Explore the rarely visited Falkland Islands and South Georgia before setting foot on the Seventh Continent
Stroll through the quaint English village of Stanley in the Falklands, wander the dunes, and birdwatch at rugged seabird cliffs. In South Georgia, discover beaches where king penguins breed and discover the rich historical legacy of the places you visit. Both islands are known for their wildlife with animals congregating by the thousands. Then, explore the Antarctic Peninsula and enter a world of ice and snow. Pursue your personal passions with a choice of rewarding activities and our extensive educational program.
Highlights
See 150,000 pairs of king penguins at St Andrew’s Bay
Explore Antarctica with the best expedition in the industry
Wander the quaint British town of Stanley
Follow in the wake of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s voyages to South Georgia
Explore the Antarctic Peninsula by ship, Zodiac, kayak and foot
Enjoy presentations by our Polar experts
Key Information
18 nights on the ship, 1 night hotel in Ushuaia
Expedition cruising in comfortable conditions
Countries visited: Antarctic Peninsula, Falkland Islands, South Georgia
What's Included
All meals while on the ship
Beer and house wine during dinner
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout and qualified Expedition Staff
What's Not Included
Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations
Sustainability and Impact
As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.
This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony though practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.
Itinerary
Ushuaia, Argentina
Ushuaia, Argentina
Day
1
Start Ushuaia, Argentina
Your gateway for this expedition is Ushuaia, Argentina. Within the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, Ushuaia has a small-town feel yet boasts many shops, museums, cafes and restaurants that you can enjoy before your voyage. If you’re feeling adventurous, the nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park and Martial Glacier offer plenty of outdoor activities, such as hiking.
Day
2
Board the Ocean Explorer
As you embark, the anticipation grows. Trade your land legs for sea legs, meet and greet your fellow travellers and get acquainted with your ship. Since every Antarctic adventure presents new opportunities and experiences, embarkation day is just as exciting for your expedition team as it is for you. On board, your team is there both to ensure your comfort and safety as well as help make your wildlife dreams come true.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
3
Enjoy a day at sea, travelling to the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Your days at sea are filled with presentations led by your expedition team on photography, wildlife, glaciology, and history.
In between presentations, spend time on deck looking for wildlife or chatting with your shipmates over a drink at the bar.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days
4 - 5
Arrive at the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Upon your arrival, your camera gets its first real workout capturing the abundant wildlife and rugged feel of this sub-Antarctic region. The archipelago contains two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland, which you explore on daily excursions.
Stanley, also known as Port Stanley, is often a favoured landing site, as the town offers a unique British outpost feel, complete with eclectic charm. You’re free to explore, grab a pint at the local pub or visit the cathedral and museum.
In terms of wildlife, the archipelago is home to Magellanic, gentoo and southern rockhopper penguins. If you’re lucky, you may even spot king penguins here too! Also expect to see black- browed albatross, plus two endemic bird species: the flightless Falkland steamer duck and, possibly, the elusive Cobb’s wren.
Your expert education team enrich your understanding of the local flora and fauna, making the most out of your time in the Falklands.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days
6 - 7
Sail to South Georgia
Sailing southeast to South Georgia, you officially enter Antarctic waters once you cross the Antarctic Convergence, an invisible biological boundary encircling the continent. This meeting of oceans, where the cold Antarctic waters mix with the warmer waters of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, helps nourish the abundance of krill that attracts whales, seals and birdlife. Your expedition team will notify you when you cross this invisible yet important line and look for the seabirds and marine life that frequent this nutrient-rich area.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days
8 - 11
Explore South Georgia
This remote, mountainous island was a popular stop for many historic Antarctic expeditions and was once known for whale- and seal-hunting. Today, island wildlife populations are rebounding, but you’ll still see remnants of old whaling stations and other abandoned outposts.
One significant and historic site is the grave of the great explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. You can visit his grave at the settlement of Grytviken, which is also home to an old whaling station, plus a museum, gift shop, church and small research station.
Although South Georgia’s history is an important attraction to the island, its incredible densities of wildlife make it truly memorable. Each landing you make on South Georgia, often referred to as the Galapagos of the Southern Sea, opens your eyes to the wondrous lives of new, enthralling creatures.
One day, you may see colonies with hundreds of thousands of pairs of king penguins waddling on shore; the next, you may visit another beach inhabited by hundreds of fur or elephant seals. The grasses, mountains and beaches of South Georgia all play an important role in the breeding and survival of different species on the island. This fragile and interwoven relationship is something your Expedition Team will instil in you during your time here.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days
12 - 13
Voyage to Antarctica
Say goodbye to the king penguins as you leave for your next destination: Antarctica! Your days at sea are filled with presentations, workshops and social activities led by your expedition team.
If conditions allow, we may attempt landfall on the South Orkney Islands, our first official stop in Antarctica.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days
14 - 17
South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
The most common reaction upon reaching the Antarctic Continent is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is beyond words, since few places are as untouched and enduring as Antarctica.
You discover that Antarctica is a land of extremes. At one moment, you’re overcome with a feeling of complete isolation and silence; the next, you’re inspired by nature as a calving glacier crashes into a brilliant blue sea or a curious penguin waddles by to observe the humans.
Your expedition team takes 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. During Zodiac cruises, keep an eye out for Antarctic whales such as minkes, as you may get a chance for an intimate experience with these majestic animals. Each day and each excursion presents a new collection of creatures to entertain 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 (extra cost) or cast reason aside and jump into Antarctic waters for the Polar Plunge!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days
18 - 19
Cross the Drake Passage
After more than two weeks of endless wildlife encounters, your journey home begins. Crossing the Drake is your unofficial rite of passage, completing your Antarctic adventure. Enjoy your final moments celebrating with your fellow shipmates and savour the silence of the sea as long as you can.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
20
End Ushuaia, Argentina
After breakfast aboard the ship, it is time to part ways and say goodbye to your Expedition Team. Airport transfers will be provided for those departing on the first homeward flights. Other guests will be transferred to town.
Meals included: Breakfast
Essential Info
Group Information
The Ocean Explorer takes a maximum of 138 passengers. The Exodus group forms part of the ship’s complement, enjoying the relaxed, intimate and informal atmosphere, which breaks into smaller groups to facilitate the frequent excursions. We offer these cruises in conjunction with our partner, Quark Expeditions, and Exodus participants will join an international group, not all of whom have booked through Exodus. Occasionally some of these may be younger than 18 years old, the Exodus’ stated minimum age for this trip.
Is this trip for you?
Travelling conditions: The voyages are designed to be as flexible as possible, taking advantage of circumstances and events as they occur, as well as passengers’ wishes and particular interests wherever possible. The on-board atmosphere is relaxed and friendly with expedition staff, including naturalists and Polar experts, on hand and the opportunity to mingle with people from all over the world. The ship is kept warm, clean and comfortable with a wet/mud room in which to hang gear and store boots ready for the next adventure.
On the Zodiac cruises, you sit still for most of the time with the potential for sea spray and a cold headwind – if you are not dressed appropriately, you will get cold! On the shore excursions, most landings are wet, which means the Zodiacs beach and you are helped to slide into the ankle-deep shore break before walking up onto dry land (wellington boots are issued to all passengers). There are, of course, no paths, so be prepared for slippery, rough terrain and sometimes fairly deep snow. Back on the ship after each adventure, you can have a sauna and/or a hot shower and then relax with a tea, coffee, hot chocolate or something stronger from the bar.
Adventure options:
Sea kayaking: Glide across the surface of a bay in the presence of icebergs and glaciers. Our sea kayaking program is a great way to intimately explore your surroundings. A small group of kayakers will plan to go out multiple times per voyage as an alternative to shore landings or Zodiac cruises. The number of opportunities to kayak is weather dependent and will be conducted only during calm conditions. Prior kayaking experience is required, and you must be able to do a wet exit to participate. Beginners interested in kayaking should consider participating in the paddling excursion.
Paddling excursion: If you’re interested in kayaking but would like to try something a bit less demanding than sea kayaking, you’re the perfect candidate to sign up for a one-time paddle on our stable sit-on-top kayaks − perfect for anyone with minimal or no kayaking experience. Rotating groups of passengers will be taken out on calm days, with our expert guides always present to provide instruction and help connect you with the Polar sea.
Polar itineraries: All Polar itineraries should be treated as a guide only – it is possible that, among other things, the capricious nature of wind, visibility and ice, intelligence from previous sailings, changes in local landing regulations or the expert opinion of the crew may lead to adjustments to the route published.
Booking conditions: As with all Polar holidays and voyages, the booking conditions for this trip differ from our standard conditions. The required deposit is 25% per person of your selected travel arrangements (minimum £1,000 per person or equivalent in booking currency) and the balance of the price of your travel arrangements must be paid at least 133 days before your departure date. The deposit is non-refundable, and at 133 days before departure date, our cancellation penalties are 100% of the holiday cost.
Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.
Joining Instructions
Travelling land only: 20 days starting and ending in Ushuaia
Your trip normally starts at the hotel in Ushuaia in the afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided in the Final Joining Instructions – sent approximately two weeks before departure.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Ushuaia, Argentina Location end: Ushuaia, Argentina
Vaccinations and Health
Antarctica
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus and rabies (bat lyssaviruses). Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
Argentina
There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, typhoid, and yellow fever (strongly recommended if you intend to visit the Iguazu Falls due to a recent outbreak in the Misiones province). Please check all vaccination recommendations with your doctor or travel clinic.
Bilharzia is known to occur in some lakes or rivers in Argentina; follow advice from your guide or leader locally before venturing for a swim.
Dengue and zika, both mosquito‐borne viral diseases, are known risks in Argentina. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available; therefore, the best form of prevention is to take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Visa
Antarctica
It’s your responsibility to obtain any visas required for this trip. Visa requirements vary depending on your nationality and destination, so please check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through. As a guide, some local governments provide information on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Argentina. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
Please note, if you are crossing the border into Argentina from Chile on your trip, we will need to know your profession to provide when entering Argentina.
Falkland Islands
No visa required.
South Georgia
No visa required for British, US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and most EU passports.
Food & Drink
All meals while on the ship included.
Typical meals
The ship galley offers good quality service and cuisine throughout, with excellent chefs preparing international menus, including vegetarian dishes, accompanied by a wide variety of drinks from around the world on sale.
Breakfast: Buffet style – unlimited tea and coffee, a selection of fruit juices, hot options including bacon and eggs or omelettes, a selection of bread and toast and jam/honey/marmalade, fruit and cereal.
Lunch: Three-course set meal, or the occasional buffet or barbecue.
Dinner: Three courses with a starter of soup, salad or antipasto, a choice of three mains with at least one vegetarian and one seafood option and a dessert of sweet pudding or ice cream or fruit, tea and coffee.
Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for – please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so our local team can be well prepared.
Weather
Late spring and early summer: October- November
The start of the season and the most adventurous time to travel. You’ll encounter truly breathtaking, exquisitely sculpted icebergs emerging from their frozen hibernation. Many of these blue bergs house courting, nesting and brooding penguins. In the Falklands, flowers are coming into bloom.
High summer: December-February
Close to the solstice, you’ll experience almost perpetual daylight. These are the mildest months when the first Adelie and Gentoo penguin chicks hatch. It’s also the time to encounter seal pups on South Georgia. As the water warms, the whale sightings also improve.
Late summer: February-March
This is the time for incredible encounters with whales, especially minkes and humpbacks. The receding ice allows for further exploration and penguin colonies are very active with adults feeding their chicks.
Ocean Explorer
The Penguins of the Far South: Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica voyage is offered on the Ocean Explorer, which is a Polar Adventure Ship.
Polar adventure ships
These are small ice-rated vessels well qualified for Polar waters. Intimate adventures are always more enjoyable with like-minded passengers and staff, so these voyages are for people who like flexible itineraries and plenty to keep them busy. Activities include frequent Zodiac excursions, trekking and many hours on deck in areas that other ships only dream about accessing. Food and staff are superb and every guest benefits from the technical advances of this superb fleet. Rest assured our Polar Adventure Ships enable any traveller to maximize their experience sensitively in the Poles.
OCEAN EXPLORER
The Ocean Explorer is modern, elegant and purpose-built for polar exploration. The 138-passenger vessel has been designed with the latest in expedition ship technology. One of the ship’s key features is the ULSTEIN X-BOW®, a marine engineering innovation that ensures a comfortable and smooth sailing experience thanks to the inverted bow. Located at the bow is the two-story, light-filled library, which introduces a welcome airiness to the expedition ship.
Spacious cabins feature a modern, bespoke Scandinavian design and almost all have verandas. Guests can relax and find comfort in the spacious gym, sauna with large windows, and two outdoor Jacuzzis.
Ocean Explorer features ample outdoor viewing areas and multi-height outer decks, which are ideal for long-view photography and wildlife viewing. The vessel is equipped with a fleet of 15 Zodiacs that enable guests to get off the ship quickly and safely for off-ship adventures. In addition to the well-appointed and spacious public areas, Ocean Explorer has an industry-leading mix of sustainability systems, including fuel-efficient Rolls Royce engines.
Veranda Stateroom – Ocean Explorer
Discovery Library – Ocean Explorer
Explorer Presentation Lounge – Ocean Explorer
Latitude Bar – Ocean Explorer
Cabin Class:
STUDIO SINGLE: Designed for one. These cabins are located on Deck 3 and approximately 166 sqft (15.4sqm) in size, with one double bed and a porthole view. There is also a desk and chair, TV, state of the art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor.
DELUXE VERANDA FORWARD STATEROOM: Located on Deck 4 and approximately 182 sqft (16.9sqm) in size, these cabins have one double bed that can be configured into two singles. There is a floor to ceiling glass view that opens to a walkout balcony. There is also a desk and chair, TV, state of the art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor.
VERANDA STATEROOM: Located throughout the ship and approximately 208 sqft (19.3sqm) in size, these cabins have one double bed that can be configured into two singles, and separate sitting area furnished with two club chairs and a reading table. There is a floor to ceiling glass view that opens to a walkout balcony. There is also a desk and chair, TV, state of the art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor. Note: 611 and 612 do not have the club chairs and a reading table.
VERANDA SUITE: Located throughout the ship and approximately 205sqft (19.2 sqm) in size, these cabins have one double bed that can be configured into two singles, and separate sitting area furnished with a sofa-bed. There is a floor to ceiling glass view that opens to a walkout balcony. There is also a desk and chair, TV, state of the art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor.
JUNIOR SUITE: Located on Deck 6 and approximately 298 sqft (27.7 sqm) in size. These two-room suites have one double bed that can be configured into two singles in the inner bedroom and an outer sitting room furnished with a sofa-bed, and activity table for two. From the bedroom, there is a floor-to-ceiling glass view that opens to a double-sized walkout balcony. There are also two TVs, state-of-the-art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with bathtub, vanity and heated floor.
STUDIO VERANDA SINGLE: Designed for one. This unique cabin is located on Deck 7 and approximately 162sqft (15.1sqm). It has one twin bed with a floor-to-ceiling glass view that opens to a generous walkout balcony. There is also TV, state-of-the-art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor.
PENTHOUSE SUITE: This unique two-room suite is located on Deck 7 and is approximately 269 sqft (25sqm) in size. It has one double bed that can be configured into two singles in the inner bedroom and the outer sitting area is furnished with a sofa-bed. Walk-out from either room to a double-sized balcony. There are also two TVs, state-of-the-art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor. And an additional powder room in the outside sitting area.
OWNER’S SUITE: This palatial, airy apartment offers stunning views from its large private veranda on the highest cabin level. The luxurious suite features a large master bedroom, living room and dining area and two large master bathrooms, among other amenities.
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.