Antarctica Cruise : The Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica, 25 days / 24 nights
The Peregrine Mariner is renowned as being among the best expedition-style ships for exploring the polar regions. The ship has comfortable and well appointed expedition-style cabins, and all have an outside view with a window or porthole. You will enjoy a pristine wilderness that has been explored by so few!
Main Deck Triple
Bunk beds and a sofa bed. Facilities are shared and there is a washbasin in the cabin. Writing desk. Portholes .
This voyage promises an in-depth and unforgettable experience to the bottom of the world travelling to the extraordinary Falkland Islands and diverse sub-Antarctic islands before sailing further south to the remarkable Antarctic Peninsula area. This voyage has an unprecedented extra two days in the wildlife rich Falkland Islands and three extra days in South Georgia.
Day 1 : Ushuaia
We board our expedition vessel at Ushuaia on Tierra del Fuego, the southern tip of South America. In the early evening, we set sail travelling through the Beagle Channel. The long days mean plenty of evening light in which to experience the beauty of the channel and to perhaps enjoy our first wildlife sightings.
Day 2 : At Sea
As we sail to the northeast, we have the chance to enjoy a series of presentations to prepare us for all our Antarctic adventures to come. On deck, the first sightings of albatross and petrels are likely to add to the sense of excitement.
Days 3-6 : Falkland Islands
We arrive in the Falklands overnight and make our first shore excursion in the morning. Depending on conditions, we’ll explore the islands of the West Falkland Archipelago including Carcass and Saunders Islands, all rich in wildlife. We’ll find an abundance of land and seabirds with many migratory species in residence, such as the black-browed albatross. We will spend the entire second day at Steeple Jason Island, rightly named as it is surrounded by a little low lying land around the shore, which quickly rises into a steep peak. The island was originally used for sheep grazing up until the 1980’s and there are still remains of a disused shearing shed on the island. The island is now home to the largest Black-browed Albatross colony in the world. The third day in the Falkland Island archipelago, we’ll visit the capital, Stanley, with its brightly painted houses and renowned philatelic bureau and museum. We’ll learn about the historic importance of the harbor that served as a major port during the 19th century for sailing vessels. Our fourth and last day will be spent visiting two islands; Sea Lion and Bleeker. The islands are a paradise for wildlife lovers and we hope to see large numbers of gentoo, rockhopper and Magellenic penguins as well as a very large colony of shags. Big bull elephant seals and South American sea lions can also be seen.
Days 7 - 8 : At Sea
Leaving the Falklands, our journey continues southeast heading for the island of South Georgia. We’ll have a chance to learn about Antarctic conservation as well as the fascinating history of the area as our onboard presentations continue. Of course, there’ll be ample time to scan the seascape from the top deck in search of marine mammals and seabirds. We’ll cross the Antarctic Convergence on this leg of our journey and notice a dramatic drop in temperature.
Days 9 - 15 : South Georgia
We arrive in South Georgia, the most rugged and mountainous of the many islands in the Southern Ocean. The towering, snow-covered mountains and glaciers are truly magnificent to behold. We’ll cruise the more protected eastern coast of the island, seeking out suitable landing spots as variable ice and weather conditions permit. We will attempt to explore the seldom visited west side of the island and enter more bays, go on more hikes and see more wildlife. We’ll hope to get ashore at Salisbury Plain where colorful king penguins crowd the beaches in numbers that are simply astonishing. Five species of albatross, skuas and giant petrels wheel overhead and fur seals are found in the thousands along the shore or frolicking in the water. At Grytviken, we’ll visit an old whaling station as well as the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton, one of the greatest Antarctic explorers of all time. This trip is unique and has more time in South Georgia than most voyages to the area. We may visit King Haakon Bay and visit Peggotty Bluff, where Shackleton started his overland journey across the island. Follow the famous James Caird route into this picturesque bay and take in the sights and sounds of the remarkable place. Continue on the Shackleton odyssey to Peggotty Bluff. It was here that the Shakleton and his crew established camp using the upturned James Caird. Cooper Bay, Royal Bay and Hercules Bay all have Macaroni penguins. Although these are the most numerous penguin on the island (estimates more than 5 million), their breeding areas are often the hardest to access. We also hope to visit Prion Island where it is possible to view the most majestic bird of the Southern Ocean – the wandering albatross. This bird has the largest wingspan of any seabird on earth. There will be plenty of options for everybody, including hikes of different lengths and fitness level requirements as well as leisurely zodiac cruising and strolls on the beach photographing the wildlife and stunning scenery.
Days 16 - 17 : Sea and South Orkneys
Crossing the Scotia Sea to the southwest, we head for Antarctica. If time and conditions allow we’ll stop at the South Orkney Islands that are linked to the Antarctic Peninsula by a massive range of sub-marine mountains. This area is usually surrounded by sea ice and often guarded by large icebergs. Conditions permitting, we may visit the Argentinean meteorological station located on Laurie Island in this remote and seldom-visited part of the world.
Days 18 - 22 : South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Mainland
En route to the South Shetland Islands you may land at Elephant Island, depending on the ship’s progress and the weather. We’ll spend several days cruising among the South Shetlands, an archipelago of around 20 islands, and the bays and channels of the Peninsula. You enjoy frequent shore excursions by inflatable Zodiac boat, exploring perhaps King George, Half Moon, Aicho or Livingston islands. You experience superb encounters with Adelie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins, and several species of seal, as well as enjoying stunning scenery. Weather permitting, you may enter the flooded caldera of Deception Island to explore the abandoned whaling station or perhaps enjoy a spectacular walk to some of the higher points of the crater rim. At Paradise Harbour or Hope Bay on the Antarctic mainland, you will witness some of the most dramatic scenery the Antarctic has to offer. If the weather is kind you’ll have the chance to set foot on the Antarctic continent.
Days 23 - 24 : Drake Passage
Leaving the Antarctic Peninsula you head back across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage. The crossing is completed with the rounding of Cape Horn.
Day 25 : Ushuaia
In the early morning you arrive back in Ushuaia where the cruise ends. You are transferred to your hotel or to the airport for your onward flight.
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