Spirit of Shackleton

• Day 1 - Ushuaia

  Arrive in Ushuaia at any time. Arrival transfer included. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the world's most southerly city.

  There will be a welcome desk in the lobby of the start hotel that will provide more specific information on the G Expedition and your upcoming adventure.

• Day 2 - Ushuaia; Embarkation Day

  Enjoy a free morning in Ushuaia. Do any last minute shopping or explore the town or the surrounding countryside. Embarkation on the G Expedition begins in the afternoon at the port in Ushuaia. Enjoy the evening sailing through the Beagle Channel.

  Expedition travel can be full of surprises! While it is our intention of adhere to the itinerary described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. On the first day onboard, the Expedition Leader will give an expedition overview outlining what the specific plans are for the trip.

• Day 3 - Beagle Channel/Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

  As the Expedition makes passage east, become acquainted with the ship. Begin lectures and information sessions about the extraordinary human and natural history of the Antarctic region.

  On the passage east visit the common areas that include the lounge, dining hall, library and lecture hall and meet the guides, ship’s crew and lecturers.

  Begin the lectures and information sessions to learn the extraordinary human and natural history of the Antarctic region.

  Daily lectures and educational program
  Attend lectures hosted throughout the day on everything from local wildlife to geology to history. The G Expedition has one of the highest ratios of expedition team members to guests – with one expert for every ten guests there is always someone on hand to answer questions and provide greater insight and appreciation of the world at its extremes. The expedition team is comprised of professional and highly skilled historians, marine biologists, and naturalists who offer keen insight and a unique personal perspective to each and every adventure.

• Day 4/5 - Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)/Southern Ocean

  The Falkland Islands provide a rare opportunity to witness the biological diversity and extraordinary scenery of the southern islands. Penguins and albatross are abundant here, and the Falklands have the largest black-browed albatross colony in the world. In Stanley, meet the hardy local inhabitants whose colourful houses provide contrast to the long, dark winters.

  Catch our first glimpses of penguins, including the Magellanic, rockhopper, gentoo, and king penguins. With a little luck, spot elephant seals, sea lions, king cormorants, black-browed albatross, skuas, night herons, giant petrels, striated caracaras and of course sheep.

  Visit with Stanley Locals
  Stop at Port Stanley for an opportunity to meet the hardy local inhabitants whose colourful houses provide contrast to the long dark winters. The town is the capital of the Falkland Islands, most locals head to Stanley to do their shopping, visit the post office, or go golfing. The bomb disposal unit from the Falklands War in 1982 is also in the town as well as several war museums.

• Day 6/7 - Southern Ocean/South Georgia

  Sailing east, set course for South Georgia. Days at sea are filled with lectures to prepare for landings. Watch for the many whales that inhabit these waters.

• Day 8/11 - South Georgia/Scotia Sea

  Home to many interesting sights (including the grave of polar explorer Ernest Shackleton), South Georgia has several former whaling stations and boasts plenty of wildlife. Visiting a huge colony of king penguins is a major highlight of this part of the journey. Weather permitting, spend three full days exploring the island.

  Weather permitting, three full days will be spent exploring this island. On nearby islands look out for the wandering albatross in their nesting grounds.

  South Georgia Island Exploration
  Spend three days exploring South Georgia Island if weather permits. Observe a large colony of King penguins, the second largest species of penguin that stand almost 100cm (3 ft) tall. Nearby islands are the nesting grounds for Wandering albatross, a species of albatross that only stays on land to breed and eat. Hopefully in the three days in the area the group will get a chance to spot one of these majestic sea birds during the small amount of time it spends on land.

• Day 12/13 - Scotia Sea/Tierra de O'Higgins, Península

  Sail for two days, retracing Shackleton's route backwards on course towards Elephant Island and the Antarctic Peninsula.

  These waters are rich with nutrients and the long summer days provide the ingredient that is missing most of the year. The result is a complex food chain topped by several species of whales, seals, and seabirds.

• Day 14/18 - Tierra de O'Higgins, Península/Drake Passage

  Experience some of the most unique wildlife and awe-inspiring scenery in the world while setting foot on the Antarctic continent. Attempt two shore landings per day (weather permitting), and encounter Gentoo, Chinstrap, and Adélie penguin rookeries; Weddell, crabeater, and leopard seals; and orca, humpback, and minke whales in the cold Antarctic waters. The peninsula also has a remarkable human history.

  Finally a chance to step foot on the Great White Continent! Over the next four days, the Expedition will navigate southwards making stops in the South Shetland Islands then through the Bransfield Strait and to the Antarctic Peninsula.

  Our goal is to attempt two excursions per day while we navigate through the area but our itinerary and daily schedule will be based on the local weather and ice conditions that we encounter.

  The Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands abound with wildlife activity. Take a chance to visit scientists working in modern research bases, with plenty of time to enjoy the sheer beauty and the breathtaking scenery of ice-choked waterways, blue and white icebergs, impressive glaciers and rugged snow-capped mountains.

  The Peninsula also has a remarkable history and, during the voyage, opt to learn about some of the most important and dramatic expeditions to this remote corner of the world.

  Scientific Research Station Visit
  Visit scientists working in modern research bases if weather and ice conditions permit. With the exception of visitors from expedition ships, scientists and research staff are the only temporary inhabitants of Antarctica. Many of the research stations are permanent, operating year round, with visiting scientists heading to Antarctica for a few months at a time.

• Day 19/20 - Drake Passage/Ushuaia

  Reflect on a memorable adventure and take in some final lectures on route back to Ushuaia. Keep a careful lookout for a last chance to spot whales.

  Heading north across the Drake Passage, spend two days enjoying the beauty of the sea while sailing for Ushuaia. In between bird watching, whale watching, and enjoying some final lectures by our expedition staff, this is a chance to relax and review the adventures of the past week before returning to Ushuaia.

  Remember, the best way to experience the wildlife of the Drake Passage is to be on deck keeping a look out for Albatross, Prions, and Whales!

• Day 21 - Ushuaia; Disembarkation

  Disembark in the morning.

  Our adventure comes to a close. Have a final breakfast on the ship before saying goodbyes before disembarking in Ushuaia in the morning.

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.