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Antarctica, Falklands & S. Georgia from Buenos Aires

From Bueno Aires

22 Days / 4 locations in Argentina and Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands are generally cool and windy because they are situated in the stormy latitudes of the southern westerly winds or Roaring Forties. Temperatures can range between 40 - 50 F (5 - 10 C). The Falklands were discovered in 1592.

The island of South Georgia (together with the South Sandwich Islands which lie four hundred miles to the southeast) is one of the remotest of the United Kingdoms Overseas Territories. Huge numbers of seabirds and marine mammals breed along its tussac fringed shores.Save for the rusting remnants of the old whaling stations, the Island is virtually unspoilt by man and so offers unique opportunities to observe the wildlife and scenery of this most beautiful part of the Southern Ocean.

The Antarctic Peninsula offers you the most dramatic scenery and biggest variety of wildlife in Antarctica. In the southern summer large ice-free areas provide breeding grounds for very large numbers of seabirds and seals.

The narrow and spectacular Lemaire Channel is surrounded by mountains and glaciers and a popular passage for several species of whales journeying up and down the sheltered Antarctic Peninsula waterways. In the Antarctic Peninsula Minke Whales, the smallest of the rorqual whales, and ferocious-looking Leopard Seals are common.

Itinerary

 
Day 1     Buenos Aires

The capital of Argentina, the birthplace of Tango, the home of Asado, the “Paris of South America”, and the largest concentration of theatres in the world; Buenos Aires. The city is rich in culture and style and a vibrant gateway for our voyage.

 
Day 2     Buenos Aires
On Board the M/V Sea Spirit
Meals: Dinner

Embarkation.

Arriving at the ship in the afternoon, you will be greeted by our Expedition Team and ship's officers at a safety and orientation briefing followed by the Captain's welcome dinner. Then, watch the city lights fade in the fresh night air as we sail seaward.

 
Days 3 - 5     At Sea
On Board the M/V Sea Spirit
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Southern Ocean.

Among the wildlife spotting opportunities as we sail south are the Albatrosses, Prions, and Petrels that frequently follow the ship. Our Expedition Team will be out on deck as well, looking for the Whales and Dolphins that may also be seen in the area. Our experts will begin the presentations with informative and entertaining lectures on the wildlife, history, and geology of The Falkland Islands and Southern Ocean. Helpful briefings on environmental regulations and expedition safety will also be held in the comfortable lecture hall.

 
Day 6     Falkland Islands
On Board the M/V Sea Spirit
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

West Falklands.

The westernmost settled outposts in the Falklands are remote farms that have been family-owned for six and seven generations. The sheep graze alongside Albatross colonies and Rockhopper, King, and Macaroni Penguin rookeries while Striated Caracaras patrol overhead and Upland Geese graze at the water's edge. A visit to one of these homesteads often includes an invitation for cakes and a cup of tea.

 
Day 7     Falkland Islands
On Board the M/V Sea Spirit
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Stanley, East Falkland.

Chosen for its sheltered harbor and access to abundant fresh water and peat for fuel, Stanley is easy to discover on foot as most shops and services are centered on the port. The museum, the post-office featuring first day covers, plenty of shops with locally made wool items and Stanley's lively pubs will all be available. It is possible to experience the wildlife of the Falklands from the town including Sea Lions and Peale's and Commerson's Dolphins in the harbor or bird life in nearby Gypsy Cove

 
Days 8 - 9     At Sea
On Board the M/V Sea Spirit
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Southern Ocean.

There will be plenty of wildlife spotting as we make our way east across the Antarctic Convergence and officially enter Antarctic waters. Ship board presentations will continue featuring the exciting history and abundant wildlife of South Georgia.

 
Days 10 - 13     At Sea
On Board the M/V Sea Spirit
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

South Georgia.

Its unique position inside the Antarctic Convergence yet outside the limit of the yearly sea ice makes this 3,755 square kilometer island home to tens of millions of breeding Penguins, Seals, and Seabirds. Magnificent mountain scenery, glaciers galore, a rugged coastline punctuated with castellate and tabular icebergs, a rich historical tapestry, and an astounding array of wildlife are all available to us as we travel down South Georgia's leeward coast. Landing sites feature huge Elephant Seals, aggressive Fur Seals, Macaroni Penguins, Albatross, Petrels, Skuas, and Gulls. King Penguins from fuzzy little chicks to fattened adults can be seen in the hundreds of thousands. We will visit historic Grytviken whaling station, home of the whaling museum, Norwegian seaman's church, the active British Antarctic Survey station plus the tiny graveyard where the great Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton is buried.

 
Days 14 - 15     At Sea
On Board the M/V Sea Spirit
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Scotia Sea.

Heading farther south, we continue our informative presentations and wildlife watch as the icebergs become more and more plentiful.

 
Days 16 - 19     At Sea
On Board the M/V Sea Spirit
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands.

The land of superlatives, Antarctica! Our Expedition Leader and Captain will create a flexible itinerary based on weather, ice, and opportunity. The route will stress the most scenic bays and channels of the Peninsula with stops at penguin rookeries, seal wallows, bird colonies and whale feeding areas as well as sites of historic and scientific interest. The trip may include picturesque Neko Harbor, sheltered Paradise Harbor, the Humpback Whale favored Wilhelmina Bay, the striking Lemaire Channel, the wildlife-filled Penola Channel, or the majestic Neumayer Channel. We may stop at an active scientific base such as Poland’s Arctowksi or Ukraine’s Vernadskiy as well as an historic base such as U.K.’s Port Lockroy or Wordie House. Adelie, Chinstrap and Gentoo Penguins abound, and Weddell, Crabeater and Elephant Seals are often found hauled out to rest along with predatory Leopard Seals and the aggressive Antarctic Fur Seal. Minke and Humpback Whales are frequent visitors in the late season and Orca sightings are also common.

 
Days 20 - 21     At Sea
On Board the M/V Sea Spirit
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Drake Passage.

We will continue our lecture series and wildlife spotting as we sail back to Ushuaia and reflect on beautiful Antarctica and its fragile future. We arrive at Ushuaia in the early hours of Day 22.

 
Day 22     Ushuaia
Meals: Breakfast

Ushuaia disembarkation.

Morning disembarkation lets you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.

 

Notes

February 17, 2016 departure is done in reverse with 1 extra day added.

Prices from $ 9971 per person triple and $ 13171 per person double.

Price Includes
1 Pre-Voyage Hotel Night in Buenos Aires
Group Transfer to the Ship on Day of Embarkation
Shipboard Accommodation
All Scheduled Landings and Excursions
Expedition Leader & Expedition Team
All Meals on Board Throughout the Voyage
Tea and Coffee Station 24 Hours Daily
Welcome and Farewell Cocktails
A Pair of Rubber Boots on Loan for Shore Landings
Expedition Jacket (Yours to Keep)
All Port Fees
Pre-Departure Materials; Digital Voyage Log.
Price Does Not Include
 Soft Drinks , Alcoholic Drinks Except for Special Events
 Airfare
 Luggage and Trip Cancellation Insurance
 Personal Expenses
 Fuel Surcharge May Be Applied for All Bookings
 Emergency Evacuation Insurance Minimum of $150,000
 Staff Gratuities
PEX-1269
1.28.15.WP26