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Peregrine Travel Centre

South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula: Penguin Safari

South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula: Penguin Safari

From AUD $28,082

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Description

Our 18-day South Georgia and Antarctica: Penguin Safari itinerary is the fastest way to reach remote South Georgia Island—home to vast colonies of penguins—while also setting foot on the 7th Continent. Walk beaches teeming with king penguins and elephant seals, and enjoy the comical antics of gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguins. You can also observe albatross soaring above the ship. Antarctica awaits, with its soaring peaks and overwhelming enormity. Take a Zodiac ride, photograph glistening glaciers, or witness the rugged peninsula from a sea kayak.
Some departures may have slightly modified itineraries. Please confirm the itinerary with an Expedition Specialist.

Trip Name
South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula: Penguin Safari
Days
18
Overview
Vessel Type: Polar Expedition Length: 342 ft (104.4 m) Passenger Capacity: 138 Built: 2021 The Ocean Explorer is a modern, purpose-built expedition vessel combining contemporary elegance with advanced polar exploration technology. Accommodating up to 138 guests, this state-of-the-art ship features the innovative ULSTEIN X-BOW® design, which ensures smooth, stable sailing even in rough seas. A highlight of the vessel is its stunning two-story, glass-walled library located at the bow—perfect for quiet reflection with panoramic views of the polar landscapes. Almost all spacious cabins include private verandas, while the ship’s sleek Scandinavian-inspired interiors create a sense of understated luxury. Guests can unwind in the fitness centre, sauna with large windows overlooking the ice, or one of two outdoor Jacuzzis while taking in the surrounding scenery. Designed with both exploration and comfort in mind, Ocean Explorer offers generous outdoor viewing spaces and elevated observation decks for exceptional photography and wildlife watching. A fleet of 15 Zodiacs ensures quick, safe embarkation for off-ship adventures. Social spaces such as the elegant Main Dining Room, Latitude Bar, and Observation Lounge provide a refined yet relaxed atmosphere, complemented by fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines and cutting-edge sustainability systems, including waste-to-energy technology. Every detail of the Ocean Explorer reflects innovation, comfort, and environmental consciousness—setting a new standard for luxury expedition cruising.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina
You will begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small but bustling port at the tip of South America. It’s the ideal gateway for you to explore the southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for your adventure ahead. Get active in the mountains or enjoy handcrafted chocolate at a café in town.
Day 2 - Day 2: Embarkation in Ushuaia
Embarkation will occur in the late afternoon, after which your vessel will sail down the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of anticipation as you depart.
Day 3 - Day 3 to 6: At Sea
There are many activities to keep you engaged while you are at sea. Learn to identify seabirds that glide alongside the ship, or attend dynamic presentations by your Expedition Team. You will be prepped on safety procedures for Zodiac cruises and shore landings, and also be given instructions for getting the most out of your optional sea kayaking adventures (extra cost), a truly intimate way to experience Antarctica. If conditions are right, the first indication that you are approaching South Georgia is the sight of birds around a group of rocky spires called Shag Rocks. Have your binoculars and cameras ready to capture these rocky spires rising out of the icy ocean waters. Shags and prions often rest here, and due to nutrient rich upwellings around the rocks it can be a good place to keep a lookout for whales.
Day 4 - Day 7 to 9: South Georgia
After enjoying South Georgia from a distance, we’ll head toward its numerous beaches to find a bay for your first excursion. Landing sites are varied, largely determined by the weather conditions of your voyage. The sites you visit will provide you with wildlife sightings unrivaled anywhere else on Earth. South Georgia is one of the most fertile breeding grounds in the world for sub-Antarctic wildlife, with beaches blanketed with penguins and seals. It won’t take you long to realize that you are in a birder’s paradise, as burrowing seabirds, albatross and petrels can be seen in abundance. You’ll find that South Georgia, once a popular base for whalers and sealers, is also scattered with abandoned relics and evidence of human activity from centuries gone by. Your Expedition Team will help bring those days to life while you visit old whaling stations and enjoy presentations on the South Georgia of then and now. One of the most significant sites you will visit on the island is Grytviken. This settlement is one of the first whaling stations established in sub-Antarctic waters. Grytviken possesses a special appeal largely because it’s the site of the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton, one of the most famous Antarctic explorers.
Day 5 - Day 10 & 11: At Sea
Say goodbye to the king penguins as you leave for your next destination: Antarctica. Your days at sea are filled with presentations and workshops led by your Expedition Team, who will prepare you for the wildlife and landscapes that will surround you upon your arrival on the 7th Continent.
Day 6 - Day 12 to 15: Antarctic Peninsula
The most common reaction upon reaching Antarctica is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is hard to put into words, since few places are as untouched and enduring as Antarctica. You will discover a land of extremes. One moment you’ll be overcome with a feeling of complete isolation and silence, and the next moment you’ll be inspired by nature as a calving glacier crashes into a brilliant blue sea or a curious penguin waddles by to observe you. Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each excursion, whether you are Zodiac cruising, visiting a historical site or observing penguin colonies. Chinstrap, Adélie and gentoo penguins are found here, along with Weddell, fur, crabeater and leopard seals. Keep a lookout for Antarctic whales, such as minkes, while on a Zodiac cruise. Each day and each excursion will present a new array of creatures to delight 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 booking an optional paddling excursion (at an extra cost) or cast reason aside and jump into Antarctic waters for the Polar Plunge!
Day 7 - Day 16 & 17: Crossing the Drake Passage
After more than a dozen days of unique wildlife sightings and remarkable landscapes, your journey home begins. Crossing the Drake is your unofficial rite of passage. Spend time on deck watching for seabirds and whales, enjoy presentations by your Expedition Team, or simply relax and reminisce about your experiences.
Day 8 - Day 18: Disembark in Ushuaia
You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning, after which you can continue exploring locally or head to the airport to connect to your onward flight.
Day 9 - Please Note:
Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy – and excitement – of expedition travel. There are no guarantees that we can achieve everything we set out to accomplish. A measure of flexibility is something all of us must bring to a voyage. There are nearly 200 recognized sites in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands and the places mentioned above may be changed to others equally as interesting.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
27-10-202713-11-2027AUD $28,082Triple Suite
27-10-202713-11-2027AUD $31,673Deluxe Veranda Forward
27-10-202713-11-2027AUD $33,469Veranda Stateroom
27-10-202713-11-2027AUD $35,606Veranda Suite
27-10-202713-11-2027AUD $42,446Studio Single
27-10-202713-11-2027AUD $42,446Junior Suite
27-10-202713-11-2027AUD $46,037Studio Veranda Single
27-10-202713-11-2027AUD $49,714Penthouse Suite
27-10-202713-11-2027AUD $53,305Owners Suite
21-12-202707-01-2028AUD $41,931Veranda Suite
21-12-202707-01-2028AUD $54,671Superior Suite
21-12-202707-01-2028AUD $58,860Deluxe Suite
21-12-202707-01-2028AUD $63,135Owner's Suite
21-12-202707-01-2028AUD $39,794Infinity Suite

Inclusions

    • See South Georgia’s incredible wildlife, including 30 breeding bird species and four penguin species
    • Follow in the wake of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s perilous voyages to South Georgia and pause for a moment at his grave site
    • Explore the Antarctic Peninsula by ship, Zodiac and foot
    • Enjoy presentations on wildlife, history, glaciology & geology by our onboard polar experts
    • Immerse yourself in the icy realm of the Antarctic, with an optional paddling excursion

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