Banner image

Penguins of South Georgia & Antarctica

Join the millions of penguins that populate Antarctica on a 16 day voyage taking you from the beaches of South Georgia to the glacial waters of Peninsula. Intersperse encounters with these playful birds with visits to historical sites, whale-spotting Zodiac cruises and optional activities like kayaking.

Please send me the full itinerary for
Penguins of South Georgia & Antarctica

Thank you for your enquiry

Trip type

Falklands & S. Georgia

Trip length

16 Days

From

$13,495

Ship Comfort

Comfort & Adventure

Penguins of South Georgia & Antarctica - 16 Days - $13,495

Trip Summary and Itinerary Map

  • 5 full days ‘off ship’ exploring – South Georgia (2) and Antarctica (3)
  • Comfortable, medium sized expeditionary ships with great facilities (130–199 guests)
  • 1 pre-voyage day in Ushuaia, exploring south Patagonia
  • Optional kayaking, paddling and paddleboarding activities (additional cost)
  • Complimentary Ushuaia hotel stay + parka jacket

Start from Ushuaia and end at Ushuaia

Landmarks potentially visited on Penguins of South Georgia & Antarctica

Operator's Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in Ushuaia:

Start the adventure in Ushuaia, a small but bustling port at the tip of South America. Whether you choose to hike in the surrounding mountains or enjoy the handcrafted chocolate that the town is known for, it’s the ideal gateway for you prepare for the journey that lies ahead.


Day 2 – Embarkation:

Late in the afternoon you will embark the ship, setting sail down the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of anticipation as you depart!


Days 3 to 6 – At Sea:

While at sea, there are a host of activities to enjoy. Learn to identify the seabirds that glide alongside the ship, or attend dynamic presentations by your Expedition Team. You will be prepped on safety procedures for zodiac cruises and shore landings, and also be given instructions for getting the most out of your optional sea kayaking adventures (additional cost), a truly intimate way to experience Antarctica.

If conditions are right, the first indication that you are approaching South Georgia is the sight of birds around a group of rocky spires called Shag Rocks. Have your binoculars and cameras ready to capture these rocks rising out of the icy ocean waters. Shags and prions often rest here, and due to nutrient rich upwellings around the rocks it can be a good place to keep a lookout for whales.


Days 7 & 8 – South Georgia:

After marvelling at South Georgia from a distance, you’ll head toward its numerable beaches to find a bay for your first land excursion. Landing sites are varied, largely determined by the weather conditions of your voyage. Whichever sites you visit, they’ll provide you with wildlife encounters unrivaled anywhere else on earth.

South Georgia is one of the most fertile breeding grounds in the world for sub-Antarctic wildlife, with beaches blanketed with penguins. It's instantly obvious that you've come across a bird paradise, as you'll be greeted by the sight of burrowing seabirds, albatross and petrels.

You’ll find that South Georgia, once a popular base for whalers and sealers, is also scattered with abandoned relics and evidence of human activity from centuries gone by. Your Expedition Team will help you experience what life was like in these days, as you explore old whaling stations and hear presentations on the South Georgia of then and now.

One of the most significant sites you will visit on the island is Grytviken. This settlement is one of the first whaling stations established in sub-Antarctic waters. Many travelers find that this place has a special appeal, as it is home to the remains of Sir Ernest Shackleton, one of the most famous Antarctic explorers.


Days 9 & 10 – At Sea:

Say goodbye to the king penguins; your next destination is Antarctica. Your days at sea are filled with presentations and workshops led by your Expedition Team, who will prepare you for the wildlife and landscapes that will surround you upon your arrival.


Days 11 to 13 – Antarctic Peninsula

The most common reaction upon reaching the White Continent is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is hard to put into words, since few places are as untouched and enduring as Antarctica.

You will discover that Antarctica is a land of extremes. At one moment you’ll be overcome with a feeling of complete isolation and silence, and at the next moment you’ll be inspired by nature as a calving glacier crashes into a brilliant blue sea or a penguin waddles by to inspect your footwear.

Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each excursion, be it zodiac cruising, visiting a historical site, or consorting with penguin colonies. Chinstrap, Adélie and gentoo penguins are found here, along with Weddell, fur, crabeater and leopard seals. Keep a lookout for Antarctic whales, such as minkes, while on a zodiac cruise. Each day and each excursion will present a new collection of creatures to delight you and keep your camera busy.

Perhaps you’ll also want to add more memories to the experience by partaking in an optional paddling excursion (additional cost), or cast reason aside and jump into Antarctic waters for the polar plunge.


Days 14 & 15 – Crossing the Drake Passage:

After more than a dozen days of unique wildlife encounters and remarkable landscapes, your journey home begins. Crossing the Drake is your unofficial rite of passage. Spend time on deck watching for seabirds and whales, enjoy presentations by your Expedition Team, or simply relax and reminisce about your experiences.


Day 16 – Departure:

You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning, which allows for you to continue your adventure onward or catch your flights home.


Please Note: This itinerary is for guidance only as each voyage will vary depending on ice and weather conditions, and opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is key and all part of the adventure of an expeditionary cruise.

Why our customers love Swoop

The Antarctic Experts.
No Compromises

Depth Of Knowledge SVG

Our team has visited Antarctica over 150 times and has 100 collective years of polar experience, so from which trip is right for you to what shoes to bring - there’s no question we can’t answer.

Expert impartial advice at no extra cost

Expert Impartial Advice SVG

Choosing the right voyage is complicated, Swoop makes it easy. We offer no-nonsense advice on 1500 voyages across 30 ships to find you the right trip, cabin, price - and we don’t charge a fee.

The only B Corp certified Antarctic specialist

Ends Of The Earth SVG

We want to protect Antarctica for future generations - which is why we became a certified B Corp and set up our own conservation fund. So your adventures can be a force for good.

A full concierge service, unlike booking direct

With You SVG

We leave nothing to chance in delivering your perfect trip and have over 6500 happy travellers to show for it. With a dedicated Antarctic co-ordinator & support throughout - you’re in safe hands.

Customer review background image

What our customers think of Penguins of South Georgia & Antarctica

Penguins of South Georgia & Antarctica trips scored 5/5 from 3 reviews

We love the spacious suites, with the option to have either the expansive glass of a drop-down French balcony or your own private walkout balcony. Either way, the views from your cabin are spectacular. 

Lizzie Williams Polar Product & Partnerships Manager

Prices, Departures and Inclusions

Prices quoted below are per person based on 2 people sharing. Cabin availability changes all the time so please contact us for up-to-date details and information on specific cabin availability.

Single Supplement And Child Policy

For those travelling solo who would like their own cabin, there is a good number of dedicated single cabins. The single supplement is 1.7 times the cost of a standard cabin and 2 times the cost of a superior category. Please contact us for details. There is no single supplement for solo passengers willing to share a cabin.

At date of embarkation, the minimum age restriction of 8 years and a minimum height and weight requirement of 64 lbs or 29kg and 48" or 1.2m must be met. Please contact us for details.

Optional Adventure Activities

Enhance your trip with the following add ons. Limited places per activity.
Get in contact to check availability.

Activity Cost Additional Information
Add on icon Kayaking Kayaking $995 All departures. Basic competency required.
Add on icon Paddling Paddling $295 All departures. 1-1.5hr paddle on inflatable kayak. No experience required.
Add on icon Paddleboarding Paddleboarding $295 27-Dec-2020 and 27-Dec-2021 departures. Basic competency required.

Includes

  • All airport/ hotel/ ship transfers on Day 1
  • All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program
  • Voyage aboard the vessel as indicated in the itinerary
  • All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board
  • Beer and wine during dinner
  • Hot drinks around the clock
  • All shore landings per the daily program
  • Formal and informal presentations
  • A photographic journal documenting the expedition
  • Access to an onboard doctor and basic medical services
  • Loan of rubber boots for the voyage's duration
  • Complimentary parka jacket
  • Comprehensive onboard materials
  • Port taxes and any entry fees to historic landing sites
  • Group transfer to airport on Day 16

Excludes

  • Any flights to and from points of embarkation/disembarkation
  • Any additional pre/post land services, including meals
  • Transfers not specified in the itinerary
  • Personal gear (e.g. mandatory waterproof pants for zodiac cruising)
  • Optional non-complimentary adventure activities (e.g. kayaking)
  • Visa, passport and any vaccination expenses
  • Airport arrival or departure taxes
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Items of a personal nature, e.g. laundry, beverages and communication
  • Customary staff gratuity at the end of the voyage
  • Additional onboard purchases (i.e. gift shop)

Questions about this Voyage?