Spirit of Shackleton
21 days from Ushuaia to Ushuaia
From $ 17299
Duration21 days

Experience vast penguin rookeries and seal colonies on this awe-inspiring voyage to Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands. This 21-day voyage illuminates Ernest Shackleton’s legend and recounts his courageous exploration of Antarctica. You’ll visit historical sites of past explorers, as well as Shackleton’s final resting place — the wildlife-rich island of South Georgia. Antarctica is beyond comprehension and sure to amaze any traveller seeking a true adventure to the world’s most remote wilderness.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 21 days
  • Starts in: Ushuaia
    Physical Grading: Light
  • Ends in: Ushuaia
    Ages: 12+
Spirit of Shackleton - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Ushuaia

Start place: Ushuaia

Arrive in Ushuaia at any time. Arrival transfer included. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the world's most southerly city. There will be a welcome desk in the lobby of the start hotel that will provide more specific information on the G Expedition and your upcoming adventure.

Please note that the first night in Ushuaia is on twin share basis. If you're travelling solo or have an odd number of travellers in your group and have not purchased a private cabin, you will be paired with another solo traveller of the same gender.

End place: Ushuaia

Day 2: Ushuaia/Beagle Channel

Start place: Ushuaia

Enjoy a free morning in Ushuaia. Do any last minute shopping, explore the town, or visit the surrounding countryside. Embarkation on the G Expedition begins in the afternoon at the port in Ushuaia. Enjoy the evening sailing through the Beagle Channel. Expedition travel can be full of surprises! While it is our intention of adhere to the itinerary described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. On the first day onboard, the Expedition Leader will give an expedition overview outlining what the specific plans are for the trip. Opt to pre-book the "Tierra del Fuego National Park Visit" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional on your tour.
Meals: B, D
Day 3: Beagle Channel/Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
On the passage east visit the common areas that include the lounge, dining hall, library and lecture hall and meet the guides, ship’s crew and lecturers.

Begin the lectures and information sessions to learn the extraordinary human and natural history of the Antarctic region.
As the G Expedition makes passage east, become acquainted with the ship. Begin lectures and information sessions about the extraordinary human and natural history of the Antarctic region.

End place: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Meals: B, L, D
Day 4-5: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)/Southern Ocean

Start place: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Catch our first glimpses of penguins, including the Magellanic, rockhopper, gentoo, and king penguins. With a little luck, spot elephant seals, sea lions, king cormorants, black-browed albatross, skuas, night herons, giant petrels, striated caracaras and of course sheep.
The Falkland Islands provide a rare opportunity to witness the biological diversity and extraordinary scenery of the southern islands. Penguins are abundant here, and the Falklands have the largest black-browed albatross colony in the world. In Stanley, meet the hardy local inhabitants whose colourful houses provide contrast to the long, dark winters.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6-7: Southern Ocean/South Georgia
Sailing east, set course for South Georgia. Days at sea are filled with lectures to prepare for landings. Watch for the many whales that inhabit these waters.

End place: South Georgia

Meals: B, L, D
Day 8-11: South Georgia/Scotia Sea

Start place: South Georgia

Weather permitting, four full days will be spent exploring this island. On nearby islands look out for the wandering albatross in their nesting grounds.
Home to many interesting sights (including the grave of polar explorer Ernest Shackleton), South Georgia has several former whaling stations and boasts plenty of wildlife. Visiting a huge colony of king penguins is a major highlight of this part of the journey. Weather permitting, spend four full days exploring the island.

End place: Scotia Sea

Meals: B, L, D
Day 12-13: Scotia Sea/Tierra de O'Higgins, Península

Start place: Scotia Sea

These waters are rich with nutrients and the long summer days provide the ingredient that is missing most of the year. The result is a complex food chain topped by several species of whales, seals, and seabirds.
Sail for two days, retracing Shackleton's route backwards on course towards Elephant Island and the Antarctic Peninsula.

End place: Tierra de O'Higgins, Peninsula

Meals: B, L, D
Day 14-18: Tierra de O'Higgins, Península/Drake Passage

Start place: Tierra de O'Higgins, Peninsula

Finally a chance to step foot on the Great White Continent! Over the next four days, the Expedition will navigate southwards making stops in the South Shetland Islands then through the Bransfield Strait and to the Antarctic Peninsula.

Our goal is to attempt two excursions per day while we navigate through the area but our itinerary and daily schedule will be based on the local weather and ice conditions that we encounter.

The Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands abound with wildlife activity. Take a chance to visit scientists working in modern research bases, with plenty of time to enjoy the sheer beauty and the breathtaking scenery of ice-choked waterways, blue and white icebergs, impressive glaciers and rugged snow-capped mountains.

The Peninsula also has a remarkable history and, during the voyage, opt to learn about some of the most important and dramatic expeditions to this remote corner of the world.
Experience some of the most unique wildlife and awe-inspiring scenery in the world while setting foot on the Antarctic continent. Attempt two shore landings per day (weather permitting), and encounter Gentoo, Chinstrap, and Adélie penguin rookeries; Weddell, crabeater, and leopard seals; and orca, humpback, and minke whales in the cold Antarctic waters. The peninsula also has a remarkable human history.

End place: Drake Passage

Meals: B, L, D
Day 19-20: Drake Passage/Ushuaia

Start place: Drake Passage

Heading north across the Drake Passage, spend two days enjoying the beauty of the sea while sailing for Ushuaia. In between bird watching, whale watching, and enjoying some final lectures by our expedition staff, this is a chance to relax and review the adventures of the past week before returning to Ushuaia.

Remember, the best way to experience the wildlife of the Drake Passage is to be on deck keeping a look out for Albatross, Prions, and Whales!
Reflect on a memorable adventure and take in some final lectures en route back to Ushuaia. Keep a careful lookout for a last chance to spot whales.

End place: Ushuaia

Meals: B, L, D
Day 21: Ushuaia

Start place: Ushuaia

Our adventure comes to a close. Have a final breakfast on the ship before saying goodbyes before disembarking in Ushuaia in the morning.
Disembark in the morning.

End place: Ushuaia

Meals: B

Inclusions

Included

  • 19 nts aboard the G Expedition
  • 1 nt hotel in Ushuaia, on a twin share basis
  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Zodiac excursions with our expert expedition team
  • Lectures and educational programs
  • Waterproof boots supplied for USA sizes 4 - 16
  • Expedition parka
  • Transport

    G Expedition, Zodiac, Private bus, Walking
  • Accommodation

    Twin-share hotel (1 nt), Aboard the G Expedition in quad-, Triple-, Twin-share cabins, Or suites (all with en suite bathrooms and porthole or window, 19 nts) Please note that all cabins consist of twin-size berths and are ocean-facing Suites have one queen-size bed

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