1 / 8

Fly / Sail

Falklands, South Georgia & Valdes Peninsula: In the Heart of the Wilderness

A brand-new expedition cruise in the southern seas, to discover stunning wildlife, in the heart of three rich and unique ecosystems: South Georgia; the Falkland Islands; and the Argentine province of Chubut.

Highlights Itinerary Dates Extras

Starting at:

Per Person

Sold Out

Length

20 Days

Embark

Buenos Aires

Disembark

Buenos Aires

Starting at:

Per Person

Sold Out

Highlights

Enjoy a magical experience as you are introduced to sea kayaking. Lead by experienced, State-Certified kayak guides, you will skim the water’s surface amid the ice.
Outings and shore visits in zodiac inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.
Hiking opportunities.

Night in Buenos Aires + Flight Buenos Aires / Ushuaia + Transfer

Admire a black and white sea of penguins on the remote beaches of South Georgia, hike along the rocky coastlines of the Falkland Islands as black-browed albatrosses fly overhead, hope to catch the unique sight of orcas voluntarily beaching themselves to hunt on the beaches of the Valdes Peninsula… the cruise is offering you the possibility of having these unforgettable experiences as you discover a spectacular natural environment during a brand-new 19-day expedition cruise aboard Le Boréal.

You will leave Ushuaia in your wake and sail to fabulous South Georgia. Here, king penguins, elephant and fur seals have invaded the shore and the young, newly emancipated from their parents, observe you with a curious eye. Light-mantled albatrosses fly above the black-sand beaches encircled by the island’s mountains. It is there, amid the snow-covered mountains, that Sir Ernest Shackleton miraculously ran aground during the famous Endurance Odyssey in 1916, before returning to rescue the rest of his crew, left behind on the remote Elephant Island. The museum commemorating this legendary expedition will teach you more about this fabulous saga, and the visit to the former whaling station will immerse you in the life of that little-known period.

Your expedition to the heart of the South Atlantic will continue with a visit to the Falkland Islands and as you sail in this archipelago of 200 islands, you will be escorted by sei whales. Composing the wild beauty of the shorelines are beaches of white sand, jagged cliffs, windswept moors, and tall grass swaying with the wind. This is the perfect setting for the thousands of Gentoo and king penguins, elephant and fur seals, and sea lions, and the black-browed albatrosses that watch from above.

The scenery soon shifts, as the mountains give way to the barren landscapes of the Chubut province, in Argentine Patagonia. Wel...

Ships

No departures available at this time

Standard Activities

Bird Watching

Hiking

Lectures

Penguin Watching

Zodiac Cruises

About the Falklands, South Georgia & Valdes Peninsula: In the Heart of the Wilderness

Night in Buenos Aires + Flight Buenos Aires / Ushuaia + Transfer

The scenery soon shifts, as the mountains give way to the barren landscapes of the Chubut province, in Argentine Patagonia. Welcome to the Valdes Peninsula! This wildlife sanctuary, where the beauty of the underwater world is unmatched, also reveals numerous treasures on land. The scenery is composed of arid steppes, a rich and varied flora, and distinctive haciendas. In these unspoiled lands home to more than 180 bird species, orcas hunt young maned seals on the beaches under the watchful eye of the Magellanic penguins, as guanacos gallop across the arid plains and dusky dolphins swim around peacefully. Here, the majestic beauty of nature offers a gateway to a whole new world.

We are privileged guests in these extreme lands where we are at the mercy of weather and ice conditions. Landings on certain sites and the observation of certain wildlife cannot be guaranteed. They vary from day to day, making each cruise a unique experience. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while complying with the safety rules and instructions imposed by the IAATO.

Itinerary

Fly

Cruise

Day 1

Buenos Aires

The day before your cruise embarkation, you will be greeted by our local representative at Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza international airport in the arrival hall. A shuttle from the airport will be available to take you to your hotel.

Check-in from late morning.
Lunch on your own and time at leisure in the afternoon.
Dinner.
Overnight at the 5* Hilton hotel in Puerto Madero.

Buenos Aires

Embarkation Point

Day 2

Ushuaia & Embarkation

An early morning breakfast will be served before your transfer to the airport for your flight Buenos Aires – Ushuaia (approx. 3 hours, 30 min.). Meet and greet at the airport (English-speaking assistance).

Depending on your choice made when booking your cruise, you may EITHER be transferred to a restaurant for a lunch in Ushuaia before embarkation OR (for an additional cost) go on a group Tierra del Fuego National Park excursion. If you opt for the latter, please note that immediately upon arrival at Ushuaia airport, you will leave towards the Park where you will have lunch before starting the tour.

Created in 1960, the park which covers 63 000 hectares (155 670 acres) is located in the south west of the Tierra del Fuego Province on the Beagle Canal. One of his entries stands slightly over 6 miles from Ushuaia. Mountainous landscapes, lagoons, bogs, and rivers draw a picturesque scenery reinforced by the southern position of the park itself. The Darwin Mountains, which represent the southern part of the Andes Mountains are mainly responsible for such landscape. The Park is only partly accessible to the public and this tour will provide you with the opportunity to discover the local flora and sub-Antarctic landscapes. If you get lucky, you may encounter beavers, dams, birds, wild orchids, etc… This is a true paradise for Nature Lovers! Lunch will be served in a local restaurant within the Park. At the end of your visit, you will return to Ushuaia and the port, for embarkation on your vessel.

(Please note that the Tierra del Fuego excursion is subject to a minimum of participants: if this number is not reached, our operator will not be able to guarantee the departure – in this case, you will be given the option to join the “Lunch in Ushuaia” programme.)

Capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is considered the gateway to the White Continent and the South Pole. Nicknamed “El fin del mundo” by the Argentinian people, this city at the end of the world nestles in the shelter of mountains surrounded by fertile plains that the wildlife seem to have chosen as the ultimate sanctuary. With its exceptional site, where the Andes plunge straight into the sea, Ushuaia is one of the most fascinating places on earth, its very name evocative of journeys to the unlikely and the inaccessible…

Ushuaia

Days 3-5

At sea

Days 6-8

South Georgia

Aboard your ship, discover South Georgia, a region formed by an underwater mountain chain that extends from the Andes to the Antarctic Peninsula. All the wildlife of the Far South can be found there: king and Gentoo penguins, elephant seals, fur seals… You might get the chance to discover the majestic glaciers of Gold Harbour and the vast plains of Fortuna Bay. If you are fortunate enough to land at Salisbury Plain, you can expect a wonderful spectacle: more than 300,000 king penguins, which you will recognise by the bright orange mark on their head and neck, have taken up residence there.

South Georgia

Gold Harbour Bay

Fortuna Bay

Days 9-10

At Sea

Day 11

Port Stanley & Volunteer Point

Situated at the far eastern end of the Falklands’ largest island, Port Stanley, is the capital of this remote archipelago in the South Atlantic, composed of nearly 700 islands and islets. In 1764, Louis Antoine de Bougainville settled the first pioneers here and the port grew rapidly. Placed under the Spanish crown in 1767, then under British sovereignty since 1833, the town has retained some South American features fused with the Victorian style that punctuate the city, and the houses with their colourful roofs brighten the moorland landscapes with their windy and harsh climate reminiscent of the Scottish islands of Orkneys or Shetland. In front of the Cathedral, built in 1933, an arch made of whale jaw bones reminds us that Port Stanley was once a whaling port.

A peninsula located at the far north-east of the Falkland Islands, Volunteer Point, named after the ship The Volunteer which called there in 1815, promises moving encounters in the heart of totally unspoiled nature. Due to its exceptional birdlife, the spot is identified as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) and is, above all, renowned as the home of the island’s largest king penguin colony. These elegant birds, which are expressive and not particularly timid, will offer you moments of pure awe and the opportunity to take magnificent photos. You’ll certainly be touched by the fledglings, dressed in their thick brown plumage.

Falkland Islands

Port Stanley

Volunteer Point

Day 12

The Neck, Saunders Island & Carcass Island

The Neck is a narrow stretch of land connecting the two sides of Saunders Island, located on the north-western edge of the Falklands. You’ll safely enter these blustery surroundings with the assistance of your naturalist guides. And once there, a reward awaits you: a veritable paradise of endless shoreline lapped by turquoise waters. Several bird species, also attracted to this stunning location, have settled here. At the other end of The Neck, you’ll encounter Magellanic penguins, southern rockhopper penguins, black-browed albatross and king penguins, all basking in the beauty of their surroundings.

Situated in the north-west of the Falklands, Carcass Island was named after the ship HMS Carcass, which visited the island in the late 18th century. Its landscapes, combining steep rocks, sheer cliffs, wild expanses and white-sand beaches, form a rich and varied panorama that amateur or experienced bird watchers will appreciate. On this island, one of the few where no predators have been introduced, numerous species of birds live, breed and are born in total serenity. Due to the fresh, windy and humid subarctic oceanic climate, a fauna and flora similar to those of Patagonia, situated 460 km (286 miles) away, thrive here. You could get the chance to observe royal or southern rockhopper penguins.

Saunders Island

Carcass Island

Day 13

West Point Island & Steeple Jason Island

It is no coincidence that West Point Island was once called Albatross Island. Like everywhere else in the Falkland Islands, seabirds have taken up residence here. Among them, the huge colonies of black-browed albatrosses observe your arrival by zodiac dinghy, from the surrounding cliffs. The gentoo and king penguins are also curious about travellers arriving by sea. The turquoise waters of the island wash up against the undulating shores, where the stretches of yellow gorse brighten the scenery composed by this wild natural environment. On the hill overlooking the bay stand the dwellings of the few people still living in this remote land. The calm and serenity of the island is only broken by the sound of the wind.

If one island of the Falklands calls for use of superlatives, it would undoubtedly be Steeple Jason. Located at the extreme north-west corner of the Falklands, the island is home to the largest black-browed albatross colony in the world. You’ll be rapt at the sight of these magnificent birds with black-contoured eyes. Photographers will delight in immortalising the endless ballet of the albatross, who soars majestically and then alights awkwardly amidst nests. Caracaras, gentoo penguins and Magellanic penguins are also abundantly present, as if to prove to the visitor that here nature is king.

West Point Island

Steeple Jason

Day 14

At Sea

Day 15

Camarones

Days 16-17

Puerto Madryn & Valdes Peninsula

Days 18-19

At Sea

Day 20

Buenos Aires

Departure Dates

Showing 0 scheduled departures

No Results

Cabin Details

Extra Activities

Explore these 1 add on activities. Please note activities may not be offered on all departures and are subject to availability, weather, and operational conditions. Our Polar Specialists will be happy to confirm which activities are possible on your selected sailing.

From CAD$ 513 Per Person

Kayak Discovery

View Details

Extra Activities

Get as up close to the natural environment as possible with an excursion aboard a two-person sea kayak, during one 2-hour session.
Guided by a state-registered polar navigation specialist, you’ll discover and explore breathtakingly scenic polar landscapes and scenery.
All the necessary equipment will be provided for you on board.

How is the activity organized?

Once you’ve arrived onboard the ship, you’ll meet your guides and the rest of the people taking part in the activity. This will be an opportunity to provide a general introduction to the activity, outline the rules that need to be followed, provide the necessary equipment and separate the participants into groups based on personal preferences and/or ability level.

The day before the activity is due to take place, a new briefing session will be organized to provide you with further details about the port of call and how the excursion will be organized. We’ll then provide you with the necessary equipment, which you’ll be required to take very good care of.

On the day of the kayak activity, you’ll first get changed at the ship’s marina platform (keeping your boots and parkas with you) before then being transported to land by Zodiac® and taken to your kayaks.

Before you climb into your kayaks and set off on your adventure, your guides will provide a final safety briefing.

What requirements do you need to meet in order to go sea kayaking?

Though it’s always useful to have at least one experience of sea kayaking under your belt, due to the high quality of the equipment we provide and the experience of the guides who’ll be supervising you, we are able to take complete beginners to places normally only accessible to professional kayakers and seasoned outdoor adventurers.

Participants will be formed into groups based on ability level onboard the ship to ensure everyone is able to make smooth progress on the trip.

Sea kayaking is a physically demanding activity, for both the heart and the muscles. We require you to be in a good state of general physical health and to have a good sense of balance.

This activity is available to adults (aged 18 or over) and to children of 16 and over when accompanied by a parent.

Please note:

One 2-hour session. Price per participant: $375 aprox
Number of participants restricted to 20 per trip.
This activity must be pre-booked in advance at least 7 days before the start of your cruise. Bookings made after this deadline will only be confirmed once onboard and are dependent on availability.
Your vouchers will be dropped off directly in your room, during your cruise.
Due to restrictions on the number of places available and a high level of interest from our passengers, there may be limited access to certain activities. The cost of any kayak trip cancelled by a passenger prior to departure will still remain payable in full.
Each participant will be provided with a sea kayak (Prijon Excursion EVO – two-person kayak for two participants), a dry suit (Sandyline ), a life jacket, hand protection, kayak sea socks, spray skirt, carbon paddle (TNP Wolferine) and a waterproof bag.
Depending on opportunities/availabilities during your cruise, additional Kayak tours can be booked only onboard.
Kayak excursions are subject to weather and ice conditions on the day.
You will be accompanied by state-certified kayakers each time you go out in a kayak.
We require you to be in a good state of general physical health and to have a good sense of balance.

What's Included

A shuttle for your way towards your hotel, the day before embarkation.
1-night accommodation in a 5* hotel the night before embarkation.
Early check-in available from late morning.
Hospitality desk at the hotel in Buenos Aires.
Flight Buenos Aires/Ushuaia, in economy class.
Services of local guides, in Ushuaia.
Meals as mentioned in the programme and beverage package.
Transfers as mentioned in the programme.

What's Excluded

Mandatory travel insurance.
Transfer between airport and hotel in Buenos Aires, the day before embarkation.
Optional Tierra del Fuego National Park group excursion, the day of embarkation (local bus fare, entrance fee, lunch/drinks package)
Tips for the local guide.
Personal expenses.
Other meals and services not mentioned in the programme.

We’ll carefully listen to your aspirations and curate an impartial shortlist of personalized polar cruise recommendations—and pre- and post-cruise extensions—to match your desired experience.

Next we’ll place a free, no obligation, 24-hour cabin hold on your preferred cruise option whilst we discuss the final details. Book and relax safe in the knowledge you’ll be paying the lowest price guaranteed.

Then we’ll provide you with our expert packing advice, insider travel tips, and more to ensure you are fully prepared for—and maximize your enjoyment of—your once-in-a-lifetime polar expedition cruise.

Falklands, South Georgia & Valdes Peninsula: In the Heart of the Wilderness

Highlights

Ships

Standard Activities

Itinerary

Buenos Aires

Ushuaia & Embarkation

At sea

South Georgia

At Sea

Port Stanley & Volunteer Point

The Neck, Saunders Island & Carcass Island

West Point Island & Steeple Jason Island

At Sea

Camarones

Puerto Madryn & Valdes Peninsula

At Sea

Buenos Aires

Departure Dates

Extra Activities

Kayak Discovery

What's Included

What's Excluded

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime?

Listen & Match

Reserve & Relax

Prepare & Travel

Falklands, South Georgia & Valdes Peninsula: In the Heart of the Wilderness

Highlights

Ships

Standard Activities

About the Falklands, South Georgia & Valdes Peninsula: In the Heart of the Wilderness

Itinerary

Buenos Aires

Ushuaia & Embarkation

At sea

South Georgia

At Sea

Port Stanley & Volunteer Point

The Neck, Saunders Island & Carcass Island

West Point Island & Steeple Jason Island

At Sea

Camarones

Puerto Madryn & Valdes Peninsula

At Sea

Buenos Aires

Departure Dates

Extra Activities

Kayak Discovery

How is the activity organized?

What requirements do you need to meet in order to go sea kayaking?

Please note:

What's Included

What's Excluded

Related Itineraries

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime?

Listen & Match

Reserve & Relax

Prepare & Travel

Give us a Call