Ultimate Antarctica: Falklands, South Georgia & the Antarctic Circle (Ocean Endeavour)

Welcome to Ushuaia, Argentina – the gateway to the Great White Continent and the world’s southernmost city. Once you arrive at your hotel, you’re free to explore. Tonight, you’ll have the option to meet your fellow travellers for an optional icebreaker. If you have some spare time, maybe head downtown for some early souvenir shopping or taste some classic Argentinian flavours at one of the local restaurants. Ushuaia is affectionately known as ‘The End of the World’, so you can really soak up that unforgettable I’m-so-far-from-home moment among the impressive backdrop of snow-capped mountains. If you meet some fellow travellers along the way, why not hit a cosy dinner spot or local bar and theorise on what your upcoming adventure may hold?

After breakfast, the morning is yours to explore windswept Ushuaia. Stroll through the quaint town with a camera or grab a last-minute necessity (you haven’t forgotten your waterproof pants and gloves, have you?) In the afternoon, you’ll transfer to the port of Ushuaia and hop aboard the Ocean Endeavour – your home on the sea for the next 22 days. After greeting your fellow passengers and Expedition Team and settling into your cabin, set sail through the historic Beagle Channel towards Antarctica. Find the perfect spot to soak up the incredible views, as you catch your last sight of Argentina – then, head inside to join the excitement and learn more about what’s to come on this Antarctic adventure. This evening is a great opportunity to explore the ship (and its amenities) and enjoy a delicious dinner at Polaris restaurant with your new crew.

With nothing but you and the blue horizon for the next couple of days, your time at sea is the perfect chance to take advantage of all the amenities and activities on board. Spot seabirds from the sundeck, lounge in the day spa and sauna, keep warm in the gym and jacuzzi or study up in the Polar library. There will also be a series of lectures and presentations throughout the days aboard, so you can really sink your teeth into the local geography, environment and wildlife. Prepare for your expedition by attending comprehensive presentations from the Expedition Team, which highlight the dramatic history of upcoming spots, as well as the potential wildlife sightings that may await you. Up on deck, keep an eye out for wandering albatross on their migration route, as well as breaching whales and other mighty mammals. In the evenings, cosy up with a drink at the bar and get to know your shipmates.

This morning, you’ll approach The Falklands – a wildlife photographer’s dream. Here, you can find the largest black-browed albatross colony in the world, as well as five species of penguins who breed on the islands (including gentoo, king, macaroni, Magellanic and rockhopper). As you approach the ruggedly beautiful archipelago, keep the camera ready to capture not only the abundant wildlife, but also the breathtaking scenery. East Falkland and West Falkland have so much to offer and provide a rare opportunity to witness the biological diversity, extraordinary landscapes and rich history of the southern islands. Learn about the intriguing and controversial past of the Falkland Islands from local experts, as you explore the quaint capital of Stanley. Near the town, you may see southern giant petrels, Falkland steamer ducks, kelp gulls, dolphin gulls, black-crowned night herons, red-backed hawks, peregrine falcons and turkey vultures! A spot of birdwatching, anyone?

Witness an ever-changing horizon, with wetlands, lakes and rolling peaks waiting to be trekked. Weather permitting, you may explore Saunders Island, the second-largest island in the Falklands, and The Neck, a narrow peninsula with sandy beaches and subtle cliff faces. The rookery stretches along the northern slopes of Saunders Island and is one of the largest black-browed albatross nesting colonies in the area. This is where the mighty birds nest in the cliffs, around October, with their chicks hatching about ten weeks later.

Farewell the Falkland Islands and sail towards South Georgia. From the history and geology to the incredible wildlife, this next stop has a lot to offer. South Georgia Island is known for its thousands of nesting penguins, leopard seals, snow-capped peaks and otherworldly landscapes. From the cosy innards of the ship, you can engage in a few presentations to prepare for your next stop. From the outer decks, scan the horizon for seabirds and other passing wildlife. Why not take this opportunity to hit the jacuzzi or day spa for a bit of wellness action, too?

Over the next few days, you’ll explore the island of South Georgia, once the homestead of whalers and isolated explorers – now, a protected site with dedicated Antarctic research teams. You’ll explore a variety of different landing sites and learn about the history of Sir Ernest Shackleton, known for his incredible survival during a failed expedition south. Shackleton led the British Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition between 1914 and 1916 and planned to cross Antarctica from a base on the Weddell Sea to McMurdo Sound, via the South Pole with his crew. However, Endurance became trapped in ice off the Caird Coast and eventually sank, which began this epic story of survival. Through months of hard trekking, improvising and incredible leadership, Shackleton and all his men survived. It’s on these very shores in South Georgia that Shackleton landed his crew of the James Caird, in search of help for the rest of his party, who were stranded back on Elephant Island. You’ll spend several days retracing some of Shackleton’s steps, as well as visiting his grave at the ex-whaling station of Grytviken, located on the east side.

Wander among hundreds of thousands of king penguins in the dramatic South Georgian light, visit old whaling stations and enjoy educational presentations on the then and now of the area. Across the island, you’ll see dark volcanic beaches backgrounded by hanging glaciers and have the chance for day hikes among alpine lakes. Optional activities like day paddling, kayaking and expert photography lessons may be available, too.

During your next couple of days at sea, take in the stunning panoramic views from the observation lounge or the spacious decks and make the most of the onboard facilities. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to reflect, or somebody to help you edit your photos of the penguin colonies, the Ocean Endeavour has something for you. Rejuvenate mind and body with one of the invigorating ‘floe’ yoga and meditation classes or indulge in a massage or facial at the day spa. You may want to take this opportunity to relax and recharge or play a few (hundred) games of cards at the bar with your shipmates. Whatever takes your fancy – the ship is yours to explore.

Today, you’ll voyage south towards continental Antarctica. An average day on board begins with a wake-up call from your Expedition Leader at around 7 am. This gives you time to get ready before joining your fellow expeditioners for breakfast. Usually, you’ll have two excursions per day – in the morning and the afternoon, with lunch served on the Ocean Endeavour in between. For the next five days, you’ll dedicate your time to searching for wildlife, both from land and from Zodiacs for smaller-group sails. Soak up the unforgettable vistas at every turn and take every opportunity that awaits you. With multiple landing sites available, your Expedition Team will work out the best places to stop, taking into account the wild-and-woolly elements, accessibility options and any wildlife sighting possibilities. There may also be the chance for snowshoeing, day paddle excursions and camping adventures, which are all weather and timing dependent.

Venturing to the ends of the earth is a moment to revel in, as not all expeditions venture this far south. If weather conditions permit, a celebration will be in order after reaching latitude 66°33’S and crossing the fabled Antarctic Circle. Toast to the sheer rawness of the surroundings and take it all in! While not a typical landing, the crossing of the Antarctic Circle leaves a lasting memory. You’ll travel past colossal icebergs, to a point only a few travellers have ever sailed. Here in the Antarctic Circle, you may see Weddell seals, specially adapted to this icy environment. They use their canines and incisors to rasp open new ice, using the holes to breathe. They also have extremely accurate powers of navigation, to seek out breathing holes when their teeth are worn down and they are no longer able to maintain or create holes in the ice.

Settle back into your comfortable surroundings aboard for the return journey across the Drake Passage. The Ocean Endeavour will track north towards Cape Horn and your destination in Ushuaia, Argentina. During this time, you can attend more onboard lectures and enjoy a slideshow of images captured by our Expedition photographer during your voyage – yours as a memento of your epic Antarctic expedition. These are sure to make your nature snaps the best they can be. Now is also the chance to catch up with your shipmates and share stories about your voyage over a meal or a drink at the bar.

This morning, you’ll say goodbye to the Ocean Endeavour and disembark in Ushuaia. A morning transfer to Ushuaia airport or downtown is included if you are departing today. With much to see and do in Ushuaia, including the Museo Maritimo, Avenida San Martin or even an adventurous hike to the Martial Glacier, your adventure doesn’t have to end here. If you would like to spend more time in Ushuaia, just speak to your booking agent.