Pack your sense of intrigue and favorite photography gear for a 19-day expedition covering two of the most remote sub-Antarctic Island destinations. Witness wildlife on an incomparable scale on South Georgia, where elephant seals lumber, untold thousands of king penguins gather on a single beach, and Sir Ernest Shackleton rests for eternity. In the Falklands, discover vast colonies of nesting albatrosses and rockhopper penguins and visit isolated settlements where locals still live off the land.
Itinerary departing on February 26, 2024
U.S. / Buenos Aires, Argentina
Depart on an overnight flight to Buenos Aires. Settle into the Alvear Icon or similar before setting out on a guided tour of the city’s Beaux-Arts palaces and parks. Visit Recoleta—the final resting place of Argentina’s iconic first lady, Eva Perón—and enjoy a private visit to El Zanjon de Granados, one of the city’s premier museums.
In the early evening, we gather for an informal reception and a drink at the hotel.
DAY 3 – Fly to Ushuaia / Embark
Fly southward to Ushuaia—aka ‘The End of the World’—sandwiched between ice-mantled peaks and the protected waters of Beagle Channel. Savor lunch onboard a private catamaran as you cruise the Channel, keeping an eye out for plump sea lions and sleek imperial cormorants. By day’s end, embark and settle into your floating expedition home base.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 – At Sea in the South Atlantic
Feel the excitement build as we depart South America and enter the chilly realm of the far South Atlantic. Visit the Bridge (nerve center of the ship and ideal for spotting wildlife), enjoy a massage, and listen in on informal gatherings with our naturalist staff as they discuss what to expect in the wilds of the Falklands. Spend time on deck scanning the horizon for petrels, penguins, and albatross.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAYS 5 and 6 – Falkland Islands
Everything we love about expedition travel comes together in the western Falkland Islands. Where else can you land on a beach tucked into a rocky cove, hike out across a rolling green pasture, and suddenly find yourself at the crest of a sea cliff looking out over the South Atlantic surf? Just a few steps further and you’re standing at the edge of a breeding colony of black-browed albatross, so close that you can hear the wind on their wings as they swoop in to land beside you. Check out the thousands of irresistible gentoo, rockhopper, and Magellanic penguins that congregate here, along with magnificent albatrosses and fur seals.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAYS 7 and 8 – At Sea
Expedition days at sea are an invitation to pause, catch a breath, and absorb some of the experiences we’ve already accumulated before marching off on a range of new ones. It’s a great time to get to learn about the history of Antarctic exploration and the flora, fauna, and geology of our next destination: South Georgia. Learn from our naturalists how to identify the seabirds that inevitably follow us there: wandering albatrosses, prions, and others.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAYS 9 through 13 – South Georgia Island
Explore the spectacular coastline of South Georgia Island. Our schedule is flexible with opportunities for walking, hiking, kayaking, and Zodiac excursions. Sailing along the coast, we plan to offer activities every day including visits to Grytviken, the final resting place of Shackleton, and Stromness Harbour, where Ernest Shackleton, Tom Crean, and Frank Worsley finally reached aid at a whaling station. The island is also home to huge elephant seals and thousands of king penguins.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAYS 14 and 15 – At Sea
Relax onboard and enjoy the ship’s amenities. Head up to the Bridge to observe expert navigation at work as our skilled Captain and officers sail these historic waters. There will also be time to enjoy a massage in the wellness center, work out in the gym, and browse in the library. Each day our naturalists offer talks that add depth to your experience.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAYS 16 and 17- Falklands / At Sea
With whales beneath and birds above, head up to the bridge, or spend these days enjoying the ship’s spa, fitness center, library, and observation deck. After time at sea, our journey across the South Atlantic Ocean takes us once more to the island archipelago that teems with nature. In the afternoon, we visit Stanley, the bright, pretty capital of the Falkland Islands, a charming outpost of British culture tucked into a small bay on the shore of these windswept islands in the far South Atlantic. Many Falkland Islanders still live in very traditional ways, and we’ll have a chance to visit a small farm to see some expert sheep shearing and learn about the best techniques for cutting blocks of peat for the fire. The rocky hills and white sand beaches outside town offer some excellent hikes, and afterward a cup of tea or a pint at the local tavern goes down very nicely.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAYS 18 AND 19 – Ushuaia, Argentina / Disembark / Fly to Buenos Aires,
After breakfast, disembark in Ushuaia and transfer to the airport for our private charter flight to Santiago or Buenos Aires to connect with your overnight flight home.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Restrictions:
- Prize valid for one Category 1 cabin for two persons, for departure on Feb 26, 2024.
- Cabin booking and confirmation cannot be made until 90 days prior to sailing.
- Package does not include air transportation, baggage/accident/cancellation insurance, extensions, passport, visa, immigration fees, meals not indicated, travel protection plan, items of a personal nature, certain premium brands of alcohol, and laundry.
- Gratuities to ship’s crew at traveler’s discretion.
Generously donated by Lindblad Expeditions
* Should a travel or experience donation be canceled, postponed, delayed, or rescheduled due to force majeure (i.e., weather, act of God, state of war, terrorism, strike, pandemic, etc.) or any other condition beyond reasonable control, the purchase will be honored, per the experience provider, at the experience provider’s discretion, and the winner will be expected to either attend or transfer the purchase accordingly. No cash refunds.
