World Explorer: South Georgia and Antarctica Penguin Safari

Cruises

SUMMARY

16 Days

Antarctica

The South Georgia and Antarctica: Penguin Safari itinerary is the fastest way to get to the seldom visited South Georgia Island while also setting foot on the 7th continent. As you set sail, photograph massive albatross and beautiful pintado petrels as they swoop and soar around the ship, guiding you toward South Georgia. Beaches teeming with king penguins and elephant seals greet you on this fabled island, known as the Serengeti of the South thanks to its teeming populations of marine birds and mammals. Here, you can pay your respects to famed explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton.

As you depart South Georgia, Antarctica awaits, with its soaring peaks and staggering expanse. Go further into the Antarctic sea on a Zodiac, experience the rugged peninsula from a sea kayak, undertake an exhilarating hike up a sparkling glacier, or share an endearingly comical moment with an inquisitive gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguin. In these ways and countless others, Antarctica will amaze, surprise and delight. Activities with additional cost include sea kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. This itinerary is also available on the Ultramarine vessel.

Please note that there are numerous variations to Antarctic voyages throughout the season – the itineraries on our website are only meant to give you an idea of the types of voyages available. For a more detailed list of cruise vessels and Antarctic voyages please contact our team of Polar Specialists.

About the vessel: The World Explorer is one of the most luxurious expedition vessels sailing to Antarcica, with six tiers of exceptionally spacious, deluxe accommodation. The ship has capacity for 172 guests (or 140 for Fly/Cruise programs). Every suite has either a private walk-out or French balcony for direct ocean views. There are also plenty of public areas to unwind in after a day outdoors, including the glass-domed Observation Lounge for quiet contemplation and full skyline views, the Explorer Lounge for a drink and a chat, and the library for more intimate relaxing and reading. Presentations and discussions are facilitated in a dedicated lecture theatre. Health and wellness facilities feature an outdoor track, a small gym and a sauna, plus a spa with change rooms, showers and lockers. For the active adventurers, add-ons include kayaking, camping and stand-up paddleboarding.

HIGHLIGHTS

See South Georgia’s incredible wildlife, including 30 breeding bird species and four penguin species
Follow in the wake of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s perilous voyages to South Georgia and pause for a moment at his grave site
Explore the Antarctic Peninsula by ship, Zodiac and foot
Enjoy presentations on wildlife, history, glaciology & geology by our onboard polar experts
Immerse yourself in the icy realm of the Antarctic, with an optional paddling excursion

ITINERARY

Day 1 Arrive Ushuaia

You will begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small but bustling port at the tip of South America. It’s the ideal gateway for you to explore the southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for your adventure ahead. Get active in the mountains or enjoy handcrafted chocolate at a café in town.

Day 2 Ushuaia/ Cruise

Embarkation will occur in the late afternoon, after which your vessel will sail down the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of anticipation as you depart!

Day 3 Cruise

During your days at sea there are plenty of activities to keep you engaged and prepared for the adventure ahead. Learn to identify seabirds that glide alongside the ship, or attend dynamic presentations by your Expedition Team. You will be prepped on safety procedures for Zodiac cruises and shore landings, and also be given instructions for getting the most out of your optional sea kayaking adventures (extra cost), a truly intimate way to experience Antarctica.

transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of anticipation as you depart!

Day 4 Cruise

Another full day at sea. Get to know your team of expedition staff whose wealth of knowledge and experience will keep you in awe.

Day 5 Cruise

Your voyage to South Georgia continues. Read up on the incredible adventures of Ernest Shackleton and the crew of the Endurance in the ship’s library.

Day 6 Cruise

If conditions are right, the first indication that you are approaching South Georgia is the sight of birds around a group of rocky spires called Shag Rocks. Have your binoculars and cameras ready to capture these rocky spires rising out of the icy ocean waters. Shags and prions often rest here, and due to nutrient rich upwellings around the rocks it can be a good place to keep a lookout for whales.

Day 7 Cruise

After enjoying South Georgia from a distance, we’ll head toward its numerous beaches to find a bay for your first excursion. Landing sites are varied, largely determined by the weather conditions of your voyage. Whichever sites we visit, they’ll provide you with wildlife encounters unrivalled anywhere else on earth. South Georgia is one of the most fertile breeding grounds in the world for sub-Antarctic wildlife, with beaches blanketed with penguins and seals. It won’t take you long to realize that you are in a bird paradise, as burrowing seabirds, albatross and petrels can be seen in abundance.

Day 8 Cruise

Another day to explore the fauna and flora of beautiful South Georgia. You’ll find that South Georgia, once a popular base for whalers and sealers, is also scattered with abandoned relics and evidence of human activity from centuries gone by. Your Expedition Team will help bring those days to life while you visit old whaling stations and enjoy presentations on the South Georgia of then and now. One of the most significant sites you will visit on the island is Grytviken. This settlement is the first whaling stations established in sub-Antarctic waters. Many travelers find that this place has a special appeal, as it is the site of the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton, one of the most famous Antarctic explorers.

Day 9 Cruise

Say goodbye to the king penguins, as your next destination is Antarctica! Your days at sea are filled with presentations and workshops led by your Expedition Team, who will prepare you for the wildlife and landscapes that will surround you upon your arrival.

Day 10 Cruise

By now you should be starting to find your sea legs! The voyage continues and your anticipation will be growing – the 7th continent lies ahead.

Day 11 Cruise

The most common reaction upon reaching the White Continent is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is hard to put into words, since few places are as untouched and enduring as Antarctica. You will discover that Antarctica is a land of extremes. At one moment you’ll be overcome with a feeling of complete isolation and silence, and at the next moment you’ll be inspired by nature as a calving glacier crashes into a brilliant blue sea or a penguin waddles by to inspect your footwear.

Day 12 Cruise

Another day of exploration awaits! Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each excursion, whether you are Zodiac cruising, visiting a historical site or consorting with penguin colonies. Chinstrap, Adélie and gentoo penguins are found here, along with Weddell, fur, crabeater and leopard seals. Keep a lookout for Antarctic whales, such as minkes, while on a Zodiac cruise. Each day and each excursion will present a new collection of creatures to delight you and keep your camera busy. As exciting as the Zodiac excursions and landings are, perhaps you’ll treat yourself to an extra-special Antarctic experience by partaking in an optional paddling excursion (at an extra cost) or cast reason aside and jump into Antarctic waters for the Polar Plunge!

Day 13 Cruise

Another day of epic adventures and awe-inspiring scenery awaits! Today is your last day on the Antarctic Peninsula so enjoy every minute of this exceptional experience.

Day 14 Cruise

After more than a dozen days of unique wildlife encounters and remarkable landscapes, your journey home begins. Crossing the Drake is your unofficial rite of passage. Spend time on deck watching for seabirds and whales, enjoy presentations by your Expedition Team, or simply relax and reminisce about your experiences.