Epic Antarctica: Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Circle Crossing
Start: Ushuaia Finish: Ushuaia
Duration: 22 Nights
Physical rating: Leisurely
Special diets catered: Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour Operator: Exodus
Group size: 0 - 189
Age range: 18 to 99
Tour operated in: English
Prices From:
Tour Overview
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure on this diverse expedition - experience the spectacular flora and fauna of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) before immersing yourself in the unique history and exquisite, rare wildlife of South Georgia. Whether you’re visiting Antarctic research stations, witnessing a sudden Minke whale breach from your Zodiac, sharing a magical moment with King penguins, or celebrating crossing the Antarctic Circle with like-minded travellers and crew, this experience will live on in you forever.
Highlights
Places You'll See
Countries:
Itinerary

Day 1
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Start Ushuaia, Argentina; overnight in hotel
Begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small but bustling port town at the tip of South America. This Argentine town is an ideal gateway for you to explore the southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for your adventure ahead. Get active in the mountains or enjoy handcrafted chocolate at a café in town.
Day 2
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Embarkation Day
Meals: breakfast, dinner
As the ship sets sail in the late afternoon, you will begin your Antarctic journey, passing through the Beagle Channel. Named after the famed ship on which Charles Darwin voyaged, the channel presents great photo opportunities to capture seabirds hovering overhead.
Day 3
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At Sea
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
There are many activities to keep you engaged while we’re at sea. You can take advantage of the library of books available on your ship, chat with your shipmates at the bar, or spend time out on deck, admiring the sea. The Expedition Team will also conduct a series of presentations to familiarize yourself with how to prepare for Zodiac cruises and shore landings.
Day 4
-5 :
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas).
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
The Falkland archipelago contains two main islands, East and West, which we will explore by Zodiac excursions and daily landings. These rugged islands have a frontier feel to them, especially at Port Stanley—the largest settlement on the islands. It’s an interesting British outpost–type place, where you may just as easily wander into a pub as you will a church or museum. With your camera at hand, our wildlife sightings in the Falklands (Malvinas) should include at least three species of penguins and two endemic bird species—Cobb’s wren and the Falkland’s flightless Steamer duck. Your team of lecturers and specialists will be sure to educate you on the local flora and fauna so that you have the most memorable time.
Day 6
-7 :
At Sea
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Enroute to South Georgia you’ll cross the invisible biological boundary unique to Antarctica – the Antarctic Convergence. This meeting of oceans is what creates the abundance of krill and marine life that attract large cetaceans such as Humpback whales.
Day 8
-9 :
South Georgia
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Evidence of the old whaling and sealing heyday is still found throughout the island. You’ll be surprised to learn that whale and seal populations were once decimated here. Today, their populations are strong, with massive rookeries to be seen. One significant and historic site that will be of interest is the grave of the great explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. Your visit to his gravesite at the Grytviken settlement, also home to an old whaling station and a research station, is a day for reflecting on what it must have been like to be one of the first explorers of this unforgiving yet beautiful environment. Although South Georgia’s history is an important attraction to the island, it is the wildlife that you and your shipmates will likely find most captivating. Often referred to as the Galapagos of the Poles, South Georgia contains an exceptional quantity of wildlife. Each landing you make on the island will open your eyes to a new wonder: one day you may see rookeries with hundreds of thousands of pairs of King penguins waddling on a beach; the next day you may visit another beach dotted with thousands of Fur or Elephant seals. The grasses, mountains and beaches of South Georgia all play an important role in the breeding and survival of different bird and animal species. The Expedition Team will be happy to share its knowledge of how these vulnerable relationships all play out on the island.
Day 10
-11 :
At Sea
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Antarctica awaits, along with its own penguin and seal species. While you’re at sea, you can enjoy quiet time or take in presentations by the Expedition Team, who will cover everything from the history and geology of Antarctica to tips on identifying different species and what makes each of them unique.
Day 12
-13 :
South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
The most common reaction to arriving at the White Continent is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is hard to put into words. You will discover that Antarctica is a land of extremes: at one moment you’ll be overcome with a feeling of complete silence and loneliness, the next you’ll be laughing at the comical antics of a curious penguin. Glacier hikes, visits to research bases and, of course, communing with seals and penguins are sure to keep you smiling each and every day. Perhaps you’ll catch sight of the fearless penguin-eater, the Leopard seal, or come eye–to–eye with a curious Minke whale while on a Zodiac. Each day and each landing will present a new collection of creatures to entertain you and keep your camera busy!
Day 14
-15 :
Antarctic Circle
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Crossing the Antarctic Circle is an impressive achievement, as most expeditions to the Peninsula do not come close to reaching this far south. With a toast to the first explorers who ventured here, you can raise a glass of champagne and take pride in knowing you’ve made it to a part of the world visited by very few people. This is raw Antarctica, home to the midnight sun, with the potential for fantastic iceberg sightings.
Day 16
-17 :
Northbound Along the Peninsula
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
If you haven’t had your fill of Antarctic wildlife and icebergs by now, you’ll surely be satisfied by the time we return to the Drake Passage. You will continue to journey onto land by Zodiac twice daily as you travel north along the western Antarctic Peninsula. The Expedition Team will always be on the lookout for species of penguins, seals and whales that may have eluded you on the journey south.
Day 18
-19 :
Crossing the Drake Passage
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
After more than a dozen days of memorable wildlife encounters, your journey home begins. Crossing the Drake is your unofficial rite of passage, putting a final stamp of approval on your Antarctic adventure.
Day 20
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Disembark in Ushuaia
Meals: breakfast
Today you’ll say goodbye to the Expedition Team and fellow travelers, disembarking in the morning to catch your homeward flights.
What's Included
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Meals
11 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 10 dinners.
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We can include flights from the UK. Please contact us for a quote.
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All meals while on the ship
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All transport and listed activities
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All accommodation
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Tour leader throughout and qualified Expedition Staff
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Beer and wine during dinner
What's Not Included
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Travel insurance
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Visas and vaccinations
Food
All meals while on the ship included. *Typical Meals* The ships galley offers good quality service and cuisine throughout, with excellent chefs preparing international menus including vegetarian dishes, accompanied by a wide variety of drinks from around the world on sale. *Breakfast:* Buffet style – unlimited tea and coffee, a selection of fruit juices, hot options including bacon and eggs or omelettes, a selection of bread and toast and jam/honey/marmalade, fruit and cereal. *Lunch:* Three course set meal or buffet, or the occasional BBQ. *Dinner:* Three or four courses with a starter of soup and/or salad, a choice of mains with at least one vegetarian option and a dessert, with tea and coffee.
Your Peace of Mind Options
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a deposit of 20% to secure a place on this tour, and the final balance is not due till 70 days before departure..
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Secure payments
All payments to TourHub are deposited into an externally regulated Trust account.