Antarctic Expedition Cruises

Classic South Georgia

ITINERARY:

Day 1: Depart from Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Embark the cruise ship Ushuaia in the afternoon and meet your expedition and lecture staff. A welcome drink will be followed by an introduction to the crew and expedition staff and we will have time to get to know our new shipmates. The ship will then set sail towards the Western Falkland Islands (Malvinas), known for their rugged beauty and wealth of seabirds and waterfowl.

Day 2: At sea

The open bridge policy on the Ushuaia allows us to join the officers on the bridge and learn about navigation, watch for marine life and enjoy the views of the open ocean. These waters are also home to an exciting group of seabirds, which often ride the currents created in the wake of the ship, such as albatrosses and petrels.Join the expedition staff and naturalists on the deck while we are at sea as we search for seabirds and other local wildlife, such as orcas and dolphins. An exciting selection of lectures will help us to prepare for our first excursions in the Falkland Islands (Malvinas).

Day 3: Western Falkland Islands (Malvinas)

On the west coast we might visit the following islands:

• West Point Island which lies off the most north-westerly point of mainland West Falkland (Malvinas). The attractive settlement sits on the edge of a small harbour on the eastern side of the Island, in the lee of Black Bog Hill and Michael´s Mount. The valley between these two peaks rolls over the centre of the island to the dramatic Devil´s Nose, one of the island´s main attractions. From here visitors are treated to splendid views of Cliff Mountain, the Island´s highest point 381m and the highest cliffs in the Falklands. This is where we will encounter a vast colony of Rockhopper Penguins and Black-browed Albatrosses, nesting together in close vicinity.
• Carcass Island which lies to the northwest of the Falkland archipelago (Malvinas). A mature tussac plantation covers much of the lower ground below Jason Hill to the east. The availability of abundant cover and the absence of cats, rats and mice throughout the island have made for a spectacularly large population of small birds, which is one of Carcass Island´s most delightful features. Gentoo and Magellanic Penguins do also nest here. Peale´s and Commerson´s dolphins frequently come close to the shoreline to get a glimpse of the visitors as well. At the settlement with its beautiful gardens, we are invited to enjoy tea and cookies with the locals. Overnight we will sail around the northern islands of the archipelago in an easterly direction to reach the capital, Stanley, in the following morning.

Day 4: At sea. Eastern Falkland Islands (Malvinas)

In the morning hours, we will have time to explore the quaint little town of Stanley and its beautiful museum, souvenir shops and pubs. The town was established in the early 1840s. Isolation and the weather conditions made life hard, but progress was gradual and punctuated by the extremely eventful times of involvement in two world wars. For those who are more interested in the outstanding wildlife the Islands have to offer, you do not even have to leave town to enjoy it. Southern Giant Petrels often fly close to the shoreline.

The endemic Falkland Steamer Ducks abound on the shores while Kelp Gulls can often be seen flying together with Dolphin Gulls. The less obvious but frequent visitors to the Stanley area are Black-crowned Night Herons, Red-backed Hawks and Peregrine Falcons. Turkey Vultures are regularly seen on top of any prominent building. Many pairs of Upland Geese frequent the park, and it might be nice to take a stroll around the gardens of town to see some of the singing birds as well. In the early afternoon, it is time to set sail, heading for South Georgia.

Days 5-6: At sea

An extensive lecture programme will be offered during the days at sea. Expert naturalists share their knowledge of the wildlife and unique ecosystems we will encounter throughout our voyage. South Georgia is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and inspiring places on Earth with more wildlife than virtually anywhere else on the planet.

Day 7: At sea

South Georgia will come in sight. Though extremely isolated, it has impressive scenery ranging from high mountains and mighty glaciers to deep fjords and low-lying grassland, deep fjords and low-lying grassland.

Days 8-10: South Georgia

Our exact itinerary will depend on local land and sea conditions, but the following destinations are among those that we would like to explore:

• Salisbury Plain. Sometimes called the ‘Serengeti of the South’, Salisbury Plain is a wildlife site without parallel. Several massive glaciers provide a dramatic backdrop for the tens of thousands of King Penguins that nest in the tussac grass of this remarkable ecosystem. The wide beach makes for excellent walking as we visit the colony, where we are surrounded and delightfully outnumbered by crowds of curious, gentle penguins. Elephant and fur seals also abound, as well as Southern Giant Petrels and the occasional wandering Gentoo Penguin. Prepare for an awe-inspiring experience, as the elephant seals are giving birth on the beaches.
• Prion Island is a beautiful tussac grass covered islet. If we are lucky, we will get the opportunity to see a breeding colony of Wandering Albatross on top of it. We will climb to the summit on a wooden boardwalk, which takes us close to their nests and offers comfortable viewing platforms.
• Grytviken lies within King Edward Cove; a sheltered harbour tucked between Hope Point and Hobart Rock on the western shore of Cumberland East Bay. The rusting ruins of the Grytviken whaling station are situated on a level plain at the head of the cove, backed by steep hills and mountains. Now the site of the South Georgia Museum, the station remains a focal point of interest for many visitors, as does Sir Ernest Shackleton´s grave in the nearby whalers’ cemetery and his memorial cross on Hope Point. The scenery in this area is stunning even by South Georgia standards. The glaciers and snow-covered peaks of the Allardyce Range – Mt. Sugartop, Mt. Paget, Mt. Roots, Nordenskjöld Peak, Mt. Kling and Mt. Brooker – form a magnificent backdrop to the cove, and the views from King Edward Point, in particular, must be among the finest on earth.
• Situated 9km east of Cumberland East Bay on the eastern shores of Barff Peninsula, Godthul is a 3km long inlet that lies between Cape George and Long Point. Gentoo Penguins are abundant on the tussac plateau, and Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses echo off the natural cliff amphitheatre that encircles the harbour. A floating factory ship serviced by two whale catchers was stationed here each summer between 1908 and 1929. A small shore depot supporting the whaling operations was established close by the stream in the southeast corner of the harbour, and the rusting barrels, wooden shed and boats are fascinating relics of the whaling era, as is the impressive collection of whale and elephant seal bones scattered along the beach.
• The surf-beat coastline at St. Andrew’s Bay runs north-south in a 3km-long uninterrupted sweep of fine dark sand, covered in penguins and seals and bounded in the interior by the Cook, Buxton and Heaney Glaciers. The bay hosts the biggest colony of King Penguins in South Georgia. Early in the season, the beach is also carpeted with fur and elephant seals. Such a large assemblage of wildlife attracts an entourage of persistent and voracious scavengers. Sheathbills dart in and around the penguin colony. Cape Petrels nest in a small number on the cliffs north of St. Andrew’s Bay. Leopard seals patrol the rocks at this end of the beach too, hunting for penguins along the edge of kelp beds. A few White-chinned Petrels and Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses nest on the tussac slopes. Brown Skuas and Antarctic Terns breed on the outwash plain and scree slopes at the north end of the beach, defending their nest sites with their characteristic noise and vigour.
• Cooper Bay is found at the southeast extremity of South Georgia. There is a wealth of wildlife at this site, in a spectacular setting. Chinstrap, Gentoo and maybe one or two Macaroni Penguins dot the tussac slopes, and there are plenty of fur seals on the beaches. Fascinating volcanic rocks tower over small fjords, giving a stunning invitation for a thrilling zodiac cruise to watch wildlife from the waterfront.
• Drygalski Fjord is also located in the far south-east of the island. The glaciers found in this dramatic fjord have retreated significantly in recent decades, but they remain one of the most striking features of this coastline, particularly the Rising and Jenkins Glaciers. With a little luck, we might see the glaciers calve and witness the birth of a new iceberg from on board the ship.

Days 11-12: At sea

We spend the next two days crossing the Scotia Sea towards the Antarctic Peninsula offering opportunities to be out on the deck, catch up on some reading, check through and edit our photos, or just reflect on the magical experiences of the last days on South Georgia. Lectures and other activities will be offered throughout these days.

Day 13:  Elephant Island, South Shetland Islands

We hope to have a chance to visit the enigmatic Elephant Island. Sir Ernest Shackleton fans will need no introduction to this historic windswept island. In 1916, Shackleton was forced to leave 22 of his men stranded on these shores, while he and five others embarked on an unbelievable last-ditch rescue attempt. What followed is one of the greatest rescue stories of all time. Every passenger will return with a greater knowledge of this gripping tale of adventure in a remarkable part of the world.

Day 14: At sea

Our expedition team will prepare you for our experience in the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands.

Days 15-17: Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands

In the area of the Antarctic Sound, we will try to visit the following sites:

• Argentine Antarctic Station Esperanza – we will try to sail the passage to the east side of the Antarctic Peninsula, which traverses the Antarctic Sound and runs northwest to southeast. Hope Bay and the Argentine Station Esperanza are located on the western side of the Sound.
• Brown Bluff, a promontory on the Tabarin Peninsula, is located south of Hope Bay. Both of them might be possible landing sites. The Weddell Sea represents the centre of the Peninsula´s Adélie Penguin population.
• Paulet and the already mentioned sites might give us ample proof of this. The numbers of penguins are breathtaking. The region also teems with vibrant exploration history. The most bizarre of these tales involves the Swedish Antarctic Expedition of 1901-03 under the command of geologist Otto Nordenskjöld. Four visitor sites have links to this expedition: Hope Bay, Paulet Island, Snow Hill Island, and Cape Well-Met on Vega Island. Our expedition staff will be pleased to share their exciting story with you. Nordenskjöld´s expedition was the first to overwinter in the Peninsula. His ship, Antarctic, under the command of the famous Norwegian whaling captain Carl Anton Larsen, was trapped in the ice and sank, but the men survived on different locations and even managed to carry out significant scientific research in the area.
• We plan to sail through the Gerlache Strait into the Northwest Antarctic Peninsula area. This region of broad straits, mountainous islands, protected bays, and narrow channels offer moments of solitude. A profusion of tall peaks humans have never climbed and vast glaciers flowing inexorably seaward are the physical features here.
• We might visit Hydrurga Rocks, a small group of islets, which lie east of Two Hummock Island in the Palmer Archipelago, at the northern entrance of the Gerlache Strait. Chinstrap Penguins, Blue-eyed Shags and Kelp Gulls are confirmed breeders here.
• We might also go to Cuverville Island, which lies in the scenic Errera Channel, in the centre of the Gerlache Strait. A well-defined raised beach forms a nesting site for many Gentoo Penguins here. On our way north we plan to explore the South Shetland Islands.
• Deception Island is the largest of three recent volcanic centres in the South Shetlands. Sailing through the narrow passage into the flooded caldera of Deception Island is fantastic. Once inside, the rising slope of the black, cinder-covered volcanic rim can be walked uphill to a rather spectacular vantage point.
• Half Moon Island is a crescent-shaped island, in the entrance of Moon Bay between Greenwich and Livingston Islands, is home to Chinstrap Penguins in breathtaking surroundings.

Days 18-19: At sea

We leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. Join our lecturers and naturalists on deck as we search for seabirds and whales. We will also enjoy some final lectures. Take the chance to relax and reflect on the fascinating adventures we have had over the past days.

Day 20: Arrival in Ushuaia

We arrive at the port of Ushuaia in the early morning and disembark the Ushuaia after breakfast.

Please note that the above itinerary is a guide only. Our exact route and programme will vary to take best advantage of local weather and ice conditions and opportunities to view wildlife. Changes will be made by the captain and expedition leader to facilitate the best results from the prevailing conditions. A daily programme sheet will be issued on board. Flexibility is the key to success.