Antarctica, South Georgia & Falkland Islands

From Ushuaia to Ushuaia - 19 day itinerary OR From Ushuaia to Ushuaia - 18 day itinerary
  • All Antarctic Cruises
  • South Georgia & The Falkland Islands
  • Luxury Antarctica
  • Small Ship Cruising
  • Wildlife and Nature
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Tour Description

Board one our newly designed ice-classed expedition vessels, the Ocean Victory or the Ocean Albatros, to journey to the continent of Antarctica,  through the Weddell Sea, to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.

This 19 day adventure will see you exploring the route of  Sir Ernest Shackleton, albeit in modern day 5 star comfort! With their special patented X-bow designs to cut through the waves, the Ocean Victory and the Ocean Albatros are ideal vessels for small-ship cruising to remote polar regions, with their study construction providing high stability over the Drake Passage.

Explore some of the worlds top wildlife destinations; Antarctica, South Georgia & Falkland Islands, with penguins galore, seals, albatrosses and lots of whales! Witness impressive tabular icebergs and glaciated mountains with volcanoes. Enter the Weddell Sea in search for Adelie and Emperor penguins. While sailing between South Georgia and Elephant Island offers a small glimpse into the passage made famous by Shackleton 100 years ago.

This outstanding voyage is a nature lovers dream! You'll be making many Zodiac excursions and landings in Antarctica. Along the way there will be visits to active research stations, Port Stanley in the Falklands, beaches full of king penguins, former whaling stations and a hopefully a call in at Shackleton’s final resting place.

*please note select departures are 18 days, please see 18 day itinerary below and ask us for more info

Viva's Best Bits...

Voyage to Antarctica & beyond in comfort on the new sister ships Ocean Albatros and Ocean Victory with their special X-Bows, providing high stability in rough weather and allowing for a smooth cruise.

"Book early if you would love to kayak in Antarctica, imagine gliding through the waters past icebergs, then having whales surfacing around you, it was such a trill!" Rachel, Team Viva

Not only will you explore the magical continent of Antarctica, follow in the footsteps of Shackleton, but you will also visit the wildlife mecca of South Georgia

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Ushuaia embarkation

Arrive and embark in Ushuaia, Argentina - the world’s southernmost town. Explore the quaint city or local countryside. Alternatively, consider a day trip off the beaten path to the raw, natural archipelago of Tierra del Fuego. It's a hiker's paradise with rugged snow-capped mountains, glaciers, flower-filled meadows and boggy quagmires. In the afternoon, we board our ship.

Our journey begins as we navigate through the calms of Beagle Channel, a strait in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago

Day 2-3
Drake Passage & King George Island

Sailing onward, we cross the famed Drake Passage - a body of water that marks the intersection of the cold Antarctic with the warmer Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Drake Passage is known for strong westerly winds, heavy sea, and its nickname ‘The Roaring Fifties’. While this passage may be challenging, you can rest confidently aboard our expedition vessel, Ocean Victory/Albatros, which is purpose-built with stabilizers, powerful engines and a highly qualified crew. The most spirited sailors consider Drake Passage a lifetime achievement – and soon you can tick it off on the list yourself! In the Drake, the excitement builds as Antarctic wildlife comes into view with our first sight of seals, penguins and albatrosses. Having crossed the Drake, we will explore the sub-Antarctic islands of the South Shetland chain and be marveled by the captivating landscapes we will encounter along the way. Weather permitting, we hope to make our first landfall on King George Island before continuing further south to the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Day 4-7
Antarctica & Weddell Sea

Over the coming days, we will begin the exciting Antarctic experience at the very tip of the Continent. During these days in the Antarctic Sound, named in 1902 after the Swedish vessel Antarctic, the captain and the expedition team will keep a watchful eye on the mighty tabular icebergs, born from the floating Larsen Ice Shelf further south. We aim to have both continental and island landings on the shores of Antarctic Sound and Weddell Sea, always on the lookout for some of the unusually large penguin colonies, which have recently been observed.

The itinerary and activities over the next few days depend on weather and ice conditions. The route and shore landings will be determined by the Captain and Expedition Leader and communicated to the guests through regularly scheduled briefings.

Day 8-13
At Sea & South Georgia

From the Weddell Sea we continue our journey into the open sea, just as Ernest Shackleton and his men did more than hundred years ago. Having lost their ship Endurance deep south in the Weddell Sea they moved slowly north on ice floes and later in open lifeboats until they reached Elephant Island. From here started one of the most remarkable boat journeys in the polar history, when Shackleton and five of his men for two weeks navigated the 720 nautical miles to South Georgia to call for recovery of the stranded crew on Elephant Island. We on the other hand will reach the mighty South Georgia after just a few days at sea!

South Georgia offers stunning wildlife experiences with a wealth of breeding penguins, sea birds, sea lions and seals, all seeking shelter in this oasis amidst the roaring Southern Ocean. Previous whaling history pops up in most of fjords we will explorer – not least in Grytviken the only inhabited settlement on this mountainous island. Grytviken is also the last resting place for Ernest Shackleton, after he died on yet another Antarctica voyage in 1922. We will explorer the fjords of the north coast for 2-3 days and take as many shore landings as time and the swelling sea will allow us.

Day 14-15
Towards Falkland Islands, South Atlantic

Days at sea are great for participating in lectures and and other activities hosted by the expedition team, reading books in the ship library and watching the ubiquitous storm petrels and albatrosses from top deck. Or just to relax.

Day 16-17
Port Stanley & Falkland Islands

During the morning we approach Falkland Islands and in the early afternoon Ocean Victory/Albatros will cast anchor the sheltered natural harbor of Port Stanley. Utilizing our Zodiacs, we will land in town center, and take a leisurely stroll through the streets of Stanley.

On the following day we will make landings – weather permitting – at two of the islands’ many magnificent wildlife spots.

Day 18-19
At Sea Ushuaia disembarkation

We are now into the last leg of this adventurous voyage, heading back to Ushuaia.

After a hearty farewell to vessel and crew, we disembark in the morning after breakfast.

There is still plenty more to explore in South America, let us know if you need help planning your Patagonian adventure, or perhaps a visit to the mighty Iguazu Falls!

Day 1
Ushuaia embarkation

Arrive and embark in Ushuaia, Argentina - the world’s southernmost town. Explore the quaint city or local countryside. Alternatively, consider a day trip off the beaten path to the raw, natural archipelago of Tierra del Fuego. It's a hiker's paradise with rugged snow-capped mountains, glaciers, flower-filled meadows, and boggy quagmires. Afterward, we embark on the ship Ocean Albatros, our home for the coming days.

Our journey begins as we navigate through the calms of Beagle Channel, a strait in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago.

Day 2
At sea, towards Falkland Islands

While we make our way towards the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) there will be plenty of time to get to know the ship as well as participate in the many activities offered on board. Lectures about wildlife and the history of the Falkland Islands will be held, and our experienced expedition team will share stories and lectures that vary based on the locations we visit and their areas of expertise.

Day 3-4
Port Stanley & Falkland Islands

As we approach the Falkland Islands we will make landings – weather permitting – at two of the islands’ many magnificent wildlife spots, where penguins and other sea birds gather.

During the following morning we approach the sheltered natural harbor of Port Stanley and cast anchor. Stanley is the capital of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), a remote South Atlantic archipelago. Utilizing our Zodiacs, we will land in the town center, and take a leisurely stroll through the streets of Stanley.

Day 5-6
At sea, towards South Georgia

Days at sea are great for participating in lectures, photo sessions, and recaps, reading books in the ship library, and watching the ubiquitous storm petrels and albatrosses from the top deck. From photography workshops to lectures on the regions we visit by our knowledgeable expedition team and guest lecturers. Additionally, a raffle or auction onboard usually takes place during this time, to raise funds for charitable organizations focused on global issues and local environmental solutions. In this case, for example, South Georgia Heritage Trust, Whale & Dolphin Conservation, and more. Take this opportunity to give back to the world while educating yourself on the subjects that these organizations support in a fun and enjoyable time.

Day 7-9
South Georgia

South Georgia has a dramatic setting with glacier-clad rugged mountains. Lying in the Southern Ocean south of the Antarctic convergence, the cold sea is booming with life. The island, often referred to as “The Galapagos of the Poles”, can only be reached by ship. There is no permanent human settlement, but seabirds and seals breed in the millions. The difficulty of getting there and the restrictions to protect the environment make South Georgia one of the least-visited tourist destinations in the world. Today the island has been largely left to recover from human over-exploration, resulting in dramatic increases in the number of whales, seals as well as penguin and seabird populations. The itinerary and activities over the next few days are largely dependent on the weather and the sea.

We will have a chance to visit Salisbury Plain, home to one of the largest king penguin colonies on the island, estimated between 250,000 and 5,000,000. Gentoo penguins, giant petrels and Antarctic prions also breed on the island.

The British administration at Grytviken, a former Norwegian whaling station, is also worth a visit. The famed British explorer Ernest Shackleton died in Grytviken on his second visit, and is buried south of the station. The endemic South Georgia pipits and South Georgia pintails may be seen around the buildings.

Day 10-11
At sea Antarctica

The next days are spent traveling on the South Atlantic Sea's southern waters, crossing the 60th parallel south, and from then on, we are in the Southern Ocean's swells.

During our time at sea, a variety of activities will be arranged on board and it provides the perfect opportunity to socialize with fellow travelers.

As the white shimmer of Antarctica looms on our horizon, the presence of wildlife multiples by tens of thousands with many species of lively penguins, inquisitive seals, nesting birds, and the spray of marine mammals.

Day 12-15
Antarctica South Shetland Islands

Over the coming days, we will begin the exciting Antarctic experience at the very tip of the Continent.

The itinerary and activities over the next few days depend on weather and ice conditions. The route and shore landings will be determined by the captain and expedition Leader and communicated to the guests through regularly scheduled briefings.

Wildlife abounds on the Antarctic Peninsula: leopard, fur and Weddell seals of Cuverville Island; humpback whales of Gerlache Strait; Paradise Bay; the dramatic Lemaire Channel's orcas. Days at sea are great for enjoying the seascapes, relaxing, or participating on the program onboard.

Day 16-17
Crossing the Drake Ushuaia

Today, we depart Antarctica and spend two days at sea on our way back to the calms of Beagle Channel and Ushuaia, Argentina. Enroute, we will cross the Drake Passage and cruise past Cape Horn, a legendary maritime landmark and the southern tip of South America.

During our time at sea, a variety of activities will be arranged on board and it provides the perfect opportunity to dwell on some of the fantastic moments we have witnessed during our great voyage.

Day 18
Ushuaia disembarkation

This morning, we arrive back in Ushuaia for the conclusion of our voyage, where you can continue your adventures or begin your return home.

What’s Included

Accommodation
  • Included Copy 20 18 nights accommodation in a shared double stateroom featuring ensuite facilities
  • Included Copy 31 Stateroom upgrades available
Food
  • Included Copy 20 Full board on the ship - breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks
  • Included Copy 20 Free tea and coffee 24 hours daily
  • Included Copy 20 Welcome and farewell drinks
Fees & Services
  • Included Copy 20 All Zodiac landings and excursions as per itinerary
  • Included Copy 20 Expedition parka
  • Included Copy 20 Rubberboots provided for entire voyage
  • Included Copy 20 Guiding and lectures by our experienced expedition leader and team
  • Included Copy 20 English-speaking expedition team
  • Included Copy 20 Free photo workshop from experienced photographer onboard
  • Included Copy 20 Online visual journal access after your voyage with photos, species list, log and more!
  • Included Copy 20 Taxes and port fees
  • Included Copy 7 Domestic and International Airfares & Travel insurance
  • Included Copy 7 Gratuities for the crew (recommended US$14pp per day), personal expenses eg laundry
  • Included Copy 31 Optional kayaking , snowshoeing, camping (Nov-Jan only) - to be booked onboard
Transportation
Ocean Albatros

193 Passengers

Ocean Victory

186 Passengers

Activities

  • Included Visit Port Stanley and Falkland Islands
  • Included Onboard activities while at sea – lectures, quiz nights, workshops and wildlife spotting
  • Included South Georgia: teeming with king penguins, seals and more
  • Included Shore landings in Antarctica - set foot on the white continent!
  • Included Zodiac expeditions - witness Icebergs and glaciated mountains
  • Included Optional kayaking
  • Included Onboard photographer to host workshops, and expert guides and lecturers
Click here for dates & prices
Duration

19 days

Price from

$12,390 USD

Per person, sharing

Based on a triple share cabin

Select Date