South Georgia, Falklands & Antarctic Peninsula Expedition

Arrive in Ushuaia, the gateway to the Southern Ocean, set between the Beagle Channel and the rugged peaks of the Martial Mountains. Surrounded by the wild landscapes of southern Patagonia, this remote frontier town marks the beginning of your expedition. On arrival, make your way to your hotel for an overnight stay. This evening, meet your fellow travellers and expedition team over a welcome dinner, where the journey ahead begins to take shape.

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Enjoy a relaxed morning in Ushuaia, with time to explore this remote Patagonian outpost at your own pace. Later, transfer to the port to board Heritage Discoverer, where the captain and expedition team will welcome you on board. Settle into your cabin and take time to familiarise yourself with the vessel before gathering in the observation lounge as you depart. As the ship navigates the Beagle Channel and leaves South America behind, your expedition into the Southern Ocean officially begins.

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Settle into the rhythm of life on board as you journey across the South Atlantic. A series of expert-led presentations introduces the wildlife, history and landscapes of the Falkland Islands, enriching the days ahead. Out on deck, seabirds accompany the vessel, with albatross, prions and shearwaters gliding effortlessly on the ocean winds. Keep watch for passing marine life, including whales and orca, as you make your way towards the islands.

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Spend two days exploring the remote and wildlife-rich Falkland Islands, a scattered archipelago of windswept coastlines, white sand beaches and dramatic cliffs. Navigating between East and West Falkland and their outer islands, each landing offers a different perspective — from quiet settlements to thriving seabird colonies. The islands are a haven for birdlife, including five species of penguin, alongside vast colonies of black-browed albatross. Along the shores and in the tussac grass, look for seals resting between feeding cycles, while endemic and migratory bird species add to the diversity of sightings. Conditions permitting, landings may include smaller outer islands where wildlife congregates in remarkable numbers, offering close-up encounters in raw, untamed settings. There may also be time to explore Stanley, the Falklands’ small but characterful capital, where maritime history and local life meet at the edge of the South Atlantic. Each day is shaped by weather and wildlife, making for a varied and rewarding introduction to this unique subantarctic environment.

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Continue your journey across the Southern Ocean en route to South Georgia, settling into the rhythm of life on board. These days at sea offer time to relax, attend expert-led presentations or simply watch the ever-changing ocean from the deck. Seabirds are a constant presence, with albatross and petrels gliding effortlessly alongside the vessel, while sightings of whales are possible in these productive waters. By Day 7, approach the dramatic Shag Rocks — a series of jagged islets rising sharply from the sea. Though stark and exposed, they are an important breeding site for seabirds, including the South Georgia shag. Located near the Antarctic Convergence, these nutrient-rich waters also attract an abundance of marine life, making this a rewarding area for wildlife observation as you continue towards South Georgia.

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Spend four days exploring South Georgia, one of the most extraordinary wildlife destinations on the planet. Set against a backdrop of towering, ice-covered peaks, glaciers and sweeping beaches, this remote island is a place of remarkable scale and energy. Arriving at the height of the breeding season, the shoreline comes alive with vast colonies of king penguins, alongside fur seals and elephant seals in extraordinary numbers. Seabirds fill the skies, from albatross to petrels, while the surrounding waters offer the chance to encounter whales. Landings are planned at some of the island’s most iconic sites, such as Salisbury Plain, St Andrews Bay and Gold Harbour, where dense wildlife colonies create an unforgettable spectacle. Each visit is guided by conditions, allowing for flexible exploration of this dynamic environment. South Georgia also holds a powerful human story. At Grytviken, the remnants of a former whaling station stand in contrast to the island’s thriving wildlife, and it is here that Sir Ernest Shackleton is laid to rest — a place to reflect on the legacy of early Antarctic exploration.

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Continue south across the Scotia Sea, where seabirds sweep effortlessly across the horizon and whale sightings are increasingly common in these rich waters. As anticipation builds, onboard presentations turn to Antarctica — its wildlife, history and unique environment — offering insight ahead of your arrival. Keep watch for your first icebergs appearing on the horizon, signalling entry into the polar world. With extended daylight hours, there’s time to relax and enjoy the ship’s facilities, review photos or simply take in the vast, ever-changing seascape as you approach the Antarctic Peninsula.

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Spend five days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, where extended daylight hours and peak wildlife activity create exceptional conditions for discovery. Towering glaciers, sculpted icebergs and snow-covered peaks form a dramatic and ever-changing backdrop. Each day is shaped by conditions, with a flexible program of Zodiac cruises and shore landings designed to maximise time on the ice. Step ashore among active penguin colonies, explore quiet bays filled with drifting ice, and navigate close to glaciers and ice formations shaped by wind and sea. Landings may include some of the Peninsula’s most iconic locations. Visit Deception Island, where a flooded volcanic caldera reveals remnants of the region’s whaling past, or cruise through the ice-filled waters of Cierva Cove, known for its striking scenery and regular whale sightings. At Petermann Island, encounter both Adélie and gentoo penguins, while Paradise Bay delivers classic Antarctic scenery with towering peaks reflected in calm waters. Other highlights may include Cuverville Island, home to one of the largest gentoo penguin colonies, and historic Port Lockroy, site of the world’s southernmost post office. Wildlife is ever-present. Walk among gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguins, spot Weddell and crabeater seals hauled out on the ice, and watch for humpback and minke whales feeding in these rich waters. Overhead, cape petrels, storm petrels and skuas are constant companions, while the curious snowy sheathbill — Antarctica’s only land bird — is often seen around landing sites. Whether exploring by Zodiac, stepping onto the continent or simply taking in the vast polar landscape, these days offer a truly immersive Antarctic experience.

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Cross the legendary Drake Passage on your return to South America, one of the world’s great ocean crossings. This is a time to reflect on the journey, relax into life on board and take in the vast scale of the Southern Ocean. Keep watch from the deck for seabirds riding the winds and whales surfacing in these open waters, while onboard presentations and shared stories round out the expedition. As Ushuaia draws closer, the final days at sea offer a fitting conclusion to an extraordinary journey through the southernmost reaches of the planet.

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Arrive back into Ushuaia this morning, where your journey comes to an end. After breakfast on board, disembark and transfer to Ushuaia Airport for your onward travels, farewelling your fellow travellers and expedition team. NB* In case of unexpected delays due to weather and/or port operations we ask you not to book any onward travel until after 12 noon. Note: During our voyage, circumstances may make it necessary or desirable to deviate from the proposed itinerary. This can include poor weather and opportunities for making unplanned excursions. Your Expedition Leader will keep you fully informed. This tour offers a variety of activities and excursions. Your personal interests will determine which of these you wish to join. Please note that some activities and excursions will run at similar times, and it will not be possible to participate in both. Accordingly, refunds for excursions and missed landings are not available. Voyages are planned and scheduled pending final regulatory approval.

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