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Home Cruises Ultimate Antarctica, South Georgia & Falkland Islands

Antarctica

Ultimate Antarctica, South Georgia & Falkland Islands

  • TAILOR-MADE
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Duration

21 Days

Prices Start from

£12,400 (ex. flights)

An extraordinary option for expedition cruising, this in-depth exploration of the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island and Antarctica. 

A memorable wildlife-centric sailing voyage that travels to some of the planet’s most isolated islands as well as the coveted White Continent. Navigating between highly remote locations and witnessing little-seen ecosystems, welcome to “the most staggering wildlife show on Earth.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Icebergs, Antarctica 1

Once in a Lifetime

This unparalleled journey combines history with the “jewel in the crown” South Georgia.

The grave of Shackleton 2

Antarctic Explorers

Visit Shackleton’s final resting place and learn about his fellow explorers.

King Penguins, Antarctica 3

900,000 King Penguins

Walk amongst the hundreds of thousands of king penguins that inhabit South Georgia.

Sea Explorer, Amongst icebergs, Antarctica 4

Expeditionary Vessels

Travel aboard one of our selection of comfortable ice-strengthened expedition vessels.

On a most of our voyages you can get hands on with the citizen science projects to give whole new perspective on your travels. Gathering critical on-site data on a regular basis is a virtually impossible task for individuals and groups wanting to study the region so taking advantage of the vessels that regularly pass through the same region through their season data can be collected on a regular basis.  This may be anything from counting penguins and taking ocean samples to cloud mapping or taking photo identification images for the whale data bank.

Explore our suggested itinerary

Have you always wanted to explore Antarctica? Talk to our experts about tailoring this trip for you.

Map View List View

  • Day 1

    Ushuaia

  • Day 2

    At sea

    Setting sail prepare for the landings and adventures to come with a variety of talks and lectures.

  • Days 3 - 4

    Falkland Islands

  • Days 5 - 6

    At Sea

    Sail in the company of albatross, petrels and whales heading across the Scotia sea.

  • Day 7 - 10

    South Georgia

  • Days 11 - 12

    At Sea

    Sail south passing through the Antarctic convergence towards the great white continent.

  • Days 13 - 18

    South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula

  • Days 19 - 20

    Drake Passage

  • Day 21

    Ushuaia

Day 1

Ushuaia

Catamaran boats in the Ushuaia harbour port, Tierra del Fuego province in Argentina

Situated on the southern shore of Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia is the most southerly city in the world.

Day 2

At sea

Icebergs, Antarctica

This unparalleled journey combines history with wildlife and the “jewel in the crown” South Georgia.

Days 3 - 4

Falkland Islands

Visiting black browed albatross and Macaroni penguin colonies along with the quaint capital Stanley with is fascinating museum.

Days 5 - 6

At Sea

Day 7 - 10

South Georgia

Elephant seals amongst king penguins

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 11 - 12

At Sea

Days 13 - 18

South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula

Visit penguin numerous colonies, research stations and land on the seventh continent.

Days 19 - 20

Drake Passage

Leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage, a true right of passage, back to Ushuaia.

Day 21

Ushuaia

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

Speak to our experts
Macaroni Penguins, Falkland Islands
Macaroni Penguins, Falkland Islands
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.

Elephant Seals, South Georgia
Elephant Seals, South Georgia
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 are the nearly million-strong population of king penguins that survive here in staggering abundance.

Walking with Penguins, Antarctica
Walking with Penguins, Antarctica
Camp on Ice, Kayak to Icebergs

Walk 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 in the world. It is also possible to camp out on the ice, kayak to icebergs, see abandoned whaling stations and modern-day research stations. Visit the Ukrainian Vernadsky Station to receive a warm welcome from the station crew and toast to Antarctica.

Greg Mortimer, Antarctica
Antarctica
Life Onboard 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 – when not eating or sleeping, venture out for long, adrenaline-packed days on land or in a zodiac.

Start planning your trip

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Enquire

Sue’s extensive first-hand knowledge of Antarctica was so apparent from our first phone call. She was able to help us select the ideal route and vessel for our needs, and with her guidance we were able to see the emperor penguins!

Destination: Antarctica
Travel Expert: Sue

Sue forewarned us that there would be no words to describe South Georgia and that our photos wouldn’t do it justice, and how right she was. All we can say is “see for yourself”. Thank you, Sue, for your indispensable advice.

Destination: Antarctica
Travel Expert: Sue

We were blown away by Sue’s in-depth knowledge of everything from endemic species to the history of Shackleton and his men. No question we had went unanswered, and no little detail was missed.

Destination: Antarctica
Travel Expert: Sue

Sue's in-depth knowledge of Antarctica, the route options and each of the vessels was invaluable in our preparation for the trip and was a strong differentiator when we were choosing a travel agent. When talking with Sue, we quickly got an honest perspective.

Destination: Antarctica
Travel Expert: Sue

Both telephone and e-mail responses were excellent and all of Sue's expert advice was very much appreciated. She was prompt, supportive and engaging throughout and our expedition to Antarctica was spectacular.

Destination: Antarctica
Travel Expert: Sue

Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

Magellan Explorer £££££

The 100 passenger Magellan Explorer launched in December 2019 specialising in fly cruise itineraries to Antarctica. During Antarctic fly cruise itineraries the ship will operate with a maximum of 73 passengers. Specific measures have been taken to minimize Magellan Explorer’s carbon footprint, including state-of-the-art low emission engines.

View Boat

Hebridean Sky £££££

Re-launched in early 2016 having undergone a comprehensive refit and upgrade, Hebridean Sky is a 295-foot-long expedition ship that accommodates up to 112 passengers. With the addition of 10 zodiacs and a state-of-the-art stabilization system, a well-stocked library with computers and internet access and a lounge with panoramic views, there is plenty of outdoor deck space and a panoramic top deck observation platform. The suites all offer exterior views, en-suite facilities and a sitting area along with ample storage.

View Boat

Ocean Adventurer £££££

  • Russian Arctic

Originally built in 1976 in Yugoslavia, Ocean Adventurer underwent extensive upgrades as part of a multi-million pound renovation in 2017. On this nimble, ice-strengthened vessel, facilities include a well-stocked library, a lounge area, a gym and observation decks. With major technical enhancements, including two new Rolls Royce engines, to increase fuel efficiency and minimise carbon footprint, Ocean Adventurer has the capacity to carry 128 passengers across 63 cabins. Ship-to-shore satellite communications allow for email and wireless internet access, and a stocked library houses a large collection of polar books.

View Boat

Ocean Endeavour £££££

  • Canada

Launched in 1982 as a purpose-built vessel for remote environments, Ocean Endeavour boasts a 1B ice-class that enables her to navigate freely throughout the Arctic summer. At 453-foot-long, she is a stable and spacious vessel with a shallow draft and impressive manoeuvrability that allows her to access isolated fjords, bays and secluded communities. Accommodating up to 199 passengers, Ocean Endeavour has cabins arranged over multiple decks and offers outdoor dining spaces, a swimming pool, a sauna, a hot tub and three lounges.

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Greg Mortimer £££££

  • Greenland

Launched in October 2019, the Greg Mortimer is a purpose-built expedition vessel that features a revolutionary X-Bow design. One of the most dynamic and state of the art ships on the seas, it is designed to slice through the water rather than riding over the waves making for comfortable and fast travels through the polar seas.

View Boat

Plancius £££££

  • Antarctica

Built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy she was fully refurbished after her decommission to become a very comfortable, but not luxurious, 108 passenger expedition vessel. The cabins all have television screens that alert passengers to wildlife sightings, and there is a superb observation lounge along with a bar that offer spectacular views. Equipped with kayaks, ten zodiacs and eight expedition leaders, guests can embark on anything from show shoeing expeditions and mountaineering trips.

View Boat

Ortelius £££££

  • Antarctica

Originally built in Poland in 1989 as an ice-strengthened passenger vessel, the 298-foot-long Ortelius spent many years plying the frozen waters of the Arctic and Northern Pacific before being totally refurbished in 2005. Sleeping a total of 108 passengers, the vessel provides comfortable (but not luxurious) cabins that range from quads to suites, each with a private bathroom. She carries a fleet of zodiacs for landings, and on some Antarctic departures helicopters are even used.

View Boat

A note on price

Prices vary throughout the season and depending on the departure dates, ship and cabin type that you book.  The early season departures in November and December will be lower in cost than those in January and February. Your travel expert will advise you of the full details of inclusions, cabin types, seasons and wildlife sightings.

Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.

This Itinerary
Low Season
From £12,400 Per person
High Season
From £50,000 Per person

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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