Classic South Georgia | The Ushuaia

In the afternoon you will board the USHUAIA. A welcome drink and then an introduction to the crew and expedition staff will follow, and you will have time to get to know your new shipmates. The ship will then set sail towards the Western Falkland Islands (Malvinas), known for their rugged beauty and wealth of seabirds and waterfowls.

Enjoy a full day at sea as we sail across the South Atlantic. Take advantage of the ship's open bridge policy to observe navigation alongside our officers and keep watch for albatrosses, petrels, whales, dolphins and other marine wildlife. Throughout the day, our Expedition Team will present informative lectures introducing the wildlife, history and geology of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), preparing us for our first landings.

Weather permitting, we'll make our first landings in the spectacular Western Falkland Islands. At West Point Island, we'll visit dramatic coastal cliffs that host colonies of Southern Rockhopper Penguins and Black-browed Albatrosses, while enjoying breathtaking views over the Atlantic. Later, we'll continue to Carcass Island, a predator-free haven where Gentoo and Magellanic Penguins, numerous songbirds and dolphins thrive. Guests may also enjoy traditional tea at the island settlement before we continue sailing overnight toward Stanley.

This morning you arrive in Stanley, the charming capital of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). Explore its museum, local shops and historic streets while discovering the island's fascinating heritage. Birdlife is abundant even within the town, with Southern Giant Petrels, Falkland Steamer Ducks, Dolphin Gulls and many other species commonly seen along the shoreline. During the afternoon we depart Stanley and begin our voyage toward South Georgia.

Discover one of the Falkland Islands' hidden gems. Bleaker Island is home to Rockhopper and Magellanic Penguins, Imperial Cormorants and a wide variety of seabirds. Surrounded by pristine landscapes and rich wildlife, this remote island offers a memorable final landing before we continue our voyage toward South Georgia.

South Georgia will come in sight! Though extremely isolated, it has amazing scenery ranging from high mountains and mighty glaciers to deep fjords and low-lying grassland. If the weather is favorable, we would aim to visit one of the following sites in the late afternoon:

Elsehul

Situated at the northwestern extremity of South Georgia on the eastern side of the knife-edged summit ridges of Parydian Peninsula, Elsehul is a beautiful little harbor. It is the only visitor site on the island, where colonies of Black-browed and Grey-headed Albatrosses can be viewed from zodiacs within the protection of sheltered inshore waters.

Right Whale Bay

Right Whale Bay is a bay 1.5 miles (2.4 km) wide, entered between Craigie Point and Nameless Point along the north coast of South Georgia. The name dates back to at least 1922, when South Georgia was still a center for commercial whaling. Today we hope to encounter a small colony of King Penguins, along with Giant Petrels, gulls and breeding fur seals on the black ashen beach.

Over the coming days, we'll explore the breathtaking landscapes and extraordinary wildlife of South Georgia. Our itinerary will remain flexible, allowing us to take advantage of weather and sea conditions while visiting some of the island's most remarkable locations. Possible landings include Salisbury Plain, Willis Islands, Grytviken, Godthul, Fortuna Bay, Stromness, Cooper Bay, St Andrews Bay, and Drygalski Fjord. Expect unforgettable encounters with King Penguins, elephant seals, albatrosses, glaciers, dramatic mountain scenery, and the fascinating legacy of Sir Ernest Shackleton.

Leaving South Georgia behind, we begin our return voyage across the South Atlantic. During these days at sea, enjoy lectures from our Expedition Team, observe seabirds and marine mammals from the deck, and reflect on the unforgettable experiences and wildlife encounters of the expedition.

As we re-enter the Beagle Channel, enjoy the final presentations from the Expedition Team while taking in the spectacular scenery. During our farewell evening aboard, we'll celebrate our journey with the Captain and fellow travellers before arriving back in Ushuaia.

Early this morning we arrive back in Ushuaia, where we disembark after breakfast, bringing an unforgettable South Atlantic expedition to an end.