY
Greg Mortimer
The Greg Mortimer is a new purpose built, polar expedition vessel taking 120 guests. This vessel has been designed in close consultation with Antarctic expedition specialists and is the first expedition cruise ship designed with the ULSTEIN X-BOW hull. This cutting edge nautical technology allows for gentle travel and motion at sea, improved comfort and safety on-board, reduced vibrations, lower fuel consumption and emissions and ‘virtual anchoring’ which means the ship can float anchor-less while launching the Zodiacs without disturbing delicate sea floor areas. There are four sea-level launching platforms for fast and efficient access to and from Zodiacs.
Day 1 Ushuaia
Overview:
Arrive in Ushuaia, renowned for its breathtaking scenery. Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world set on the shores of the Beagle Channel. Ushuaia is a major tourist centre, particularly for people cruising to Antarctica. The city offers magnificent hiking in Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego, the only coastal national park in Argentina. After transferring to your downtown hotel, the rest of the day is at your leisure.
Day 2 Embarkation in Ushuaia
You’ll embark on your voyage onboard the Greg Mortimer in Ushuaia in the late afternoon. Settle into your cabin and meet your fellow travellers as well as the expedition team as you set sail along the Beagle Channel.
Day 3 At Sea
As you commence your trip across the South Atlantic Ocean, make the most of your time getting comfortable with the motions of the sea. 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 majestic 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 Falklands
Located 477 kilometres east of southern Argentina, the Falklands is a unique mix of being a wildlife hotspot and inhabited outpost. An archipelago of over 700 islands, but consisting of two main islands, East and West, only seven of the islands are inhabited. The cold nutrient-rich waters surrounding the islands makes them a prime location for marine life, including seabirds and seals. Your time in the Falklands includes a short walk in historic Stanley town. The experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design the voyage over the next two days. This allows you to make best use of the prevailing weather and wildlife opportunities.
Days 5-7 At Sea
Between the Falklands and South Georgia, you will be entranced by the ceaseless flight of the many seabirds that follow your wake. Usually travelling into the prevailing weather on this leg it is difficult to estimate the precise arrival time in South Georgia. The lecture program will continue highlighting all of the incredible sights you would have witnessed over the past few days. You will have ample time to enjoy observing the sea birds, whale-watching from the observation areas, or simply relaxing with a book. If time and weather conditions permit, you may pass close to Shag Rocks, a fascinating group of jagged rocky islets protruding from the sea, in the proximity of South Georgia.
Days 8-12 South Georgia
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 in paddling 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
Follow in Shackleton’s wake across the Scotia Sea, watching for great whales and big icebergs riding up from the Weddell Sea. It’s a great time to relax and reflect on what you’ve accomplished so far. The naturalist and historian will conduct talks on Antarctica’s wildlife and history which will add to the excitement about arriving in the Southernmost Continent.
Day 15 Elephant Island
Setting course for Elephant Island, a half-submerged mountain cloaked with an ice sheet at the outer limits of the South Shetlands. Learn the story of Shackleton and how his ship, Endurance, was crushed in pack ice in the Weddell Sea, before him and his men climbed into three open boats, spending 16 months at sea finally making landfall on this tiny toe of rock and ice in the vastness of the Southern Ocean on 14 April, 1916.
Days 16 – 18 Antarctic Peninsula
It’s almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica. Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever.
Once we arrive, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are ours to explore, and we have a host of choices available to us. Because we are so far south, we will experience nearly 24 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish.
Rug up before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins. Our trusty Zodiacs will also shuttle us ashore, where we may visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some of our favourite spots along the peninsula.
Day 19 Fly King George Island to Punta Arenas
As we approach Frei Base on King George Island we farewell Antarctica before boarding our flight to Punta Arenas, Chile. We hope you will become ambassadors for Antarctica advocating for its conservation and preservation.
On arrival at the Punta Arenas airport transfer to your hotel.
Day 20 Depart Puntas Arenas
After breakfast farewell your fellow travellers and continue your onward journey. A transfer to the airport is included in the voyage fare.
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.
