South Georgia & the Falklands (National Geographic Explorer)

19 days with Natural Habitat Adventures Rating:

Itinerary

Days 1 & 2: In Transit / Buenos Aires, Argentina

After an early morning arrival in Buenos Aires, check in to your deluxe accommodations in Argentina’s elegant capital, set on the Rio de la Plata. Buenos Aires is one of Latin America’s largest metropolitan areas, and a top tourist destination known for its cosmopolitan lifestyle, vibrant cultural mélange and a European-style architecture that reflects its colonial heritage and the influence of many 19th- and early-20th-century immigrants. After a leisurely morning to catch our breath, enjoy a guided afternoon tour of the city, including Beaux Arts palaces, grand boulevards and Eva Peron’s famous balcony. Get acquainted with your fellow travelers during an early evening reception.

Day 3: Fly to Ushuaia / Embark Ship

Today we travel by private chartered flight to Ushuaia, soaring over the peaks of Patagonia before landing at the bottom of Tierra del Fuego at the foot of the southern Andes. There’s no mistaking the "end of the world" feeling about the world’s most southerly city, which is the point of embarkation for expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula. If weather permits, we will enjoy lunch on a catamaran cruise in the Beagle Channel, where spectacular mountains rise out of the sea, before embarking our expedition ship and setting sail.

Day 4: At Sea

Days at sea are an opportunity to learn and relax. Our expedition ship has a full complement of naturalists, scientists and historians on board who are eager to share information about geology, climate, wildlife and human exploration in the southern polar region. Lectures and slideshows add to our appreciation of all that we see and experience during the voyage. Today, our experts will prepare us for our visit to the Falkland Islands. Meanwhile, our crossing of the South Atlantic should provide ample opportunities to witness seabirds, including the black-browed albatross.

Days 5 & 6: Falkland Islands

Also called the Islas Malvinas by Argentina, which contests Britain for claim to the colony, this windswept archipelago is a study in stone, sand and peat, with rugged cliffs battered by the ocean. Its isolated shores are home to marine mammals and prodigious birdlife—including the world’s largest albatross colony. Flightless steamer ducks, blue-eyed shags and several penguin species, including Magellanic, gentoo and rockhopper, are abundant, and Peale's dolphins often ride our bow waves near the islands. Though the Falklands are still disputed territory, culturally they are British through and through. English and Scottish immigrants arrived with sheep in the 19th century, and wool is produced to this day. The photogenic capital of Stanley offers a quaint exploration with its tin-roofed houses, rose gardens, pubs and other emblems of Falkland colonial heritage—including an Anglican cathedral with an organic whalebone archway.

Days 7 & 8: At Sea

We continue sailing south, with whales swimming beneath the waters and seabirds circling above. The ship’s naturalists and polar historian prepare us for the exciting days ahead with presentations about South Georgia’s flora, fauna and geology, plus the inspiring story of Sir Ernest Shackleton and the crew of the Endurance. Take advantage of the ship’s leisure and recreation opportunities, including a fitness center, sauna, massage therapy at the spa, and a library filled with books about Antarctic natural history and polar exploration.

Days 9–15: South Georgia Island

Remote South Georgia is best known for the riveting saga of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ill-fated 1914 expedition aboard the sailing ship Endurance. The magnitude of Shackleton’s heroic trek across South Georgia to secure the rescue of his crew can only be fully grasped on a visit to the island, with its spine of glaciated peaks rising precipitously from the sea. J. Gunnar Anderson, who encountered the island in 1902, described it as “mighty fells with snowy crowns and sharp, uncovered teeth, around the valleys through which enormous, broad rivers of ice came flowing to the sea.” Yet the land, for all its ruggedness, is rich in animal life. Explore the spectacular coastline, with flexible opportunities for walking, hiking, kayaking and Zodiac excursions. Zodiacs permit visits to desolate beaches and glacier-carved fjords, and curious fur seals often approach the boats. Millions of king penguins live here in colonies stretching to the horizon. South Georgia’s waters are home to blue, sperm, fin, sei and southern right whales, though they were nearly wiped out in the 20th century when whaling was still a commercial industry. At the former whaling outpost of Grytviken, abandoned processing factories lie derelict, and elephant seals have taken over the grounds. Those who wish to pay respects to the legendary explorer can visit the grave of Shackleton, who died here in 1922.

Day 16: At Sea

Head up to the bridge to observe expert navigation at work as our skilled captain and officers sail these history-laden waters. Take advantage of community spaces including the lounge, the observation room with its collection of games and binoculars, and a chance to delve into the intrigues of the library’s collection of regional titles.

Day 17: Falkland Islands

Our journey across the South Atlantic returns us to this archipelago teeming with wildlife. Take a last walk along the beautiful white-sand beaches, meander through tussock grass or sit atop a cliff and ponder the views, musing on a the very distinctive way of life in this forgotten outpost that was once a port for refueling steamships traveling around Cape Horn before the Panama Canal opened.

Day 17: At Sea

In the wake of all your Zodiac cruises, kayak excursions and walks ashore, you may wish to use this leisurely day at sea to sort through your photos or capture experiences in your journal—or just relax while enjoying the view through the ship’s panoramic windows.

Days 18 & 19: Stanley / Santiago, Chile / Depart

After breakfast, disembark in the Falklands’ capital city, Stanley, and transfer to the airport at Mount Pleasant for our private charter flight to Santiago. From here, we connect with flights onward—typically overnight flights that arrive the next day.

Map

All This Included

Steeped in the lore of Sir Ernest Shackleton and the whalers who plied these rugged coastlines, South Georgia explodes with some of the world’s greatest wildlife spectacles. Our expedition ships lead you to beaches where stately king penguins stretch to the horizon. Meet gentoo and macaroni penguins, too, and share a sandy stretch with 8,000-pound battling elephant seals. Wade through tussock grass along a hillside dotted with nesting albatross, paddle a kayak alongside curious fur seals, and weave among blue, sperm, fin, sei and southern right whales on a Zodiac as icebergs bob past. And there’s the enigma of subantarctic human habitation to explore too, from the feisty history of steamships heading around Cape Horn to friendly modern Falklanders who continue to evoke a Scottish ambienceon their island outpost with fine sheep wool farming and the ritual of cozy afternoon tea.

One hotel night
Accommodations on board
Meals indicated
Excursions
Services of Lindblad Expedition Leader, naturalist staff and expert guides
Use of kayaks
Entrance fees
All port charges and service taxes

Highlights

On rugged South Georgia, walk amid tens of thousands of king penguins, watch Magellanic penguins peek from their burrows, and see Weddell and Antarctic fur seals
Admire the Falklands' endangered black-browed albatross, with 70 percent of the world population breeding here, and explore the capital of Stanley, steeped in Scottish heritage
Hike in the footsteps of Sir Ernest Shackleton, whose famed expedition was beset by tragedy in 1914, and experience his tale of survival at the site where all were saved in 1916

Accommodations

Buenos Aires: To be determined
Cruising: Cabin onboard National Geographic Explorer

Notes

Group Size Limit: Approximately 148 Travelers.
Not Included: Immigration fees; air transportation; personal items such as alcoholic beverages, emails, laundry, voyage DVD etc. Gratuities to ship’s crew at your discretion.
Physical Requirements: Moderate. You must be able to walk unassisted for a minimum of one mile over rough and uneven terrain including rocky beaches, snow, ice, and inclines (in knee-high rubber boots) in order to participate fully in this adventure. To participate in excursions ashore, you will also need to walk down steep stairs and climb into and out of inflatable Zodiacs, which can sometimes feel unstable depending on water conditions. Travel via Zodiac occurs over variable conditions and can sometimes be quite bumpy. If it's windy, you may get wet from sea spray. Travelers with back problems or other health issues that could be exacerbated by such conditions should take this into consideration. Travelers must be prepared for any type of weather, including extreme conditions. Daytime highs typically range from 30°F – 40°F, but can drop well below freezing with high winds and wind chill. Nighttime temperatures may drop into the low 20s. Sea conditions can be rough, potentially causing issues for those who are sensitive to motion sickness, and can make for unsteady walking around the ship. We recommend discussing medications with your personal physician if you are prone to motion sickness.
Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

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* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines.

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