Extended Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica (Ocean Nova)

Welcome to Ushuaia – the gateway to Antarctica. When you arrive at the airport, you’ll be transferred to your comfortable hotel set in the Patagonia landscape. This evening, you’ll have a welcome meeting with the other travellers who will be joining you for your expedition. If you arrive in Ushuaia with time to spare, why not head out to explore the southernmost city in the world – maybe visit the Maritime Museum, browse the souvenir shops for the perfect keepsake or try some Argentinian cuisine. Milanesas (breaded cutlets) and empanadas filled with lamb, sweet corn or cheese are some tasty local favourites.

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Spend the morning either exploring more of Ushuaia or relaxing at your hotel until you board your ship this afternoon. Meet the Expedition Team and settle into your cabin, then have a safety and orientation briefing. Tonight, you’ll join the captain and your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner on board. Toast as you set sail on your Antarctic adventure!

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As you sail south, join your expert Expedition Team for a program of educational talks to learn about the wildlife, history and geology of the fascinating ecosystems you’ll soon encounter. You’ll also be briefed on expedition safety and environmental regulations to prepare you for your upcoming Zodiac expeditions.

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Explore some of the westernmost settlements in the Falkland Islands. This remote archipelago is known for its rich birdlife and is home to the world’s largest black-browed albatross colony. Have your binoculars handy for plenty of birdwatching as you explore the rugged terrain of the cliff-lined coast. Traverse farmland and beaches and seek out colonies of rockhopper, king and Magellanic penguins.

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Get to know the town of Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands. At this lively hub nestled in a sheltered harbour, you might visit the Falkland Islands Museum, which showcases exhibits about the 1982 Falklands War, natural history and maritime exploration. You might also visit Gypsy Cove, located in the Cape Pembroke Peninsula National Nature Reserve, to see the colony of Magellanic penguins. Keep your eye out for more native birdlife like black-crowned herons, two-banded plovers, long-tailed meadowlarks and upland and kelp geese. There’s also the chance to see some WWII history at nearby Ordnance Point, where a mounted naval gun still stands.

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Continue east and cross the Antarctic Convergence, officially entering Antarctic waters. See if you can spot the world’s largest flying bird – the wandering albatross. Southern giant petrels and Wilson’s storm petrels are also common sights here, and you might even get a glimpse of a whale breaching. Keep your eye on the horizon for your first iceberg sighting.

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South Georgia is also known as the ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’, and today you’ll witness just how it lives up to that name. Tens of thousands of penguins, seals and seabirds call this island home, so you’re in for a treat with today’s wildlife sightings. Take in the vast mountains, glaciers and icebergs around you as you travel along South Georgia’s leeward coast. You’ll visit the Grytviken whaling station and the gravesite of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton – Shackleton is known for leading the ill-fated Endurance expedition which ended with the astounding rescue of all 27 crew members after they were stranded in Antarctica for almost two years.

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Sail further south, watching as the icebergs become bigger and more plentiful. Join the Expedition Team on deck for wildlife spotting and more educational talks to deepen your understanding of the natural wonders you'll soon encounter.

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Over these four days, you’ll explore the iceberg-filled channels and abundant wildlife of the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula on daily Zodiac expeditions. The diverse landscapes of the South Shetlands will offer something new for you to discover on each expedition – you might walk along the black sands of Deception Island, where you can visit the ruins of a Norwegian whaling station and scientific bases from the 1960s. Or maybe you’ll sail into the calmer waters of Yankee Harbour, home to a huge colony of 4000 breeding pairs of gentoo penguins. You might also visit active scientific bases, scenic bays and historic landing sites. Watch seals lazing on ice floes, chinstrap and gentoo penguins waddling about and whales breaching on the horizon. Soak it all in during your extended time in this awe-inspiring landscape.

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Begin your journey back north, crossing the famed Drake Passage. Celebrate the adventure of a lifetime as you join your group for a slideshow of memories from the trip and a photography contest, then sit down for one final celebratory dinner. Raise a glass to the memories you’ve shared!

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Your adventure comes to an end as you disembark in Ushuaia this morning. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.