Tour OverviewOur Antarctica birding tour takes you to the sub-Antarctic Falkland Islands/Malvinas and South Georgia. This is the home of some of the most unique and abundant wildlife on earth. Imagine beaches covered in fur seals, hundreds of thousands of penguins, and elephant seals; it’s one of the most jaw-dropping nature scenes you will ever experience. Except for the wonderful birding that awaits us, we will explore the interesting history, dating back to the the late 1800s and early 1900s and the ‘Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration’.
TOUR INFO:
Tour starts and ends in Ushuaia
Tour duration: 21 days
Next group departure date: November 2024
This birding tour can be booked as a private small group tour.
Highlights:
• Exploring the port of Stanley,
• Penguin rookeries with hundreds of thousands of birds on South Georgia,
• Zodiac cruising amongst colossal icebergs,
• Potential encounters with Orca, Humpback and Minke whales,
• A visit to Grytviken, a former whaling station,
and the gravesite of Sir Ernest Shackleton.
Top birds:
• King Penguin
• Emperor Penguin
• Adelie Penguin
• Gentoo Penguin
• Southern Rockhopper Penguin
• Wandering Albatross
• Light-mantled Albatross
• Double-banded Plover
• Snowy Sheatbill
• South Georgia Diving Petrel
• Black-bellied Petrel
• Grey-backed Storm Petrel
• Southern and Northern Giant Petrel
• Fairy Prion
• Antarctic Prion
• Kegeulen Petrel
• Great-winged Petrel
• Falkland Streamer Duck
Itinerary – Day tot day Summary:
Day 1:
Ushuaia
Upon arrival you will have plenty of time to unwind and enjoy the beautiful Arakur Resort & Spa or you can spend time discovering the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia.
Day 2:
Ushuaia
Enjoy some exploring in Ushuaia with the wonderful museums and Argentinean leather markets or relax at the hotel. We will have an optional briefing in the evening where you will meet your fellow travelers and get the opportunity to ask some questions about our trip.
Day 3:
Embarkation
We will explore a bit more of Ushuaia this morning before our until our mid-afternoon transfer to the ship. Our Expedition Team awaits you on the ship where we will have a safety and orientation briefing and Captain’s welcome dinner.
Day 4:
Southern Ocean
As we sail south, important briefings on environmental regulations and expedition safety are held. Don’t miss out on the the informative and entertaining talks about the wildlife, history, and geology of the area.
Day 5:
West Falklands/Malvinas
We’ll be exploring some of the westernmost settled outposts in the Falklands/Malvinas today. While we enjoy the beautiful countryside, we will look for Black-Browed Albatross or Rockhopper, King, and Magellanic penguin rookeries.
Day 6:
Stanley, East Falkland/Malvinas
Stanley is nestled in a sheltered harbor, a lively hub of activity. Head out on foot to explore the museum, shops and services centered on the port, or look for sea lions, dolphins, and bird life along the shores.
Day 7-8:
Southern Ocean
As we make our way east across the Antarctic Convergence, we officially enter Antarctic waters. This is where things really start to get exciting with plenty of wildlife identifying to do . You can enjoy shipboard presentations about the captivating history and abundant wildlife of South Georgia.
Day 9-12:
South Georgia
It is easy to see why South Georgia is often referred to as the ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’. The area is home to tens of millions of breeding penguins, seals, and seabirds, an amazing sight to take in.
Magnificent icebergs, glaciers, mountain scenery, and an incredible array of wildlife will astound you as we travel down South Georgia’s leeward coast. We will also stop for a visit at the historic Grytviken whaling station, featuring the tiny graveyard where the great Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton is buried.
Day 13-14:
Scotia Sea
As we head further south, the wildlife spotting as the icebergs become bigger and more plentiful.
Day 15-18:
Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
As we maneuver through majestic channels, rich with wildlife, we’ll explore picturesque bays and famed harbors. We will have plenty of great opportunities to stop at active scientific bases and historic landing sites where we will spot numerous species of penguins, seals, and whales along the rugged coastlines and in the sea.
Day 19-20:
Drake Passage
As we make our way north, we head across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage. This is our last hurrah as we celebrate the conclusion of our Antarctic birding tour with a special slideshow and a final meal together.
Day 21:
Ushuaia disembarkation
As out tour comes to an end, we are sure to let you leave with a content heart and a huge smile, while catching a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.
Get in touch with one of our team members for more information at info@naturetravelbirding.com