Expedition Itinerary - South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula: Penguin Safari
This is a journey for wildlife lovers, particularly those with a passion for penguins. The wildlife paradise of South Georgia starts things off with four penguin species including hundreds of thousands of king penguins, then the Antarctic Peninsula offers up Adelie, gentoo and chinstrap penguins. You’ll also experience a great diversity of environments and landscapes, creating a special extended Antarctic experience.
In brief:
- Explore the world’s seventh continent on the Antarctic Peninsula by ship, Zodiac and on foot;
- Learn about Antarctica’s unique geology, history and wildlife with an expert team of lecturers;
- See the incredible wildlife of South Georgia, often referred to as ‘the Galapagos of the South’. This includes more than 30 species of breeding birds, including four species of penguin;
- Follow in the footsteps of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s perilous voyages on South Georgia and pause for a moment at his graveside; and
- On board lecturers and educational presentations from Polar specialists.
Day 1 - Ushuaia, Argentina
The Tierra del Fuego archipelago is home to Ushuaia, at the southern tip of Patagonia. This scenic nature lover’s playground has plenty of hiking trails to explore if you need to escape from all the tasty treats on offer at the many bakeries, shops, cafes and restaurants in town.
Day 2 - Embarkation Day
This is a day for introductions and getting acquainted with your ship. Meet your fellow shipmates, be introduced to your Expedition Team and snap a few photographs of Ushuaia as you head to sea.
Day 3-4 - At Sea
Your Expedition Team will treat you to a number of fun and informative lectures during your time at sea. Reaching the Antarctic Convergence is your first taste of what makes polar travel special. Here, the cold Antarctic waters meet and mix with the warmer waters of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans, creating the abundance of marine life that attracts whales and other species to this part of the world.
Day 5-8 - South Georgia
Once ruled by sealers and whalers, things have changed greatly on South Georgia. You’ll be happy to see that the once exploited and nearly vanquished seal and whale populations are now thriving. Penguins abound here as well, with four different species to be on the lookout for. Some are a bit elusive, but the king penguins are impossible to miss, as their rookeries here number into the hundreds of thousands! Often referred to as the Galapagos of the Poles, South Georgia contains an exceptional quantity of wildlife. Each landing you make on South Georgia will open your eyes to a new wonder of wildlife, including the odd elephant seal. One significant and historic site that will be of interest is the grave of the great explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton. You can visit his grave at the settlement of Grytviken, which is also home to an old whaling station, museum and a small gift shop, church and scientific research station.
Day 9-10 - At Sea
Say goodbye to the king penguins and elephant seals, as your next destination is Antarctica! In between presentations on the wildlife, history and geology of Antarctica, you can spend time chatting with your shipmates over a drink at the bar. If conditions allow, we may attempt landfall on the South Orkney Islands, which are officially in Antarctica.
Day 11-14 - South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
Arriving in Antarctica is often a surprisingly emotional moment. Who knows how you’ll react, but the general reaction is a sense of reverence and awe. No other place on earth is like Antarctica, which is a land of extremes. Complete silence in the middle of the day is something we’re unaccustomed to in our busy lives, so Antarctica puts many people into a contemplative mood. But not for too long, as a calving glacier may break the silence or a penguin comes waddling by to inspect your footwear. Trekking up a glacier, visiting a research station or going on a Zodiac cruise amongst massive icebergs will become daily activities. It won’t take you long to tell the difference between Weddell, fur, crabeater and leopard seals either, which are all found in this part of Antarctica. Curious whales, such as Minkes, are often attracted to Zodiacs as well, giving you a chance to get close to these majestic animals. Every journey is full of surprises, even for our experienced Expedition Team, which means your journey will be unlike any before, or after it. This is untamed, unscripted nature at its best!
Day 15-16 - Crossing the Drake Passage
Wave goodbye to the penguins as the ship turns northward towards home. Crossing the Drake Passage is considered your unofficial rite of passage, completing your Antarctic adventure. Enjoy some final moments mingling with your fellow travelers or listening to the expedition recaps from your Expedition Team.
Day 17 - Disembark in Ushuaia, Argentina
After a final breakfast together, it is time to part ways. We will transfer you to the airport for your homeward flight. Important reminder: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy – and excitement – of expedition travel. There are no guarantees that we can achieve everything we set out to accomplish. A measure of flexibility is something all of us must bring to a voyage. There are nearly 200 recognized sites in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands and the places mentioned above may be changed to others equally as interesting.
Extend your stay
You may like to extend your stay.
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All Inclusive Beverage PackageFrom $299 USD
All Inclusive Beverage PackagePrice per person in US dollars from
Make your expedition experience even better by reserving one of our beverage packages before you travel. Quark is pleased to offer both an all-inclusive (all beverages) and a non-alcoholic beverage package on all departures aboard the Ocean Diamond and Clipper Adventurer ships. Choose from alcoholic beverages including a wide selection of domestic and imported beers, spirits, mixed drinks, cocktails and two varieties of red and white wine. Non-alcoholic drinks include unlimited soft drinks, water and juice. Prices start from $99 for our non-alcoholic packages and from $299 for all-inclusive packages.
Note: Beverage packages are only available on Ocean Diamond and Sea Adventurer departures.
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Trekking and Canoeing in Tierra del Fuego National Park$145 USD
7 to 8 HoursPrice Per Person
Lunch, canoeing, and trekking are included in this active adventure.
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Cruise to Penguin Island$95 USD
6 HoursPrice Per Person
If you can't wait to see penguins, take this cruise.
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Iguazu FallsFrom USD$460
2 Nights/3 DaysPrice Per Person (Twin Occupancy)
UNESCO has designated Iguazu Falls a World Heritage Site. They are considered one of the natural wonders of the modern world.
