Penguins on shore with Antarctic Ocean Endeavour in the background

Operated by Intrepid Travel

Ultimate Explorer: Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Circle (Ocean Nova)

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From

Price on request

Duration

24 days

Countries

Antarctica, Argentina, Falkland Islands

Activity

easy

Group size

Max 80

Rating

5.0 · 5 reviewsvia Intrepid Travel

The adventure

Discover all that Antarctica has to offer on this epic 24-day expedition that explores the Falkland Islands, South Georgia islands and the Antarctic peninsula, including crossing the rarely seen Antarctic Circle! This is our longest Antarctica trip available – a voyage of discovery aboard the Ocean Nova, where you’ll marvel at spectacularly rugged landscapes, thousands of king penguins and the abundant wildlife of the south. Glide through ice floes in a Zodiac with your Expedition Team and take part in fascinating educational presentations. Keep your eye out for predatory seals, wandering albatross and migrating whales as you pass by towering ice-blue glaciers and icebergs. Round this unforgettable adventure off by reaching latitude 66°33’S, as you cross the fabled Antarctic Circle. With optional adventures like camping on the ice (there’s no better spot to experience the sound of silence) and day paddling across icy waters, this journey of discovery and mateship is sure to be the trip of a lifetime.

Welcome Briefing

Daily Briefings and Recap

Citizen Science Program

Onboard Lecture Program

South Shetland Islands - Guided walking Excursions

Day by day

Your journey through

Argentina

Day 1Ushuaia, ArgentinaWelcome to Ushuaia, Argentina – the gateway to Antarctica! Upon arrival at Ushuaia Airport, enjoy an included transfer to your hotel. Once you arrive at your hotel, you’re free to explore. Maybe head downtown for some early souvenir shopping or taste some classic Argentinian flavours at one of the local restaurants. Tonight at your hotel you’ll meet your fellow travellers and Expedition Team at an important welcome meeting, learning more about the journey ahead and the details for tomorrow’s embarkation. After, why not hit a cosy dinner spot or local bar and explore what your upcoming adventure may hold?

Ushuaia

Welcome to Ushuaia, Argentina – the gateway to Antarctica! Upon arrival at Ushuaia Airport, enjoy an included transfer to your hotel. Once you arrive at your hotel, you’re free to explore. Maybe head downtown for some early souvenir shopping or taste some classic Argentinian flavours at one of the local restaurants. Tonight at your hotel you’ll meet your fellow travellers and Expedition Team at an important welcome meeting, learning more about the journey ahead and the details for tomorrow’s embarkation. After, why not hit a cosy dinner spot or local bar and explore what your upcoming adventure may hold?

Day 2Embarkation in Ushuaia, ArgentinaAfter breakfast, the morning is yours to explore Ushuaia. You could stroll through the quaint town with a camera, or grab a last-minute necessity. In the afternoon, you’ll transfer to the port of Ushuaia and embark the Ocean Nova – your home on the sea. Get settled into your cabin, then set sail through the historic Beagle Channel towards Antarctica. Find the perfect spot to soak up the incredible views as you catch your last sight of Argentina – then head inside to join the excitement and learn more about what’s to come on this Antarctic adventure. This evening is an excellent opportunity to explore the ship and enjoy a delicious dinner in the dining room.

Ushuaia

After breakfast, the morning is yours to explore Ushuaia. You could stroll through the quaint town with a camera, or grab a last-minute necessity. In the afternoon, you’ll transfer to the port of Ushuaia and embark the Ocean Nova – your home on the sea. Get settled into your cabin, then set sail through the historic Beagle Channel towards Antarctica. Find the perfect spot to soak up the incredible views as you catch your last sight of Argentina – then head inside to join the excitement and learn more about what’s to come on this Antarctic adventure. This evening is an excellent opportunity to explore the ship and enjoy a delicious dinner in the dining room.

Day 3At seaAs you sail, spend time out on deck or on the ship's bridge scanning the horizon for wildlife. Keep an eye out for wandering albatrosses on their lengthy migration routes, and look for the telltale splash of breaching whales or the dorsal fins of other mighty marine mammals breaking the water's surface. You could also settle in for presentations given by your expert Expedition Team, on topics like the behaviour of humpback whales, the life cycles of penguins, the formation of the Antarctic ice sheet and more. Evenings on board are equally memorable. After a day of learning and wildlife spotting, head to the warmth of the ship's Panorama Lounge. Enjoy a drink in hand as you swap stories with your fellow travellers, sharing the excitement of your journey.

As you sail, spend time out on deck or on the ship's bridge scanning the horizon for wildlife. Keep an eye out for wandering albatrosses on their lengthy migration routes, and look for the telltale splash of breaching whales or the dorsal fins of other mighty marine mammals breaking the water's surface. You could also settle in for presentations given by your expert Expedition Team, on topics like the behaviour of humpback whales, the life cycles of penguins, the formation of the Antarctic ice sheet and more. Evenings on board are equally memorable. After a day of learning and wildlife spotting, head to the warmth of the ship's Panorama Lounge. Enjoy a drink in hand as you swap stories with your fellow travellers, sharing the excitement of your journey.

Your journey through

Falkland Islands

Day 4Falkland IslandsYou’ll approach the Falkland Islands this morning – a wildlife photographer’s dream. Here, you can find the largest black-browed albatross colony in the world and five species of penguins that breed on the islands, including gentoo, king, Macaroni, Magellanic, and rockhopper. Once in Stanley, the capital, learn about the intriguing and controversial past of the Falkland Islands from local experts. Near the town, you may see southern giant petrels, Falkland steamer ducks, kelp gulls, dolphin gulls, black-crowned night herons, red-backed hawks, peregrine falcons and turkey vultures. Weather permitting, you may explore Saunders Island, the second-largest island in the Falklands, and The Neck, a narrow peninsula with sandy beaches and subtle cliff faces. On the afternoon of Day 5, following our morning excursion, farewell the Falkland Islands and sail towards South Georgia.

Falkland Islands

You’ll approach the Falkland Islands this morning – a wildlife photographer’s dream. Here, you can find the largest black-browed albatross colony in the world and five species of penguins that breed on the islands, including gentoo, king, Macaroni, Magellanic, and rockhopper. Once in Stanley, the capital, learn about the intriguing and controversial past of the Falkland Islands from local experts. Near the town, you may see southern giant petrels, Falkland steamer ducks, kelp gulls, dolphin gulls, black-crowned night herons, red-backed hawks, peregrine falcons and turkey vultures. Weather permitting, you may explore Saunders Island, the second-largest island in the Falklands, and The Neck, a narrow peninsula with sandy beaches and subtle cliff faces. On the afternoon of Day 5, following our morning excursion, farewell the Falkland Islands and sail towards South Georgia.

Day 5Falkland Islands

Falkland Islands

Day 6At seaFrom the outer decks, keep your eyes on the horizon for seabirds and other passing wildlife as we settle in for two days at sea on route to South Georgia. This remarkable destination offers many experiences, from fascinating history and geology to incredible wildlife encounters. While on board the cosy Ocean Nova, take part in engaging presentations led by your Expedition Team, designed to prepare you for the wonders that await you at South Georgia.

From the outer decks, keep your eyes on the horizon for seabirds and other passing wildlife as we settle in for two days at sea on route to South Georgia. This remarkable destination offers many experiences, from fascinating history and geology to incredible wildlife encounters. While on board the cosy Ocean Nova, take part in engaging presentations led by your Expedition Team, designed to prepare you for the wonders that await you at South Georgia.

Day 7At Sea

At Sea

Scenic Antarctic view with icy mountains, calm waters, and a solitary boat.

Your journey through

Antarctica

Showing Days 8-14

14-day itinerary

Day 8South GeorgiaOver the next few days, you’ll explore the island of South Georgia, once the homestead of whalers and isolated explorers, and now a protected site with dedicated Antarctic research teams. You’ll explore various landing sites and learn about the history of Sir Ernest Shackleton, known for his incredible survival during a failed expedition south. You’ll spend several days retracing some of Shackleton’s steps and visiting his grave at the ex-whaling station of Grytviken, located on the east side. Wander among hundreds of thousands of king penguins in the dramatic South Georgian light, visit old whaling stations and enjoy educational presentations on the past and present of the area. Across the island, you’ll see dark volcanic beaches backgrounded by hanging glaciers and have the chance to go on day hikes among alpine lakes.

Charming harbor view of Stanley with colorful Victorian houses in the Falkland Islands.

South Georgia

Over the next few days, you’ll explore the island of South Georgia, once the homestead of whalers and isolated explorers, and now a protected site with dedicated Antarctic research teams. You’ll explore various landing sites and learn about the history of Sir Ernest Shackleton, known for his incredible survival during a failed expedition south. You’ll spend several days retracing some of Shackleton’s steps and visiting his grave at the ex-whaling station of Grytviken, located on the east side. Wander among hundreds of thousands of king penguins in the dramatic South Georgian light, visit old whaling stations and enjoy educational presentations on the past and present of the area. Across the island, you’ll see dark volcanic beaches backgrounded by hanging glaciers and have the chance to go on day hikes among alpine lakes.

Day 9South Georgia

South Georgia

Day 10South Georgia

South Georgia

Day 11South Georgia

Elegant Victorian house with colorful roofs in Stanley, Falkland Islands.

South Georgia

Day 12At SeaDuring your next couple of days at sea, experience sweeping vistas from the Panorama Lounge or the outer decks. You should take this opportunity to relax and recharge or play games of cards at the bar with your shipmates. Whatever takes your fancy – the ship is yours to explore!

During your next couple of days at sea, experience sweeping vistas from the Panorama Lounge or the outer decks. You should take this opportunity to relax and recharge or play games of cards at the bar with your shipmates. Whatever takes your fancy – the ship is yours to explore!

Day 13At Sea

At Sea

Day 14South Shetland Islands & Antarctic PeninsulaToday, you’ll voyage south towards continental Antarctica. For the next five days, you’ll dedicate your time to searching for wildlife from land, ship and Zodiac. Weather permitting, you can look forward to at least two excursions each day, offering plenty of chances to immerse yourself in the stunning Antarctic landscape. With numerous landing sites to explore, your Expedition Team will carefully select the best options based on weather, accessibility and wildlife activity. Depending on the conditions, you may also have the chance to enhance your journey with optional adventures like camping on the ice (a serene and silent experience like no other) or kayaking across icy waters. You’ll also have the opportunity to take a polar plunge off the Ocean Nova – a swift dip into Antarctica’s freezing waters that’s sure to leave you feeling refreshed and revitalised!

Today, you’ll voyage south towards continental Antarctica. For the next five days, you’ll dedicate your time to searching for wildlife from land, ship and Zodiac. Weather permitting, you can look forward to at least two excursions each day, offering plenty of chances to immerse yourself in the stunning Antarctic landscape. With numerous landing sites to explore, your Expedition Team will carefully select the best options based on weather, accessibility and wildlife activity. Depending on the conditions, you may also have the chance to enhance your journey with optional adventures like camping on the ice (a serene and silent experience like no other) or kayaking across icy waters. You’ll also have the opportunity to take a polar plunge off the Ocean Nova – a swift dip into Antarctica’s freezing waters that’s sure to leave you feeling refreshed and revitalised!

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Stunning view of snow-capped mountains and serene lake under a cloudy sky, perfect for nature enthusiasts.

Your journey through

Argentina

Day 22At sea, Drake PassageUshuaiaSettle back into your comfortable surroundings aboard the Ocean Nova for the return journey across the Drake Passage. The Ocean Nova will track north towards your destination of Ushuaia, Argentina, arriving into the calmer waters of the Beagle Channel by the evening of Day 23. During these final sea days, you can attend more onboard lectures and enjoy a slideshow of images captured by our Expedition Photographer during your voyage. Now is also the chance to catch up with your shipmates and share stories about your voyage over a meal or a drink at the bar.

Ushuaia

Settle back into your comfortable surroundings aboard the Ocean Nova for the return journey across the Drake Passage. The Ocean Nova will track north towards your destination of Ushuaia, Argentina, arriving into the calmer waters of the Beagle Channel by the evening of Day 23. During these final sea days, you can attend more onboard lectures and enjoy a slideshow of images captured by our Expedition Photographer during your voyage. Now is also the chance to catch up with your shipmates and share stories about your voyage over a meal or a drink at the bar.

Day 23At Sea

At Sea

Day 24Disembarkation in Ushuaia, ArgentinaAfter breakfast, say goodbye to the Ocean Nova, your Expedition Team and fellow travellers as you disembark in Ushuaia. A morning transfer to Ushuaia Airport or downtown is included.

Ushuaia

After breakfast, say goodbye to the Ocean Nova, your Expedition Team and fellow travellers as you disembark in Ushuaia. A morning transfer to Ushuaia Airport or downtown is included.