Exceptional route: Weddell Sea Explorer Intensive

Days 4–6: Journey to South Georgia
As you enter the marine zone of South Georgia, one of the largest protected waters in the world, you will pass Shag Rocks. These impressive rocks are located 240 km west of South Georgia and are home to several thousand South Georgia shags.

After arriving in South Georgia, you will have the opportunity to visit some of the following places:

Prion Island – This location is not accessible at the beginning of the mating season and breeding period for wandering albatrosses (November 20 to January 7). From January onwards, mating season is over and the birds are busy breeding or feeding their hatched chicks. Observe the birds with the largest wingspan in the world and enjoy the breathtaking natural surroundings.

Fortuna Bay – A large number of king penguins and seals live on the beautiful floodplain of the Fortuna Glacier. Here you will follow the last stage of Shackleton's route to the abandoned whaling village of Stromness. This trail leads over the mountain pass beyond Shackleton's waterfall. In this marshy terrain, you will cross small streams to reach your destination.

Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay, Gold Harbor – These places are not only home to the three largest king penguin colonies in South Georgia, but are also three of the world's largest breeding beaches for Antarctic fur seals. You will see millions of seals breeding here in December and January. In February, the young fur seals curiously explore their surroundings and play in the surf. In addition, large elephant seals come to the beaches to moult. 

Grytviken – Here you can visit an abandoned whaling station, where king penguins and elephant seals now lounge around and relax. Another highlight on Grytviken is the South Georgia Museum and Ernest Shackleton's grave.

On the afternoon of the sixth day, depending on weather conditions, you will sail towards the South Sandwich Islands.

Day 9: South Sandwich Islands
You cannot land on the South Sandwich Islands, but if conditions permit, you will travel by Zodiac through the breathtaking landscape of this volcanically active area. The size of these remote islands between Thule and the Cook Islands will leave a lasting impression on you. In this area, you can observe humpback and minke whales, brown skuas, chinstrap penguins or Adelie penguins, and various species of albatross, such as the gray-headed, black-browed, and wandering albatross.

Days 13–14: Queen Maud Land and New Swabia

Their first destination in Antarctica is the region historically known as Neuschwabenland in Queen Maud Land. This area was explored during the third German Antarctic expedition from 1938 to 1939, led by Alfred Ritscher. The goal of the expedition was to find a suitable location for a German whaling station and to evaluate potential options for a naval base. As part of an attempt to stake a claim to the region, flags were planted on the sea ice along the coast. In addition, during reconnaissance flights, expedition members dropped aluminum arrows to mark the area—none of which, however, have survived to this day.

Days 23–25: Elephant Island and the Antarctic Peninsula

The course, landing sites, and route depend entirely on ice conditions. If conditions permit, you may first head for the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula; however, it is more likely that you will set a direct course for Elephant Island. This remote location was the starting point for one of the most epic journeys in history: from here, Shackleton sailed to South Georgia with just five men in a small lifeboat, the James Caird, and then undertook a 36-hour march to Stromness—a truly Herculean feat.

Twenty-two members of his expedition were stranded on Elephant Island, and it took four and a half months for the legendary rescue operation to be completed. Conditions on Elephant Island are extreme: the coastline consists largely of steep rocky and icy cliffs and is heavily exposed to the elements. If possible, take a Zodiac ride to Point Wild—the very spot where the stranded expedition members survived despite the most adverse conditions.

Depending on ice conditions, you can then proceed into the Erebus and Terror Gulf area, possibly via the spectacular Antarctic Sund. There you will find a large colony of Adélie penguins, gentoo penguins, and nesting petrels. Possible destinations include Brown Bluff, Kinnes Cove, and the impressive Madder Cliffs. With a bit of luck and favorable ice conditions, you may even reach Snow Hill Island, home to the northernmost colony of emperor penguins. If conditions permit, there is also the possibility of a landing on James Ross Island.