Antarctica, the Falkland Islands & South Georgia 2009/2010 (19 Days)

This voyage is Peregrine’s most complete and varied Antarctic adventure. It promises an in-depth and unforgettable experience to the bottom of the world travelling to the extraordinary Falkland Islands and diverse sub-Antarctic islands before sailing further south to the remarkable Antarctic Peninsula area.

Our first stop is the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. This far-flung group of islands lies north of the Antarctic Convergence and enjoys a relatively warmer climate than our other destinations. As a result, the mainly uninhabited Falklands support unique wildlife not found further south, including sixty species of migratory birds as well as the rare rockhopper penguin.

Our journey continues southeast, crossing the Antarctic Convergence to the remote and hauntingly beautiful island of South Georgia. Here amongst the soaring snow-clad mountains and massive glaciers, we’ll find huge king penguin rookeries, thousands of sub-Antarctic fur seals, the comical macaroni penguin, as well as spectacular wilderness that is perhaps, unequalled on earth. We’ll also discover a remarkable history here that reminds us of some of the world’s most legendary explorers from Captain James Cook to Sir Ernest Shackleton.

We then set course to the off-shore islands of the Antarctic Peninsula, hoping to land at the remote and often mist-shrouded South Orkney Islands. Then we continue on to the South Shetland archipelago, stopping at various islands whose waters are often inhabited with feeding humpback whales.

On approaching the mainland, the splendours of Antarctic nature will be on display. Thousands of differently shaped icebergs dot the sea, penguins are seen porpoising through the waters and various seals, including the predatory leopard seal, use the ice flows as a resting place. The Antarctic Peninsula itself boasts a profusion of wildlife including five species of seal, massive penguin rookeries with gentoos, Adelies and chinstraps as well as a variety of whale species and seabirds including albatross, petrels, shearwaters and skuas.

Extraordinary and inhospitable scenery greets us on land. A sweeping ice sheet rises above the shore line, binding together an entire continent, close in size to Africa. One can only marvel at the resolve of the early explorers in their quest to conquer Antarctica.

Note: Weather, ice, or other conditions may necessitate changes to our itinerary and alteration to certain shore excursions.