Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctica
aboard M/V Seaventure

20 days - 19 nights

Day 1 - Ushuaia: Arrival and briefing

Upon arrival in Ushuaia, the gateway to Antarctica, you will be welcomed at the airport and transferred to the elegant Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa, perched on a hill with panoramic views of the Beagle Channel and surrounded by the Cerro Alarkén Nature Reserve. In the unlikely event of unavailability, you will enjoy another of the city’s top luxury hotels. Once settled, you can relax in the resort’s top-notch facilities, including a heated pool, spa, gym, and private hiking trails, or spend the afternoon exploring Ushuaia’s charming streets, museums, craft shops, and cozy cafes.

In the evening, we invite you to an optional briefing where you will meet the expedition team, receive detailed information about the journey, and have the chance to chat with your future travel companions. It’s the perfect start to leave everyday life behind and immerse yourself in the adventurous spirit that will accompany you throughout the expedition.

Previous day - Briefing: This first night is included at the Arakur hotel or similar (subject to availability at time of booking). Breakfast, Wi-Fi, and business center included. Guided hiking excursions at Cerro Alarkén, transfers to Ushuaia’s town center, heated pool, and gym available.

Day 2 - Embarkation and first Antarctic experience

After a relaxed breakfast overlooking snow-capped peaks and the Beagle Channel, you’ll have the morning free for a last stroll around Ushuaia: wandering its picturesque streets, visiting the End of the World Museum or the Maritime Museum — housed in a historic former prison — or simply enjoying a coffee overlooking the harbor, where the atmosphere of great expeditions is already palpable.

In the afternoon, a private transfer will take you to the pier to begin embarkation aboard the expedition vessel. Stepping across the gangway onto the deck, you will feel the real adventure begin. Once aboard, you will settle into your cabin and receive safety and navigation briefings, while the team introduces the expedition staff and outlines the first activities. As the ship sets sail, it will slowly navigate the Beagle Channel, offering spectacular views of mountains and glaciers bathed in the ever-changing southern light. The day ends with the captain’s welcome dinner, a chance to toast your new travel companions and let excitement build for the journey ahead to Antarctica.

Days 3 to 4 - Crossing the Drake Passage

Over the next two days, the ship will venture through the legendary waters of the Drake Passage, the natural corridor connecting South America to Antarctica. This sea stretch, rich in history and challenges for early explorers, is also a sanctuary for marine life and a spectacle for navigation enthusiasts. Use these days at sea to learn from polar experts through lectures and presentations on the region’s wildlife, geology, and history. You can join the Citizen Science program, contributing to international projects studying seabirds, phytoplankton, and marine mammal behavior.

On deck, the fresh air and open horizon will provide the perfect setting to spot large albatrosses, petrels, and, with luck, whales surfacing. Between activities, enjoy the cozy common areas, relax with a coffee, or chat with your fellow travelers as excitement grows with every mile bringing you closer to the gateway of the white continent.

Day 5 - Falkland Islands

We will explore the Western Falkland Islands, an archipelago known for its rugged terrain and steep coastlines. We will visit colonies of rockhopper, king, and Magellanic penguins, as well as albatross settlements. These islands offer a unique natural spectacle, with pristine beaches and abundant biodiversity. Stanley, the largest island in the archipelago, is a lively hub situated in a sheltered harbor. Here, we will visit the Falkland Islands Museum, which houses fascinating exhibits dedicated to maritime exploration, natural history, and the 1982 Falklands War. We will also explore Gypsy Cove, part of Cape Pembroke Peninsula and a national nature reserve. This site is home to nesting Magellanic penguins, popularly known as “jackass penguins” due to their distinctive braying sound, which build their nests in underground burrows. Among the native birds we may observe are black-crowned night herons, long-tailed meadowlarks, two-banded plovers, and upland and kelp geese.

Days 6 to 7 - Southern Ocean

As we sail southward, we will enter the cold and mysterious waters of the Southern Ocean, a unique ecosystem surrounding Antarctica that hosts impressive biodiversity. During this stage, important lectures on environmental regulations and safety in polar expeditions will be held to ensure the protection of this fragile environment. Our expert scientists and environmentalists will share their knowledge about local wildlife, geological history, and the region’s ecological dynamics. On deck, we will observe a wide variety of seabirds, from majestic albatrosses to small petrels, as well as occasional sightings of whales and other marine mammals. This leg of the journey is a fascinating introduction to the polar world, setting the stage for the exciting explorations that await us on the white continent.

Days 8 to 11 - South Georgia Island

South Georgia, known as the “Serengeti of the Southern Ocean,” is a true natural paradise where wildlife unfolds on an astonishing scale. Here, tens of millions of penguins of various species, elephant seals, sea lions, and seabirds coexist in one of the largest breeding colonies in the southern hemisphere. The island is dominated by towering mountains that rise dramatically from the sea, surrounded by eternal glaciers and massive icebergs majestically floating in its waters. During our journey along the protected coastline, we will have the opportunity to land at iconic sites such as Salisbury Plain and Gold Harbour, renowned for their vast colonies of king penguins and elephant seals. These locations offer a close and respectful wildlife experience in an almost untouched environment.

Visiting the historic whaling station of Grytviken is one of the highlights of the trip. There, we will explore the old shipyard and museum documenting the whaling era, as well as pay tribute at the small grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton, one of Antarctica’s most legendary explorers, whose spirit of adventure and endurance continues to inspire generations. South Georgia impresses not only with its biodiversity and natural beauty but also with its profound historical and cultural legacy, blending wild nature with a living testimony of the polar exploration era.

Day 12 to 13 - Scotia Sea

As we venture further south into the Scotia Sea, the majesty of the polar landscape intensifies with increasingly large and numerous icebergs floating in these cold waters. During this stage of the expedition, we will continue with informative talks and presentations given by our experts, who will bring us closer to the fascinating natural history, geology, and biodiversity of the region. Wildlife observation will be constant, with many opportunities to spot seabirds adapted to this extreme environment, as well as marine mammals inhabiting these pristine waters. The Scotia Sea is a privileged prelude to the exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula, and every moment on deck will connect us more deeply with the beauty and fragility of the Antarctic ecosystem.

Day 14 to 17 - Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands

During this phase of the expedition, we will explore multiple bays and iconic ports of the Antarctic Peninsula, carefully navigating channels rich in icebergs that offer breathtakingly beautiful landscapes. This region is the vibrant heart of Antarctic wildlife, where we will observe a wide variety of penguins such as emperor, gentoo, chinstrap, and Adelie, as well as leopard and crabeater seals, and different species of whales that frequent its cold, pristine waters.

The South Shetland Islands, located north of the peninsula, are a volcanic archipelago covered by glaciers and home to important marine wildlife colonies. Here we will land to discover black sand beaches and volcanic rocks contrasting with the whiteness of the ice, and walk among noisy colonies of gentoo and chinstrap penguins, alongside skua flocks, imperial cormorants, and other seabirds. We may spot elephant seals resting on the shore, and if luck is on our side, even orcas and humpback whales hunting in nearby waters.

We will also visit historical sites and active scientific bases where researchers from different countries study the ecosystem and climate change in this key region of the planet. Each landing and zodiac or kayak excursion will offer a close and respectful perspective of this remote and wild environment, deepening our connection with Antarctic nature. This unique combination of natural beauty, abundant wildlife, and scientific heritage makes exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of the expedition.

Day 18 to 19 - Crossing the Drake Passage

We leave this magical place behind and begin the journey back north, crossing once again the legendary Drake Passage, considered one of the most challenging and iconic maritime passages in the world. During this final navigation stage, we will take a moment to reflect on the incredible adventure we have shared. We will celebrate the conclusion of the expedition together with a moving slideshow presentation gathering the most memorable and spectacular moments captured throughout the trip. To close with a flourish, we will enjoy a special farewell dinner, an opportunity to share experiences, toast new friends, and say goodbye to this unforgettable journey in the heart of the southern hemisphere.

Day 20 - Disembarkation in Ushuaia

With wide smiles and hearts full of unforgettable memories, we disembark on a quiet morning in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world and gateway to Patagonia. After an expedition full of unique experiences and spectacular landscapes, you will have the option to take your flight back to Buenos Aires or extend your stay to continue exploring this fascinating region. Ushuaia offers a unique mix of nature, culture, and adventure, with mountains, forests, and coasts inviting new explorations. Whether you choose to rest or keep discovering, this place will continue to surprise you with its magic and charm.