Antarctica Explorers’ Quest - Falkland… (trip)
Antarctica Explorers’ Quest - Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula
- Ushuaia Airport, Argentina
- Boats, Barges & Small Ship Cruises
| from $9,695* per person | 20 Days | November, December |
| Luxury accommodations | Exertion level: 4 | |
| Operator: ElderTreks | 24 people max | |
Aboard the Lyubov Orlova and the Clipper Adventurer: Ice-strengthened expedition ship designed to carry about 120 passengers on a relaxed, comfortable adventure — with regular Zodiac landings; specialist presentations and guidance ashore; an interactive polar arts program on many departures.
Our Explorers’ Cruise combines the comfortable Classic Antarctica adventure with visits to the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia. In the South Shetland Islands, we visit enormous penguin rookeries, land on beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals and observe southern elephant seals wallowing in mud pools.
The Antarctic Peninsula, an awe-inspiring wilderness of snow, ice, waterways and mountains, is the most readily accessible part of the White Continent. See the enormous rookeries of gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguins, blue-eyed shags, kelp gulls, cape petrels, snowy sheathbills, Antarctic terns, Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, orcas, humpback whales and minke whales. The Peninsula also has a remarkable history and we learn about some of the most important and dramatic expeditions to this remote corner of the world.
The Falkland Islands are home to great concentrations of wildlife, including several species found nowhere else in the world. Flightless steamer ducks, Magellanic and gentoo penguins are just some of the highlights.
South Georgia has its own astonishing concentrations of wildlife and awe-inspiring scenery. Thousands of king penguins greet us at Salisbury Plain, wandering albatrosses nest and fur seals breed at Prion Island, elephant seals and a number of king and gentoo penguins crowd the beaches. The island also played a significant role in Ernest Shackleton’s epic journey after the sinking of his ship, the “Endurance”, when he managed to reach the whaling station in Stromness.
The program of lectures continues during the sea crossings as our expedition staff introduce some of the wildlife we are likely to encounter and cover all topics from the history of exploration to the geology of the region.
Loading map, please wait...
Locations visited/nearby
Antarctica, Falkland Islands, South Georgia And South Sandwich Islands, South America
0 testimonials about this trip.
3 testimonials about the provider, ElderTreks:
-
Reviewer: M. Sloup
located in
Madison,
WI
USA
Everything was so organized! We appreciated the timely stops and hikes during each day. We really liked the traditional foods and all lodgings were excellent.
-
Reviewer: S. Klopfleisch
located in
Los Angeles,
CA
USA
I loved the trip! I loved the hiking, the guides and the regional, varied food. I loved the charming hotels. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone. Taquille Island was fabulous. Kudos to ElderTreks.
-
Reviewer: M. Hvizdos
located in
Flint,
MI
USA
We enjoyed the active hikes, the remoteness of the countryside, the people and the local guides. The wranglers and cook on our trek, each picnic and most of all the energy and excitement that Florencia gave us all - she is contagious! Thank you all the staff, this adventure we will long remember.
Itinerary
Day 1: Ushuaia, ArgentinaDue to the size of the continent, Antarctica’s diversity is best appreciated on longer voyages, where greater distances can be covered. This extended expedition encompasses the wildlife paradise of South Georgia, the remote Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), as well as the extraordinary beauty of the Peninsula. Overnight in Ushuaia.
Day 2: Embarkation Day
Prior to the afternoon embarkation in Ushuaia, visitors can explore the southernmost city in the world. The former prison for hardened criminals and political dissidents has been converted to a museum. The shops and cafés will be open for last-minute purchases or for a moment of relaxation.
Day 3: At Sea
There are many activities to keep travelers engaged while at sea. They can learn to identify seabirds that glide alongside the ship or attend illustrated presentations by the Expedition Team, who prepare adventurers for the shore landings, Zodiac cruising and kayaking that are to come.
Days 4-5: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
En route, the shipboard education program introduces the flora and fauna that you will encounter. Properly prepared, Zodiacs zip you from ship to shore to hike where Kelp Geese graze and Magellanic Penguins guard their burrows. You’ll comb beaches and socialize with local residents.
Days 6-7: At Sea
How will travelers know when they are in Antarctic waters? When the ship crosses the Antarctic Convergence, aka the Antarctic Polar Front. This biological boundary is unique to Antarctica. Encircling the continent, it is an irregular, invisible curve where the cold, northward-flowing Antarctic waters meet and mix with the warmer waters of the Indian, Pacific or Atlantic Oceans. The zone is about 32 to 48 km (20 to 30 miles) wide, somewhere between 48° and 61° S.
Days 8-11: South Georgia
After crossing the Southern Ocean, the Expedition Team plans a series of landings at King Penguin rookeries, abandoned whaling stations and the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton. The opportunities for hiking, strolling or contemplating are limited only by the local weather conditions.
Days 12-13: At Sea
After crossing the Southern Ocean, the Expedition Team plans a series of landings at King Penguin rookeries, abandoned whaling stations and the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton. The opportunities for hiking, strolling or contemplating are limited only by the local weather conditions.
Days 14-17: South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
Deception Island, Neko Harbour, Paradise Harbour and Gerlache Strait … these are the names that conjure iconic images of the Antarctic Peninsula: towering glacier-capped mountains rising from a brilliant blue sea, dotted with ice floes. You’ll visit penguin colonies, listen for calving glaciers, and visit historic sites and research stations. The included Quark parka is perfect attire for the changeable Peninsula weather. Pack waterproof pants, binoculars and a camera, too. Photo opportunities abound in Antarctica.
Days 18-19: The Drake Passage to Ushuaia
Your second Drake Passage crossing may not be as smooth or as rough as your first. No matter the condition, it is a fitting end to your visit to Antarctica.
Day 20: Ushuaia
After breakfast aboard the ship, travelers are transferred to the airport for the homeward flight.
Important reminder: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy – and excitement – of expedition travel. There are no guarantees that we can achieve everything we set out to accomplish. A measure of flexibility is something all of us must bring to a voyage.
More information from ElderTreks:
- View trip on provider's website
www.eldertreks.com/tour/ETTD000105… - Company profile, experience, and history
- View all of their trips
- Email this trip page to a friend
-
Comments from Facebook