Once in a Lifetime
This unparalleled journey combines history with the “jewel in the crown” South Georgia.
| Start date | End date | Days |
Prices from
ex. flights |
Boat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21/12/23 | 10/01/24 | 21 days | £18,295 | Greg Mortimer | Reserve place |
| 27/12/23 | 18/01/24 | 23 days | £21,895 | Sylvia Earle | Reserve place |
| 17/01/24 | 05/02/24 | 21 days | £18,295 | Greg Mortimer | Reserve place |
This in-depth exploration of the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island and Antarctica is an extraordinary option for expedition cruising.
A memorable wildlife-centric sailing voyage that travels to some of the planet’s most isolated islands, as well as the coveted White Continent. Navigate between highly remote locations and witness little-seen ecosystems – welcome to “the most staggering wildlife show on Earth.”
Cruising on either the Greg Mortimer, Sylvia Earle or MS Seaventure the itinerary and duration of your trip may vary slightly, dependent on departure date.
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Key Highlights of this Itinerary
2
Antarctic Explorers
Visit Shackleton’s final resting place and learn about his fellow explorers.
900,000 King Penguins
Walk amongst the hundreds of thousands of king penguins that inhabit South Georgia.
Low Energy Expeditionary Vessel
Small enough to venture where others simply can’t.
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Day 1
Ushuaia
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Day 2
Embarkation
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Days 3 - 4
Drake Passage Crossing
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Days 5 - 7
South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
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Day 8
Elephant Island
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Days 9 - 10
Scotia Sea
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Days 11 - 15
South Georgia
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Days 16 - 18
At Sea
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Day 19
The Falkland Islands
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Day 20
At Sea
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Day 21
Ushuaia
Day 1
Ushuaia
Arrive in Ushuaia. Situated on the southern shore of Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia is the most southerly city in the world. Transfer to your accommodation.
Day 2
Embarkation
Spend the morning exploring Ushuaia before transferring to the pier to board your boat and set sail.
Days 3 - 4
Drake Passage Crossing
Head south across the Drake Passage, a true right of passage. Begin to spot wildlife as seabirds including albatross and giant petrels follow the boat. Nearing the South Shetland Islands and the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula on the afternoon of day four, icebergs will begin to appear and time permitting a first landing may be attempted.
Days 5 - 7
South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
Arrive on the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. The team will choose the best activities based on the weather, wildlife and ice conditions. Zodiac excursions will be twice daily, either landing ashore to explore on foot or joining the wildlife on the water.
Day 8
Elephant Island
Set course for Elephant Island and learn the story of Shackleton and his men. Weather permitting, attempt a notoriously challenging landing at Wild Point.
Days 9 - 10
Scotia Sea
Cross the Scotia Sea towards South Georgia, following the route that Shackleton and five of his men took.
Days 11 - 15
South Georgia
First sighted by Captain James Cook in 1775, the island attracts an astounding concentration of wildlife and is viewed by many as one of the most inspiring places on earth. Landings amongst thousands of king penguins, visiting historic whaling stations and historic sites.
Days 16 - 18
At Sea
Sail in the company of albatross, petrels and whales heading to the Falklands Malvinas.
Day 19
The Falkland Islands
Visit black browed albatross and Macaroni penguin colonies along with the quaint capital Stanley with its fascinating museum.
Day 20
At Sea
Sail towards Ushuaia.
Day 21
Ushuaia
Arrive back in Ushuaia for onward travel.
JEWEL IN THE CROWN
South Georgia Island
Despite its 3,000-metre towering mountains that are permanently covered in snow and ice, the real highlight of South Georgia Island is its wildlife – there are over 50 million seabirds, 5 million seals and 4 million penguin pairs. From rare rockhopper penguins and distinctive fur seals to lazing elephant seals and weaving skuas, there is no shortage of phenomenal wildlife thriving in this glacial region. The jewel in the crown of South Georgia’s biodiversity is the nearly million-strong population of king penguins that survive here in staggering abundance.
WONDERS OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC
Falkland Islands
These windswept and isolated islands are home to over 60 species of breeding birds, including the great numbers of rock hopper penguins and black browed albatross whose colonies are easily accessible. The surrounding waters are home to Peale’s and Commerson’s dolphins, along with Orca. After visiting the church and museum, sip a tipple in a colourful English pub in the Falkland’s capital of Stanley.
CAMP ON ICE, KAYAK TO ICEBERGS
Walk on the White Continent
Off-ship, days are spent cruising ice-clogged channels by zodiac on the lookout for seals, whales and interesting icebergs. Landings are also a major part of the experience and, for many, setting foot on the white content is the ultimate travel experience. It is also possible to camp out on the ice, kayak to icebergs and see abandoned whaling stations and modern-day research stations. Visit the Ukrainian Vernadsky Station; receive a warm welcome from the station crew and toast to Antarctica.
LIFE ON BOARD AN ANTARCTIC VESSEL
Days at Sea
Time spent on the high seas is spent whale-spotting, trying to capture photographs of abundant pelagic birdlife that follow the ship and simply revelling in the remarkable and seemingly endless scenery. In addition, a variety of informal lectures given by the expert expedition staff cover subjects such as polar exploration, photography, marine biology and environmental issues. After following the path of the great polar explorers through the notorious Drake Passage, you will be able to experience the real thrill of expedition cruising.
How does this holiday make a positive impact?
- Relevant SDGs
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Travel is a great educator. Get hands on with the Citizen Science Program supporting research facilities and providing invaluable data to the scientific community. This could be anything from counting penguins and taking ocean samples to cloud mapping or taking photo identification images for the whale data bank. An enriching experience offering a new perspective to your travels.
The Greg Mortimer features an innovative X-BOW® design enabling it to pierce waves with more stability than a traditional shaped bow. As well as resulting in a smoother voyage this technology also means the Greg Mortimer has a higher transit speed thus producing fewer emissions and overall lower fuel consumption.
The Sylvia Earle, is named after the renowned marine biologist, oceanographer and explorer Dr. Sylvia Earle, with each of the vessel’s public decks bearing the names of six other pioneering female conservationists. Leading the way in global conservation initiatives this deck theming aims to educate guests on these extraordinary women who work tirelessly to make the world a better place.
Learn more about the UN's 17 sustainability goals
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Other available dates
For further information about any of these tours please call 01285 880 980
| Start date | End date | Days |
Prices from
ex. flights |
Boat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21/12/23 | 10/01/24 | 21 days | £18,295 | Greg Mortimer | Reserve place |
| 27/12/23 | 18/01/24 | 23 days | £21,895 | Sylvia Earle | Reserve place |
| 17/01/24 | 05/02/24 | 21 days | £18,295 | Greg Mortimer | Reserve place |
| 13/03/24 | 02/04/24 | 21 days | £18,695 | Greg Mortimer | Reserve place |
| 01/11/24 | 21/11/24 | 21 days | £17,099 | MS Seaventure | Reserve place |
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Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
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