Book select departures of these voyages: Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent; Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands; South Georgia and the Falklands; Wild Coasts of Argentina, South Georgia & the Falklands; Coastal Wonders of Norway, the Faroe Islands & Iceland; Iceland & Greenland: Edge of the Arctic; Wild Greenland Escape in combination for travel between January 2022 - March 2023 and receive 20% off your second departure.
One of the grandest wild experiences the planet offers
This voyage has it all: the impossible beauty of the Antarctic ice, the vast king penguin colonies of South Georgia, and the Falklands' amazing albatross colonies. Not even the mass migrations of Africa can rival the awesomeness of seeing a king penguin colony of tens of thousands individuals stretching as far as the eye can see. You’ll have other rare sightings here too: massive, in both senses of the word, herds of elephant seals: and a wandering albatross stretching its 11-foot wings. It’s the impossible beauty of an Antarctica trip exponentially increased by unimaginable numbers of animals. For most travelers, visiting Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. So for those with the luxury of time, including the Falklands and South Georgia just makes sense. And it makes for a genuine experience of a lifetime.
Trace the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s fateful journey in 1914 aboard Endurance, and toast his gravesite in South Georgia
See three distinct regions and benefit from our 50 years of experience here
Early November departures on all ships offer the possibility to cross-country ski and showshoe across the frozen sea ice, conditions permitting
Create incredible images of the ice and vast penguin colonies with help from a National Geographic photographer
Kayak or Zodiac cruise among icebergs, explore the rusted ruins of an abandoned whaling station, hike the last mile of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s trek across the island of South Georgia. Options about to make the expedition as active as you choose, and each day join a different naturalist for more viewpoints. Plus, get top shots with the help of a National Geographic photographer.
U.S. / Fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina (National Geographic Explorer & National Geographic Endurance) or Santiago, Chile (National Geographic Resolution)
Depart on an overnight flight to Buenos Aires (Explorer/Endurance) or Santiago (Resolution). Settle into the Alvear Art Hotel (or similar, Explorer) or Alvear Icon Hotel (or similar, Endurance) before seeing the city’s Beaux-Arts palaces and the famous balcony associated with Eva Perón. Or check into the Mandarin Oriental Santiago (or similar, 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. This area is excellent for photography! (Day 2: L)
Day 3
Fly to Ushuaia / Embark
Today we fly south to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, where we meet our ship. Ushuaia’s spectacular setting, between the jagged peaks of the Darwin Range and the protected waters of the Beagle Channel, makes it an appropriately wild place to begin our journey to the White Continent and a great destination in its own right. While we’re there, we visit Tierra del Fuego National Park, where we can hike in a beautiful forest of southern beech, very much like those that covered Antarctica millions of years ago. Lunch will be served onboard a private catamaran while cruising the Beagle Channel, where we’ll be on the lookout for huge South American sea lions and birds like imperial cormorants. Residents of Ushuaia often call their small city ‘El Fin Del Mundo’, The End of the World, but for us it’s just the beginning. (B,L,D)
Day 4
At Sea Crossing the Drake Passage
This 500-mile-wide strait between South America and the Antarctic Peninsula is one of the most famous bodies of water in the world. Sometimes ferocious, sometimes flat calm, the Drake is always a fascinating place in its own right. This part of the journey is our best opportunity to see gorgeous seabirds like the wandering albatross, and we might be lucky enough to encounter killer whales or rare species of dolphins. This is also a day to get to know our ship and prepare for the adventures ahead. Visit the Bridge (a great place to spot wildlife), have a relaxing massage, attend a talk about the biology of the penguins you’ll soon be seeing, or settle into a comfy chair in the observation lounge, look out over the waves and reflect on the incredible history of this fabled passage. If it does get a little rough, just take a couple of nice naps; we’ll be in Antarctica before you know it. (B,L,D)
Day 5
Exploring Antarctica
Some ships that visit Antarctica just cruise by and have a look, but we have a very different way of experiencing this remarkable region. By taking full advantage of all the capabilities of our world-class expedition ship, we can offer a very intimate connection with this wildest of places, immersing ourselves in the polar world and filling all our senses with the beauty and excitement of the Antarctic. In the spirit of a genuine expedition, we always keep our schedule flexible so that we can take best advantage of every opportunity the White Continent offers us. We plan to be out daily, exploring in our Zodiacs, hiking at penguin colonies, discovering remote bays, photographing wildlife, and learning fascinating details from the naturalists and other experts who accompany us on every excursion.
The Antarctic Peninsula stretches over 800 miles from north to south, a spine of craggy peaks cut by dozens of deep fjords. It’s an enormous region with many different faces and ever-changing weather, which is what makes Lindblad Expeditions’ long experience here so important. Over five decades of exploration have given us an unparalleled knowledge of the region, allowing us to respond to changing conditions, turn on a dime and select the optimal activity for each day. (B,L,D)
Day 6
Exploring Antarctica
Ice! It’s probably the very first thing most people think about when the topic of Antarctica comes up, and once you’re here it never disappoints. From icebergs the size of islands to the fragile, nearly invisible layers glistening on the surface where the sea has just begun to freeze, from near-vertical glaciers pouring down the slopes of every mountain to the endless landscapes of sea ice, and frozen ocean stretching to the horizon in every direction, ice defines the Antarctic. You’ll get to know it up close and personal, hiking, kayaking and cruising in the Zodiacs through this frozen world. (B,L,D)
Day 7
Exploring Antarctica
Our sturdy Zodiac landing craft are really the heart and soul of our explorations in the Antarctic. These tough, stable little motorized boats maneuver easily through ice-choked waters, getting us ashore safely in even the most remote and challenging locations. And simply cruising in the Zodiacs is just as much fun. What’s around the next corner? A leopard seal relaxing on an ice floe or a chance to photograph an exquisite arched iceberg that no one has ever seen before? We never know until we get there, but it’s always a thrill. (B,L,D)
Day 8
Exploring Antarctica
Penguins, without any doubt, are the most popular residents of Antarctica, and we’ll have many chances to get to know them well. Their colonies are almost always close to the beach, so it’s very easy to get great photos. In the short Antarctic summer these amazing birds are always busy with the many tasks of breeding and raising their chicks, so every month brings something new. In November the adults are squabbling over the pebbles they use to build their nests. By late December the first chicks are tucked in under their parents, peeping out at the world. And in February the chicks have left their nests and are very active, learning to swim and getting ready to fend for themselves. (B,L,D)
Day 9
Exploring Antarctica
Everywhere we go in the Antarctic we’re surrounded by opportunities to capture uniquely beautiful images with our cameras. Whether we are cruising past spectacular glaciers in the ship, getting close to seals in the Zodiacs or hiking around the penguin colonies, we are always in the company of an expert National Geographic photographer and a Lindblad photo instructor who share what they see and help us to perfect both the art and the technique of our own photography. The impossibly gorgeous blue in the heart of an iceberg, a penguin tenderly feeding its tiny chick or a glorious sunset over frozen ocean, shots like these surround us every day. Learning to capture these perfect moments is both a wonderful challenge and a huge thrill. (B,L,D)
Day 10
Exploring Antarctica
Really exploring Antarctica also means simply relaxing and watching while our ships cruise through some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. Grab a cup of cocoa and a comfortable seat in the Observation Lounge or visit the officers on the Bridge; bundle up and climb all the way up to the Monkey Deck for a really panoramic view or just kick back in your cabin and watch for seals on ice or whales blowing in the distance. We make transits of world-famous passages like the Lemaire Channel and Antarctic Sound, but we also visit equally amazing places that you’ve never heard of, yet! (B,L,D)
Day 11-12
At Sea Toward South Georgia
Setting out from the South Shetland Islands to South Georgia, we are following in the wake of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s epic voyage in the James Caird, across 800 miles of the wild and lonely Scotia Sea. But we won’t be lonely at all—these waters are home to a large and growing population of whales, including fin whales, southern right whales and even blue whales, the largest animal on Earth. Albatross and petrels wing past the ship, providing us with another wonderful challenge for photography, while presentations from the expedition team help to prepare us for the mind-bending wildlife spectacles of South Georgia.
Days at sea are not simply transits from one place to another; they are in their own right a very important part of this epic journey. The crossing from the Antarctic Peninsula to South Georgia gives us a chance to stop and breathe, to explore the amenities of the ship and to spend a little time contemplating all our new memories. Life-changing experiences tend to pile up on one another in the Antarctic, so slow down a bit and let it all settle in. This is a great time to catch up with your journal, enjoy a rejuvenating massage, or download and review all those hundreds (or thousands!) of photos. Get some rest too, when we get to South Georgia it’s going to be go, go, go! (B,L,D)
Day 13
South Georgia Island
Simply put, there is nowhere else in the world like South Georgia. Ninety miles long, dominated by a spine of jagged peaks and home to wildlife spectacles that are honestly hard to believe, it is one of the wildest and most beautiful places on the planet. Our days here will give us plenty of time to explore many facets of this unique sub-Antarctic island, including its storied history, rich ecology (you’ll probably be surprised by the green slopes of tussock grass below the glaciers) and the stunning scenery that surrounds us at every landing. (B,L,D)
Day 14
South Georgia Island
King penguins, the second largest species in the world, are unquestionably the most iconic wildlife of South Georgia. Exact numbers are not known, but the largest single colony on the island may have as many as 500,000 of these amazing birds. Half a million birds! Nesting together on a single two-mile-long beach! It’s a sight that is genuinely inconceivable until you have experienced it in person. At the other end of the scale, king penguins are great birds to get to know as individuals. Strutting purposefully past our cameras on the beaches or coming and going in and out of the surf, they seem to regard us with a wonderful mixture of curiosity and disdain. (B,L,D)
Day 15
South Georgia Island
For many, South Georgia evokes, more that anything, the epic adventures of Sir Ernest Shackleton, who reached the island after making the crossing from Elephant Island in the James Caird—still one of the most incredible small-boat journeys ever attempted. From Peggotty Bluff, where he began the arduous crossing of the glaciated spine of the island, to his quiet grave near the Grytviken whaling station, Shackleton’s spirit seems to be everywhere around the island. In very good conditions we may even be able to make a long hike up to the spot where he first heard the noon whistle from the Stromness Station and knew that rescue was close at hand at last. (B,L,D)
Day 16
South Georgia Island
In the not-too-distant past, South Georgia was an important site for both whaling and sealing, but today things are very different. The contrast between watching from the ship while southern right whales feed below the blue face of a huge iceberg, and then hiking through the rusting remains of a whaling station later the same day, can be a powerfully moving experience and one that emphasizes the very positive changes that the island has seen in the last few decades. Invasive species have been removed, rare birds are growing more and more common, whales are returning in ever-greater numbers, and our own visits have become an important factor in this successful conservation. (B,L,D)
Day 17
South Georgia Island
Every minute at South Georgia is another opportunity for truly life-changing experiences. Landing before dawn to see the pink light of sunrise touch the mountains over a king penguin colony. Quietly watching as a wandering albatross, with its 11-foot wingspan, settles onto her nest and thinking of endless miles of ocean that she has seen. Capturing incredible images of three-ton bull elephant seals jousting on a lonely beach. South Georgia is sometimes called “the Serengeti of the Southern Ocean”, but that doesn’t really even come close—this lonely island is unique in the world, so rich and so beautiful that it defies any comparison. (B,L,D)
Day 18-19
At Sea Toward the Falkland Islands
Our first day at sea on the way to the Falkland Islands is another opportunity to think back over the adventures of the past few days and make preparations for those soon to come. Spend some time chatting about your latest images with the National Geographic photographer and learn to make them look their best in the digital darkroom. Put the finishing touches on your watercolor of that amazing iceberg or try to capture an albatross’s flight in a poem. Everyone needs to exhale a bit after a visit to South Georgia, so take a little time to explore the details of your own memories and share them with your shipmates.
The bridge is the nerve center of the ship, in more ways than one. There’s always a congenial atmosphere there, whether you’ve come to ask one of the officers about navigation or just to sit and watch the world go by with binoculars in hand. The waters close to the Falkland Islands are rich with marine wildlife, so this is a great time to hang out with the naturalists and keep a watch for rare dolphins or another beautiful species of albatross. All new sightings go up on the white board for the day’s record! (B,L,D Daily)
Day 20
Falkland Islands
Stanley, the bright, pretty capital of the Falkland Islands, is a wonderfully unexpected place: a charming outpost of British culture tucked into a small bay on the shore of these windswept islands in the far South Atlantic. Many Falkland Islanders still live in very traditional ways, and we’ll have a chance to visit a small farm to see some expert sheep shearing and learn about the best techniques for cutting blocks of peat for the fire. The rocky hills and white sand beaches outside town offer some excellent hikes, and afterwards a cup of tea or a pint at the Globe Tavern goes down very nicely. (B,L,D)
Day 21
Falkland Islands
Everything we love about expedition travel seems to come together in the western Falkland Islands. Where else can you land on a beach tucked into a rocky cove, hike out across a rolling green pasture and suddenly find yourself at the crest of a sea cliff looking out over the South Atlantic surf? Just a few steps further and you’re standing at the edge of a breeding colony of black-browed albatross, so close that you can hear the wind on their wings as they swoop into land beside you. Take time to capture images of the rockhopper penguins and then it’s time to head back down to the settlement for a well-deserved farm tea—which means lots and lots and lots of delicious cakes, cookies and fresh scones! (B,L,D)
Day 22
At Sea to Ushuaia, Argentina
The final day of our expedition takes us across the shallow waters of the Falklands Shelf, back to our starting point in Ushuaia. Attend presentations from the expedition staff on topics that help to sum up all the wonderful details of our experiences in the far south and spend some time on deck enjoying the seabirds and dolphins that make these seas their home. This is a day for contemplation as well. A time to think back over our adventures, reflect on what the Antarctic means to you, how it has changed you and what thoughts and feelings you’ll take back to share with those at home. The Antarctic stays with you. Sometime soon, at a moment in the midst of a stressful day, you’ll remember the feeling of the polar wind, the sight of waves crashing against the blue wall of an iceberg, and the sound of the penguins calling to their chicks. It’s a little bit of peace that you’ll carry with you always. (B,L,D)
Day 23-24
Disembark Ushuaia / Fly to Buenos Aires (National Geographic Explorer & National Geographic Endurance) or Santiago (National Geographic Resolution) / Home
Today we disembark in Ushuaia. Fly by private charter flight to Buenos Aires or Santiago and connect with your overnight flight home. (Day 23: B,L)
IMPORTANT: Some departures may have a slightly modified itinerary. Please confirm departure and arrival cities with an Expedition Specialist before booking your flights.
Alternative Route
Kayak or Zodiac cruise among icebergs, explore the rusted ruins of an abandoned whaling station, hike the last mile of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s trek across the island of South Georgia. Options about to make the expedition as active as you choose, and each day join a different naturalist for more viewpoints. Plus, get top shots with the help of a National Geographic photographer.
Embark
Disembark
Day 1-2
Disembark Ushuaia/Fly to Buenos Aires (National Geographic Explorer/National Geographic Endurance) or Santiago (National Geographic Resolution)/Home
Depart on an overnight flight to Buenos Aires (Explorer/Endurance) or Santiago (Resolution). Settle into the Alvear Art Hotel (or similar, Explorer) or Alvear Icon Hotel (or similar, Endurance) before seeing the city’s Beaux-Arts palaces and the famous balcony associated with Eva Perón. Or check into the Mandarin Oriental Santiago (or similar) before our guided overview of this vibrant city backed by the inspiring Andes. (Day 2: L)
Day 3
Fly to Ushuaia/Embark
Fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Enjoy lunch on a catamaran cruise of the Beagle Channel before embarking. (B,L,D)
Day 4
At Sea
Settle in to shipboard life as we sail to the Falkland Islands. Keep a lookout for albatross that glide alongside the ship. (B,L,D)
Day 5-6
Falkland Islands
The Falklands boast albatross, king cormorants, nesting rockhopper penguins, and Magellanic penguins in their green tussock grass burrows. Stroll the photogenic colonial town of Stanley and visit the evocative Anglican Cathedral with its archway of whalebones. (B,L,D)
Day 7-8
At Sea
Whales beneath, birds above, as you continue on. Our naturalists will prepare us for the exciting days ahead with presentations on the wildlife of South Georgia, and, of course, the inspiring story of Sir Ernest Shackleton and the Endurance. (B,L,D)
Day 9-13
South Georgia Island
This is the final resting place for explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, and conditions permitting, we’ll hoist a toast at his gravesite. Teeming wildlife and breathtaking scenery greet our ship. And at a vast penguin colony you’ll see tens of thousands of king penguins! (B,L,D)
Day 14-15
At Sea
As we voyage, head up to the Bridge to watch for icebergs and 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, workout in the gym, and browse in the library. Each day our naturalists offer talks that add depth to your experience. (B,L,D Daily)
Day 16-20
Antarctica
With long hours of daylight, we make the most of our days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding islands. Our schedule is flexible, allowing us to take advantage of the unexpected. We’ll spend these days on the “White Continent,” exploring via Zodiac, kayak and on foot, and using our arsenal of tools for exploration. (B,L,D Daily)
Day 21-22
At Sea
On our final day at sea, enjoy one last chance to view the marine and bird life of these southern waters. Toast our epic voyage at a festive farewell dinner. (B,L,D Daily)
Day 23-24
Disembark Ushuaia/Fly to Buenos Aires (Explorer/Endurance) or Santiago (Resolution)/Home
Disembark in Ushuaia. Fly by charter to Buenos Aires or Santiago and connect with your overnight flight home. (Day 23: B,L)
Alternative Route
Kayak or Zodiac cruise among icebergs, explore the rusted ruins of an abandoned whaling station, hike the last mile of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s trek across the island of South Georgia. Options about to make the expedition as active as you choose, and each day join a different naturalist for more viewpoints. Plus, get top shots with the help of a National Geographic photographer.
Book select departures by June 30, 2022, for free round-trip economy group airfare between Miami and Buenos Aires (or Santiago); ask about other U.S. gateways. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, and may not be combined with other offers and pre- and post-extensions. Baggage fees may be additional. Call for details.
BACK-TO-BACK SAVINGS
Special Offers
Save 10% on any consecutive journeys taken on board one of our expedition ships. This savings is applicable on voyage fares only, and are not valid on extensions or airfare.
BRINGING THE KIDS
Special Offers
We believe sharing an expedition with your kids or grandkids is a life-enhancing experience. So take $500 off for each child under the age of 18.
COMBINING OFFERS
Special Offers
Certain offers may be combinable, up to two savings opportunities, except where noted otherwise. For example, travel with a group of 8 or more on back-to-back expeditions, and take advantage of both savings.
TRAVELING AS A GROUP
Special Offers
Save 5% when traveling as a group of 8 or more people. Take advantage of these great savings, while enjoying traveling with your friends and family. This savings is applicable to voyage fares only, and is not valid on extensions or airfare. Deposit, final payments, and cancellation policies for group travel vary from our regular policies.
POLAR OFFER: TRAVEL TO BOTH POLES & SAVE!
Special Offers
Book select departures of these voyages: Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent; Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands; South Georgia and the Falklands; Coastal Wonders of Norway, the Faroe Islands & Iceland; Iceland & Greenland: Edge of the Arctic; Wild Greenland Escape in combination for travel between January 2022 - March 2023 and receive 20% off your second departure. Valid for new bookings made by June 30, 2022, subject to availability on select departures, not applicable on extensions or 4th Guest Travels Free offer. Call for details.
Iguazú Falls Post Voyage Extension for Explorer and Endurance
Iguazú Falls Post Voyage Extension for Explorer and Endurance
Post-trip
3 Days
From
$3,290 per person
Taller than Niagara, Iguazú Falls is also twice as wide, with 275 cascades spread in a horseshoe shape over nearly 2 miles of the Iguazú River. Situated in Iguazú National Park in northeastern Argentina, this natural sanctuary is a UNESCO World Heritage site owing to its beautiful landscapes and subtropical forest, with 450 species of birds, including toucans and parrots, and butterflies, orchids, and endangered jaguars.
Note: On select National Geographic Endurance departures this may run as a pre-voyage extension. Please call for details.
Today was our final day on this amazing voyage to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. We awoke to the most beautiful sunrise over the city of Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city and the capital of Tierra del Fuego. This morning we had the fantastic opportunity to visit a local maritime museum here in Ushuaia for a private opening. Afterwards, we enjoyed a wonderful drive through the nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park. After a relaxing afternoon onboard National Geographic Resolution , we were treated to tours of the Bridge, and then a special wine tasting in Tupaia with our incredible bar team. To round out our day, the captain finished our expedition in style with a fabulous cocktail party. We toasted our adventures to some of the most remote islands on the planet.
Until now, we have skirted the mercurial weather of the South Atlantic. Though the sun has been rare, we have been lucky with calm seas and easy access to some of the most exciting landing sights South Georgia and the Falklands have to offer. Today, as our trip nears its end, we had the opportunity to experience a small taste of the conditions that make this such a notorious region for seafarers and explorers. With sustained winds of up to 50 knots wrapping around Cape Horn, the ocean quickly began to churn. Our captain and bridge team found us shelter in the Beagle Channel where we spent the day appreciating the power of the ocean and the biodiversity of Tierra del Fuego. While onboard in the comfort of our new ship/home, National Geographic photographer Camille Seaman shared a collection of photographs she took throughout the last two weeks. Naturalists Madalena Pachaco and Bud Lenhausen shared stories of exploration and changing climates. Photo caption: The chart shows our way to protection from the storm in the Beagle Channel. Photo by Alex Krowiak
We continued sailing from the Falkland Islands to Ushuaia, crossing the Le Maire Strait and entering the Beagle Channel. On our way, we enjoyed spectacular landscapes as seabirds followed us.
By sunrise it’s clear that we have completed our run from South Georgia Island and are now on the west side of the Falkland Islands. It looks to be the dawn of a gorgeous day: sunny, warm, and with just a bit of wind to freshen the air. During breakfast we approach the morning’s destination, the settlement of West Point Island. The settlement buildings sit within a dark green thicket of majestic Monterey cypress trees. The trees are not only beautiful, but also protect the settlement from the winds that are very common on the mostly low elevation Falklands. Trees, in general, are an indication of human activity here since there are no native trees to the area. Another conspicuous introduced plant is the European gorse, which is a large, spiny shrub in the pea family used as a “living fence.” There is nothing native to the Falkland Islands that could be used to build fences for controlling the wanderings of livestock. On the sandy beach we are greeted by the Island’s caretakers, Kicki and Thies. Their real home, when not working as caretakers, is a tiny sailboat moored near shore. Our intention is to travel to the other side of the island, about two miles, to view nesting black-browed albatross and rock hopper penguins! For those who do not want to walk both there and back or even at all, Kicki and Thies have brought two Land Rover Defenders down to the beach to provide a shuttle service. The vehicles are not new, which just adds to the feeling of adventure. The other side of the island is a couple hundred feet or more above the ocean. The scintillating water below is punctuated by the occasional whale blow. A path winds through very healthy, well-fertilized tussoc grass allowing them to grow taller than even the tallest person. Before long we begin to hear constant plaintive noises, which are soon revealed to be the impatience of very large albatross chicks waiting for a parent. A bit beyond the albatross are the rock hopper penguins. We have good views of it all! Due to a large storm developing between us and the Beagle Channel, our next destination, we leave the Falkland Islands after lunch. Photo caption: Impatient black-browed albatross chicks waiting for a meal. Photo by Dennis Cornejo
Today was our first of two scheduled days in the Falkland Islands, visiting Bleaker Island in the morning and Bull Point in the afternoon. The Falklands offer a very different experience, bridging the ecological gap between the remoteness of South Georgia and the South American mainland. We found new species of penguins, southern rockhoppers and Magellanics, alongside others that we are now more familiar with, such as gentoos. Albatrosses are no longer the great soaring giant wanderers and royals, but the more abundant and elegant black-browed. From South Georgia’s single land bird (South Georgia pipit), we are now returning to what for most of us is normalcy, with small birds hopping around our feet and birds wading near the shore. Land birds include dapper white-bridled finches, austral thrushes, meadowlarks, and blackish Cinclodes, locally named “tussac-birds.” Birds of prey are appearing in our binoculars again, with the rare striated caracara visiting the shore’s landing station. Offshore, a number of sei whales were busy feeding near Bleaker Island, while Peale’s dolphins made a brief appearance. Long hikes were welcomed by some after the sea days, while others preferred to explore alone. Some guests went on guided wildlife walks with the naturalists, seeing many of the species introduced to us during the previous evening’s presentations. The dune systems of Bull Point are a fine example of a mobile habitat. We saw how dunes are formed and stabilised, allowing for colonisation by low-growing plants away from the windswept and mobile fronts. At the shore station on Bleaker Island, we enjoyed a socially distanced visit with the resident family and their wonderful son. They reminded us that there really are other human beings on the planet! Unfortunately, the region’s forecast is deteriorating rapidly. We will have to cut our visit a little short and head for Ushuaia this evening to ensure safe passage. While disappointing, of course, it allows further opportunity for exploration around Ushuaia. With a full day at sea tomorrow, the adventure is far from over!
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