We strongly recommend that you arrive in Ushuaia a day earlier to mitigate against any potential flight or baggage delays, and to ensure you are well rested before setting off on your adventure tomorrow.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and a morning of free time. 

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the pier where you will be warmly welcomed aboard the deluxe expedition ship M/V Sea Spirit. Get comfortable in your home away from home for the extraordinary adventure to come.

As you sail towards the subantartic islands, you will be able to witness incredible wildlife. Attend the most interesting briefings and lectures from your onboard expert staff and prepare yourself for the arrival in the Falklands.

The remote and sparsely-populated Falkland Islands are a birders’ paradise. The Falklands are also a great place to observe marine mammals. The waters around the archipelago are home to cetaceans such as Peale’s dolphins and Commerson’s dolphins. The exact route and exploration opportunities are dependent on weather among these isolated and windswept islands.

You may start with a visit the port of Stanley, the charmingly British capital of the Falkland Islands. Attractions within pleasant walking distance along the waterfront promenade include the Falkland Islands Museum, the governor’s house, a cathedral with impressive whalebone arch outside, a war memorial, quality gift shops, pubs, and views of shipwrecks in the harbour.

From the Falkland Islands, you begin to head east toward South Georgia. You will cross the Antarctic Convergence, the biological boundary of the Southern Ocean. Briefings, bio-security procedures, and lectures from your experts prepare you for your arrival in South Georgia.

This is expedition cruising at its most authentic. Your route and exploration opportunities in South Georgia are heavily dependent on the weather conditions you encounter. Your experienced captain and expedition leader decide the itinerary and continually adjust plans as conditions and opportunities warrant. You can be sure that the best possible advantage will be taken of the circumstances presented to you by nature in this wild and remote corner of the world. Every safe opportunity will be taken to go ashore in this amazing place.

South Georgia is a scenic wilderness and an unrivalled paradise for subantarctic wildlife viewing. The islands are said to host upwards of 100 million seabirds, including numerous species of albatross, penguins, prions, petrels and terns. On beaches such as those at Salisbury Plain and St. Andrews Bay, over 100,000 elephant seals and three million fur seals jostle for space among innumerable penguins including stately king penguins and sprightly macaroni penguins. The recently completed rat eradication program is sure to make this wilderness even more pristine and rich with birdlife.

The bountiful waters surrounding South Georgia are also inhabited by an increasing number of whales. The historical whaling station of Grytviken is now home to the excellent South Georgia Museum managed by the South Georgia Heritage Trust. Grytviken is also the final resting place of Ernest Shackleton, the legendary polar explorer.

Your days in South Georgia are filled with memorable excursions, sumptuous meals, presentations by your experts, and enough incredible scenery and wildlife to fill your camera and overwhelm your emotions.

It is time to head back toward the Falkland Islands. However, your adventures are not over yet. You will share your impressions, review all the great photos you’ve taken and enjoy a friendly atmosphere of like-minded fellow travellers.

In this remote and stunningly beautiful wilderness, seabirds and marine mammals are counted in the millions. The waters around the archipelago are home to cetaceans such as Peale’s dolphins and Commerson’s dolphins. In this rugged yet accessible environment, superb wildlife viewing is best complemented by active adventure. Your knowledgeable guides will offer hiking and hill climbing for an even greater perspective of this raw polar wilderness. This is expedition cruising at its most authentic. The precise route and exploration opportunities will be shaped by weather. Your experienced captain and expedition leader will continually adjust plans to take maximum advantage of the conditions in this challenging polar environment.

As you sail, immerse yourself in fascinating presentations from your expert staff and bond with fellow travelers. On the open deck, marvel at the sight of birds and marine mammals that grace your journey. South polar skuas, snow petrels, and albatrosses may escort your vessel, enhancing your experience with their majestic presence. This is also the time for festivities such as the Captain’s Farewell Cocktail and the end-of-voyage slideshow. The seabirds you saw at the beginning of your voyage reappear, offering a full-circle experience of natural wonder.

After breakfast you say farewell in the city of Ushuaia. A transfer is provided to the airport or town centre. Flights can be booked from midday onwards. As you look back on your wonderful experience, you may already be looking forward to your next incredible polar adventure! 

From 10am, make your way to Explorers House in Punta Arenas and enjoy the facilities. At 3pm a group transfer will take you to the port for embarkation. As you sail along the Strait of Magellan, your Expedition Team will introduce the history of this fabled sea route.

Enjoy the ship’s facilities as you make our way to the Falklands. Your expedition team will begin their engaging series of lectures and presentations.

You enjoy the long white-sand beach during a morning visit to Saunders Island. A wilderness experience, the main attractions are rockhopper penguins, nesting black-browed albatross, and sub-Antarctic gentoo penguins. In the afternoon, you may visit West Point Island. There is an option for an easy hike to a nesting black-browed albatross colony, bird watching, and a typical Falklands tea experience.

Join your expedition team on guided walking tours of Port Stanley or Gipsy Cove. Or explore on your own and absorb the atmosphere, grabbing lunch at the local pub, visiting the maritime museum, the church, hunting for souvenirs, or walking down Ross Road, paying tribute at the war memorials at the waterfront.

As you sail towards South Georgia, attend presentations on the history and fauna of the archipelago. In the company of expert guides, watch for wildlife from the lounge or from the outside decks. You may spot magnificent seabirds, such as albatrosses and petrels, as well as different species of whales

Depending on sea conditions over the previous days, arrival is planned for the afternoon. Provided you receive approval from the South Georgia government, you can plan to do an evening Zodiac cruise at Elsehul Bay.

Your first landing is at Grytviken. You clear Customs and then visit the historical site with the museum and Ernest Shackleton’s grave. You may land at Fortuna Bay / Stromness in the afternoon to see king penguins. Here you can learn more about Shackleton and his expedition, and there is also an optional 2-3 hour “Shackleton walk.”

In the morning, you may plan a landing at Gold Harbour, a spectacular location with king penguins, elephant seals, and hanging glaciers. There are also sooty albatrosses here. If weather allows, you may ship cruise across the Drygalski Fjord in the afternoon.

St Andrews Bay is the destination of your morning excursion. The highlights here are a shipwreck and the remains of the whaling industry. You may see the largest king penguin colony and elephant seal bulls. You may plan a Zodiac cruise in the afternoon and landing at Ocean Harbour.

Depending on weather conditions, the plan is to visit Salisbury Plain to observe more king penguins and stunning landscapes. After this morning activity, you start your way back to the Falkland Islands.

The education program continues as you make your way back to the Falkland Islands.

You may have the opportunity for an evening landing at Bleaker Island, a natural reserve with a famous bird area featuring a large variety of birds.

Enjoy the ship's facilities one last time as you head back to Punta Arenas.

Upon arrival at Punta Arenas, you disembark and take a group transfer to the town centre, where the expedition will end. Explorers House remains available to you for the day.