Falkland Islands & South Georgia

Day 2 | Boarding

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll have the morning to yourself. In the afternoon, a group transfer will take you to the harbor, where you’ll board the MS Sea Spirit. Following a safety briefing and a welcome cocktail, the ship will set sail and head through the Beagle Channel toward the open sea. From the deck, you’ll be able to spot sea lions, cormorants, and, with a little luck, Magellanic penguins along the channel’s shores.

Days 4 and 5 | Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands (Malvinas) are located about 480 kilometers off the coast of Argentina. The ship heads for remote outer islands where you can see huge colonies of king penguins, rockhopper penguins, gentoo penguins, Magellanic penguins, and macaroni penguins up close. Five species of penguins breed on this archipelago, along with black-browed albatrosses, giant petrels, and caracara birds of prey.

The islands are home to about 80% of the world's black-browed albatross population. Southern elephant seals and South American sea lions can be found on the beaches, and Peale's dolphins and Commerson's dolphins are regularly spotted in the coastal waters.

You’ll also visit Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands. This small town, with a population of around 3,000, has a distinctly British character: you’ll stroll past Christ Church Cathedral with its whale bone archway, visit the Falkland Islands Museum, and explore the wrecks of historic sailing ships in the harbor.

Days 8 to 14 | South Georgia

You’ll spend up to seven days along the coast of South Georgia, one of the most wildlife-rich islands on Earth. It’s estimated that around 100 million seabirds breed here, and on beaches like Salisbury Plain and St. Andrews Bay, over 100,000 elephant seals jostle alongside countless penguins. The captain and expedition leader adjust the route daily based on weather, sea conditions, and wildlife sightings. You’ll go ashore at several bays and beaches along the northeast coast and explore the wildlife by Zodiac.

On Salisbury Plain, you’ll find yourself in the midst of one of the island’s largest king penguin colonies. Tens of thousands of penguins crowd together, with the chicks in their brown downy coats nestled among the adults. The noise level is deafening, and the smell is intense. On the beach, you’ll see elephant seals, which can weigh up to four tons.

In St. Andrews Bay, you’ll find South Georgia’s largest king penguin colony, with an estimated 100,000 breeding pairs. Behind it lies a glacial valley. Fur seals crowd the shore; around three million of them live on South Georgia.

In Grytviken, you’ll visit the most famous of the former whaling stations. The rusting remains of the facility are a designated historic site. At the South Georgia Museum, you’ll learn more about the history of whaling and exploration on the island. The small cemetery is home to the grave of Ernest Shackleton, who died here in 1922 during his final expedition. In the bay, fur seals regularly surface among the old structures.

Other possible stops include Gold Harbour, where you can see king penguins and elephant seals against a glacial backdrop, as well as Cooper Bay, home to macaroni penguins and giant petrels. You’ll travel by Zodiac along towering glaciers that calve directly into the sea.

Day 17 | Falkland Islands

Depending on the weather and the itinerary, the MS Sea Spirit may make another stop at the Falkland Islands. You can take this opportunity to go hiking across the open grasslands, visit more penguin colonies, or take another stroll through Stanley.

Day 19 | Disembarkation in Ushuaia

After breakfast on board, you will disembark. A group transfer will take you to the airport or to downtown Ushuaia.