Sorry. There are no scheduled departures for this expedition.
Below please find the day-by-day itinerary for this expedition.
Unless otherwise noted, daily excursion options are included in the cost of the
trip. We do our best to adhere to the scheduled itinerary, but in the spirit of
our expeditionary style of travel we may deviate slightly to take full
advantage of encounters with the destination and its people, culture, and
wildlife.
An itinerary from a previous expedition is displayed below.
Day 1 USA / Santiago, Chile
Depart on your independent overnight flight.
Day 2 Santiago
Upon arrival in Santiago transfer to our hotel. Enjoy brunch at the hotel restaurant and spend the rest of the day relaxing or join an optional sightseeing excursion. Welcome dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Day 3 Santiago / Stanley, Falkland Islands / Embark Sea Spirit
After breakfast board your flight to Stanley, Falkland Islands, and embark the Sea Spirit. Before sailing this evening, we have time to explore the charming town of Stanley.
Day 4 Steeple Jason Island
Today we visit one of the largest albatross colonies in the world; we will see thousands of black-browed albatross sitting atop their nests. Also ashore are rookeries of gentoo penguins and South American sea lions.
Day 5 Carcass Island / Pebble Island, Falkland Islands
On Carcass Island we explore gentoo and Magellanic penguin rookeries and walk the beautiful beaches which are rich with seabirds. On Pebble Island we hope to spot rockhopper, macaroni, and Magellanic penguins along the coast. The island’s ponds and marshes reveal wild ducks, grebes, and black-necked swans.
Day 6-7 Cruising the South Scotia Sea
Our lecture series commences with presentations and informal discussions with our naturalists. Join Jack Grove and Peter Harrison on deck to search for the marine mammals and seabirds that flourish in these nutrient-rich waters.
Day 8-14 South Georgia
Flexibility on this expedition is a must. The expeditionary nature of this voyage prevents us publishing a day-by day itinerary, but the following is a list of places we plan to visit. Some are pending final government approval.
Elsehul Bay – This beautiful bay is home to thousands of fur seals. Listen for the high-pitched trumpeting of king penguins amid the magnificent sounds of marine mammals echoing throughout this bay.
Right Whale Bay – We land on a volcanic black-sand beach in search of southern fur seals, elephant seals, king penguins, and the other bird species known to inhabit the area.
Salisbury Plain – Thousands upon thousands of king penguins greet us, in several states of plumage. Two glaciers and rugged snowcapped ridges form a spectacular background for the huge king penguin rookery.
Hercules Bay – At this rocky bay we have the opportunity to view macaroni penguins, the most numerous of all penguin species.
Stromness Bay – Site of Shackleton’s arrival after crossing the island’s glaciers on foot. Stromness offers views of cliffs and a glacier, which the adventurer and his companions descended.
Grytviken – We explore Grytviken on foot, discovering the ruins of this once-active whaling station. The cemetery holds a special fascination, as it is here that Shackleton is buried. Hiking along the beach we can see penguins and other seabirds, as well as marine mammals.
Royal Bay – The 1882 German transit of Venus expedition conducted its research at this large bay, and remains of the party’s buildings still stand on shore. Ross Glacier forms a dramatic backdrop to the wild scenery, where 50,000 king penguins await.
Gold Harbour – Gold Harbour, at the foot of the Bertrab Glacier, is home to a colony of tens of thousands of king penguins. We are likely to see elephant seals, fur seals, and light-mantled sooty albatross.
Cooper Bay – This bay features spectacular rock headlands with sharp cleavages of metamorphosed sandstone, presenting intriguing geological perspectives. Here we are likely
to encounter light-mantled sooty albatross; king, gentoo, and macaroni penguins; prions, petrels, and terns; in addition to fur, Weddell, and elephant seals.
Day 15-16 Cruising the South Scotia Sea
Our lecturers recap our experiences at South Georgia.
Day 17 Sea Lion Island, Falkland Islands
Today we walk with our naturalists along the coast of Sea Lion Island to a gentoo penguin colony and a large freshwater pond supporting an excellent variety of Falklands waterfowl.
Day 18 At Sea
Our lecturers sum up our travels as we celebrate 20 years of discovery and all we have experienced on this special voyage.
Day 19 Ushuaia, Argentina / Disembark Sea Spirit / Buenos Aires, Argentina
Disembark the ship and transfer to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires, connecting with independent flights to the USA.
Day 20 USA / Home
Early-morning arrival in the USA and connect with independent homeward flights.
