Skip to content
south georgia king penguins on beach istk

Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia

From £18556

Excluding Flights

17-19 Nights

Jan-Mar & Nov

Overview

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 18-day voyage on the Ocean Explorer. 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.

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.

A series of landings are planned around South Georgia, taking in king penguin rookeries, noisy elephant seals, abandoned whaling stations and the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton.

Your journey continues with the voyage south towards the Antarctic Peninsula.

On arrival at the Antarctic Peninsula you will encounter towering, glacier-capped mountains rising from a brilliant blue sea, dotted with ice floes and penguin colonies. Listen for calving glaciers, visit historic sites and research stations and set foot on the Great White Continent.

The Drake Passage crossing is a fitting end to your voyage – there may be a chance to see a variety of seabirds on this final stretch of your journey.

Disembark in the ship, where your polar expedition ends.

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

  • No surcharge guarantee

  • Full financial protection

From £18556 Excluding Flights

17-19 Nights

Jan-Mar & Nov

Note

  • The inclusions for this cruise are dependent on the vessel chosen – those shown are applicable to all. Please contact us for full details and to discuss the options best for you. 

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.

team-in-location-jo-sweden
Jo
4

Arctic cruises

3

Icehotel visits

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