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The islands of the Southern Ocean, like solitary gemstones, reflect a dazzling abundance of life usually hidden from our view.
We start this extraordinary expedition in Santiago de Chile where we will take a transfer flight to the Falkland Islands. In Stanley we will embark our deluxe expedition ship M/V Sea Spirit and sail forth through legendary waters where marine mammals lurk in astonishing numbers.
On the island of South Georgia, amidst dramatic Southern Ocean seascapes, we explore a pristine wilderness swarming with stately king penguins, raucous fur seals, jousting elephant seals, and a profusion of seabirds. We disembark in Stanley and fly back to Santiago.
Day 0 - Arrival to Santiago
We suggest that our tourists arrive in Santiago de Chile a day earlier to have a good rest after a long flight before our Subantarctic adventures begin. A pre-cruise night is not included in the price of the itinerary, but we highly recommend the Holiday Inn Hotel due to its most favorable location right in the airport terminal.
Day 1 - Flight to Stanley | Embarkation Day
Our expedition will start in the early morning in the airport of Santiago de Chile where we will take a transfer flight to the Falkland Islands. Minimal days at sea means more days for photography with World Photo Travels Guides Mike Reyfman, Dimitry Arkhipov, Marco Grassi and Svein Wik. After a short landing in Punta Arenas in Patagonia, we'll arrive at the starting point of our cruise. Welcome to Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands! Take your time to explore this amazing city. Visit the Falkland Islands Museum, the Governor’s house, a cathedral with impressive whalebone arch outside, a war memorial, quality gift shops, pubs and views of shipwrecks in the harbor. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the pier where we will warmly welcome you aboard the deluxe expedition ship M/V Sea Spirit. Get comfortable in your home away from home for the extraordinary adventure to come.
Day 2/3 - At Sea Towards South Georgia
As we sail east towards South Georgia, we will be able to witness incredible wildlife. We will also cross the Antarctic Convergence, the biological boundary of the Southern Ocean.
Don’t lose your time aboard! Attend the most interesting briefings and lectures from our expert staff and prepare yourself for the arrival in South Georgia.
This cruise was designed for amateur photographers of all skill levels, so use this chance to make new friends, exchange your photo experience and attend our photography master classes. Discussing ISO and exposure is always better in our cozy bar, restaurant, or lounge.
Day 4/12 - Exploring South Georgia
South Georgia is the best place on Earth for wildlife and landscape photographers. We will take you to great locations for the best light. The archipelago is the home to hundreds of thousands of king penguins, which makes South Georgia the best spot to photograph these wonderful creatures. Our plan is to visit the most picturesque sights such as Gold Harbour, Cooper Bay, Drygalski Fjord and other great places. For example, the beaches such as those at Salisbury Plain and St. Andrews Bay, where over 100,000 elephant seals and three million fur seals jostle for space among innumerable penguins.
The bountiful waters surrounding South Georgia are also inhabited by an increasing number of whales. The historical whaling station of Grytviken is now home to the excellent South Georgia Museum managed by the South Georgia Heritage Trust. This is also the final resting place of Ernest Shackleton, the legendary polar explorer.
However, our route and exploration opportunities in South Georgia are heavily dependent on the weather conditions we encounter. Our experienced captain and expedition leader decide the itinerary and continually adjust plans as conditions and opportunities warrant. You can be sure that the best possible advantage will be taken of the circumstances presented to us by Nature in this wild and remote corner of the world. We take every safe opportunity to go ashore in this amazing place and take the best wildlife photos.
Day 13/14 - Back to the Falkland Is
It is time to head back toward the Falkland Islands. However, our adventures are not over yet. We will pass the remote, seabird-covered pinnacles known as Shag Rocks on the way (get your cameras ready!) There is also time for festivities such as the Captain’s Farewell Cocktail and the end-of-voyage slide show. We will share our impressions, review all the great photos we’ve taken and enjoy a friendly atmosphere of like-minded fellow travellers.
Day 15 - Disembarkation in Stanley | Disembarkation Day
Our adventure finishes in Port Stanley. We disembark after breakfast and provide transfer to the airport. Have a safe flight to Santiago. We recommend you to explore the wonderful capital of Chile and spend more time here. Now when the first emotions have subsided you will have time to look back to your unforgettable Subantarctic experience and maybe to make plans for your next polar 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.
The Polar Regions are perhaps the most photogenic on earth, with countless beautiful scenes presenting themselves every day. Endless expanses of ice, beaches crowded with seals or penguins, sunsets over unbroken horizons, starlit skies, and even the majestic northern lights – they all present fantastic photographic opportunities and in order to make sure that you come home with some spectacular images we offer you the chance to learn and practice your photography alongside an experienced professional.
Our expert Photographer will be on hand to answer your questions and give advice, both in the form of on-board lectures and workshops on shore. Explore the key elements of photography in a fun and relaxed setting, with plenty of opportunities for questions and feedback. Learn how to see light in a new way and experiment with the techniques of composition and framing.
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.
Whale numbers swell in Antarctica over the southern summer. Arriving in Antarctica from November onwards, whale numbers reach their peak around December and January. Sightings and particularly breachings reach a pinnacle in February and March, when the Krill is closer to the surface. Some 10 species of whales are found in Antarctic water each summer, with the most abundant species being the Humpack.
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.
Your arrival and departure transfers are included, as well as a night at the ship hotel on Day 1
Expedition boots and a high quality expedition jacket are provided as standard on your expedition
SEA SPIRIT
Like some of the birds we see in the Arctic and Antarctica, our m/v Sea Spirit is migratory and follows the sun, northbound in the summer and southbound in the winter, always ready for spontaneous discoveries – a pod of whales, a family of polar bears or a glaciated mountain vista. She is highly maneuverable and capable of navigating the narrow fjords of East Greenland and entering the small bays of Spitsbergen. Onboard, we create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for all our guests. They are united by one goal – to have a memorable wilderness experience and to become real polar adventurers. We believe that first-hand travel to such places makes one an ambassador for conservation, and helps strengthen our resolve to protect these natural environments for future generations. Providing spacious suite accommodation of 114 passengers the Sea Spirit at the same time features maneuverability and friendly atmosphere of small ships. The vessel has an ice-strengthened hull, a fleet of Zodiacs, and a set of retractable fin stabilizers for smoother sailing.
| Luxury star rating: | 4 |
| Guests #: | 114 |
| Crew #: | 72 |
| Ice Class: | 1D |
| Speed: | 15 |
| Refurbished: | 2017 |
| Year built: | 1991 |
| Length: | 90m |
| Width: | 15 |
| Draft: | 4 |
| Tonnage: | 4200 |
| Registry: | Bahamas |
| Elec Outlets: | 110V / 2 Flat Pin |
We understand that the trip of a lifetime takes planning, so we make the financial commitments easy to manage.
