Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica in Focus - 18 Days - $12,480
Trip Summary and Itinerary Map
- 9 days off-ship exploring: the Falklands (2), South Georgia (3) and Antarctica (4)
- Includes pre-cruise hotel night in Buenos Aires and return domestic charter flights
- Antarctic operational experience since 2021
- Expedition staff-to-guest ratio of 1:12
- The Scandi decor has a laidback boutique feel complemented by fuss-free service
- Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24 hours per day
- Complimentary expedition parka, waterproof rucksack and water bottle to keep
- One-off kayaking session available (additional cost)
Start from Buenos Aires to Antarctica
Landmarks potentially visited on Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica in Focus
Operator's Itinerary
Included travel arrangements prior to embarkation:
The date of Day 1 for each voyage reflects the date that you will embark on your ship. However, the price of your trip also includes additional services pre-voyage to ensure a hassle-free experience on arrival into Argentina. Once you have landed in Buenos Aires (on the day before your embarkation date) you will be met and transferred to your included 4-5* city centre hotel, where you will spend the night.
Please see the final paragraph of this itinerary for the included arrangements once you have disembarked.
Day 1: Embarkation in Ushuaia
After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport in Buenos Aires for your included charter flight to Ushuaia at the southern tip of Argentina. Flanking the foothills of the snow-covered Martial Range, this port destination’s eclectic architecture tumbles down to the edges of the Beagle Channel. Known as the world’s most southerly city, it serves as a scenic start to your trip.
Upon arrival in Ushuaia, embark on your beautifully designed ship and begin journeying towards one of the most spectacular regions on the planet.
Day 2: At sea
As you sail towards your first destination – the Falkland Islands – relax and familiarise yourself with your home for this epic expedition. The spacious observation decks on your vessel will afford you with sweeping vistas of the passing sea. You will also have the chance to meet other guests, peruse the Antarctic reference books in the ship’s polar library and get to know your onboard guides.
Engaging lectures are planned by the highly knowledgeable expedition team, who will share their expertise on the flora and fauna you will encounter along the way. Professional photographers are also on hand to offer tips on capturing the stunning scenery ahead.
Day 3: West Point Island and Saunders Island, Falklands Islands
Spectacular birdlife is the main lure on these two verdant sheep-grazed islands, where rams and ewes roam and intermingle with more exotic wildlife. Established by British explorers in 1765, the Falklands brims with distinctive landscapes, including a coastline littered by rockhopper, gentoo and even small king penguin rookeries. Keep an eye out for the pillar-shaped nests of black browed albatrosses too, as well as nine of the archipelago’s 14 endemic plants, such as silvery buttercup and hairy daisy.
These remote islands have such a minuscule human population – penguins outnumber people here! The Falklands are also a haven for fur seals, Commerson’s dolphins and imperial cormorants. Spot the latter nesting along the cliffs as you trek past mossy landscapes revealing vibrant wildflowers, such as the pink-petalled Felton's.
Day 4: Touring Port Stanley, Falklands Islands
Port Stanley, the quaint capital of the Falkland Islands on East Falkland, is compact enough to explore by foot. If you are acquainted with the United Kingdom, you might recognise the classic red post boxes in this British outpost.
The quirky Historic Dockyard Museum provides a fascinating glimpse into maritime history and exploration. If you visit nearby Gypsy Cove dolphins cruising through the turquoise waters, while yellow gorse offsets the white sand of the beach below.
Days 5 & 6: At sea
Days at sea are the ideal opportunity to rest and indulge in the ship’s facilities – from the well-equipped gym to the serene spa. Alternatively, spend time out on deck bird and whale spotting or curl up with a novel in your spacious cabin. These sea days are a relaxing counterbalance to busy periods spent navigating on land. However, there’s still plenty to do as the educational program of lectures will continue, preparing you for arrival at jaw-dropping South Georgia.
Days 7 to 9: South Georgia
Often referred to as the 'Galapagos of the Southern Ocean', South Georgia is a wildlife paradise. It boasts several landing sites home to up to 500,000 king penguins and three million breeding pairs of macaroni penguins. The region is also renowned for its enormous elephant seal colonies, where the huge creatures can often be seen lounging in the surf and maintaining their territories. Feisty fur seals also litter the beaches, with opportunistic scavenger birds such as snowy sheathbills and skuas adding to the melee.
History is also part and parcel of a trip to South Georgia, though it can sometimes be quite haunting as you learn of the damage wrought by decades of sealing and whaling. One of the island’s most notable sites is Grytviken, the iconic whaling station where legendary British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton is laid to rest.
Your time exploring South Georgia will be heavily dictated by the weather conditions influencing this notoriously windy island. Wildlife can also cause plans to change, as sometimes the beaches are so heavily laden with seals and penguins that it’s impossible to land! Your expedition team will make the most of the opportunities to get you off the ship and you may enjoy shoreline safaris by zodiac, which gives you a great water-level angle for your wildlife photography.
Days 10 & 11: At sea towards the Antarctic Peninsula
As you head south towards Antarctica your days at sea will be filled with engaging educational briefings and presentations covering topics such as Antarctic wildlife, history and geology. There will also be opportunities to venture out on deck to witness the majestic albatrosses and giant petrels soaring by. You may be able to participate in citizen science activities, including bird species counts and cloud surveys for a NASA observation project.
Days 12 to 15: Navigating the Antarctic Peninsula
With its heavily crevassed and seemingly endless glaciers, towering icebergs and snow-laden islands, the Antarctic Peninsula offers the iconic polar experience. This accessible region lays claim to active scientific research bases and awe-inspiring landscapes. As you head on shore, the penguins you encounter will be more petite than the kings you’ve met in South Georgia, but arguably more comical with their energetic waddling to and from their rookeries. Zodiac cruises will have you gliding amongst the sculptural icebergs, on the lookout for whales and seals.
Days 16 & 17: At sea
These last days at sea can be spent immersing yourself in the facilities of your chic ship. Attend a lecture from the onboard experts or simply soak up the ocean views from the deck accompanied by more gliding seabirds. It’s also a great time to reflect on your adventure and start to sort through your hundreds of photos!
Day 18: Disembarkation in Ushuaia
Today, you will end your journey back in the port city at the southernmost tip of South America, where your Antarctic cruise began. Here, you will be taken to the airport for your charter flight back up to Buenos Aires, and from there, you can make arrangements for onward travel home.
PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary is for guidance only as each voyage will vary depending on ice and weather conditions, and opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is key and all part of the adventure of an expeditionary cruise.
Why our customers love Swoop
The Antarctic Experts.
No Compromises
Our team has visited Antarctica over 150 times and has 100 collective years of polar experience, so from which trip is right for you to what shoes to bring - there’s no question we can’t answer.
Expert impartial advice at no extra cost
Choosing the right voyage is complicated, Swoop makes it easy. We offer no-nonsense advice on 1500 voyages across 30 ships to find you the right trip, cabin, price - and we don’t charge a fee.
The only B Corp certified Antarctic specialist
We want to protect Antarctica for future generations - which is why we became a certified B Corp and set up our own conservation fund. So your adventures can be a force for good.
A full concierge service, unlike booking direct
We leave nothing to chance in delivering your perfect trip and have over 6500 happy travellers to show for it. With a dedicated Antarctic co-ordinator & support throughout - you’re in safe hands.
About The Ship
- Heated infinity pool for viewing sculptural icebergs and glaciers
- Sauna and adjacent outdoor jacuzzi
- Spa treatments with options ranging from Balinese massages to facials with La Mer and Lajatica products
- Well-equipped gym with uplifting views out onto the polar landscape
- Plump lounge chairs with snug blankets on deck as the ship sails through dramatic glacial scenery
- Included 24/7 room service to dine when and where it suits you best
Prices, Departures and Inclusions
Prices quoted below are per person based on two people sharing. Cabin availability changes all the time so please contact us for up-to-date details and information on specific availability.
* Note: Prices are per person. Paid in USD ($) - figure above is based on today's exchange rate. Actual cost $12480
Single Supplement And Child Policy
For those travelling solo, the additional single supplement varies from 1.75 to 2 times the cost of a single berth, depending on the cabin category booked. However, there are occasionally special promotions that reduce this supplement, so please contact us for more details.
Children aged 8 years old or over are permitted on this trip. A child between 6 to 8 years old may be considered in some circumstances, but this is decided on a case-by-case basis
Optional Adventure Activities
Enhance your trip with the following add ons. Limited places per activity.
Get in contact to check availability.
Activity | Cost | Additional Information |
---|---|---|
Paddling | $250 | One-off paddle session lasting approximately 60-90 minutes using double kayaks. Available on all departures, subject to weather and ice conditions. Previous kayaking experience is required. Cannot be booked in advance, onboard booking only; if heavily subscribed there will be a lottery system. Please note that this activity is generally only offered in Antarctica, not in the Falklands or South Georgia. |
Includes
- One night pre-cruise accommodation in Buenos Aires with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
- Group return transfers from your hotel to the airport in Buenos Aires
- Return domestic charter flights to/from Ushuaia
- Group return transfers from Ushuaia airport to the cruise port
- All onboard meals and 24-hour room service
- Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24 hours per day
- Lecture programmes by the experienced expedition team and guest speakers
- Standard low-data WIFI where the connection allows
- Onboard gratuities and port taxes
- Self-service laundry access
- Complimentary expedition parka, waterproof rucksack and water bottle to keep
- Loan of rubber boots for the voyage duration
- Loan of one pair of binoculars per cabin
Excludes
- International flights to/from the starting point for your cruise arrangements
- Transfers from the airport to the hotel if you arrive before Day 1
- Optional one-off paddling (kayak) excursion
- Premium wines and spirits
- Optional premium WIFI to allow for higher data usage including sharing images, voice calls or streaming
- Purchases from the ship’s boutique and any spa treatments
- Laundry services (access to a complimentary self-service laundrette is also available)
- Visas where required
- Travel insurance
- Any hotel requirements pre or post-cruise unless otherwise stated within the itinerary description