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This must be one of the world’s last great sea voyages - sailing from Antarctica up through the South Atlantic Ocean, visiting remote islands en route. Departing mid-March, it’s a 33 or 42 day long voyage depending on whether you incorporate Antarctica, sailing on board a 170 passenger expedition ship.
Trip Summary
- Either 10 or 14 days 'off ship' exploring – Antarctica (4), South Georgia (3), Gough Island (1), Tristan da Cunha (3), St. Helena (3)
- Explore as much of the region as possible while having the time to appreciate the delights at each landing
- Antarctic operational experience since 1996
- Expedition staff to guest ratio of 1:10
- Visit Tristan da Cunha, St. Helena and Ascension Island, in addition to the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Shetland Islands, South Georgia and the South Orkney
- Look out for rockhopper penguins and Subantarctic fur seals on a zodiac cruise in Quest Bay
- Get to know the culture of local human communities – as well as the wildlife!
Trip Overview
Falklands
South Georgia
Antarctic Peninsula
From
$15,750 - $23,800
Operator's Itinerary
Your voyage begins where the world drops off: Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to be the southernmost city on the planet, located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego - nicknamed “The End of the World” - and sail the scenic, mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the rest of the evening.
Over the next two days on the Drake Passage, you catch a taste of life from the perspective of the polar explorers who first braved these regions: cool salt breezes, rolling waves, maybe even a fin whale blasting up a column of sea spray. After passing the Antarctic Convergence - Antarctica’s natural boundary, formed when north-flowing cold waters collide with warmer subantarctic seas - you are in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone.
Not only does the marine life change, the avian life changes too: A variety of albatrosses and petrels show up, along with Cape pigeons and southern fulmars. Then, near the South Shetlands Islands, the first icebergs flash into sight.
Gray stone peaks sketched with snow, towers of broken blue-white ice, and dramatically different wildlife below and above. You first pass the snow-capped Melchior Islands and Schollaert Channel, sailing between Brabant and Anvers Islands.
Possible sites you may visit include:
Wilhelmina Bay - A likely spot to see feeding humpback whales. If conditions allow, you may even embark on a Zodiac cruise to the ghostly wreck of the Guvernøren, a whaling vessel that caught fire here in 1915.
Cuverville Island - Stabbing up between Rongé Island and the Antarctic Peninsula, Cuverville houses a colony of several thousand gentoo penguins as well as pairs of breeding brown skuas.
Danco Island - Activities here may focus on the gentoo penguins nesting on the island, in addition to the Weddell and crabeater seals that may be found nearby.
Neko Harbour - An epic landscape of mammoth glaciers and endless wind-carved snow, Neko Harbour offers opportunities for a Zodiac cruise and landing that afford the closest views of the surrounding alpine peaks.
Paradise Bay - You may be able to take a Zodiac cruise in these sprawling, ice-flecked waters, where you have a good chance of seeing humpback and minke whales. You have the chance to land on the Continent here too.
Booth, Pléneau & Petermann Islands - You may sail through the Lemaire Channel in search of Adélie penguins and blue-eyed shags. There’s also a good chance you’ll encounter leopard seals as well as humpback, minke, and fin whales here. You may also visit Booth Island’s Port Charcot.
Melchior Islands - A beautiful landscape rich with icebergs. Leopard seals, crabeater seals, and whales are found here, and there are excellent opportunities for kayaking and diving.
You depart at noon, depending on conditions on the Drake Passage.
While crossing the Drake, you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to you now, and you to them.
New passengers join you in Ushuaia before you push back through the Beagle Channel.
During these two days, you'll sail across the Drake Passage. Crossing the Antarctic Convergence, you will arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. Here you may see Wandering Albatrosses, Grey Headed Albatrosses, Black-browed Albatrosses, Light- mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Cape Petrels, Southern Fulmars, Wilson's Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels and Antarctic Petrels.
The plan is to visit some of the world’s top king penguin rookeries. This time of year you have a good chance of seeing these animals nesting on eggs, their chicks close by. The rookeries are overflowing, with waddling rush-hour traffic to and from the beach.
Possible visits include:
Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay, Gold Harbour - Here you see not only the massive king penguin colony, but also elephant seals and limitless fur seal pups playing in the surf.
Prion Island - A great location to watch wandering albatrosses.
Grytviken - You have the opportunity to check out this abandoned whaling station, where king penguins now walk the streets and elephant seals lie around like they own the place - because they just about do. You might also see the South Georgia Museum as well as Shackleton’s grave.
Cooper Bay - A great place for a Zodiac cruise, this bay also houses a rookery of macaroni penguins. King penguins, pintails, and giant petrels may also appear here.
A pleasant tailwind often accompanies the vessel through the westerlies, and on both sides of the Convergence fly vast numbers of Antarctic and Subantarctic seabirds.
You first approach Gough Island for a Zodiac cruise in Quest Bay, weather permitting. Northern rockhopper penguins and Subantarctic fur seals are often seen here. In previous years it has been possible for the vessel to circumnavigate all but four miles of the 33-mile circumference of the island, taking in the scenery and unrivalled abundance of wildlife.
These islands are famed for their bird population, which includes rockhopper penguins, several species of albatross, petrels, skuas, terns, and many others. Your aim is to visit the settlement on the west side of this archipelago’s main island but the planned four days here may also allow us to land in Seal Bay on the south side or possibly at Sandy Point on the east side of Tristan da Cunha.
Here we may encounter wildlife such as Yellow-nosed albatrosses and Sub-Antarctic fur seals and otherwise explore a very rarely visited spot. We aim to land at Nightingale and Inaccessible islands, with views of seabirds ranging from yellow-nosed albatrosses to brown noddies.
Two days are reserved in case of bad weather, but please remember that nature determines the itinerary here: Since beginning the Atlantic Odyssey cruise in 1998, adverse weather led to the cancellation of 35% of Tristan da Cunha landings. It is not impossible, but it is difficult.
Seabirds and dolphins indigenous to this region often follow the vessel.
After landing at Jamestown, you have many opportunities to enjoy the local culture, pleasant climate, and endemic birds of this remote island. One such activity is a visit to Longwood House, where Napoleon died in exile. You also have the chance to explore the island on your own - and snorkel the shallows, seeing multitudes of tropical and subtropical fish.
Disembarkation and a flight to Europe is possible from here.
In the evening, the vessel departs for Ascension Island and Praia, Cape Verde where you may also disembark.
Start from Ushuaia and end at Ascension Island
Landmarks potentially visited on Southern Atlantic Odyssey
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Ship Overview
- A highly ice-strengthened Polar Class 6 vessel
- Spacious lecture theatre for the comprehensive educational programme
- State-of-the-art power management systems to help reduce environmental impact
- Modern décor with a cosy and informal atmosphere
- Sheltered zodiac boarding zone for easier entry into the boats
- Camping, kayaking and snowshoeing available on select departures
Prices & Departures
Prices quoted below are per person based on 2 people sharing. Cabin availability changes all the time so please contact us for up-to-date details and information on specific cabin availability.
- Voyage aboard the vessel as indicated in the itinerary
- Accommodation and meals during the voyage on full board including snacks, coffee and tea
- All shore excursions and zodiac activities
- Educational lectures by expert onboard polar guides
- Access to an onboard doctor and basic medical services
- Loan of rubber boots and snowshoes for the voyage's duration
- Comprehensive pre-departure information
- Port taxes and any entry fees to landing sites
- Daily allowance of 1.5GB of free internet connectivity, which resets every 24 hours. For guests requiring additional access beyond this inclusion, supplementary vouchers are available to purchase on board at extra cost
- Flights to and from points of embarkation/disembarkation
- Any additional pre/post land services, including meals
- Transfers not specified in the itinerary
- Optional adventure activities (e.g. kayaking)
- Visa, passport and any vaccination expenses
- Airport arrival or departure taxes
- Personal travel insurance
- Items of a personal nature - laundry, beverages, etc
- Customary staff gratuity at the end of the voyage
- Additional onboard purchases (i.e. gift shop)
The 23rd March 2026 voyage will operate on a different ship. This compact vessel takes just 108 passengers for an intimate experience of Antarctica.
Single Supplement And Child Policy
For those travelling solo who want their own cabin, the single supplement is 1.7 times the cost of a single berth. Please contact us for details. There is no single supplement for passengers willing to share a cabin.
Children aged 8 years old or over are permitted on this trip. On select departures, children under 16 may receive a 40% discount. Please contact us for details.