Travel Scandinavia Baltic Tours Antarctica Expedition Cruises

   
 
 

In Shackletons Footsteps Cruise

South Georgia & Weddell Sea Cruise

20 Days / 12 locations in Argentina, Antarctica, Chile, South Shetland, South Orkney, South Georgia, and Falkland Islands

Celebrating one of the greatest survival stories in Antarctic exploration, these two voyages take you into the wild Weddell Sea, where Ernest Shackleton planned to start a daring feat – the first crossing of Antarctica. We follow in his wake, albeit in comfort and safety, to Elephant Island and South Georgia, shining a light on his heroic voyage.

The Weddell Sea offers huge glaciers that pour down between the mountains from the polar plateau, and plates of ice the size of city blocks cover the ocean’s surface. We attempt to visit fossil-rich islands, wildlife havens, remnants of historic explorers’ huts, and even land on the Antarctic continent itself.

On South Georgia's windswept islands we see some of the world’s greatest wildlife sanctuaries. Famed for its abandoned whaling stations and Shackleton’s epic journey across the island's center, South Georgia is home to millions of fur seals and penguins, wallows of elephant seals, herds of reindeer and nesting albatross.

Optional Alpine Crossing

On this voyages, a small band of adventurous souls will attempt to repeat the epic crossing of Ernest Shackleton and trek for up to three days from King Haakon Bay to Stromness. The crossing distance is 35 to 50 kilometres depending on the route, and involves crossing large, heavily crevassed glaciers and alpine passes. Experience in crevassed alpine terrain is essential.

Itinerary

 
Day 1     Ushuaia
On Board the Polar Pioneer
Meals: Dinner

Step aboard in the late afternoon to a cordial welcome, introductory briefing and an evening departure along the Beagle Channel. Settle into your homely cabin, explore the ship and enjoy a drink with your shipmates.

 
Day 2     Drake Passage - Beagle Channel
On Board the Polar Pioneer
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Tune into the Southern Ocean as we cross Drake Passage. Our naturalist and historian inform us about Antarctica and the weeks ahead. Safety and environmental briefings prepare us for landings, while the outer decks and flying bridge offer the best vantage points for photography and wildlife viewing.

 
Day 3     Drake Passage - South Shetland Islands
On Board the Polar Pioneer
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

The temperature plummets as we cross the biological boundary of the Antarctic Convergence. Cormorants, penguins and seals mark our approach to the South Shetland Islands, where we may well land.

 
Days 4 - 6     Antarctic Peninsula
On Board the Polar Pioneer
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Sail through Antarctic Sound with its spectacular iceberg parade, and into the Weddell Sea. Along the way we may set foot on the Antarctic continent, watch for whales and seals in a sea of abundance, and visit magnificent penguins rookeries at the Antarctic Peninsula’s northern end. In the Weddell Sea we begin to trace Shackleton’s path.

 
Day 7     Antarctic Peninsula - Elephant Island
On Board the Polar Pioneer
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Approaching the steep slopes of Elephant Island, home to 22 of Shackleton’s men for four months, we hope for a clear view of the spot where the men wintered beneath upturned boats. With luck we go ashore to pay tribute to these hardy souls.

 
Day 8     South Orkney Islands - Antarctic Peninsula
On Board the Polar Pioneer
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Following in Shackleton’s wake, we sail across the Scotia Sea, we may detour to the remote, mountainous South Orkney Islands. Zodiac cruise through a maze of icebergs, landing at a beach decorated with autumnal-hued lichen-encrusted boulders.

 
Day 9     At Sea
On Board the Polar Pioneer
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Time to reflect on all we’ve seen and learned, to prepare for the next phase of our journey as we continue across the Scotia Sea.

 
Day 10     South Georgia
On Board the Polar Pioneer
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

We enter King Haakon Bay on South Georgia’s southern coast and may make a ceremonial landing at Cave Cove, Shackleton’s first landfall after his epic open boat voyage. We farewell our alpine crossing party here as they begin their own adventurous journey through the crevassed terrain of the island’s interior.

 
Days 11 - 13     South Georgia - Grytviken
On Board the Polar Pioneer
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

While the alpine party crosses the mountains and passes of South Georgia, the shipboard party explores the bays and promontories, reveling in the island’s extraordinary diversity of wildlife. We are spoiled for choice of landings: the world’s largest penguin rookeries, wandering albatross on nests, beaches of elephant and fur seals, and Grytviken’s whaling museum vie for our attention. You may choose to hike from Fortuna to Stromness, whose whaling station marked the ending of Shackleton’s arduous island crossing.

 
Days 14 - 16     At Sea
On Board the Polar Pioneer
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Back to the Scotia Sea for a relaxing interlude. We continue our Antarctic education and wildlife watching en route to the Falkland Islands.

 
Day 17     Stanley - Falkland Islands
On Board the Polar Pioneer
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Stanley, the Falklands undeniably British capital, features an excellent museum, post office, picturesque houses, welcoming shops and pubs. We will spend the morning exploring the beautiful capital of the Falkland Islands.

 
Day 18     Falkland Islands
On Board the Polar Pioneer
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Sea Lion Island offers a welcome opportunity to stretch our legs. Amongst a treasure trove of birdlife, Falkland Island steamer ducks and Magellanic penguins enliven walks through the tussock. There are cliff tops to explore, birds and southern sea lions to watch.

 
Day 19     At Sea
On Board the Polar Pioneer
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Prions, petrels and albatross accompany us on the last leg of our voyage as we swap photos and stories and reflect on shared adventures.

 
Day 20     Beagle Channel - Ushuaia
Meals: Breakfast

In the wee hours we sail up the Beagle Channel to dock in Ushuaia. A hearty breakfast and fond farewell prepare us for leave-taking and the next leg of our respective journeys.

 

Notes

Fuel surcharge may apply in the event of significant fuel price increases.

Please note that all of our itineraries are at the mercy of weather conditions and not all landings are guaranteed. Our itineraries are flexible and will change voyage to voyage, allowing the best chance to make the most of surprising wildlife displays and unexpected opportunities.

Price Includes
Accommodations in Select Cabin Category
All Meals
Shore Excursions
Conferences and Shipboard Entertainment
Medical Services Onboard
Tax and Port Charges
Pre-Departure Information and Briefing
Price Does Not Include
 Optional Kayaking - $1295
 Optional Alpine Crossing - $1250
AUR-1269
1.28.15.WP26