This incredible adventure cruise retraces Shackleton’s infamous voyage, visiting Elephant Island before continuing south to the awe-inspiring icescapes of the Antarctic Peninsula. Days are filled with opportunities to see humpback and minke whales, penguins and leopard seals, along with a host of historic sites and scientific stations.
Synonymous in the minds of many with Shackleton’s heroic journey following the infamous Endurance Expedition, South Georgia is also home to a staggering volume of wildlife. Literally millions of fur seals and penguins breed on this archipelago together with wallows of elephant seals and nesting albatross.
This extraordinary expedition combines two of the world’s most isolated ecosystems. Participating passengers are treated to wildlife sightings not possible anywhere else on Earth. While the penguins, seals, whales and albatross may be seen as the main attraction, the abundant beauty and serenity of the wandering icebergs and imposing mountain peaks should never be an underestimated part of the enthralling experience.
Itinerary
All voyage itineraries are intended as a guideline only – embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy of expedition travel. Actual routes and landings will be dependent on weather, sea and ice conditions. A degree of flexibility is essential in the polar regions!
The below sample itinerary is based on the 20-day voyage on the Douglas Mawson. Other departures may vary in duration and routing, i.e. alternative embarkation or disembarkation ports, or do not include the pre-voyage hotel night. Please contact us for specific details.
With a population of more than 63,000, Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world. Surrounded by the sea to the south and the mountains to the north, Ushuaia is a spectacular departure point for your Antarctic cruise. Overnight at a hotel in Ushuaia.
After embarkation in the late afternoon, you will cruise down the historic Beagle Channel towards open sea.
Prepare for rough water, but do not be disappointed if your crossing is smooth sailing. The Drake is always changing and provides excellent opportunities for spotting seabirds, including many species of albatross and petrels.
Explore the highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula. Many factors play a role in shaping the expedition’s itinerary, including sea, ice and weather conditions, but the plan is to take Zodiac excursions from the ship at least twice a day. You will have the opportunity to explore local bays, channels and landing sites. Visit penguin rookeries, scout for humpback and minke whales, and search for a number of southern seal species, including the cunning leopard seal.
Perhaps you’ll feel salt spray on your face as the Zodiac weaves in and around grounded icebergs in Pleneau Bay. You could scramble to the top of a craggy ridge on Danco Island or visit the remote British post office at Port Lockroy. Listen to the boom of a calving glacier in Neko Harbour or sit quietly on a pebble beach as penguin chicks squabble around you. If you’re feeling brave, take to the icy waters for a memorable Polar Plunge!
Each day will be different, with your Expedition Team on hand throughout to entertain and educate you about this fascinating part of the world.
The Weddell Sea is as stunning as it is remote, and is best known as the location where Shackleton’s ‘Endurance’ came to its end, crushed by sea ice. Take a zodiac cruise amongst huge tabular icebergs and perhaps land on Paulet Island. The island is a 350 meter high volcanic cone that juts dramatically out of the sea. Over 100,000 pairs of Adélie penguins breed here, along with blue-eyed shags, snowy sheathbills and kelp gulls. Fur seals and Weddell seals haul out onshore, while leopard seals often hunt offshore
The coastline of Elephant Island is mostly made up of vertical rocks and ice cliffs highly exposed to the elements. If weather permits, you may have the opportunity to take the zodiacs to Point Wild, where marooned members of Shackleton’s expedition miraculously managed to survive.
En route for South Georgia you will head across the Scotia Sea, following the route that Shackleton and five of his men took in order to find help for the rest of their crew.
As the soaring peaks of South Georgia come into view, keep watch for an abundance of seabirds and marine life. Landing sites on South Georgia are varied, and are largely determined by the weather conditions on each individual voyage. Whichever landing sites you visit, they should provide you with wildlife encounters that cannot be enjoyed anywhere else on earth. This is one of the most fertile breeding grounds in the world for sub-Antarctic wildlife, with beaches littered with penguins – in particular macaroni and king penguins in their thousands.
Areas of interest here include King Hakkon Bay, the site where Shackleton and his men landed before traversing the island’s harsh interior. You will also visit the island of Grytviken, which was one of the first whaling stations established in sub-Antarctic waters, but is of particular significance as it is also home to the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton.
Return to sea for the voyage back to Ushuaia – there may be a chance to see a variety of seabirds on this final stretch of your journey.
Arrive back in Ushuaia this morning and disembark, ready for your onward adventure.
Prices and Departures
What's Included
-
Shipboard accommodation
-
All breakfasts, lunches & dinners on board
-
Tea & coffee available around the clock
-
All Zodiac transfers, cruising & shore landings
-
Presentations by the Expedition Team and guest speakers
-
Expedition jacket – yours to keep
-
Loan of rubber boots during voyage
-
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges
-
24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
-
Full financial protection
From £32076 Excluding Flights
19 Nights
Nov
Your Holiday Pricing
Prices are per person based on two people sharing and are subject to availability. Your Travel Specialist will provide a final price tailored to your specific dates, vessel choice and requirements.
Solo travellers: Choose to share with another traveller of the same gender in a twin room (two single beds) or stay in your own room at a supplement.
What’s Included:
Items listed and all known compulsory taxes and charges. Inclusions are dependent on the vessel chosen – those shown are applicable to all.
What’s Not Included:
Variable local costs like hotel taxes that cannot be calculated in advance. We will provide guidance on these expected costs within your personalised quote.
Our holiday prices also exclude flights. Flight prices and offers change daily, so we’ll provide a bespoke quote based on your preferred airport at the best price available.
Make this trip yours
Every destination and itinerary you see here can be adapted to suit you – so reach for that bucket list and start imagining your next adventure here.
Jo
7
Continents visited
1
Salsa dance in Cuba
Departure & price guide
Prices are per person, based on a twin cabin. They do not reflect any applicable special offers or discounts. Single, triple and quad cabins are also available. Please get in touch for a tailored quote based on the best available price for your preferred voyage and cabin type.
We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch.
Experts with real experience
-
Samantha
Travel Specialist
-
Rosie
Travel Specialist
-
Jenna
Travel Specialist
-
Dawn
Head of Customer Experience
-
Gary
Travel Specialist
-
Doug
Travel Specialist
-
Kieran
Travel Specialist
-
Eric
Travel Specialist
-
Lauren
Travel Specialist
You may also like…
-
Classic Antarctica
Antarctica Small Ship CruiseEncounter curious penguins and laid-back seals on a classic Antarctic cruise.
From £7409 Excluding Flights
-
Peninsula, Falklands and South Georgia
Antarctica Small Ship CruiseDiscover many of Antarctica's top wildlife hotspots on this expedition cruise.
From £15199 Excluding Flights
-
Antarctic Peninsula and the Weddell Sea
Antarctica Small Ship CruiseRoam between the west and less-visited east of the Peninsula by cruise.
From £10182 Excluding Flights