For those lucky enough to join a cruise to Antarctica, it is considered to be a once in a lifetime trip. It is rated by most visitors as their best ever tour; an unforgettable wildlife experience. Although fewer people follow in Shackleton’s footsteps and visit South Georgia, this island differs in many ways and is just as spectacular as the White Continent. The Falkland Islands have dolphins and several endemic birds, quite fearless at our presence, allowing fantastic photographic opportunities. A cruise which takes in these three wonderful places constitutes the ultimate Antarctic experience.

First we will visit the Falklands Islands and South Georgia, home to nesting Wandering, Grey-headed, Black-browed and Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses.

Thousands of King Penguins breed along with hundreds of burrowing Magellanic Penguins. The Rockhopper too can be found here, but is rapidly declining. Endemic birds include the Falkland Steamer Duck and South Georgia Pipit which can be very approachable like many creatures in this region. 

Antarctica teams with life in the summer due to the seasonal abundance of krill. Millions of birds and animals concentrate to breed along the Antarctic Peninsula, regarded as the most beautiful part of the continent. Mountains, glaciers and immense icebergs form a backdrop to huge colonies of penguins. By making frequent landings, we are able to experience the stark beauty that lured the early explorers here, without enduring the same hardship that saw few return. Some historic buildings and whaling stations still remain as a reminder of their courage.

 Most people only visit Antarctica once and for the ultimate experience this should include the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. This is no longer just the realm of the Amundsens, Scotts and Attenboroughs of this world, it is ours.

ITINERARY

 BUENOS AIRES AND USHUAIA

Ships going to Antarctica do not wait for late arrivers so we have factored in extra time in case of any flight delays. Arriving in Buenos Aires, we go to our hotel for a two night stay. We take an excursion to Otamendi Nature reserve where wetland birds include Coscoroba and Black-necked Swans, plus many small birds such as Guira Cuckoo, Black-and-rufous Warbling-finch and Epaulet Oriole. On day three we fly to Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego with time for a little birding in the afternoon. After a night in a hotel here, we spend most of the following day birding Tierra del Fuego where Magellanic Woodpecker  and Austral Parakeet are good possibilities.

 Departing Ushuaia we board our ship, the Aleksey Maryshev, to cruise the Beagle Channel, where we may spot our first Chilean Skuas, Flightless Steamer Ducks, Dolphin, and Kelp Gulls. The Andes Mountains end here and with luck it is possible to spot Andean Condors soaring over the mountains.

 This is one trip where travelling becomes a joy rather than a chore. The attendant seabirds are photogenic, close and numerous. They enjoy following ships providing excellent views. Prions, Antarctic Fulmars, Black-bellied Storm-petrels, Pintado and Blue Petrels, and Southern and Northern Giant Petrels all play second fiddle to the six Albatross species we expect to find.

FALKLAND ISLANDS

After a day at sea we arrive at the Falkland Islands where we will get the chance to search for endemic land birds as well as waders, wildfowl and seabirds. We usually visit New and Carcass Islands. Our first penguins should include Magellanic and Rockhopper that breed here protecting their young from attendant Sub-Antarctic Skuas. Magellanic and Black Oystercatchers feed alongside Kelp and Upland Geese, while Tussock Birds scurry trough the long grass.

 The following day we visit the capital Port Stanley, where we savour the Victorian charm of the town or seek out more birds like Flightless Steamer Duck or Tawny-throated Dotterel. After two days around the islands we head for South Georgia, searching for seabirds and whales en route.

SOUTH GEORGIA

Approaching South Georgia on the first of four days in the area, we are joined by the world’s largest flying bird, the Wandering Albatross. Their majestic flight leads us to their nesting grounds where we look for displaying adults. Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, the prettiest of all tubenoses can also be found here above duelling Elephant Seals.

 Thousands of King Penguins gather at Salisbury Plain, one of the most awesome spectacles on earth and we will have the opportunity to visit Grytviken and Shackleton´s grave.

Being so remote and costly, many opt to exclude South Georgia from their Antarctic tour, something which is invariably regretted later.

ANTARCTICA

Two more days at sea will bring us in sight of our first icebergs, some the size of an English shire! Crossing the Antarctic Convergence, seabird species change as we enter colder Antarctic waters. We leave the prions and Great Shearwaters as we reach the South Shetland Islands. Our ship continues south along the Antarctic Peninsula where Expedition staff decide where we should visit based on their experience, wildlife knowledge and ice conditions. We may even go where no-one has trod before!

 Deception Island is a favourite. A ring-shaped island, it was once a huge volcano of which the crater opens into the sea, creating a natural harbour for the ship. Pintado Petrels are a highlight, along with Kelp Gulls, Brown and South Polar Skuas and Antarctic Terns. Wilson’s Storm-petrels nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay.

 Further south lies the Orne Islands, with large colonies of Chinstrap Penguins and a beautiful view across the Gerlache Strait. Various Islands contain the remainder of our desired Penguins. Having seen Gentoo and Macaroni Penguins on South Georgia we look for Chinstraps and Adelies with deadly Leopard Seals in attendance. Breeding Brown Skuas and Blue-eyed Shags make up the numbers and our chance to encounter Humpback, Minke and Fin Whales are high with some other rarer species also possible.  We may sail through Paradise Bay with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords. We will have opportunities for zodiac cruising where ghostly Snow Petrels search for food.

 Finally, we cross Drake’s passage where we can look for the Royal Albatross, equal in size to the Wandering and savour our last pelagic birds as we return to Ushuaia. After disembarking we fly to Buenos Aires, breaking the journey with an overnight stop and visit to Costanera Sur Reserve, on the banks of the Rio Plata before continuing to London.

PACE

Excursions are made using zodiacs on days when not travelling at sea, as conditions allow. Walks will be at a leisurely pace on uneven ground or snow. Only basic fitness is required but there is some optional uphill walking. Daytime temperatures in Antarctica average +6 degrees C at this time.

ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD

Full-board accommodation is provided with three nights at Buenos Aires, one night at Ushuaia, and eighteen nights on board the Aleksey Maryshev. Our ship is part of a fleet of modern Finnish-built research vessels recently acquired by Oceanwide, a Dutch company with a professional Russian crew. All cabins are twins and have one upper and one lower berth. There is a supplement for en suite cabins. Atmosphere on board is relaxed and you are not expected to dress for dinner! Wildlife viewing takes priority over long-winded lectures and meals. There is a doctor on board.

 Antarctic regulations restrict landings to a maximum of 100 people at any one time. It is important to note that our ship takes just 56 passengers maximum. On our trip, it is likely that some of them will be divers who can show us the creatures below the sea too. Any diving takes place while we are ashore so it will not slow affect our landing programme. This also  makes for even less people going ashore with us so our select band will avoid the logistical problems that larger vessels have trying to take people ashore in shifts.

OUR PRICE INCLUDES………

Return flights to London and internal flights (Buenos Aires to Ushuaia). Visas and airport taxes, full-board accommodation, tea and coffee on board ship, soft drinks at meal times, All guided birdwatching excursions, in Buenos Aires and Tierra del Fuego , entry to nature reserves and Natio0nal Parks,  all transport and airport transfers.

 If you add these hidden extras to the total cost of other tours, we think you will find our prices very competetive.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

Travel insurance, payable at the time of booking. Personal items, alcoholic drinks, laundry, tips, visas, etc.

 INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

Return flights from London Heathrow to Buenos Aires, using the scheduled services of Iberia. Outbound flight departs London in the morning, return flight arrives back early evening. Connecting shuttle flights are available on this tour for £75 return (due at time of booking), from Manchester and other regional airports.

a nosey King Penguin at Grytviken, South Georgia on our February 2007 Tour.

At Salisbury Plain, the King Penguin colony stretches up the mountainside. Sunshine after a brief snow flurry made a wonderful backdrop to the thousands of birds present. 2007

The giant Wandering Albatross dwarfs a Giant Petrel on Prion Island, South Georgia. 2007.

Snow Petrel is the most wanted Antarctic Seabird. This was one of many seen in 2007

Hourglass Dolphins are arguably the prettiest cetacean in the world. One of several dolphin and whale species that we regularly encounter. This followed our ship for ages in 2007

Gold Harbour, South Georgia. Wonderful weather below the Antarctic Convergence.

Snow Petrel taken on our 2006 Tour.

We break our journey by spending three days in Argentina where some excellent birds can be seen. On Tierra del Fuego, the Magellanic Woodpecker is a must see - the largest woodpecker in the world! 

Although more expensive, this provides some insurance time in case of any delayed flights or luggage. Cruise ships do not wait for late passengers or flights.

The South Georgia Pintail is the only carnivorous duck in the world & it can only be found on this island!

Antarctic Tern at Grytviken whaling station, South Georgia 2007

Crabeater Seal, Antarctica 2007. Despite being the most numerous seal in the world, it can be very tricky to find.

This King was one of several incubating eggs. Some tiny chicks were also seen.

South Polar Skua, Antarctica 2007. Being late in the season, we were able to penetrate a long way south to encounter plenty of these birds.

Chinstrap Penguin taken on our 2006 tour.

Even more photos on a special photo page - click here

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