Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), (February 22 - March 14, 2002; Ushuaia to Ushuaia)

This remarkable voyage will follow in the wake of Sir Ernest Shackleton from Antarctica to Elephant Island and on to South Georgia. Based on many years of experience, the itinerary incorporates all of the best elements of an expedition to the White Continent and also the wildlife sanctuaries of the Subantarctic Islands. Designed for those wanting to experience the broadest possible range of wildlife sightings combined with a wide variety of landing sites and scenery, the schedule is similar to the voyage shown on the previous two pages although in reverse order. 

However, no two voyages are exactly the same so the itinerary outlined here is for your guidance only. The Captain and expedition leader will assess daily conditions and take full advantage of every opportunity to make landings with our Zodiacs, using the nearly continuous daylight to maximize time ashore.

Daily Itinerary

February 23 - Ushuaia
Today you are free to explore Ushuaia, the southernmost town in the world. Embark the Professor Multanovskiy in the afternoon, and sail for Antarctica.

February 24-25 - Drake Passage
Albatrosses, prions, Storm Petrels and other seabirds follow the ship as you cross this famous passage named after Sir Francis Drake, the 16th-century English navigator. We continue towards the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar waters sink beneath the warmer waters of the more temperate zones. Lectures by our team of specialists will help prepare you for the adventures that lie ahead. You will also attend safety briefings and familiarize yourself with the guidelines of conduct for visitors to Antarctica.

February 26-28 - Antarctic Peninsula
This area is of substantial historical interest and has been extensively explored by several expeditions during the last century. You will certainly feel the same sense of excitement as the early explorers, as you keep a lookout from the Bridge or other vantage points. You are likely to see Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, while orca, humpback and Minke whales are often spotted at close range. Your first sighting of Antarctica could be the Melchior Islands in Dallman Bay, an area noted for feeding whales. We plan to visit Gentoo Penguin rookeries at places like Cuverville Island and Port Lockroy, where bleached whale bones commemorate its time as a favorite anchorage of the whalers. Cruising the Neumayer Channel we enjoy extraordinary vistas of Anvers Island.

We sail into Paradise Harbor on the Danco Coast where a series of huge glaciers flow into quiet waters. Our Zodiacs take us along rugged cliffs with Cape Petrels, Blue-eyed Shags and Kelp Gulls. We keep watch for humpback whales and groups of crabeater seals on the ice and land at Almirante Brown, an Argentine research station located on the continent. We also plan to navigate the spectacular Lemaire Channel, a narrow passage between towering rock faces and glaciers of the mainland's coast. We attempt to land on Petermann Island where the French explorer, Jean-Baptiste Charcot, overwintered in 1909 aboard his vessel 'Pourquoi Pas'? Gentoo Penguins, skuas and Blue-eyed Shags can be observed close to the landing site.

March 1-3 - South Shetland & South Orkney Islands
Heading for the South Shetland Islands landings may include Livingston Island with its concentrated assembly of Antarctic wildlife, and Deception Island, notable for its volcanic activity. Sailing through the narrow passage into its huge, flooded caldera is a thrilling experience. During these days we will also attempt to land on Elephant Island where Sir Ernest Shackleton and his men finally found land after their ship, the 'Endurance', sank in the Weddell Sea in 1915. Weather and ice conditions permitting, we hope to continue to Coronation Island in the rarely-visited South Orkney archipelago, noted for its many grounded icebergs sculpted by wind and weather into a multitude of different shapes, and its wild scenery of mountains and glaciers.

March 4 - Scotia Sea
The lecturers set the scene for the days ahead as the ship heads northeast to the island of South Georgia. Classified as a nature reserve and administered by the Governor of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), the island serves as a beacon for countless thousands of birds and mammals seeking appropriate breeding grounds. Permissions, weather and sea conditions will determine specific landing sites.

March 5-8 - South Georgia
Officially a Subantarctic Island but sharing many of the biological characteristics of Antarctica, South Georgia has no permanent inhabitants and is viewed by many as one of the most beautiful places on earth. It has awe-inspiring scenery, with 7,000-foot mountains and mighty glaciers, but also grassy areas, deep fjords and beaches. South Georgia is home to some 300,000 elephant seals, millions of fur seals, and 25 species of breeding birds, including Wandering Albatrosses, colorful King Penguins and millions of Macaroni Penguins. But the island also played a significant role in the story of Shackleton's epic journey after the sinking of his ship, the 'Endurance'. 

It was here, in the whaling station of Stromness, that he finally arrived after a harrowing voyage in a small boat from Elephant Island across the Scotia Sea and over the never-before-climbed mountain range of South Georgia. We visit his grave at Grytviken, a once-active whaling station, now home to a small British military garrison. At this time of the year the elephant and fur seals will have completed their breeding activities so the territorial behavior of males is much reduced, making landing sites easier to access. Besides the eternally exciting penguins, look for flying birds which include several species of albatrosses and the South Georgia Pintail.

March 9-10 - Southern Ocean
Depending on conditions two days are spent at sea as you sail west. Besides watching for seabirds and whales, this is a good opportunity to attend the briefings on the history and wildlife of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas).

March 11-12 - Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
This afternoon we hope to anchor off Stanley, the charming capital of these remote South Atlantic Islands, dominated by a 19th-century Anglican cathedral. You will enjoy strolling the streets and visiting the small, but excellent museum. Exploring the outer islands, we land on Carcass Island, home to a great variety of shorebirds, Flightless Steamer Ducks, Magellanic and Gentoo Penguins and a colony of the rare Black-crowned Night Herons. Peale's and Commerson's dolphins are often seen along the coast. On West Point Island, the highlights are superb colonies of Black-browed Albatrosses which nest side by side with feisty Rockhopper Penguins. On these islands you will also appreciate the opportunity to walk on the rolling moorland and meet the hospitable island owners.

March 13 - At Sea
A last day at sea to discuss the excitement of the expedition with the lecturers and your fellow shipmates while the ship heads west towards Ushuaia.

March 14 - Ushuaia
After breakfast we disembark and transfer by bus to the exit of the port which is centrally located in town. Continue independently to the airport for your flight* back home.

*Airfare is not included in the program. Some group flights are available on request.  Please note: Read this itinerary as a guide only; our exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife we encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition.