island sky falkland islands south georgia and antarctica luxury cruise

Falkland Is, South Georgia and Antarctica

  • Overview

    This expedition will sail towards the Falklands Islands, where you will take in the history of these islands, the scenerary and surrounding wildlife. The expedition then sails on to South Georgia, where Wandering Albatros will dance in the ships draft as you make your approach to South Georgia. With for full days of discovery on South Georgia, its rugged mountain scenery, glaciers, icebergs, wildlife on an epic scale and rich historical sites will not leave you dissappointed. Your expedition then sails south towards the Antarctic Peninsula, on a flexible itinerary to create the best experience baseortud on weather, ice and oppnities that present. Your Captain and expedition team, work together and with your expedition group in creating a truly remarkable, once in a lifetime Antarctic experience for you.

    Duration: 20 days
    Passengers: 118 passengers
    Embarkation Point: Ushuaia, Argentina
    Disembarkation Point: Ushuaia, Argentina
    Physical rating: Soft Adventure
    Fly/Cruise: Cruise only
    Single Supplement: 0.0x - 2.0x twin rate or share options
  • Itinerary
    • Day 1 - Ushuaia

      Enjoy the Argentinean leather markets and succulent lamb dishes that make Patagonia famous as you explore the southernmost town in the world. Highlights of Ushuaia include an award-winning museum and trips to nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park and its popular “Train at the End of the World”.

    • Day 2 - Embarkation

      Arriving at the ship in the afternoon, you will be greeted by our Expedition Team and ship's officers at a safety and orientation briefing followed by the Captain's welcome dinner. After dinner, relax and take in the mountainous scenery on our early evening sail down the Beagle Channel past Magellanic Penguin, Rock Cormorant, and Sea Lion colonies.

    • Day 3 - Southern Ocean

      Among the wildlife spotting opportunities as we sail south are the albatrosses, prions, and petrels that frequently follow the ship. Our Expedition Team will be out on deck as well, looking for the whales and dolphins that may also be seen in the area. Our experts will begin the presentations with informative and entertaining talks on the wildlife, history, and geology of the Falkland Islands and Southern Ocean. Helpful briefings on environmental regulations and expedition safety will also be held in the comfortable lounge.

    • Day 4 - West Falkland Islands

      The westernmost settled outposts in the Falklands are remote farms that have been family-owned for six and seven generations. The sheep graze alongside albatross colonies and rockhopper, king, and macaroni penguin rookeries while striated caracaras patrol overhead and upland geese graze at the water's edge. A visit to one of these homesteads often includes an invitation for cakes and a cup of tea.

    • Day 5 - Stanley, East Falkland Islands

      Chosen for its sheltered harbor and access to abundant fresh water and peat for fuel, Stanley is easy to discover on foot as shops and most services are centered on the port. The museum, the post-office featuring first day covers, plenty of shops with locally made wool items and Stanley's lively pubs will all be available. It is possible to experience the wildlife of the Falklands from the town, including sea lions and dolphins in the harbor or bird life in nearby Gypsy Cove.

    • Day 6/7 - Southern Ocean

      There will be plenty of wildlife spotting as we make our way east across the Antarctic Convergence and officially enter Antarctic waters. Shipboard presentations will continue featuring the exciting history and abundant wildlife of South Georgia.

    • Day 8/11 - South Georgia

      Its unique position inside the Antarctic Convergence yet outside the limit of the yearly sea ice makes this 3,755 square kilometer island home to tens of millions of breeding penguins, seals and seabirds.

      Magnificent mountain scenery, glaciers galore, a rugged coastline punctuated with castellate and tabular icebergs, a rich historical tapestry, and an astounding array of wildlife are all available to us as we travel down South Georgia's leeward coast. Landing sites feature huge elephant seals, aggressive fur seals, macaroni penguins, albatross, petrels, skuas, and gulls. King penguins from fuzzy little chicks to fattened adults can be seen in the hundreds of thousands. We plan to visit historic Grytviken whaling station, home of the whaling museum, Norwegian seaman's church, the active British Antarctic Survey station plus the tiny graveyard where the great Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton is buried.

    • Day 12/13 - Scotia Sea

      Heading farther south, we continue our informative presentations and wildlife watch as the icebergs become more and more plentiful.

    • Day 14/17 - Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands

      The land of superlatives, Antarctica! Our Expedition Leader and Captain will create a flexible itinerary based on weather, ice, and opportunity.

      Approaching the Antarctic Peninsula from the east we cross the northern boundary of the Weddell Sea; this large cold body of water rotates clockwise driving cold water and ice north towards South Georgia and the South Orkney Islands. Large tabular icebergs born in the Weddell drift north into our path while the ocean currents drive nutrients from the deep, feeding countless species of marine animals. Large groups of wales are common, along with scores of seabirds thriving off the bounty the Weddell provides.

      Our route will stress the most scenic bays and channels of the Peninsula with stops at penguin rookeries, seal wallows, bird colonies and whale feeding areas as well as sites of historic and scientific interest. The trip may include picturesque Neko Harbor, sheltered Paradise Harbor, Wilhelmina Bay (a favorite of humpback whales!), or the majestic Neumayer Channel. We may stop at an active scientific base such as Poland’s Arctowksi or a historic base such as U.K.’s Port Lockroy or Wordie House. Adelie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins abound, and Weddell, crabeater and elephant seals are often found hauled out to rest along with predatory leopard seals and the aggressive Antarctic fur seal. Minke and humpback whales are frequent visitors in the late season and orca sightings are also common.

    • Day 18/19 - Drake Passage

      We will continue our lecture series and wildlife spotting as we sail back to Ushuaia and reflect on beautiful Antarctica and its fragile future.

    • Day 20 - Ushuaia disembarkation

      Morning disembarkation lets you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure

    Please consider that our voyages are expeditionary in nature. This means, that there are no concrete itineraries, your Captain and Expedition Leader will utilise their vast experience to chart the best course for your expedition depending on the climatic and environmental conditions. Mentioned highlights and wildlife cannot be guaranteed.

  • Adventure Activities

    Kayaking

    To experience Antarctica up close and personal, there’s really no better seat than the one in your kayak, just inches above the water, navigating among icebergs and glacial ice dating back 30,000 years.

    Gliding through an otherworldly landscape with a small team, led by our expert guides and occasionally joined by a family of playful penguins or seals, this is about as intimate and magical as it gets.

    USD$ 895 per person
  • Inclusions

    Expedition Gear

    The ship will provide you with expedition boots (on loan) and a specially designed expedition jacket, which is yours to keep at the end of your voyage.

    Wifi

    100 minutes of Wifi access is provided for use on your personal devices free of charge.

    Premium Suite Extras

    The Promenade, Deluxe, Penthouse and Owner Suites all receive champagne and chocolates on arrival and a complimentary mini-bar.

    Accommodation & Transfers

    Transfers are provided pre and post-cruise by the expedition team and one-night accommodation is provided on Day 1 of your itinerary at a Ushuaia hotel.

    Complimentary Pre-Arrival Day:
    Don’t sweat flight delays or missed connections when you begin your adventure a day early by taking advantage of our optional free pre-arrival night at the beautiful Arakur Hotel & Resort, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World. Enjoy the spa, wander the trails, or unwind and soak in the surroundings.

    Inclusions / Exclusions

    Included in your Expedition

    - Digital voyage log
    - All port & landing fees
    - House wine / beer or soft drink with dinner
    - Welcome & Farewell cocktail
    - Hot beverages
    - All excursions and lectures
    - All accommodation and meals on board

    Not included in your Expedition

  • Map
    Screen shot 2017 07 05 at 3.44.44 pm
  • Gallery
  • Vessel

    ISLAND SKY

    The Island Sky is an all suites, all inclusive small expedition vessel with touches of elegance throughout. Quark Expeditions’ only all-suite ship, it carries a maximum of 108 passengers and provides an abundance of public space for wildlife viewing, relaxation and taking in lectures and briefings. Every suite has private bathroom facilities and an exterior view, while some suites include a private balcony. All suites have flat screen televisions and DVD players.

    Features & Facilities
    • Luxury accommodation
    • Observation lounge
    • Observation Bar
    • Library
    • Lecture theatre
    • Large observation deck
    • Internet/Wifi
    Key Facts
    Luxury star rating: 4
    Guests #: 114
    Crew #: 72
    Ice Class: 1C
    Speed:
    Refurbished:
    Technical Specs
    Year built:
    Length: 90m
    Width: 15
    Draft:
    Tonnage: 4200
    Registry: Bahamas
    Elec Outlets:
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Ready to book your expedition?

We understand that the trip of a lifetime takes planning, so we make the financial commitments easy to manage.

  • Confirm your booking today with just USD$ 1,000 per passenger.
  • Pay your 25% deposit 5 day later.
  • Final payment due 120 days prior to departure.
island sky triple suite

Triple Suite

23 Feb 2020 - 13 Mar 2020
A generous suite with twin beds and a sofa bed.
USD$ 14,295pp
USD$ 14,295pp
island sky porthole suite

Porthole Suite

23 Feb 2020 - 13 Mar 2020
A generous Suite with twin or king bedding and private facilties.
USD$ 16,995pp
USD$ 14,446pp
island sky window suite

Window Suite

23 Feb 2020 - 13 Mar 2020
A generous Suite with twin or king bedding and private facilties.
USD$ 18,995pp
USD$ 16,146pp
island sky promenade suite

Promenade Suite

23 Feb 2020 - 13 Mar 2020
A generous Suite with twin or king bedding and private facilties.
USD$ 19,695pp
USD$ 16,741pp
island sky deluxe suite

Deluxe Suite

23 Feb 2020 - 13 Mar 2020
Corner Suites with twin or king bedding and private facilities.
USD$ 19,995pp
USD$ 19,995pp
island sky veranda suite

Veranda Suite with Balcony

23 Feb 2020 - 13 Mar 2020
An extremely comfortable Suite with twin or king bedding, private facilities and a balcony.
USD$ 21,995pp
USD$ 18,696pp
island sky penthouse suite

Penthouse Suite with Balcony

23 Feb 2020 - 13 Mar 2020
An extremely comfortable Suite with twin or king bedding, private facilities and a balcony.
USD$ 24,595pp
USD$ 20,906pp
island sky penthouse suite

Owner's Suite with Balcony

23 Feb 2020 - 13 Mar 2020
The Owner's Suite features a separate sitting room, private bathroom and large balcony.
USD$ 27,795pp
USD$ 27,795pp