South Georgia and the Falklands

Depart on an overnight flight to Buenos Aires (National Geographic Endurance) or Santiago (National Geographic Resolution). Settle into the Alvear Icon (or similar, National Geographic Endurance) before setting out on a guided tour of the city’s Beaux-Arts palaces and parks. Visit Recoleta—the final resting place of Argentina's iconic first lady, Eva Perón—and enjoy a private visit to El Zanjon de Granados, one of the city’s premier museums. Or, check into the Mandarin Oriental Santiago (or similar, National Geographic Resolution) before our guided overview of this vibrant city backed by the inspiring Andes. Discover sites like the Plaza de Armas and get a feel for the mix of old and new that makes this city so great. Lunch is served on Day 2.

Meals Included: Lunch

Fly southward to Ushuaia—aka ‘The End of the World’—sandwiched between ice-mantled peaks and the protected waters of Beagle Channel. Savor lunch onboard a private catamaran as you cruise the Channel, keeping an eye out for plump sea lions and sleek imperial cormorants. By day’s end, embark and settle into your floating expedition home base.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Feel the excitement build as we depart South America and enter the chilly realm of the Far South Atlantic. Visit the Bridge (nerve center of the ship and ideal for spotting wildlife), enjoy a massage, and listen in on informal gatherings with our naturalist staff as they discuss what to expect in the wilds of the Falklands. Spend time on deck scanning the horizon for petrels, penguins, and albatross.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spend the next two days exploring the wilds of the Falklands. This archipelago is made up of nearly 800 islands, each a variation on the underlying theme of immense topographical beauty. Trek along white-sand beaches, hike up to vaulting cliffs, traverse windswept moors, and bask in the sunlit yellows and sage greens of waving tussock grass. But this is no lonely environment—thousands of irresistible gentoo, rockhopper and Magellanic penguins congregate here, along with magnificent albatross and fur seals.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Expedition days at sea are an invitation to pause, catch a breath, and absorb some of the experiences we've already accumulated—before marching off on a range of all-new ones. It’s a great time to get some background on the history of Antarctic exploration and the flora, fauna, and geology of our next destination: South Georgia. And to learn from our naturalists how to identify the seabirds that inevitably follow us there: wandering albatross, prions, and others.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Explore the spectacular coastline of South Georgia Island. In keeping with the nature of an expedition, our schedule is flexible with opportunities for walking, hiking, kayaking, and Zodiac excursions. Sailing along the coast, we plan to offer activities every day including visits to Grytviken, the final resting place of Shackleton, and Stromness Harbour, where Ernest Shackleton, Tom Crean, and Frank Worsley finally reached aid at a whaling station. The island is also home to huge elephant seals and thousands of king penguins.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Relax onboard and enjoy the ship’s amenities. Head up to the Bridge to observe expert navigation at work as our skilled Captain and officers sail these historic waters. There’ll also be time to enjoy a massage in the wellness center, work out in the gym, and browse in the library. Each day our naturalists offer talks that add depth to your experience.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

With whales beneath and birds above, head up to the bridge, or spend these days enjoying the ship’s spa, fitness center, library, and observation deck. After time at sea, our journey across the South Atlantic Ocean takes us once more to the island archipelago that teems with nature. Our afternoon visit to Port Stanley offers a chance to see the human face of the islands. Meet the hospitable locals, hoist a drink at a local pub, and stroll around this remote colonial town.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, disembark in Ushuaia and transfer to the airport for our private charter flight to Santiago or Buenos Aires to connect with your overnight flight home.

Meals Included: Breakfast