Located in the Patagonian province of Chubut, Puerto Madryn is a popular resort destination for wildlife excursions, and is known as the best place in Argentina to see Southern Right whales. Attend the optional evening briefing for the opportunity to ask questions and meet some of your fellow travelers
Arriving at the ship in the afternoon, you will be greeted by our Expedition Team and ship staff 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.
As we sail south, important briefings on environmental regulations and expedition safety are held, and you won’t want to miss our experts as they begin their informative and entertaining talks about the wildlife, history, and geology of the area.
We’ll be exploring some of the westernmost settled outposts in the Falklands/Malvinas, where you can take in the beautiful countryside and look for Black-Browed albatross or Rockhopper, King, and Magellanic penguin rookeries.
Stanley is a lively hub of activity nestled in a sheltered harbor. 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.
Things really start to ramp up with plenty of wildlife identifying to do as we make our way east across the Antarctic Convergence and officially enter Antarctic waters. Shipboard presentations continue, featuring topics such as the captivating history and abundant wildlife of South Georgia.
South Georgia is often referred to as the ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’ and it’s easy to see why as you take in tens of millions of breeding penguins, seals, and seabirds. Magnificent mountain scenery, glaciers galore, icebergs, a rich historical tapestry, and an incredible array of wildlife will astound you as we travel down South Georgia’s leeward coast. We’ll also visit historic Grytviken whaling station, featuring the tiny graveyard where the great Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton is buried.
Heading farther south, we’ll continue our informative presentations and wildlife spotting as the icebergs become bigger and more plentiful.
Here we’ll explore any number of picturesque bays and famed harbors, maneuvering through majestic channels as we travel the wildlife-rich waters. There are great opportunities to stop at several active scientific bases and historic landing sites as we spot numerous species of penguins, seals, and whales along the rugged coastlines and in the sea.
We leave this magical place and make our way north, once again crossing the legendary Drake Passage. We have one last hurrah as we celebrate the conclusion of our expedition with a special slideshow and a final meal together.
With huge smiles on weary, content faces, we disembark in the morning and transfer to the beautiful Arakur Resort and Spa in Ushuaia. Here you can unwind at the resort, relax in the spa, or hit the streets of Ushuaia to explore more sights.
Saying goodbye to the lovely Arakur, our Antarctic adventure officially comes to an end. As you continue on, homeward bound or perhaps to another destination, you’ll take with you the unforgettable memories of exploring the last wild place on earth
