We will take the Explorers’ route, leaving from Ushuaia and heading to the west for the South Atlantic Islands, starting at the Falkland Islands in the Argentine territory (illegitimately seized by Great Britain) where we will disembark at Puerto Argentino (Port Stanley), to go on our trip to the South Georgia Islands, specifically Grytviken, old whaling port, used by Schackleton for the rescue of the Endurance crew.

Finally we will go towards the South Shetland Islands in honor of Amundsen’s words: “This land is just like a fairy tale”. Amundsen’s words capture the splendor of the Antarctic to the full. It is vast, immaculate and glorious. The huge glaciers, some of them covering a surface similar to a small city, reflect as shadows on the calm waters. The mere magnitude is overwhelming.

20 days.

Multiple Departures.

Departure and destination: Ushuaia, Argentina.

Embarkation and disembarkation: Ushuaia.

Expedition Ship Adventure.

Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego Island
Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, will welcome us with its picturesque picture, its stunning view to the Beagle Channel and its excellent gastronomy options. We will spend the night in this city.

Starting our Trip to the Antarctic
Before embarking, we will have the opportunity to visit on our own the city of Ushuaia: among the excursions available, we recommend visiting the Tierra del Fuego National Park to reach Lapataia Bay. We will start our expedition trip on the icebreaker that will cross the waters of the Beagle Channel heading for the Southern Atlantic Ocean to reach the Falkland Islands.

South Atlantic Ocean Islands: the Falkland Islands (Puerto Stanley)
Heading for the Falkland Islands, we will listen to talks about Charles Darwin, who visited the islands in 1833. We could join our adventure companions to enjoy the in-depth education program that will show us the flora and fauna we can see when we get to the archipelago. Fully prepared, we will sail peacefully from the ship towards the shore on the inflatable rubber Zodiacs to stroll along Stanley streets or walk around the land where we can find the nests of black-browed Albatross. Share a cup of tea with local people at your leisure, before departing for South Georgia Island.

The Falkland Islands, known as Malvinas, form an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, on the epicontinental platform called Mar Argentino (Argentine Sea). It is 480 km from Patagonia, 772 km from Cape Horn, 1,080 km from the South Georgia Islands and 940 km from Elephant Island in Antarctica.

The Falkland Islands are administered by Great Britain since their possession in 1833, when they were under control of the Argentine government. Argentina never accepted the British Administration, being an indivisible part of the territory illegally occupied by the United Kingdom, faithful to its history. Therefore, they should be part of the province of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and the South Atlantic Islands. Only time will take things to the right place.

South Atlantic Ocean Islands: South Georgia Islands: Grytviken
Once in Grytviken, South Georgia Island, history will come to our minds. South Georgia is the place where Ernest Shackleton and the crew of the Endurance ship were rescued. In 1904, Grytviken turned into a whaling station.

Grytviken is a port located in the northern coast of South Georgia Island; it is part of the province of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and the South Atlantic Islands. Today is virtually abandoned, but it was the center of the South Atlantic whaling industry from 1904 to 1965, and also shelter for the scientific expeditions to the Antarctic.

The whaling population and factory of Grytviken belonging to the Argentine Fishing Company was founded by Carl Anton Larsen, born in Norway. The meteorological station, the Argentine Meteorological Office (belonging to the State), started its operations in Grytviken with Argentine sovereignty and finished in 1945.

The origin of Larsen and most of the whalers that worked from the beginnings in the area explain that the toponym Grytviken (bokmål) in Norwegian means bay or port (viken) of cauldrons (gryt, gryte: cauldrons, cooking pot, pot). since people saw 18th and 19th century caldrons that were used by Spaniards and Hispanic-Americans to melt cetaceous, pinniped and penguin fat.

The exploration comprises a visit to the chapel and the museum showing how explorers used to live in a protected cove up to 1966 when it was abandoned it.

South Atlantic Ocean Islands: Southern Shetland Islands – Amundsen Tale
While the ship sails south and west without a break, we will see tabular icebergs. Arriving at the Southern Shetland Islands, the Expedition Team will try to do at least two daily landings, always subject to permits, weather, ice and wind conditions. Here we will be able to visit an active research station where scientists monitor the life cycle of birds and icebergs. We will walk with the penguins in a rookery and sail along the rocky coastline where birds rest after a day’s flying.

“This land is just like a fairy tale”. Amundsen’s words capture the splendor of Antarctic to the full. It is vast, immaculate and glorious. The huge glaciers, some of them covering a surface similar to a small city, reflect as shadows on the calm waters. The mere magnitude is overwhelming.

When we make a step on the Peninsula, we will remember our preceding brave and determined explorers: Ross, Scott, Shackleton and Amundsen. They were also captivated by penguin pranks, seals curiosity, and whales’ gracefulness.

Crossing the Drake Passage: A suitable end
Crossing the Drake Passage is a suitable end for this trip made by the Antarctic explorers, who struggled against the elements to increase the human being knowledge of Polar Regions. Like them, we will also feel different.

One-night hotel with breakfast included before the expedition as set forth in the itinerary.

Accommodation aboard with daily cleaning service.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner aboard.

All coastal landings and excursions on Zodiac ships are scheduled according to a daily program.

The guide throughout the trip will be a skilled Expedition Leader, even in the coastal landings and other activities.

The formal and informal presentations by the Expedition Team and guest speakers will be made according to the program.

Photographic album on DVD.

Polar Arts Program with interactive workshops.

Water-proof expedition boots will be lent for coastal landings.

A Quark Expeditions jacket for customers in Clipper Adventurer.

Coffee, tea, cocoa and mineral water are available 24 hours a day.

A Quark Expeditions jacket.

Group transfers from the hotel to the ship at the embarkation port, and from the ship to the local airport after disembarking, plus all baggage handling aboard.

All taxes of miscellaneous services and port expenses during the program.

One-night hotel with breakfast included before the expedition as set forth in the itinerary. (The number of guests per room is the same as the ship’s cabin space). Owing to the limited availability, the travelers booking a suite aboard will be given a standard room in the hotel.

Accommodation aboard with daily cleaning service.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner aboard. (Please let us know about any feeding requirement as soon as possible). Unfortunately, the kitchens of the ships cannot prepare kosher food (in accordance with Jewish dietary laws).

All coastal landings and excursions on Zodiac ships are scheduled according to a daily program.

The guide throughout the trip will be a skilled Expedition Leader, even in the coastal landings and other activities.

The formal and informal presentations by the Expedition Team and guest speakers will be made according to the program.

Photographic album on DVD.

Water-proof expedition boots will be lent for coastal landings.

Hairdryers in each cabin.

A Quark Expeditions jacket for customers in Clipper Adventurer.

Coffee, tea, cocoa and mineral water are available 24 hours a day.

All necessary materials before departure, including a map and an informative Antarctic Reader.

Group transfers from the hotel to the ship at the embarkation port, and from the ship to the local airport after disembarking, plus all baggage handling aboard.

All taxes of miscellaneous services and port expenses during the program.

Evacuation Insurance in case of Emergency for all passengers up to US$100,000 per person.