Antarctica, South Georgia and Falklands Explorer

On arrival at Ushuaia Airport, please make your way through to the Arrivals Hall where a representative will be waiting for you to transfer to your hotel. He/she will be holding a sign with your name on it. Should you not be able to contact them, please refer to the front of your itinerary for emergency contact details of the representative office.

The first night of your voyage is spent in the quaint town of Ushuaia, the most southerly city in the world and the capital of Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire).

The remainder of the day is at leisure and you are free to explore, maybe making a few last-minute purchases from the many shops or artisan markets, or relaxing in a cafe. Avenida San Martin is the main street and there are some excellent museums to visit or you may prefer to wander the streets taking in the town's dramatic setting, with views of the mountains to the north and the Beagle Channel to the south.

This morning is again free for you to explore Ushuaia further, or maybe discover Tierra del Fuego National Park, the most southerly national park of South America. The park offers a range of hiking trails that lead you through the stunningly beautiful and dramatic scenery of snowcapped peaks, lush meadows, rugged coastline, glaciers, waterfalls and lakes. Look out for guanaco, Andean foxes, muskrats and the North American beaver. Birds found here include the Andean condor, Magellanic oystercatcher, kelp goose, austral parakeet and torrent duck.

Late this afternoon you transfer to the port of Ushuaia in time for embarkation on board the Ocean Endeavour. The Expedition Team and the Ship's Officers will be waiting to welcome guests aboard. As you set sail, familiarise yourself with the layout of the Ocean Endeavour and its great amenities and enjoy a welcome dinner.

This evening, sail along the wildlife-rich Beagle Channel, towards the White Continent of Antarctica. After leving the lights of Ushuaia behind, look out for Magellanic penguins, rock cormorants, petrels and black-browed albatross from the deck as well as noisy sea lion colonies.

The infamous Drake Passage, named after the famous English explorer, Sir Frances Drake, separates the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula from the southernmost tip of South America. Enjoy the fabulous on board facilities, maybe join a yoga class, or attend a presentation or two given by the Expedition Team to prepare you for what lies ahead - from the geology of Antarctica to the history, wildlife and even the ice!

As you sail towards Antarctica, there is a fall in temperature as you cross the Antarctic Convergence and enter the waters of the Antarctic Ocean. The Antarctic Convergence is marked by an increased number of seabirds, whales and other species that are attracted by the nutrient-rich waters pushed to the surface by the colder waters of the polar region flowing north and meeting the warmer equatorial waters flowing south. Head out on deck to look for the mighty albatrosses that fly overhead, scan the waters for breaching whales and icebergs, or gaze out from the panoramic windows of the observation deck.

Continue your course south and hope to make landfall by the evening of Day 4, depending on the weather conditions. Keep on the look out for the first sighting of land - that heralds your arrival to the White Continent!

Another day to explore the Drake Passage.

Another day to explore the South Shetland and Antarctic Peninsula.

Another day to explore the South Shetland and Antarctic Peninsula.

Another day to explore the South Shetland and Antarctic Peninsula.

Another day to explore the South Shetland and Antarctic Peninsula.

Leave the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands behind as you chart a course for historic Elephant Island. If conditions permit, you will attempt to take the Zodiacs to Point Wild. Elephant Island has its place firmly etched in polar history, as this is where Shackleton's crew from the 1914-17 Trans-Antarctic Expedition took refuge when their ship, The Endurance, was crushed by pack ice in the Weddell Sea. They set up camp at Point Wild, a harsh and inhospitable place and waited for over four months, whilst Shackleton sailed with 5 other men in the James Laird lifeboat to South Georgia. This is one of history's most miraculous tales of Antarctic survival and a story revered by explorers and sailors ever since.

With the historic Elephant Island behind, you will start out tracing of Sir Ernest Shackleton's route by sailing north toward the Island of South Georgia. Witnessing the rugged seas that Shackleton and his men navigated in wooden tender is a marvel for history buffs. As will be the animated lectures given by your onboard historians, biologists and ornithology experts as you recap all you've seen and learn about all that lays ahead on this sub-Antarctic archipelago.

Another day to explore South Georgia.

Another day to explore South Georgia.

Another day to explore South Georgia.

Another day to explore South Georgia.

Saying goodbye to the wildlife of South Georgia, head west towards the isolated and sparsely populated Falklands archipelago, where the silence is broken only by the call of birds. Attend lectures and presentations by the Expedition Team, relax and unwind in the His and Hers saunas and spa and take advantage of all the other amenities onboard.

You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.

Have your camera at the ready as you approach the ruggedly beautiful Falklands archipelago to capture not only the abundant wildlife but also the incredible scenery.

Over the next couple of days, explore East and West Island by Zodiac and on foot as we make daily shore landings and maybe even discover smaller inlets by kayak.

Learn about the intriguing and controversial history of the Falkland Islands as you explore the quaint capital of Port Stanley, with its British outpost feel. Near the town you may see Southern giant petrels, the endemic Falkland steamer ducks, kelp gulls and dolphin gulls. There are also black-crowned night herons, red-backed hawks, peregrine falcons and turkey vultures.

As you explore the islands, have the camera at the ready and look out for the 5 species of penguins found here, large populations of black-browed albatrosses, elephant and fur seals, Peale’s and Commerson’s dolphins, orcas and a myriad of bird species including the Falkland’s flightless steamer duck, imperial shags and Cobb’s wrens.

Another day to explore the Falkland Islands.

After the exploration of the Falkland Islands,you set sail on a course west, bound for the city of Ushuaia, the most southerly city in the world and the capital of Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire).

You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.

You are scheduled to arrive into Ushuaia early this morning, and disembark after a final breakfast aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

After saying our farewells to our Expedition Team and the crew of the Ocean Endeavour, we transfer you to the airport for your onward flight, or you may like to spend some extra days in Ushuaia, giving you time to explore this fascinating town and the surrounding areas.