Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctica

Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world. Discover the charming city and local countryside. Consider a trip to Tierra del Fuego, a natural, raw archipelago, off the tourist trail. This is a hiking paradise, with snow-capped mountains and glaciers. There are also flower-filled fields, bogs, and boggy quagmires. We then embark on the Ocean Albatros ship, which will be our home for the next few days.

We begin our journey by navigating through Beagle Channel. This is a calm strait located in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago.

Falkland Passage refers to a stretch of Southern Ocean that runs between South America's mainland and the Falkland Island. This usually involves a two-day voyage.

Your naturalist guide will give a series informative lectures and talks about wildlife, geology and other fascinating topics that make the Falklands so special.

You can also rely on your guides to identify the different species of birds you encounter as well as whales, dolphins and other cetaceans as you travel to your destination.

The Falkland Islands, also known in Spanish as Islas Malvinas, are a British overseas territory located 300 miles south of the Patagonian Coast and 750 kilometers from the Antarctic Peninsula.

The islands consist of two large islands, plus over 770 other smaller islets and islands. They are home to about 3,400 hardy islanders. The islands have a long history of conflicted sovereignty. They were not inhabited until the early 1700s.

The islands' economy, which was historically driven by fishing, farming and whaling has more recently been diversified to include sustainable tourism. The islands have an abundance of birds, including species that can be found nowhere else, and they are restoring habitats lost through grazing. They also farm in a more sustainable way.

You can visit a number of places to see penguins, seals and other endemic birds. In the Sound, and around the island's shoreline you can often see whales and dolphins.

Stanley is the historical capital of Hong Kong, and visitors have often commented that it reminds them how England was 50 years ago.

A 2-day sail is required to get to South Georgia from or to the Falklands. Your expert guides will entertain you on your journey to South Georgia with lectures and talks about the incredible concentration of Antarctic wildlife found there.

You'll learn more about the history and geology of the island as well as its significance in exploring (and exploiting) the Southern Ocean.

Your guides can help identify bird species, cetaceans, and any other marine life that you may see en route.

It might appear barren, as it is a remote mountainous island with no trees. The snow covers the land for most of the year. South Georgia, despite its barren appearance, is alive with activity!

South Georgia Pipit, the Antarctic's sole songbird, as well as the South Georgia pintail duck, are only found in this area.

Cruise the South Georgia coast and you'll be amazed by its high, rugged mountains.

Relics from this early 20th century industry can be found all over the island. They are reminders of human history and the exploitation of Antarctica's natural resources.

We spend the next few days travelling along the southernmost waters of the South Atlantic Sea, passing the 60th Parallel South. From this point on we're in the Southern Ocean.

While at sea, we will have a number of different activities onboard. This is a great opportunity for you to meet other travelers.

The presence of animals multiplies by thousands as the white shimmering of Antarctica appears on the horizon. This includes a variety of penguin species, curious seals, nesting bird and sprays of marine mammals.

The Antarctic Sound, a spectacular destination that is home to beautiful icebergs and the Weddell sea is the gateway into the Weddell.

As you pass Joinville Island, this 30-mile-long stretch of water cuts through the Antarctic Peninsula.

The Sound, which has only been visited by cruises on expeditions since 2005 is sometimes referred to as "iceberg Alley", and cruises can be stopped if the ice shelves surrounding the Sound calve in great numbers.

The Antarctic Sound, with its imposing, towering icebergs, and breathtaking glaciated mountains is one of the most stunning sights on the peninsula.

Drake Passage refers to a notorious stretch of ocean that runs between South America's tip and the South Shetland Islands, and ends at the Antarctic Peninsula.

The Drake Passage usually takes two or three days, so this is the perfect time to get to know your Antarctic Naturalist Guides. You'll learn about Antarctica through a series fascinating lectures and talks.

You can always count on your guides to identify seabird species, whales or other cetaceans en route towards the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands.