Antarctic Peninsula, Falkland Islands & South Georgia 2010/2011 20 days

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 south-east, 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 find huge king penguin rookeries, thousands of sub-Antarctic fur seals, the comical macaroni penguins and spectacular wilderness that is perhaps unequalled on earth. We also discover its remarkable history, reminding us that we are following the footsteps 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, before continuing to the South Shetland archipelago and 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 floes as a resting place. The Antarctic Peninsula itself boasts a profusion of wildlife including five species of seal, massive penguin rookeries with gentoos, Adélies and chinstraps as well as a variety of whale species and seabirds, including albatross, petrels, shearwaters and skuas. Extraordinary scenery and somewhat forbidding landscape awaits us on land. A sweeping ice sheet rises above the shore line, binding together an entire continent that is close in size to Africa. One can only marvel at the resolve of the early explorers in their quests to conquer Antarctica.

Note: Weather, ice and other mitigating factors may result in changes to our itinerary and alteration to certain shore excursions.