Travel Scandinavia Baltic Tours Antarctica Expedition Cruises

Spectacular landing sites on the Falkland Islands and encounters with black-browed albatrosses and rockhopper pinguins. This voyage includes seven full days on South Georgia, probably the most beautiful place on earth! Be prepared for ten thousands of king penguins and their chicks, sea lions on the beaches, elephant seals, wandering albatrosses and Gentoo penguins and great historical sites including the trails of Ernest Shackleton.

Itinerary

EMBARKATION AND DEPARTURE FROM PUERTO MADRYN

In the afternoon, we embark in Puerto Madryn and sail towards the Falkland Islands. Golfo Nuevo is world renowned for their visiting Southern Right whales and we have a good chance to see them as we head towards Open Ocean.

The ship is followed by several species of albatrosses, storm petrels, shearwaters and diving petrels.

We spend this day in the Western parts of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). If the weather conditions are good, we plan a landing on the rarely visited Steeple Jason Island on which the largest Black-browed albatross colony in the world is located (app. 113.000). A true expedition landing. As an alternative, we would take a walk along the Coast of Carcass Island. Here we may encounter breeding Magellanic and Gentoo penguins, but also numerous waders and passerine birds are present. On Saunders Island, we can see the majestic Black-browed albatross and their sometimes-clumsy landings near their nesting site along with breeding Imperial shags and Rock hopper penguins. King penguins, Magellanic penguins, and Gentoo penguins are also present here.

In Stanley, the capital of the Falklands, we can experience Falkland culture, which has some South American characteristics as well as Victorian charm, colourful houses, well-tended gardens, and English style pubs. In Stanley and the surrounding area, we can see quite a number of stranded clippers from a century ago. They bear witness to the hardships of sailors in the 19th Century. The small, but very interesting museum is well worth a visit featuring 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 are not included.

On our way to South Georgia we will cross the Antarctic Convergence. Entering Antarctic currents, the temperature will drop considerably in the time span of only a few hours. Nutritious water is brought to the surface by the colliding water columns, which brings a multitude of seabirds near the ship: several species of albatrosses,s hearwaters, petrels, prions and skuas.

An exciting expedition with two adventure options: the normal sea voyage for “sea explorers” (with zodiac excursions and hiking options) and a land expedition for “ski explorers”.

The sea explorers will explore the coastlines of the Island while at the same time the ski explorers will 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 (only during voyage PLA21): A group of up to 12 ski explorers and 2-3 mountain guides will attempt to traverse on an unsupported and self-supplied trek across the island with skis hauling pulkas (sledges) weighing 20-30kg. The skiers will cover a total distance of 40-50 km retracing sections of the historic Shackleton route, which he covered in incredible 36 hours.

On arrival day at King Haakon Bay, the expedition members will spend their first night further inland. The expedition will then embark on their 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 will then continue to enjoy the latter part of the South Georgia cruise itinerary.

Sea voyage: The sea explorers who remain on board will 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. The same day, Plancius, will attempt a visit to Cape Rosa, where we hope to make a landing. Shackleton’s James Caird landed at Cape Rosa after an epic 16 days voyage from Elephant Island. Truly a historic day!

The ship will be positioned around the Northwest corner of South Georgia. One of many highlights is a visit to 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 Harbour 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. Watch the incredible spectacle of large 4 ton bull’s keep a constant vigil and occasionally fight over territories of dozens of females who have just given birth or are just about to deliver. The beaches are packed with Elephant seals! -

In Fortuna Bay, the ship will most likely re-unite with the ski explorers. King penguins and seals inhabit the beaches. Both, sea explorers and ski explorers can follow the final section of Shackleton’s route to Stromness, the abandoned whaling village. The route leads us across the mountain pass past the “Shackleton Waterfall”. The terrain is partly swampy and some small streams may be crossed along the way (hiking boots are sturdy rubber boots recommended). There will also be opportunities for walkers in the group to hike at Godthul and Gold Harbour. Hikes will be guided and vary in length with approx. 2 – 4 hours. All hiking excursions are subject to weather and landing site availability.

At Grytviken, we will also see an abandoned whaling station, where King penguins now walk in the streets and Elephant seals have taken residency. Here we will also offer a visit to the Whaling History Museum as well as to Shackleton’s grave nearby.

During the next few days, the expedition will explore the beaches of Ocean Harbour, Godthul, Cobblers Cove, Gold Harbour, Drygalski Fjord, Larsen Harbour, Cooper Bay, St. Andrews Bay, Possession Bay, Right Whale Bay and Elsehul. The sites that we visit give us a good opportunity to see a wide spectrum of landscapes and wildlife, like King and Macaroni penguins, Light-mantled Sooty albatrosses, Antarctic Fur seals, and Elephant seals.

The ship is again followed by a multitude of seabirds. At some point, we might encounter sea-ice, and it is at the ice-edge where we might have a chance to see some high-Antarctic species like the McCormick skua and Snow petrel. -

We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark after breakfast. - See more at: http://www.oceanwide-expeditions.com/trips/trip/pla21-15-falkland-islands-south-georgia/itinerary/#sthash.BDnKlEfV.dpuf

Notes