South Georgia Explorer

South Georgia Explorer

from £9,565 excluding flights

  • 14 nights
  • Nov
01737 214 250
Open today, 9am - 5pm
Our opening hours are:
  • Monday – Saturday
  • 9am to 5pm
  • Sunday
  • Closed
Call us: 01737 214 250
Enquire Now nordic team doug kington bw

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6 Penguin species encountered

11 Species of whale seen

7 Continents set foot in

south georgia st andrews bay king penguins istk

South Georgia Explorer

from £9,565 excluding flights

  • 14 nights
  • Nov

Customers rate Discover the World

Average score 4.8/5

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Highlights

In pictures
south georgia st andrews bay king penguins sunset istk

Visit the world’s largest king penguin rookeries

antarctica south georgia grytviken old whaling station istk

Learn about the old whaling stations and research facilities

antarctica south georgia st andrews bay fur seals istk

See beaches filled with basking elephant and fur seals

south georgia albatross pair istk

Encounter a host of endemic birds found nowhere else in the world

Why this trip...

Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska immersive exploration white

Immersive exploration

Immerse yourself in your surroundings on a true exploration of remote and spectacular areas

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Expertly guided

In-depth knowledge and expertise will enrich your experience on this trip

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Small Ships

Access remote places whilst enjoying a safe and friendly atmosphere onboard

Overview

This unique, in-depth itinerary is the perfect alternative to a classic Antarctic expedition, presenting a truly special journey following the wild and dramatic coastline of South Georgia. As one of Britain’s most remote and uninhabited territories, few places compare to South Georgia in terms of its diverse wildlife, breath-taking scenery and fascinating history.

South Georgia is sometimes knows as the “Galapagos of the Poles” due to its rich abundance and variety of wildlife. As one of the most fertile breeding grounds in the world for sub-Antarctic wildlife, you can encounter up to four different penguins species on the island, including the massive and captivating king penguin colony at Salisbury Plain. Sightings of numerous other marine mammals are possible, with beaches often covered in fur and elephant seals and plentiful colonies of birds, including albatross, skuas, petrels and terns.

The alluring wilderness of South Georgia also holds an intriguing history, with the remnants of old whaling stations and other abandoned outposts scattered across the island. South Georgia is however most well-known for Sir Ernest Shackleton’s heroic crossing of the island in 1916, in search of assistance and rescue during his ill-fated trans-Antarctic expedition. He was laid to rest on the island and you can visit his grave, which is located at the settlement of Grytviken.

Itinerary

Day 1 Ushuaia, Argentina

Embark in the late afternoon and settle into your cabin before you set sail across down the historic Beagle Channel towards open sea.

Embark in the late afternoon and settle into your cabin before you set sail across down the historic Beagle Channel towards open sea.

Days 2-3 at sea

There are many activities to keep you engaged while you are at sea. You could learn to identify the seabirds that glide alongside the ship, or attend the illustrated presentations by the Expedition Team. They will prepare you for the shore landings and Zodiac cruising to come. En-route, you’ll officially enter Antarctic waters once you cross the Antarctic Convergence, an invisible biological boundary encircling the continent.

There are many activities to keep you engaged while you are at sea. You could learn to identify the seabirds that glide alongside the ship, or attend the illustrated presentations by the Expedition Team. They will prepare you for the shore landings and Zodiac cruising to come. En-route, you’ll officially enter Antarctic waters once you cross the Antarctic Convergence, an invisible biological boundary encircling the continent.

south georgia mountains albatross flying istk

Days 4-10 South Georgia

With breath-taking scenery and a rich abundance of wildlife, South Georgia is sure to captivate. Against a spectacular backdrop of mountains and glaciers you may encounter hundreds of thousands of pairs of king penguins, interspersed with huge elephant seals or lively fur seals, whilst albatross soar overhead.

Landing sites on the island are varied, and will be largely determined by the weather and sea conditions during your voyage. Perhaps you will cruise through the dramatic Drygalski Fjord, where jagged, sharp peaks rise straight out of the sea. You may also experience uncharted waters at King Hakkon Bay, a long, narrow inlet in an area that hasn’t yet been fully mapped. This is where the great explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton made landfall in his lifeboat in 1916, searching for rescue for his Endurance crew, who were marooned on Elephant Island. One of the most historic sites you will visit on the island is Shackleton’s resting place. You can visit his grave at the settlement of Grytviken, which was also home to one of the first whaling stations established in sub-Antarctic waters.

With breath-taking scenery and a rich abundance of wildlife, South Georgia is sure to captivate. Against a spectacular backdrop of mountains and glaciers you may encounter hundreds of thousands of pairs of king penguins, interspersed with huge elephant seals or lively fur seals, whilst albatross soar overhead.

Landing sites on the island are varied, and will be largely determined by the weather and sea conditions during your voyage. Perhaps you will cruise through the dramatic Drygalski Fjord, where jagged, sharp peaks rise straight out of the sea. You may also experience uncharted waters at King Hakkon Bay, a long, narrow inlet in an area that hasn’t yet been fully mapped. This is where the great explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton made landfall in his lifeboat in 1916, searching for rescue for his Endurance crew, who were marooned on Elephant Island. One of the most historic sites you will visit on the island is Shackleton’s resting place. You can visit his grave at the settlement of Grytviken, which was also home to one of the first whaling stations established in sub-Antarctic waters.

south georgia king penguins gold harbour aurexp
antarctica south georgia abandoned church whaling station grytviken istk
south georgia elephant seals and king penguins st andrews bay istk

Days 11-14 at sea

After a week of endless wildlife encounters, your journey home begins. Along the way there will be plenty of time to share stories and swap photos with your fellow passengers as you reflect on everything you’ve seen.

After a week of endless wildlife encounters, your journey home begins. Along the way there will be plenty of time to share stories and swap photos with your fellow passengers as you reflect on everything you’ve seen.

Day 15 disembark in Ushuaia

Arrive in Ushuaia this morning and disembark, ready for your onward adventure.

Arrive in Ushuaia this morning and disembark, ready for your onward adventure.

Accommodation

plancius spitsbergen polar voyage
mv plancius twin bedroom cabin twin deluxe
mv plancius ship interior dining room

M/V Plancius

This classic expedition ship and former research vessel carries a maximum of just 116 passengers. Providing simple but comfortable accommodation, the Plancius also offers a restaurant/lecture room, spacious observation lounge (with bar and panoramic windows) and large open deck spaces.

Two gangways guarantee a swift Zodiac embarkation process and, thanks to a diesel-electric propulsion system, she is one of the quietest vessels to venture into the Polar regions.

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Prices and Departures

Price from £9,565 excluding flights

Airfares are quoted separately to the holiday price. When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.
Note: Airfares tend to be cheaper the earlier you book.

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
  • Loan of rubber boots during voyage
  • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges
  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
  • No surcharge guarantee
  • Full financial protection

2023/24 Departures

Prices are per person, based on a twin cabin. Due to fluctuating currencies our advertised voyage prices are indicative, and where applicable will be recalculated based on the exchange rate of the day at the time of enquiry.

Departure Duration Vessel Prices from (pp)
09 Nov 2023 15 days Plancius £9,565

Meet our expert

nordic team doug kington bw
One of our specialists
Meet Doug

6 Penguin species encountered

11 Species of whale seen

7 Continents set foot in

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