Book and Save: Up to 30%* off select cabins
This is an epic voyage and a wildlife enthusiasts dream! Set sail for the remote and rugged Falkland Islands, wildlife paradise of South Georgia and the spectacular frozen continent of Antarctica. Antarctica will enchant you with its awe-inspiring ice laden scenery, snow capped peaks and magnificent shaped icebergs. Step ashore and mingle with massive rookeries of penguins, sunbathing seals and soaring seabirds. Buzz around in a zodiac among the ice flow bays in search of whales. Follow in the footsteps of polar explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton to South Georgia where the King Penguin rules and is home to the greatest concentration of wildlife on Earth. Explore the ruggedly beautiful Falkland Islands, with their spectacular array of bird life, flora and fauna. Make the most of the captivating scenery and incredible wildlife diversity with optional Kayaking trips and Photography Workshops under the guidance of experts.
Make your own wildlife documentary memories with this once in a lifetime journey.
*Offers aboard the Ocean Endeavour 2022/23 season end 31 August 2022 and are subject to availability. Not combinable with any other promotion. Offers apply to new bookings only. Book cabin categories Cat 5, Cat 5a, Cat 6 and Cat 7 and save up to 25% off the regular retail price. Book cabin categories Cat 1, Cat 8, Cat 9 and the Owners Suite and save up to 30% off the regular retail price. Applies to selected departures only; cabins limited. Subject to availability and currency fluctuations. Further conditions apply, please contact us for more information.
Optional Activities : Kayaking, Camping, Hiking, Photography, Yoga
Trip Code: ACACFOD
Travel Style: Expedition Cruise, Small Ship Cruise
Location: Antarctic Peninsula, Falkland Islands, South Georgia
Ship: Ocean Endeavour
Flights: We offer a range of flight options to meet your cruise. Contact us today to discuss.
You will visit the Falkland Island archipelago and South Georgia. These places offer an abundance of wildlife and are a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers alike.
You will have the possibility to step foot on the great white continent to experience some of the most unique wildlife viewing and inspiring scenery in the world.
While at sea, the expedition team will prepare you for your Antarctic experience. They will provide you with insights on everything Antarctic - from the history and geology to the incredible wildlife.
In three weeks, you will gain an extensive Antarctica experience including the South Shetland Islands, the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and several locations on the Falkland Islands.
You will experience the incredible diversity of the Antarctic region: from the rich wildlife and unique ecosystems to historic sites and research stations.
On arrival at Ushuaia Airport, please make your way through to the Arrivals Hall where our representative will be waiting for you to transfer you to your hotel. He/she will be holding a sign with your name on it.
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 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 café. 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 snow-capped 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 we 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 us aboard. As we set sail, familiarise yourself with the layout of the Ocean Endeavour and its great amenities and enjoy a welcome dinner.
This evening we sail along the wildlife-rich Beagle Channel, towards the White Continent of Antarctica. As we leave 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 we sail towards Antarctica, there is a fall in temperature as we 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.
We continue our 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!
The next five days are spent exploring the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula, a region that has captivated explorers for centuries and now enthrals travellers. We explore by Zodiac, cruising amongst the magnificently sculpted icebergs and making shore landings where we mingle with penguins, climb to vantage points to absorb the spectacular panoramic views, maybe visiting a scientific or historic base. There may even be opportunities to kayak and snowshoe and of course learn more about photography with one of the experts.
Antarctica will enchant you with its incredible scenery, from imposing glaciers to towering snow-capped peaks, vast icebergs and ice-strewn channels. Not to mention the wildlife - from extensive colonies of chinstrap, Gentoo and Adelie penguins, to crabeater, Weddell, fur and elephant seals and a plethora of fascinating birds. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for the mighty crack of a glacier calving. Maybe you will be one of the brave few to take a polar plunge in the icy waters! Every day brings a new experience and new landing site.
As we cruise from one landing site to the next, enjoy the continued lecture programme and take in the scenery from the outer decks of the Ocean Endeavour. Make the most of the health and fitness facilities from the relaxing spa and saunas to the saltwater pool and gym.
En route to South Georgia, weather and sea conditions permitting, we may attempt to call at Elephant Island, a half-submerged mountain cloaked with an ice sheet at the outer limits of the South Shetlands. We’ll learn the story of Shackleton and hear how his ship, the Endurance, was crushed in pack ice in the Weddell Sea, before him and his men climbed into three open boats, spending 16 months at sea, before finally making landfall on this tiny toe of rock and ice in the vastness of the Southern Ocean on 14 April 1916.
Attend lectures and presentations by the Expedition Team as they prepare you for what lies ahead on South Georgia - from the history and geology to the incredible wildlife. Take in the panoramic views from the observation lounge and spacious decks or make the most of the on board facilities that include a spa, saunas, pool, gym and yoga classes.
South Georgia captivates every traveller that steps foot on its shores. Home to the greatest concentration of wildlife on the planet, here penguins number in the hundreds of thousands, carpeting beaches as far as the eye can see.
We aim to spend four days exploring this stunningly beautiful island, an island that is not only overrun with an incredible array of fauna, but one that is steeped in history. South Georgia was an intrinsic part of Sir Ernest Shackleton's ill-fated Endurance Expedition and was once the centre of the whaling industry.
South Georgia is home to over 30 million breeding birds, thousands of seals, the introduced Norwegian reindeer, nesting sites of the wandering albatross, four breeding species of penguin and the largest colony of king penguins on this planet. It is known as the ‘Galapagos of the South’. If the wildlife is not enough of a draw card - then the spectacular scenery against which it is set can only enhance your visit - emerald green bays, snow-covered peaks and blue glacier ice.
We explore by Zodiac and kayak and on foot, with opportunities to learn more about photography from one of our expert guides.
Every day provides a different experience and a different location. Stand in awe amongst tens of thousands of penguins, look out across beaches blanketed with elephant seals, visit the remains of abandoned whaling stations and even the grave of Shackleton himself.
Saying goodbye to the wildlife of South Georgia, we 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 on board.
Have your camera at the ready as we approach the ruggedly beautiful Falklands archipelago to capture not only the abundant wildlife but also the incredible scenery.
Over the next couple of days we explore the Falkland Islands 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 we 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 we explore the islands, 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.
Departing from the Falklands, we set our course for Puerto Madryn.
The next few days are spent at sea, as we head towards Puerto Madryn, but there are the many on board amenities to enjoy including a spa, saunas, pool and gym and relaxing yoga classes and of course a final presentation or two.
These last days at sea give you one final chance to view the marine life of these southern waters.
On the last night join the captain for a farewell dinner tonight on board the ship as we toast the end of an epic voyage.
We are scheduled to arrive into Puerto Madryn early this morning, and we disembark after a final breakfast on board 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 extra days in Puerto Madryn, the gateway to the Valdez Peninsula and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is famous for its abundance of wildlife.
We specialise in Tailor Made Journeys in Latin America. All Tailor-Made journeys depart daily and can be customised around your cruise. Contact us for today to discuss.
DOWNLOAD ITINERARY PDFBegin your Antarctic experience by first exploring the dramatic and stunningly beautiful “End of the world”. Start in Buenos Aires, the capital of Tango and a vibrant, historical gem. Experience the wonders of El Calafate a land of stunning beauty and wonder located in the Patagonian steppe before finishing in Ushuaia and witnessing the incredible beauty of the Tierra del Fuego National Park. Find out more
Before embarking on your Antarctic voyage, why not experience the amazing wonders of two of South America’s most vibrant cities. A 9 Day Rio to Buenos Aires journey will be the perfect way to indulge in a mix of Latin American cultural experience and sights. From the awe-inspiring Christ the Redeemer, to the roaring cascades of Iguazu falls and the European avenues of Buenos Aires this is a spectacular way to experience this unique and dynamic corner of our world. Find out more
Why not start your Antarctic Journey with a visit to the “Paris of the south”? Discover the wonders of Buenos Aires on this 4-day itinerary. Explore a unique fusion of European elegance and Latin American energy as you explore the history of this magnificent city. Take part in a unique tango show or take a break from cities and visit the gaucho town of San Antonio de Areco. Find out more
Departing | Ending | Duration | Price | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 Mar 2023 | 30 Mar 2023 | 21 | USD 17,290 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
INCLUSIONS:
1 night hotel accommodation in Ushuaia, pre cruise
Cabin accommodation on board the ship
All meals whilst on ship
All scheduled landings/excursions
Guiding and lectures by English-speaking expedition leader and team
All port fees
All landing fees
Expedition jacket provided
A pair of expedition boots for use during your voyage
Group arrival and departure transfers in Ushuaia*
EXCLUSIONS:
Airfares to/from embarkation and disembarkation city
Visa fees (if applicable)
Travel insurance (compulsory)
Beverages (other than coffee and tea)
Personal expenses such as laundry, onboard communication (telephone calls, faxes, email service)
Gratuities for the crew (recommended US$15 per person per day)
Pre or post cruise travel expenses
Optional activities, refer optional activities section for details
Available upon request
Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and ice conditions.
Departure date, seasonality and availability.
Talk to one of our Destination Specialists to find the perfect Antarctica expedition cruise and turn your dream into a reality. Chimu also specialise in Tailor-Made journeys so you can explore some of the highlights of South America pre or post cruise. Our Destination Specialists have exceptional knowledge and first-hand experience in the regions we visit, and will assist in every way possible to make your journey the most memorable it can be, matching not only the itinerary, but the accommodation and activities to suit your style of travel and budget.
"My most treasured memory of travelling would have to be waking up in the…
About me"It had been something I’d wanted to do for 10 years and finally in September…
About me"Working for Chimu Adventures allows to me combine my work with my passion for…
About me“The best thing about travelling through Latin America is the unbelievable…
About me“I love Brazil. Any country that has a public holiday for the best part of a…
About me“Generally, I find Peruvians very friendly, laid-back and easy to get along…
About meWhen my husband told me "let's go to Antarctica for our honeymoon", I didn't know what…
About me“My first impressions of stepping on to South American soil was thinking that…
About me
We appreciate that voyages to the Antarctic to have an impact on this pristine environment. In light of this, all our voyages are double carbon offset. In addition, we strive to eliminate as many single use plastics as possible from our supply chain. In choosing this voyage you are also supporting the fantastic work done by the Antarctic Science Foundation (ASF) and their work in understanding and protecting this unique destination. In addition all voyages support the Mawsons Huts Foundation (MHF). The MHF support the legacy of Sir Douglas Mawson, the legendary Antarctic explorer and scientist. As a member of IAATO we follow strict guidelines appointed by the Antarctic Treaty System to go above and beyond in support of minimizing negative impacts on this pristine landscape. We also encourage clients to look to book pre-and post- accommodation with us, where local businesses will be supported. Our clients also receive restaurant recommendations which support locally owned restaurants.
We carefully select all ships we work with and choose smaller sized vessels to create less impact. We use a highly regulated, licensed vessel which is well equipped to operate in the Antarctic’s delicate ecosystem. We view the voyage to the Antarctic as an expedition, not a sightseeing trip. Smaller ships such as ours can navigate narrow waterways and are far less polluting than the larger ships in Antarctic waters. By carrying less passengers, we have far less waste. The waste is carried back to the home port to allow for environmentally conscious waste management and disposal.
For more information on our sustainability policies, including how we are striving towards being a paperless organisation, click HERE