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In the Wake of Shackleton – Discover the Wonders of the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia & the Falklands

In the Wake of Shackleton – Discover the Wonders of the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia & the Falklands

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Description

Antarctica has produced more than its fair share of heroes. It is a land that has consistently challenged and inspired men of extraordinary character to deeds requiring extreme courage. The expeditions of Scott, Amundsen, Shackleton, Ross, Byrd and many others are a shining example of honour, strength and perseverance which today still inspire us and it will be a privilege to explore these same waters aboard the all-suite MS Island Sky in the company of just 100 fellow travellers.
Our expedition combines the wonders of the Antarctic Peninsula with magnificent South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. Even today after many decades of exploration, Antarctica still remains a world apart, a majestic last frontier surpassing even the most jaded of travellers’ expectations. It is hard to put into words the scenic grandeur of Antarctica. This most southern of continents, this desert of ice, is so unique and uncommon to man’s experience, that even the most dramatic of photographs pale into insignificance when one is confronted by the sheer magnitude, beauty and wonder of an Antarctic landscape. Enormous icebergs rise from the sea, hillsides are covered with thousands of penguins and seals bask on icebergs dotted in the ocean; the sights, sounds and emotions will stay with you forever.
Our adventure begins in the Antarctic peninsula and with six days here we will have ample time to discover the icy wonders and wonderful array of wildlife. We continue to South Georgia where you will experience one of the world’s natural wonders, the ‘Alps in mid-ocean’, offering remarkable concentrations of wildlife against a backdrop of glaciers and snow covered mountains. Hugging the coast to the wildest reaches of the island we will land on beaches alive with rampaging fur seals, somnolent elephant seals and truly astonishing numbers of King penguins. We have four days of exploration in this unique animal paradise and using the Zodiacs there will be landings each day allowing you the optimum time ashore to experience this rich animal kingdom. The final days of our expedition will be spent in the Falkland Islands, a truly enchanting place with a unique character and staggering wildlife. This is the last sanctuary of the elegant albatross which soars graciously against the blue sky, with colonies of elephant seals basking at the foot of vertiginous cliffs.

Trip Name
In the Wake of Shackleton - Discover the Wonders of the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia & the Falklands
Days
26
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Small Ship Length: 90 metres Passenger Capacity: 116  Built / refurbished: 1992 / 2010 / 2017 The MS Island Sky offers an intimate and luxurious cruising experience, designed for travelers who appreciate peace, high-quality service, and a relaxed atmosphere. The ship features elegant public spaces, including a main lounge for daily briefings and talks, The Club with a pianist and a 24-hour tea and coffee station, and a well-stocked library with internet access. Guests can enjoy al fresco dining on the Lido Deck, a walk-around promenade for scenic views, and a top-deck observation area ideal for relaxation and wildlife spotting. The ship also includes a small hair salon, a doctor on board, and a lift serving all decks for added convenience. Complimentary satellite Wi-Fi is available, though signal strength may vary. Accommodations include 59 spacious and well-appointed suites, all with outside views, seating areas, and en-suite bathrooms. Some suites offer private balconies or sliding glass doors for enhanced ocean views. Amenities include a mini-fridge, flat-screen TV, Molton Brown toiletries, air-conditioning, and a safe. The Island Suite boasts an extended balcony, complimentary minibar, and laundry service. Dining is a refined yet relaxed affair, with an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and a single open seating. Guests can enjoy buffet-style breakfasts, à la carte lunches and dinners, daily afternoon tea, and included wines. The ship’s culinary team creates exceptional meals, often incorporating local specialties, while the friendly staff ensures a welcoming and social dining experience. Life onboard is serene, focusing on enriching experiences rather than organized entertainment. Guests can enjoy informative talks, port briefings, and casual evening music rather than large-scale shows or games. The ship is equipped with modern safety and navigation technology, including roll stabilizers for a smooth journey. The atmosphere is akin to a private yacht or boutique hotel, where like-minded travelers can immerse themselves in nature, history, and culture.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 London to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Fly by scheduled flight.
Day 2 - Day 2 Buenos Aires.
Arrive and transfer to our centrally located hotel for an overnight stay. This afternoon is free to relax in the hotel or maybe join an orientation tour of the city including the Plaza de Mayo, the Cathedral and the Cabildo (Old City Hall) before we continue towards the most traditional neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, San Telmo which is characterised by its old colonial houses and the cobblestoned streets. Our tour will end in La Boca to look around the colourful zinc houses which used to be the refuge and home for the first immigrants and popular artists. The evening is free for independent exploration.
Day 3 - Day 3 Buenos Aires to Ushuaia.
After breakfast in the hotel we will transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to Ushuaia. On arrival transfer to the MS Island Sky and embark. This evening we will cruise down the Beagle Channel.
Day 4 - Days 4 & 5 At Sea.
Our voyage begins with two leisurely days on board. Attend some lectures, look for wildlife or simply relax as we make our way across the Drake Passage towards Antarctica. Named after the 16th century English seaman, Sir Francis Drake, the Drake Passage separates the southernmost tip of South America from Antarctica. This is a particularly good area to spot many species of seabirds including the royal albatross, cape petrel, Antarctic prion and we will also be on the lookout for whales.
Day 5 - Days 6 to 11 Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands.
We have six days of exploration around the Peninsula which will include many of the best places to see the vast biodiversity of Antarctic species and iconic icy environments from glaciers to enormous tabular icebergs. Whilst we arrive with a planned itinerary the final schedule will be determined by our Captain and the Expedition Leader based on sea, weather and ice conditions. Using our Zodiacs we hope to make daily landings with the opportunity to see gentoo, chinstrap and possibly Adelie penguins, as well as elephant seals, Antarctic fur seals, crabeater seals, Weddell seals and hopefully the iconic predator leopard seals. We may visit the collapsed volcanic cone of Deception Island for a chance to visit Whalers Bay, Half Moon Island with its rookery of chinstrap penguins, the glaciers of Cierva Cove, see the leopard seals at Pleneau Island and the stunning mountain lined Neumayer Channel. We have requested permission to visit a working Antarctic research station and hopefully send off a postcard from the UK base of Port Lockroy. We also hope to sail through the breathtaking Antarctic Sound, known as ‘iceberg alley’, where massive icebergs drift north from the continent.
Day 6 - Days 12 & 13 At Sea.
The waters between the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia are rich with fin whales, where in good conditions we have seen dozens in a day. If not whale watching, lookout for Antarctic petrel and one of the most beautiful birds of the Southern Ocean, the snow petrel. The icebergs will also be plentiful. During our time at sea you can join the lecture programme to learn more about the wildlife and history of the region.
Day 7 - Days 14 to 17 South Georgia.
We have four days of expedition cruising in and around South Georgia, a paradise island with snow-clad mountain peaks rising 9000 feet and with 165 glaciers tumbling down towards the sea. We arrive in the middle of the season when parts of the island will still be covered by a thin layer of snow. For anyone interested in wildlife, South Georgia is a true oasis. The beaches will be covered by elephant seal bulls and females with weaning pups. They share the beach with a myriad of nesting king penguins. Most of the other seabirds will have arrived and begun nesting whilst thousands of Antarctic fur seals return to the beaches to breed. During our time here we hope to visit Salisbury Plain where we will find enormous elephant seals which crowd the beaches alongside thousands of pairs of king penguins. The colony has had an extraordinary population increase over the last century as only 350 breeding pairs were counted at this site in 1912. In Fortuna Bay we hope to see nesting light mantled sooty albatrosses, whilst in Grytviken we will visit the old whaling station and of course pay our respect at the grave of ‘the boss’ – Ernest Shackleton.
Day 8 - Days 18 & 19 At Sea.
As we cruise towards the Falkland Islands the richness of these waters will be evident in the marine mammal life, especially the fur seals on fishing forays. We will have a good chance of spotting whales such as fins and humpback whilst the birds circling our stern will be outstanding, especially the large albatrosses and numerous breeds of petrels. Days 20 to 22 Falkland Islands. The Falkland Islands are isolated and windswept, a haven for wildlife. During our three days exploring we hope to include stops at Grave Cove, home to the largest colony of gentoo penguins in the Falkland Islands and see the rockhopper penguin colony and blackbrowed albatross on West Point Island. We will use our Zodiacs to find a suitable location to land and take walks ashore for a closer look with our expedition team. We also plan to call at Stanley, the charming capital of the Falkland Islands, and discover some of the many historic sites on the island.
Day 9 - Day 23 At Sea.
During our final day at sea, our lecture programme will continue in the lounge whilst our naturalists continue to spot wildlife as we return to Ushuaia.
Day 10 - Day 24 Ushuaia to Buenos Aires.
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to Buenos Aires. On arrival transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay. The evening is free for independent arrangements.
Day 11 - Day 25 Buenos Aires to London.
After breakfast in the hotel we will transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.
Day 12 - Day 26 London.
Arrive this morning.
Day 13 - Please Note:
Please note that flexibility is key to a successful expedition in Antarctica. Although we have outlined an itinerary below, this is only a preliminary plan, our exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions and the wildlife we encounter.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
04-12-202629-12-2026GBP £15,995Magellan Deck Standard Suite
04-12-202629-12-2026GBP £16,995Columbus Deck Superior Suite
04-12-202629-12-2026GBP £17,995Marco Polo Deck Premium Suite
04-12-202629-12-2026GBP £18,495Marco Polo Deck Corner Suite
04-12-202629-12-2026GBP £18,495Magellan Deck Standard Single
04-12-202629-12-2026GBP £18,995Columbus Deck Superior Single
04-12-202629-12-2026GBP £20,595Erikson Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite
04-12-202629-12-2026GBP £21,595Explorer Deck Owner's Balcony Suite
04-12-202629-12-2026GBP £22,995Explorer Deck Island Suite

Inclusions

    • Antarctic Peninsula Exploration: Navigate icy waters to witness towering glaciers, massive icebergs, and diverse wildlife like penguins and leopard seals via Zodiac landings.
    • South Georgia’s Wildlife Oasis: Encounter vast colonies of king penguins, elephant seals, and nesting albatrosses amidst snow-capped peaks and historic sites like Shackleton’s grave.
    • Falkland Islands’ Penguin Havens: Explore isolated shores hosting gentoo and rockhopper penguins, plus black-browed albatrosses, with a visit to the charming capital, Stanley.

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