Itinerary Highlights

  • Save up to £1000 per person on Antarctic Season departures October 2024 - March 2025. Book before 31 March 2024.
  • Spot seals as you Zodiac-cruise through shimmering waters lined with icebergs
  • Admire mighty king penguin colonies in South Georgia
  • Discover elephant seals and Antarctic fur seals on the vast beaches
  • Enjoy luxury pre-cruise accommodation with stunning views across the mountains of Ushuaia

What's Included

  • Flights
  • Accommodation Throughout
  • Transfers
20 nights from £24,995 per person

Sarah Frankish

Travel Specialist

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

Save up to £1000 per person on Antarctic Season departures October 2024 - March 2025. Book before 31 March 2024.

South Georgia and Antarctica sit within a dazzlingly beautiful region of the world, with gleaming stretches of unspoiled snow and glossy, ice-speckled seas. On this incredible AE Expeditions adventure, you’ll be taken to the wintery depths of these remote islands to discover their dramatic coves, icebergs, and rugged mountain scenery – not to mention their abundance of wildlife!

Following an overnight stay in Ushuaia, Argentina, and some free time in Tierra del Fuego, embark the majestic Greg Mortimer ship to kickstart your voyage. Settle into your cabin as you venture across Drake Passage Crossing towards Antarctic Peninsula, Elephant Island, South Georgia and eventually the Falklands. The nature of your days at each location is up to you, with expert guides on board tailoring your itinerary to suit your interests. Join a variety of fascinating Zodiac excursions to offshore islands and hidden coves in search of penguin colonies, or leave the ship and explore the islands on foot. You can wander the pebbled beaches or climb the mountains to vantage points to witness breath-taking views across the Southern Ocean.

There’s plenty to keep you entertained back on board, too. Within its grandeur, Greg Mortimer contains a whole host of modern features, including a relaxing lounge and an open sundeck. There’s also a generously stocked library, a lecture room where you’ll gain engaging insight into all the places you visit, along with a gym, a sauna and spa facilities.

Itinerary

Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina, and meet with a representative of AE Expeditions. Take a private transfer with your fellow adventurers to your hotel for an overnight stay. You can stay at Las Hayas Ushuaia Resort or Los Acebos Ushuaia Hotel, both of which are nestled in Ushuaia’s rolling hills, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Enjoy free time at leisure, relaxing in the hot tubs, saunas or breathing in the fresh hillside air.
In the morning, check-out of your hotel and enjoy some more free time. Explore the city of Tierra del Fuego or find a nearby café for breakfast. Meet back in the hotel lobby in the afternoon to join a sightseeing tour. Following your expert guide, venture to La Mision Neighbourhood, where the Anglican pioneers first settled in the 1880s. Discover the historical houses, including the famous Old Government House, and visit the Old Prison Museum. Then embark your mighty ship, Greg Mortimer, and settle into your cabins.
Today the ship travels across Drake Passage, the body of water between South America's Cape Horn, Chile, Argentina, and the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica. Take this time to get comfortable in your seabound home-from-home and explore the facilities on board. The expedition team will present important wildlife and biosecurity information to prepare you for adventures in Antarctica. Head to the observation deck to spot the soaring seabirds following the ship, including albatrosses and giant petrels.
The Antarctica Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands await your arrival today, with so much to explore. The experienced expedition team will organise your itinerary, tweaking the activities of each day to suit your interests. You can venture to the offshore islands, or the surrounding scenic bays; or you can join a Zodiac excursion to search for whales. On land, you can stroll along the pebbled beaches to find the best spots for postcard pictures.
The next stop is the mountainous Elephant Island on the fringes of the South Shetlands. On your way here, hear the tragic tale of Shackleton and his ship the Endurance, crushed by pack ice in the Weddell Sea. Follow his ship’s final movements, past Cape Valentine, where the ship’s crew first set foot ashore, then along the coastline leading to Point Wild where they set up camp before their fate. Anchor in at Elephant Island and admire its ice-covered mountains. Explore the Endurance Memorial Site and see how many elephant seals you can spot!
Set sail across the Scotia Sea towards South Georgia. Spend this time at leisure, getting to know your fellow expeditioners in the bar. You can also watch for wildlife from the open bridge or learn more of the Shackleton story from the on-board historian.
Steering into South Georgia, the coastline comes alive with the icy glimmer of rugged mountain peaks and seabirds scraping over the ship with mighty wings. Soak up these sights as you board your first Zodiac excursion, set to take you through craggy coves in search of penguins, seals and bird cliffs. Keep your eyes on the sea for South Georgia’s kelp forests, flourishing ecosystems swaying softly underwater. On the shore, visit some of the world’s largest king penguin colonies, and walk among fur seals and elephant seals. You can also explore the remains of South Georgia’s whaling stations.
Watch the many seabirds chasing the tail of the ship as you head towards the Falklands. If the weather conditions allow, the ship will pass by the Shag Rocks on the way, a spectacular collection of rocky islets jutting out from the sea. Spend the next few days relaxing on the ship, watching whales from the bridge, and preparing for your next stop.
The next stop is the Falklands Malvinas, which consists of two large islands, East and West Falkland, and over 700 islands off the coast. Largely uninhabited, these islands sing with unspoiled beauty and an impressive array of birdlife. Enjoy excursions to rocky coves along the sea cliffs, with your eyes peeled out for seals, sea lions, dolphins and penguins. You might spot albatross colonies and penguins rookeries on your landing trips.
Make the most of the ship’s facilities on your final day at sea and reflect on all your thrilling experiences.
Disembark Greg Mortimer in Ushuaia. Take a private transfer to Ushuaia for your flight back to the UK.

Sarah Frankish

Travel Specialist

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

Pricing Information & Dates

20 nights from £24,995 per person

Sarah Frankish

Travel Specialist

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

Price Includes

  • Return International Flights as per the itinerary
  • All airport taxes and security charges
  • Accommodation and meals as specified
  • Transfers as specified
  • Activities and excursions as specified
  • All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified

Price Excludes

  • Travel Insurance
  • Any meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Optional excursions

Pricing Notes

Save up to £1000 per person on Antarctic Season departures October 2024 - March 2025. Book before 31 March 2024.

Why Choose Us?

Passionate travel experts

  • We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
  • Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
  • We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences

Personal & tailor-made

  • You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
  • We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
  • Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love

Responsible by nature

  • We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
  • For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
  • We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
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