The Great Austral Loop (20D)
Highlights
- Discover South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, two subantarctic archipelagos of singular beauty, where the great variety of fauna and flora is astonishing.
- Spend 5 days amid the pristine Antarctic Peninsula, embarking on thrilling Zodiac excursions, hiking otherworldly shores, and kayaking past drifting icebergs and towering glaciers.
- Retrace the paths of legendary explorers and engage with expert-led lectures on wildlife, climate, and polar geopolitics.
Discover the Southern Ocean as you have never seen it before! Embark on a 19-day polar expedition cruise to the highest latitudes (after an overnight 5* hotel stay in Buenos Aires en route), from the Falkland Islands to South Georgia and the immaculate lands of Antarctica.
Your expedition to the heart of the South Atlantic begins with the exploration of the Falkland Islands: 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.
Your ship will soon take to the seas once again, to reach the mountainous island of South Georgia. It is there, in the midst of gigantic glaciers, that Sir Ernest Shackleton miraculously ran aground during the famous Endurance Odyssey in 1916. Today, king penguins, elephant and fur seals that have taken over the black-sand beaches dominated by the tall peaks that reveal the Scotia Arc.
You will ultimately land on the frozen shores of the nearly inaccessible White Continent, Antarctica. White shades take on a thousand nuances as it covers the icebergs, glaciers, mountains and frozen sea all around you. You will be one of the rare few travellers to have laid eyes on this legendary land, the theatre of the greatest expeditions and the witness of the most extraordinary adventures. Above all, you are in the realm of the penguins – Adelie, Gentoo, chinstrap – seals, whales and seabirds that accompany you on this unforgettable trip.
Ships
Standard Activities
About the The Great Austral Loop (20D)
Discover the Southern Ocean as you have never seen it before! Embark on a 19-day polar expedition cruise to the highest latitudes (after an overnight 5* hotel stay in Buenos Aires en route), from the Falkland Islands to South Georgia and the immaculate lands of Antarctica.
Your expedition to the heart of the South Atlantic begins with the exploration of the Falkland Islands: 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.
Your ship will soon take to the seas once again, to reach the mountainous island of South Georgia. It is there, in the midst of gigantic glaciers, that Sir Ernest Shackleton miraculously ran aground during the famous Endurance Odyssey in 1916. Today, king penguins, elephant and fur seals that have taken over the black-sand beaches dominated by the tall peaks that reveal the Scotia Arc.
You will ultimately land on the frozen shores of the nearly inaccessible White Continent, Antarctica. White shades take on a thousand nuances as it covers the icebergs, glaciers, mountains and frozen sea all around you. You will be one of the rare few travellers to have laid eyes on this legendary land, the theatre of the greatest expeditions and the witness of the most extraordinary adventures. Above all, you are in the realm of the penguins – Adelie, Gentoo, chinstrap – seals, whales and seabirds that accompany you on this unforgettable trip.
Itinerary Day to Day
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* hotel Sofitel Recoleta.
Ushuaia & Embarkation
At Sea
Grave Cove & New Island
At Sea
South Georgia
At Sea
Antarctic Peninsula
Crossing the Drake Passage
Ushuaia, Disembarkation & Return to BA
Route Map
