Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica: Explorers & Kings

Your gateway for this expedition is Ushuaia, Argentina. Nestled within the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, Ushuaia offers you a small-town feel but has many shops, museums, cafes and restaurants to enjoy before your voyage. If you're feeling adventurous, the nearby national park and Martial Glacier offer plenty of hiking and outdoor activities.

As we embark, the anticipation and excitement grows. Trade your land legs for sea legs, meet and greet your fellow travelers and get acquainted with your ship. As every Antarctic adventure presents new opportunities and experiences, Embarkation day is just as exciting for your Expedition Team as it is for you. They're onboard to ensure your comfort and safety, as well as help make your wildlife dreams come true.

There are many activities to keep you engaged while you are at sea. Learn to identify seabirds that glide alongside the ship or attend dynamic presentations by your Expedition Team. You will be prepped on safety procedures for your Zodiac cruises and shore landings.

Upon arrival in this archipelago your cameras will get their first real workout capturing the abundant wildlife and the rugged feel of the Falklands (Malvinas).

The archipelago contains two main islands--East and West, which we will explore by Zodiac excursions and daily landings. Port Stanley is often a favored landing site, as the town offers a unique British outpost feel, complete with a bit of an eclectic charm.

You'll be free to explore the town, grab a pint at the local pub, or visit numerous churches and museums. In terms of wildlife, the archipelago is home to magellanic, gentoo and rockhopper penguins. If you're lucky, you may even spot king penguins here as well! You can expect to see blackbrowed albatross and two endemic bird species; Cobb's wren and the Falkland's flightless steamer duck.

Sailing south, you'll officially enter Antarctic waters by crossing the invisible biological boundary called the Antarctic Convergence.

Encircling the continent, cold Antarctic waters meet and mix with the warmer waters of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, creating an abundance of krill and marine life that attracts whales and seals to this part of the world. Expedition staff will be sure to keep you posted when you cross this invisible, yet important line.

This remote outpost was a popular stop for many historic Antarctic expeditions and was once a haven for hunting whales and elephant and fur seals. Today, South Georgia Island wildlife populations have rebounded, but you'll still see remnants of those old whaling stations and other abandoned outposts.

One significant and historic site that will be of interest is the grave of the great explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton. You can visit his grave at the settlement of Grytviken, which is also home to an old whaling station, a museum, gift shop, church and a small research station.

While South Georgia's history is an important attraction to the islands, it is the wildlife on South Georgia that you and your shipmates will surely find most captivating. Often referred to as the 'Galapagos of the Poles,' each landing you make on South Georgia will open your eyes to a new wonder of wildlife.

Continue to explore South Georgia and its history.

If conditions allow, we may attempt landfall on the South Orkney Islands, our first official stop in Antarctica.

Today enjoy a full day at leisure. You may like to do some additional sightseeing, shopping, or simply relax

The most common reaction to arriving at the white continent is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is hard to put into words, as few places are as untouched, unique and enduring as Antarctica. You will discover that Antarctica is a land of extremes.

At one moment you'll be overcome with a feeling of complete desolation and silence, at the next moment you'll be inspired by nature as a calving glacier crashes into the brilliant blue sea or a penguin comes waddling by to inspect your footwear.

South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula shore excursions.

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.

After more than two weeks of endless wildlife encounters, your journey home begins. Crossing the Drake Passage is your unofficial rite of passage, completing your Antarctic adventure.

Enjoy some final moments mingling with your fellow travelers. The noisy, busy, populated world awaits your return, so savor the silence of the sea as long as you can.

After breakfast aboard the ship, it is time to part ways and say goodbye to your Expedition Team.