Description
Steeped in Shackleton and whaling lore, covered mostly in glaciers, South Georgia explodes with life: king, gentoo, and macaroni penguins, enormous elephant seals and a thriving fur seal population. On South Georgia you can observe one of the world’s great wildlife spectacles: tens of thousands of stately king penguins on a single beach. See the human face of the region in the Falklands, reminiscent of Great Britain, with grazing sheep, tea and crumpets. And in this privileged place, the albatross reveal the beauty of their mysterious lives.
More time for incredible wildlife experiences
This expedition maximizes your time experiences the wildlife spectacle of South Georgia’s incredible coastline. Discover penguin colonies that sprawl to the horizon. Wade through tussock grass along a hillside dotted with nesting albatross. Share a beach with 8,000-pound battling elephant seals.
Human element of the sub-Antarctic
Meet the welcoming islanders of the Falklands and learn about their unique way of life on this remote region. Explore Stanley, the island’s capital, with the quaint feel of a Scottish island. It was once a port for repairing ships after damaging Drake Passage voyages, or refueling steamships going around Cape Horn. It became something of a forgotten outpost once the Panama Canal opened and its residents became largely reliant on sheep farming. Today, fine Falkland wool is still regarded as among the best in the world. Meet some of the 2,500 residents, you’ll find most of them travel abroad for their educations and return with new skills to further develop the islands to their true potential in a changing world.
Walk in Shackleton’s footsteps
Ernest Shackleton’s famed Endurance expedition was beset by tragedy when he lost his ship in the Antarctic ice in 1914. Through extraordinary leadership and dogged, relentless effort, none of his men were lost; all were saved in 1916. We’ll visit the site where he landed after sailing across the Drake Passage in a lifeboat, as well as the now ruined whaling station he hiked to for help.
Experience Buenos Aires, too
Discover the highlights and some hidden gems of Buenos Aires on a carefully curated day of exploring the city. See the Beaux-Arts palaces and the famous balcony forever associated with Eva Perón. Enjoy plenty of exclusive events before a group charter flight to Ushuaia to embark National Geographic Explorer.
Every day is exciting and engaging
You’ll get out on adventures every day we’re in South Georgia and the Falklands. The Falklands are ideal for walking adventures, with some hikes ending in a “cream tea” served in the parlor of a welcoming farmhouse. In all locations, your expedition leader will enable daily Zodiac cruises and kayak expeditions too, sometimes twice a day—creating the opportunity for you to experience the wonders with all your senses, at water-level or eye-level. Days at sea offer engaging presentations from staff on history, photography, and more—or opt to relax, too. Enjoy the view from behind Explorer’s panoramic glass windows. Or visit the fitness center with its generous views of the ice vistas, or ease into the sauna or a massage in the wellness center.
