hebridean sky falkland islands south georgia and antarctica cruise

Falkland Is, South Georgia and Antarctica - Starting in Puerto Madryn

  • Overview
    Departing Puerto Madryn, which is a short flight from Buenos Aires, this expedition on the newly refurbished Hebridean Sky offers a remarkable experience at exceptional value. This expedition will sail south to 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 four 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 based on weather, ice and opportunities 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: 21 days
    Passengers: 118 passengers
    Embarkation Point: Puerto Madryn, Argentina
    Disembarkation Point: Ushuaia, Argentina
    Physical rating: Soft Adventure
    Fly/Cruise: Cruise only
    Single Supplement: 1.7x - 2.0x twin rate or share options
  • Itinerary
    • Day 1 - Puerto Madryn

      Located in the Patagonian province of Chubut, Puerto Madryn is one of Argentina's fastest growing cities and the gateway to the Peninsula Valdés. Puerto Madryn is a popular resort destination for wildlife excursions - visit a sea lion colony or take a whale watching trip to view the Southern Right Whales, watch for nesting cormorants and magnificent elephant seals, or experience a walk through a colony of Magellanic penguins and myriad species of native seabirds.

    • 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. Then, watch the city lights fade in the fresh night air as we sail seaward.

    • Day 3/4 - 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 5 - 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 Magellanic 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 6 - 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 most shops and 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 Peale's and Commerson's dolphins in the harbor or bird life in nearby Gypsy Cove.

    • Day 7/8 - 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 9/12 - 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 will 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 13/14 - Scotia Sea

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

    • Day 15/18 - Antarctic Peninsula & South Georgia

      Our Expedition Leader and Captain will create a flexible itinerary based on weather, ice, and opportunity. The 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, the Humpback Whale favored Wilhelmina Bay, the the wildlife-filled Errera Channel, the majestic Neumayer Channel, or the striking Antarctic Sound with its tabular icebergs. We may stop at an active scientific base such as Poland’s Arctowksi or Argentina’s Esperanza as well as an historic base such as U.K.’s Port Lockroy or the Nordenskjöld expedition remains at Hope Bay. 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 irritable Antarctic Fur Seal. Minke and Humpback Whales are frequent visitors in the late season and Orca sightings are also common.

    • Day 19/20 - 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 21 - 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

    South Georgia; Wildlife Mecca

    Walk amidst tens of thousands of king penguins on a single beach. Hike in the footsteps of ‘the Boss’, Sir Ernest Shackleton and hear his tale of survival.

    Penguins

    Taking centre stage on your Antarctic Peninsula expedition, are the Brushtail penguin species. These photogenic and intriguing species include, Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelie penguins. The species are in abundance across Peninsula and are always performing.

    On board voyages in our other details you may come across Rockhopper, Macaroni, Magellanic, King and Emperor penguins.

    Shoot to your shutter's content!

    For aspiring photographers, the best time to shoot the Antarctic landscape is definitely October, November and March. At these times the sun is much lower in the sky and thus creates beautiful twilight hues and shadows, which contrast the landscape magnificently.

    Of course, if it is wildlife and Antarctica’s babies you are hoping to shoot, then January and February are the best times. Alternatively, consider an early season South Georgia & Antarctica expedition for the best of wildlife and photo opportunities in Antarctica.

  • Inclusions

    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 Montevideo hotel.

    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.

    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

    - arrival and departure taxes
    - Passport and Visa fees
    - Laundry costs
    - Communication costs
    - Accommodation / meals / excursions & transfers to explicitly outlined in the itinerary
    - Beverages purchased at the ship’s bar
    - International & internal airfares
    - Gratuities
    - Mandatory waterproof gear not provided
    - Baggage / cancellation / interruption and medical travel insurance
  • Map
    Screen shot 2017 07 05 at 3.44.53 pm
  • Gallery
  • Vessel

    HEBRIDEAN SKY

    In the spring of 2016 our ship, Hebridean Sky, underwent a ten million dollar refit, transforming her into the safest and most comfortable ship in her class. Formerly known as the Sea Explorer, she has always been known for her effortless elegance, impeccable service and atmosphere of charm and camaraderie. Hebridean Sky continues that tradition, while adding a host of new amenities as well as state of the art stabilization, fuel efficiency, and upgraded communications systems. All suites and public spaces have been completely redecorated.

    Features & Facilities
    • Luxury expedition vessel
    • Newly refurbished
    • Large observation decks
    • Balcony Cabins
    • Single Cabins
    • Passenger elevator
    • Library with computers
    • Internet/Wifi
    • Bar/Lounge
    Key Facts
    Luxury star rating: 4
    Guests #: 118
    Crew #: 85
    Ice Class: 1C
    Speed: 17
    Refurbished:
    Technical Specs
    Year built:
    Length: 90m
    Width: 15
    Draft:
    Tonnage: 4200
    Registry: Bahamas
    Elec Outlets: 220V / 2 Round Pin
Check Voyage Dates, Pricing and Availability
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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.

Triple Suite

29 Oct 2017 - 18 Nov 2017
A generous suite with twin beds and a sofa bed
USD$ 13,995pp
USD$ 13,995pp
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Porthole Suite

29 Oct 2017 - 18 Nov 2017
A generous Suite with twin or king bedding and private facilties
USD$ 16,195pp
USD$ 16,195pp
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Window Suite

29 Oct 2017 - 18 Nov 2017
A generous Suite with twin or king bedding and private facilties
USD$ 17,995pp
USD$ 17,995pp
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Promenade Suite

29 Oct 2017 - 18 Nov 2017
A generous Suite with twin or king bedding and private facilties
USD$ 18,495pp
USD$ 16,995pp
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Deluxe Suite

29 Oct 2017 - 18 Nov 2017
Corner Suites with twin or king bedding and private facilities
USD$ 18,995pp
USD$ 18,995pp
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Veranda Suite with Balcony

29 Oct 2017 - 18 Nov 2017
An extremely comfortable Suite with twin or king bedding, private facilities and a balcony
USD$ 21,795pp
USD$ 19,795pp
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Single Suite

29 Oct 2017 - 18 Nov 2017
A single inside Suite with queen bed.
USD$ 22,995pp
USD$ 22,995pp

Penthouse Suite with Balcony

29 Oct 2017 - 18 Nov 2017
An extremely comfortable Suite with twin or king bedding, private facilities and a balcony
USD$ 23,995pp
USD$ 21,495pp
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Owner's Suite with Balcony

29 Oct 2017 - 18 Nov 2017
The Owner's Suite features a separate sitting room, private bathroom and large balcony
USD$ 26,995pp
USD$ 26,995pp