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Falkland Islands-South Georgia

Example 20 Day Cruise aboard MV Plancius
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Join this unique 20-day expedition cruise and explore the spectacular landscapes and wildlife of South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. Immerse yourself in the incredible scenery by participating in activities such as ski trekking, hiking, zodiac cruising and photography. A typical itinerary to the Falklands and South Georgia is illustrated below. All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions, the availability of landing sites and opportunities to see wildlife. The final itinerary will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.
Albatross in the arctic.Uphill climb to enjoy an downhill skiKing penguin v. fur seal, Grytviken, South Georgia IslandEmbark on a snowshoe expeditionView of the arctic.
Activities
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Embark in Puerto Madryn

In the afternoon, embark from Puerto Madryn, Argentina and begin your journey to the Falkland Islands. There may be a chance to see southern right whales as the ship heads towards the open ocean.

Day 2-3: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Enjoy two days at sea as the ship is followed by several species of albatrosses, storm petrels, shearwaters, and diving petrels.

Day 4: Falkland Islands

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Spend the day in the western part of the Falkland Islands. Weather permitting, the ship may land on Steeple Jason Island, a rarely visited area that holds the largest black-browed albatross colony in the world. If weather conditions are unfavorable, you may take a walk along the coast of Carcass Island, home to Magellanic and gentoo penguins as well as numerous waders and passerine birds. When visiting Saunders Island, you may see rockhopper penguins, imperial shags, black-browed albatrosses, king penguins, Magellanic penguins, and gentoo penguins.

Day 5: Port Stanley

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today, experience Falkland culture in the capital city of Stanley. Explore and find South American characteristics as well as Victorian charm, well-tended gardens, colorful houses and English style pubs. In Stanley and the surrounding area, see quite a number of stranded clippers from a century ago, which bear witness to the hardships of sailors in the 19th century. The small, but very interesting museum is well worth a visit and features an exhibition covering the early days of settlement up to the Falklands War of 1982. Approximately 1300 people live in the small capital in which all passengers are free to wander around on their own.

*Admission fees to local attractions in Stanley are not included.

Day 6-7: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Spend two days crossing the Antarctic Convergence as the ship heads for South Georgia. Entering Antarctic currents, the temperature may drop considerably in the time span of only a few hours. On this part of the journey, nutritious water is brought to the surface by the colliding water columns, bringing a multitude of seabirds near the ship including several species of albatrosses, shearwaters, petrels, prions and skuas.

Day 8-15: South Georgia

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Choose from two exciting adventure options on this leg of the expedition: a sea voyage with zodiac excursions and hiking options or a land expedition for "ski explorers" that covers 40-50 kilometers of the historic Shackleton route. The sea explorers explore the coastlines of the Island while at the same time the ski explorers attempt to traverse the Island on a self-supplied ski trek from the South coast (King Haakon Bay) to the North coast (Fortuna Bay) in 4 days.

Ski trek across South Georgia: A group of up to 12 ski explorers and 2-3 mountain guides attempt to traverse on an unsupported and self-supplied trek across the island with skis hauling pulkas (sledges) weighing 20-30kg. The skiers cover a total distance of 40-50 km retracing sections of the historic Shackleton route, which he covered in an incredible 36 hours. On arrival day at King Haakon Bay, spend the first night further inland then embark on a trek across alpine passes and glaciers aiming for reunion with the ship at Fortuna or Stromness Bay. After both expeditions have re-joined, all passengers then continue to enjoy the latter part of the South Georgia cruise itinerary.

Sea voyage: The sea explorers who remain on board say their goodbyes to the skiers at Pegotty Bluff, the historic campsite of Shackleton’s three men that due to illness did not take part in the final crossing of South Georgia. It was from there on the 19th May 1916 that Shackleton, Crean and Worsley set off across the Island to Stromness in a 36 hours marathon trek.
With the ship positioned around the Northwest corner of South Georgia, visit Prion Island (the island is closed for visitors during breeding season from 20 Nov – 07 January), where the previous summer’s fully grown chicks of the huge wandering albatross are almost ready to fledge and adults are returning to seek their old partner after a year and a half at sea. Salisbury Plain, St Andrews Bay and Gold Harbor do not only house the three largest king penguin colonies in South Georgia but are also three of the largest breeding beaches for southern elephant seals in the world. Only at this time of the year they peak in their breeding cycle and occasionally fight over territories of dozens of females who have just given birth or are just about to deliver.

The expeditions come together in Fortuna Bay to follow the final section of Shackleton's route to Stromness, the abandoned whaling station. Cross the mountain past the "Shackleton Waterfall" through partly swampy terrain with small streams (hiking boots or rubber boots recommended). Spend the next few days exploring the magnificent landscapes and wildlife on Grytviken, Ocean Harbour, Godthul, Cobblers Cove, Gold Harbour, Drygalski Fjord, Larsen Harbour, Cooper Bay, St. Andrews Bay, Possession Bay, Right Whale Bay and Elsehul. At Grytviken, see an abandoned whaling station, a Whaling History Museum, and Shackleton's grave. Encounter king and macaroni penguins, light-mantled sooty albatrosses, Antarctic fur seals, elephant seals, and the introduced reindeer.

Day 16-19: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The ship is again followed by a multitude of seabirds as it travels back to Ushuaia.

Day 20: Disembark in Ushuaia

  • 1 Breakfast
After breakfast, disembark in Ushuaia.

Ship/Hotel

MV Plancius

MV Plancius
MV Plancius

Dates & Prices

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Per person starting at
$12,150
Quadruple Porthole
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Quadruple Porthole
4 cabins with private facilities, 2 bunk beds. (ca. 15 m2)
Quadruple Porthole
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Triple Porthole
4 cabins with private facilities, 2 bunk beds. (ca. 15 m2)
Twin porthole cabin
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Twin with Porthole
9 twin private cabins with porthole. Two Lower berths. (ca. 15 m2)
Twin with window
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Twin with Window
26 twin private cabins with window. Two Lower berths (ca. 15 m2)
Twin Deluxe
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Twin Deluxe
2 twin private deluxe cabins. Lower berths - two single beds.(ca. 15 m2)
Superior
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Superior
10 twin superior cabins. Lower berth - double bed. (ca. 21 m2)

Notes

- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
- Single occupancy: All cabins 1.7 times the share twin price
-Children between the ages of 3-15 will be discounted 40% in triple or quad cabins, one child per cabin.
- Due to the extreme nature of itinerary destinations, travel insurance is mandatory for all cruises aboard the Plancius - including medical, accident and repatriation/evacuation insurance.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen

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