The Falklands and South Georgia - Fly and Cruise - M/V Magellan Explorer

17 days
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Small Group Tour
Combine the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) and South Georgia on this 17-day expedition starting from Punta Arenas, Chile. In the Falklands, enjoy watching rockhopper and gentoo penguins in their native habitat. From your Zodiac spot Black-browed albatrosses and petrels in the skies high above. Hike into the local settlements and meet the people who have made thi...
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$15,092
From$12,270
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Highlights

    • Fly to Antarctica - maximising your time on the White Continent and with the wildlife
    • Explore the South Shetland Islands - enjoy its surrounding ice-choked waterways
    • Incredible wildlife - see penguins, seals and sea birds up-close on land and from your Zodiac
    • Visit an array of islands - on the Antarctic Peninsula
    • Follow in the footsteps of Shackleton - enjoy the abundant wildlife on South Georgia
    • See King penguins - soak up the surroundings of the vast King penguin colonies

What's this trip about?

    Combine the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) and South Georgia on this 17-day expedition starting from Punta Arenas, Chile. In the Falklands, enjoy watching rockhopper and gentoo penguins in their native habitat. From your Zodiac spot Black-browed albatrosses and petrels in the skies high above. Hike into the local settlements and meet the people who have made this island their home for generations. From there, set sail for South Georgia and its mountains, which are permanently covered in thick layers of ice and snow. On this island, wildlife is king. Visit one of the world's largest king penguin colonies and watch elephant seals relaxing on the shores. As we sail from bay to bay, watch out for whales and beautiful seabirds flying overhead. Visit an array of islands - on this sub-Antarctic adventure Follow in the footsteps of Shackleton - enjoy the abundant wildlife on South Georgia See King penguins - soak up the surroundings of the vast King penguin colonie

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityPunta Arenas
End CityPunta Arenas

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

  • Asia

Attractions

  • Georgia
  • Punta Arenas
  • Salisbury

Activities

  • Hiking

Itinerary

Day 1 Trip starts in Punta Arenas

You should plan to be in Punta Arenas the day before. Make your way to Explorers House in Punta Arenas at 9 a.m and enjoy the facilities. At 4p.m, a group transfer will take you to the port for embarkation. As you sail along the Strait of Magellan, the Expedition Team will introduce you to the history of this fabled sea route.

Meals Provided : Dinner

Day 2 At Sea

Enjoy the ship's hospitality as you make your way to the Falklands (Malvinas). The engaging series of lectures and presentations from your expert crew will be run during your time at sea.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 Saunders Island and Carcass Island

Enjoy the long white-sand beach during a morning visit to Saunders Island. This is a fantastic wilderness experience, the main attractions are rockhopper penguins, nesting black-browed albatross and sub-Antarctic gentoo penguins. In the afternoon, we visit Carcass Isl...

Day 4 Port Stanley

Join our expedition team on guided walking tours of Port Stanley or Gipsy Cove, or explore on your own and absorb the atmosphere, grabbing lunch at the local pub, visiting the maritime museum, the church, hunting for souvenirs, or walking down Ross Road, paying tribute at the war memorials at the waterfront.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5 At Sea

As we sail towards South Georgia, there will be more engaging presentations on the history and fauna of the archipelago.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6 At Sea

In the company of expert guides, watch for wildlife from the lounge or from the outside decks. You may spot magnificent seabirds, such as albatrosses and petrels as well as different species of whales.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7 Elsehul Bay

Depending on sea conditions over the previous days, arrival is planned for the afternoon. Provided we receive approval from the South Georgia government, we plan to do an evening Zodiac cruise at Elsehul Bay.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8 Grytviken, Fortuna Bay

Our first landing is at Grytviken. We clear Customs and then visit the historical site with the museum and Ernest Shackleton's grave. We land at Fortuna Bay / Stromness in the afternoon to see king penguins. Here we learn more about Shackleton and his expedition, and there is also an optional 2-3 hour Shackleton walk.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9 Gold Harbour, Cooper Bay

In the morning, we plan a landing at Gold Harbour, a spectacular location with king penguins, elephant seals, and hanging glaciers. There are also sooty albatrosses here. In the afternoon and on a Zodiac cruise, we visit Cooper Bay to see macaroni penguins.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10 St Andrews Bay, Ocean Harbour

St Andrews Bay is the destination of our morning excursion. The highlights here are a shipwreck and visiting the remains of the whaling industry. We see the largest king penguin colony and elephant seal bulls. We plan a Zodiac cruise in the afternoon and a landing at Ocean Harbour.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11 Prion Island, Salisbury Plain

In the morning, we plan to visit Prion Island to see the nesting wandering albatross. In the afternoon, we head to Salisbury Plain for more king penguins and stunning landscapes.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12 At Sea

More sea days, as we make our way back to the Falkland Islands.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 13 At Sea

Our education program continues while at sea.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 14 At Sea

Enjoy the ship's facilities or use the free time to catch up on editing your photos.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 15 Bleaker Island

Evening landing at Bleaker Island, a natural reserve with a famous bird area featuring a large variety of birdlife.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 16 At Sea

We spend the day at sea, as we make our way back to Punta Arenas.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 17 Tour ends Punta Arenas

Upon arrival at Punta Arenas, we disembark and take a group transfer to the town center, where your expedition comes to a close. Explorer's House remains available to you for the rest of the day.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $12,270
Price per day$722
Last Updated: 4/25/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Explore!.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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May 2024

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Highly enjoyable tour. Lot of variety and interesting sights. Very well led by guide. Travelled via public transport. Stayed in a variety of accommodation- all very ...

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Tour Operator

Explore!

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About Explore

We've been taking small groups on adventure vacations for over 41 years. Our authentic adventure travel experiences explore the sights and culture of a country, with hand-picked accommodation that balances comfort and location. Our average group tour size is just 11; perfect for meeting new people and getting to the heart of our destinations. Explore is one of the world's most trusted adventure travel companies with over 350 trips to more than 100 countries. We are passionate about travel and have developed a wide range of unique activities and adventures which give our customers an unforgettable experience with a team of award-winning Explore leaders. With Explore, you'll get to see your destination from a whole new perspective that takes you away from the typical well-trodden tourist track. You'll have the chance to meet, dine and stay with local people, rest in authentic accommodation with other like-minded explorers and travel to must-see destinations with a unique Explore twist. From family holidays to trips for solo travelers; cycling tours to wildlife safaris; trekking on mountains or exploring miles of scenic coastline, there is something for every kind of traveler with Explore. We will provide our expert knowledge, exciting itineraries and outstanding service as part of our sustainable travel experiences which take you under the skin of the country you're visiting for the adventure of a lifetime.


Why we love this operator
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
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Famous for our expert local guides that help ease the unknowns of adventure travel while bringing a unique richness and spontaneity to each and every

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Logistics

Transportation & Flights

M/V Magellan Explorer, Zodiac,

Transportation & flights

M/V Magellan Explorer, Zodiac
Guides
Expedition Crew, Naturalist(s)
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure. USA (If flights transit): you will need to apply for an ESTA if you are transiting the USA as you will have to disembark and clear immigration before re-boarding for the onward flight. Citizens of the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and passport holders from several EU countries can enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) - where you apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation), which applies if you enter the country by sea or by air. This must be done on line - https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov no later than 72 hours prior to travel. Travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely be refused boarding. When completing an application for transit you should enter the words 'In Transit' with your final destination location in the address line You must have an electronic passport with a digital chip containing biometric information about the passport owner. UK passports which are biometric feature a small gold symbol (camera) at the bottom of the front cover. If you have visited Iraq, Syria, Iran or Sudan in the past five years or are dual nationals of these countries, you cannot travel under the Visa Waiver Programme. Instead you will need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. If you are unable to provide a valid visa before boarding flights to the US, or entering via another method, you may not be permitted to travel. For further information please check out the US embassy website. Visa applications - http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/apply.html
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 16
  • Dinner : 16
  • Lunch : 15
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
Trip ID
explore-MEFS

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