Falkland Islands & South Georgia

Day 1

Punta Arenas, Embarkation

From 10:00 hrs, make your way to Explorers House in Punta Arenas and enjoy the facilities. At 15:00 hrs, a group transfer will take you to the port for embarkation. As we sail along the Strait of Magellan, our Expedition Team will introduce the history of this fabled sea route.

Day 2

At Sea

Enjoy the ship’s amenities and on board program as we make our way to the Falklands (Malvinas). Our engaging series of lectures and presentations begins.

Day 3

Saunders Island, West Point Island

We enjoy the long white-sand beach during a morning visit to Saunders Island. A wilderness experience, the main attractions are rockhopper penguins, nesting black-browed albatross, and sub-Antarctic gentoo penguins. In the afternoon, we visit West Point Island. There is an option for an easy hike to a nesting black-browed albatross colony, bird watching, and a typical Falklands tea experience.

Day 4

Port Stanley

Join our expedition team on guided walking tours of Port Stanley. Or explore on your own and absorb the atmosphere, grabbing lunch at the local pub, visiting the maritime museum, the church, hunting for souvenirs, or walking down Ross Road, paying tribute at the war memorials at the waterfront.

Day 5-6

At Sea

As we sail towards South Georgia, attend presentations on the history and fauna of the archipelago. In the company of expert guides, watch for wildlife from the lounge or from the outside decks. You may spot magnificent seabirds, such as albatrosses and petrels, as well as different species of whales.

Day 7

Elsehul Bay

Depending on sea conditions over the previous days, arrival is planned for the afternoon. Provided we receive approval from the South Georgia government, we plan to do an evening Zodiac cruise at Elsehul Bay.

Day 8

Grytviken, Fortuna Bay

Our first landing could be at Grytviken. We clear Customs and then visit the historical site with the museum and Ernest Shackleton's grave. We land at Fortuna Bay / Stromness in the afternoon to see king penguins. Here, we learn more about Shackleton and his expedition, and there is also an optional 2-3 hour "Shackleton walk."

Day 9

Gold Harbour, Drygalsky Fjord

In the morning, we plan a landing at Gold Harbour, a spectacular location with king penguins, elephant seals, and hanging glaciers. There are also sooty albatrosses here. If weather allows, we ship cruise across the Drygalsky Fjord in the afternoon.

Day 10

St Andrews Bay, Ocean Harbour

St Andrews Bay is the destination of our morning excursion. The highlights here are a shipwreck and the remains of the whaling industry. We see one of the world's largest king penguin colonies and elephant seal bulls. We plan a Zodiac cruise in the afternoon and landing at Ocean Harbour.

Day 11

Salisbury Plain

Depending on weather conditions, we plan to visit Salisbury Plain to observe more king penguins and stunning landscapes. After this morning activity, we start our way back to the Falkland Islands.

Day 12-14

At Sea

Our education program continues as we make our way back to the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas).

Day 15

Bleaker Island

Evening landing at Bleaker Island, a natural reserve famous for its large variety of birds.

Day 16

At Sea

Day 17

Punta Arenas, Disembarkation

Upon arrival at Punta Arenas, we disembark and take a group transfer to the town center, where the expedition will end. Explorers House remains available to you for the day.