South Georgia, a remote gem in the southern Atlantic Ocean, boasts unmatched biodiversity and breathtaking scenery. This extraordinary wildlife expedition highlights vast penguin colonies, majestic wandering albatross, and impressive elephant seals, all guided by expert naturalists.
This expedition ventures into the heart of South Georgia, where towering mountains meet expansive glaciers and rugged coastlines. Marvel at king penguin colonies, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, witness the graceful flight of wandering albatross, and be awed by the sheer size of elephant seals as they gather on the beaches.
This dedicated South Georgia expedition is a unique wildlife voyage. Starting in Ushuaia, you sail to South Georgia, crossing the Antarctic Convergence. The colliding water columns attract a wealth of wildlife from seabirds to cetaceans. Waiting in the distance is the remote paradise of South Georgia. Wildlife abounds here, with over 150,000 breeding pairs of king penguins, alongside chinstrap, gentoo, and macaroni penguins, plus a variety of seal and bird species.
Beyond its iconic wildlife, South Georgia's landscape is a natural masterpiece, with towering peaks, cascading glaciers, and carved fjords. Each day offers new opportunities for exploration, whether landing ashore, cruising by Zodiac, or enjoying a guided hike, you’ll feel immersed in this wonderous, pristine wilderness. Travel on board a classic expedition vessel, offering spacious and comfortable accommodation, and excellent observation areas for wildlife viewing and photography.
Your wildlife experiences begin as you enjoy watching and photographing the many seabirds, including several species of albatross, shearwaters, petrels, prions and skuas. Encounters with cetaceans are also possible. Spend your time out on deck or in one of the observation areas. You can also enjoy the many facilities on board.
Day4: Shag Rocks
Depending on weather conditions, you may sail past Shag Rocks, named after the South Georgian Shags, known for their bright blue eyes and yellow patch on their beak. The nutrient-rich waters in this region offer a particularly lively feeding area for seabirds and whales.
Days5-10: South Georgia
Spend the next several days uncovering the delights of South Georgia. There are plenty of potential sites to explore. Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay and Gold Harbour boast the largest king penguin colonies in South Georgia and are among the world's largest breeding beaches for southern elephant seals. Fortuna Bay is inhabited by numerous king penguins and seals, meanwhile chinstrap penguins occupy the shores of Cooper Bay. In Grytviken, you have an opportunity to visit the South Georgia museum and Shackleton’s grave.
Other potential sites include Leith Harbour, Stromness, Husvik, Cobblers Cove, Royal Bay, Drygalski Fjord and King Haakon Bay. Your days will be filled with adventure, as you enjoy spectacular Zodiac cruises, wonderful guided hikes, and encounters with an abundance of wonderful wildlife on shore landings.
Days11-14: At Sea
Sail westward towards Ushuaia. Sea ice might be present along this path, with an array of seabirds following the ship, such as albatross, south polar skua, and snow petrels. Enjoy the facilities on board and attend lectures on a whole host of subjects.
Day15: Disembark
After breakfast on board, disembark in Ushuaia and continue your onward journey.
Key info
Duration and price excluding international flights: 15 daysfrom £10,445 pp
South Georgia is a remote, rugged and hauntingly beautiful sub-Antarctic island. Its scenery ranges from impressive mountains and mighty glaciers to deep fjords and low-lying grassland. Renowned as an excellent birdwatching destination, it has more wildlife than virtually anywhere else on the planet.
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Ideal for viewing: wandering albatross, elephant seal, king penguin, macaroni penguin, sperm whale
The Plancius accommodates a maximum of 108 passengers in cabins ranging from triple to superior, all with outside view and private facilities. She offers a range of itineraries in Antarctica and the Arctic, and the large open deck spaces offer excellent opportunities to watch wildlife.
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