Explore more of pristine Antarctica in significantly less time by flying from Stanley, Falkland Islands (Malvinas) back to Santiago, Chile on the culmination of your journey. In just 17 days, explore the remote South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula, historically significant South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), teeming with wildlife. As you explore the rugged remoteness and magnitude of these spectacular regions, marvel at the abilities its bountiful penguins, seals and whales have to completely charm you. You never feel quite as alive as you do here, following in the footsteps of famed explorers, gliding past towering ice-blue glaciers, or wandering across rare polar beaches and dramatic landscapes, taking it all in.
Highlights
Cross the Drake Passage and enjoy the convenience of flying back to Chile
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small but bustling port town at the tip of South America. This Argentinean town is an ideal gateway for you to explore the southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for your adventure ahead. Get active in the mountains or enjoy handcrafted chocolate at a café in town.
Day 2: Embarkation Day
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The Beagle Channel sets you on your way as the ship sails in the late afternoon. The channel opens up to the vastness of the Southern Ocean, where your next land sighting is along the Antarctic Peninsula. Named after the famed ship in which Charles Darwin voyaged, the channel presents great photo opportunities to capture sea
birds hovering overhead.
Day 3-4: Crossing the Drake Passage
2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
The waters of the Drake Passage are unpredictable, so hope for clear skies and a calm ocean. You have plenty of time to gaze out at the sea, get to know your fellow shipmates and chat with your Expedition Team. Time over these two days is spent preparing for the exciting days ahead, with numerous educational and informative lectures from your Expedition Team. Learn about everything from safety procedures to the history of whaling in Antarctica.
Day 5-7: Antarctic Peninsula | South Shetland Islands
3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
Get the sense that you've arrived on a new planet during the start of your Antarctic voyage, as the pristine nature and dramatic environments are like nothing else on earth. From the vessel you can watch whales swim and feed in nutrient-rich waters and spot penguins frolicking in the water and jumping aboard ice floes. Just as amazing as the wildlife are the towering snow-covered mountains and massive glaciers of the Peninsula, which are your playground for the next four days.
Day 8-10: At Sea
3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
Spend your days at sea enjoying the view from the deck, or taking in presentations by the expedition team.
Day 11-13: South Georgia
3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
With a rich history of exploration in the Antarctic, South Georgia has many stories to tell. Learn that the original inhabitants here arrived to hunt whales and fur and elephant seals to perilously low levels. Thankfully populations have rebounded and whaling and sealing cease to exist today. Explore many remnants of these days gone by, including several whaling stations and other abandoned outposts.
Perhaps the most historic and famous site on the island is the grave of the great explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton. Visit his grave at the settlement of Grytviken, which is also home to a museum, small gift shop, church, and an active scientific research station.
After that history lesson, experience some wildlife encounters. South Georgia is sometimes called the Galapagos of the Poles as it is home to a captivating number of inquisitive and curious creatures. Indeed, the number of animals seen here rival that of all the other days of your voyage combined.
Each landing you make on South Georgia opens your eyes to a new wonder of wildlife - one day may be a beach filled with a hundred thousand pairs of king penguins, the next may present some close encounters with massive elephant seals or the smaller fur seals. Different penguin and bird species utilize the island landscape differently here, making it a fascinating destination teeming with wildlife from the shoreline to the top of the highest grassy hills.
Day 14-15: At Sea
2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
The next few days at sea can be as busy or as relaxing as you desire. Go on deck to spot whales and sea birds flying overhead, or attend lectures from on-board specialists. Whatever you choose, remember to take a moment to reflect on the amazing creatures you’ve met so far.
Day 16: Disembark Stanley, Falklands Islands | Fly to Santiago, Chile
Upon arrival in the Falklands (Malvinas), be greeted by a feeling of rugged remoteness. Disembark in Stanley, a unique outpost with a British country charm. There are plenty of churches and museums to explore, as well as friendly locals willing to chat over a drink at the pub. This afternoon, board a charter flight to Santiago, Chile. Overnight at airport hotel.
Day 17: Depart Santiago
1 Breakfast
In the morning, enjoy breakfast before continuing on your flight home.
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Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
Lindsay Gompf
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
