Falkland Islandss S Georgia Antarctica

   
 
 

Falklands, S Georgia, Solar Eclipse, Antarctic Aboard

Antarctica, Falklands, South Georgia Cruise

20 Days / 8 locations in Argentina, Falkland Islands, South Georgia, South Orkney, and Antarctica

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Itinerary

 
Day 1     Ushuaia
On Board the M/V Ortelius
Meals: Dinner

End of the world, start of a journey

Your voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of the evening.

 
Day 2     At Sea
On Board the M/V Ortelius
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Several species of albatross follow the vessel into the westerlies, along with storm petrels, shear waters, and diving petrels.

 
Day 3     Falkland Islands
On Board the M/V Ortelius
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Finding the Falklands

The Falkland (Malvinas) Islands offer an abundance of wildlife that is easily approachable, though caution is always advised.

These islands are largely unknown gems, the site of a 1982 war between the UK and Argentina. Not only do various species of

bird live here, but chances are great you’ll see both Peale’s dolphins and Commerson’s dolphins in the surrounding waters. During this part of the voyage, you may visit the following sites:

Carcass Island – Despite its name, this island is pleasantly rodent-free and hence bounteous with birdlife. Anything from breeding Magellanic penguins and gentoos to numerous waders and passerine birds (including Cobb’s wrens and tussockbirds) live here.

Saunders Island – On Saunders Island you can see the black-browed albatross and its sometimes-clumsy landings, along with

breeding imperial shags and rock hopper penguins. King penguins, Magellanic penguins, and gentoos are also found here.

 
Day 4     Stanley
On Board the M/V Ortelius
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Porting in Port Stanley

The capital of the Falklands and center of its culture, Port Stanley offers a little Victorian-era charm: colorful houses, well tended gardens, and English-style pubs are all to be found here. You can also see several century-old clipper ships nearby, silent witnesses to the hardships of 19th century sailors. The small but interesting museum is also worth a visit, covering the early days of settlement up to the Falklands War. Approximately 2,100 people live in Port Stanley. Feel free to wander at will, though be aware that admission fees to local attractions are not included in the voyage.

 
Days 5 - 6     At Sea
On Board the M/V Ortelius
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Once more to the sea

On the way to South Georgia, you cross the Antarctic Convergence. The temperature gradually cools, and nutritious water rises to the surface of the sea due to colliding water columns. This phenomenon sometimes attracts a multitude of seabirds near the ship, including several species of albatross, shear waters, petrels, prions, and skuas

 
Days 7 - 9     Grytviken - South Georgia
On Board the M/V Ortelius
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

(Day 7 - 10 on M/V Plancius)

South Georgia journey

Today you arrive at the first South Georgia activity site. Please keep in mind that weather conditions in this area can be challenging, largely dictating the program.

You may visit the following sites over the next few days:

Fortuna Bay: Near beaches inhabited by various penguins and seals, you have the chance to follow the final leg of Shackleton’s route to the abandoned whaling village of Stromness. This path cuts across the mountain pass beyond Shackleton’s Waterfall, and as the terrain is partly swampy, be prepared to cross a few small streams.

Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay, Gold Harbor. These sites not only house the three largest king penguin colonies in South Georgia, they’re also three of the world’s largest breeding beaches for southern elephant seals. Only during this time of year do they peak in their breeding cycle. Watch the four-ton bulls keep a constant vigil (and occasionally fight) over territories where dozens of females have just given birth or are about to deliver. You can also see a substantial number of Antarctic fur seals here during the breeding season (December – January).

Grytviken, In this abandoned whaling station, king penguins walk the streets and elephant seals lie around like they own the place because they basically do. Here you might be able to see the South Georgia Museum as well as Shackleton’s grave.

Cooper Bay, A Zodiac cruise in Cooper Bay offers a great opportunity to see macaroni penguins below a large rookery. Numerous fur and elephant seals are found on the beach, while majestic light-mantled albatrosses can be seeing gracefully gliding above.

 
Day 10     At Sea
On Board the M/V Ortelius
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

(Day 11 on M/V Plancius)

Southward bound

There may be sea ice on this route, and at the edge of the ice some south polar skuas and snow petrels could join the other seabirds trailing the vessel south.

 
Day 11     South Orkney Islands
On Board the M/V Ortelius
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

(Day 12 on M/V Plancius)

Weddell Sea pack ice & total solar eclipse (Dec 4, early morning)

The ship positions itself in the center of the shadow of the moon, and if possible, some distance into the Scotia Sea drift ice.

The ice edge will be about 60°S, 41°W.

Some coordinates for the path of the moon’s shadow:

7.06 UTC: 58.47.7 S – 42.45.2 W, 1.39 minutes, 8 degrees above horizon

7.08 UTC: 60.42.4 S – 40.59.8 W, 1.42 minutes, 9 degrees above horizon

7.10 UTC: 62.22.3 S – 39.48.0 W, 1.44 minutes, 11 degrees above horizon

 
Days 12 - 13     At Sea
On Board the M/V Ortelius
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

(Days 13 & 14 on M/V Plancius)

Last push to Antarctica

Enormous icebergs and a fair chance of fin whale sightings ensure there’s never a dull moment on this last sea voyage south.

Also, your best chance to spot Antarctic petrels is here.

 
Days 14 - 17     Antarctic Peninsula
On Board the M/V Ortelius
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

(Days 15 - 17 on M/V Plancius)

Awe-inspiring Antarctica

If the ice conditions permit, you now sail into the Weddell Sea. Here colossal tabular icebergs herald your arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. Paulet Island, with its large population of Adélie penguins, is a possible stop. You might also visit Brown Bluff, located in the ice-clogged Antarctic Sound, where you could get the chance to set foot on the Antarctic Continent itself.

If conditions aren’t favorable to enter the Weddell Sea from the east, the ship will set course for Elephant Island and head into the Bransfield Strait, between South Shetland Island and the Antarctic Peninsula. Here you can attempt to access the Antarctic Sound from the northwest.

The volcanic islands of the South Shetlands are windswept and often cloaked in mist, but they nonetheless offer many subtle pleasures. A wide variety of flora (mosses, lichens, flowering grasses) and fauna (gentoo penguins, chinstrap penguins, southern giant petrels) live here. On Deception Island, the ship plunges through Neptune’s Bellows and into the flooded caldera. If a landing here is possible,

you will find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, and thousands of cape petrels. A number of kelp gulls, brown skuas,

south polar skuas, and Antarctic terns can be spotted here too.

Your last activities before venturing into the Drake Passage are likely to find you around the northern Gerlache Strait. One option is Cierva Cove and the rugged, ice-gripped mountains of the Davis Coast. Mikkelsen Harbour on the south coast of Trinity Island is another alternative. Here you may enjoy a gentoo penguin rookery as well as some fine scenic cruising. Conditions on the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure.

 
Days 18 - 19     At Sea
On Board the M/V Ortelius
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

North by sea

Your return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, you’re greeted by a vast array of seabirds. But they seem a little more familiar to you now, and you to them.

 
Day 20     Ushuaia
Meals: Breakfast

There and back again

Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.

 

Notes

Nov 23, 2021 Departure Is M/v Plancius

All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. The onboard expedition leader will determine the final itinerary. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. The average cruising speed of m/v Plancius and m/v Ortelius is 10.5 knots.

Price Includes
Tour Escort
Sightseeing and Entrances Per Itinerary
Shore Excursions
Services of Expedition Guides
Port Charges & Tax
Accommodations in Select Cabin Category
Use of Rubber Boots and Snowshoes
All Meals Throughout the Voyage Aboard the Ship Including Snacks, Coffee an
Price Does Not Include
 Baggage, Cancellation and Personal Insurance (which Is Mandatory).
 Air
OCE-1269
1.28.15.WP26