Set Departure - Antarctica & South Georgia

Penguin Safari

with Quark

State of the art

The ‘South Georgia and Antarctica: Penguin Safari’ itinerary is the fastest way to visit the seldom reached South Georgia Island while also setting foot on the 7th continent. There are not many itineraries that can take in South Georgia in under 20 days; this is a 16 day itinerary.

Setting sail from Ushuaia, Argentina you’ll have the opportunity to photograph massive albatross and beautiful pintado petrels as they swoop and soar around the ship, guiding it toward South Georgia. Beaches teeming with king penguins and elephant seals will greet you on this fabled island, as well as the settlement of Grytviken, one of the first whaling stations established in sub-Antarctic waters and home to the remains of Sir Ernest Shackleton.

Antarctica awaits, with its soaring peaks and staggering expanse. Go further into the Antarctic sea on a Zodiac, experience the rugged peninsula from a sea kayak, undertake an exhilarating hike up a sparkling glacier, or share an endearingly comical moment with an inquisitive gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguin.

In these ways, and countless others, Antarctica will amaze, surprise and delight.

WORLD EXPLORER VESSEL

This itinerary affords the opportunity to experience Quark’s pioneering vessel, World Explorer. This purpose-built boat is designed to extend the boundaries of polar exploration and offer an unmatched Antarctic experience. The personal space is exceptional and every suite has either a private walk-out or French balcony for direct ocean views. World Explorer also delivers plenty of public areas to unwind in after a day outdoors, including the glass-domed Observation Lounge for quiet contemplation and full skyline views, the Explorer Lounge for a drink and a chat, and the library for more intimate relaxing and reading. Presentations and discussions are facilitated in a dedicated lecture theatre. Health and wellness facilities feature an outdoor track, a small gym and a sauna, plus a spa with change rooms, showers and lockers.

For the active adventurers, add-ons include kayaking, camping and stand-up paddleboarding.

“Today, we still carry the spirit of the great explorers while sharing our passion for regions whose environmental purity transcends political boundaries and whose beauty defies description. Polar travel is all we do, and we’re passionate about ensuring every one of our passengers has the experience of a lifetime.”
Quark Expeditions

16 UNFORGETTABLE DAYS

DAY 1 | USHUAIA

You will begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small but bustling port at the tip of South America. It’s the ideal gateway for you to explore the southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for your adventure ahead. Get active in the mountains or enjoy handcrafted chocolate at a café in town.

DAY 2 | EMBARKATION

Embarkation will occur in the late afternoon, after which your vessel will sail down the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of anticipation as you depart!

DAYS 3-6 | AT SEA

There are many activities to keep you engaged while you are at sea. Learn to identify seabirds that glide alongside the ship, or attend dynamic presentations by your Expedition Team. You will be prepped on safety procedures for Zodiac cruises and shore landings, and also be given instructions for getting the most out of your optional sea kayaking adventures (extra cost), a truly intimate way to experience Antarctica.

If conditions are right, the first indication that you are approaching South Georgia is the sight of birds around a group of rocky spires called Shag Rocks. Have your binoculars and cameras ready to capture these rocks rising out of the icy ocean waters. Shags and prions often rest here, and due to nutrient rich upwellings around the rocks it can be a good place to keep a lookout for whales.

DAYS 7-8 | SOUTH GEORGIA

After enjoying South Georgia from a distance, we’ll head toward its numerable beaches to find a bay for your first land excursion. Landing sites are varied, largely determined by the weather conditions of your voyage. Whichever sites we visit, they’ll provide you with wildlife encounters unrivalLed anywhere else on earth.

South Georgia is one of the most fertile breeding grounds in the world for sub-Antarctic wildlife, with beaches blanketed with penguins. It won’t take you long to realize that you are in a bird paradise, as burrowing seabirds, albatross and petrels can be seen in abundance.

You’ll find that South Georgia, once a popular base for whalers and sealers, is also scattered with abandoned relics and evidence of human activity from centuries gone by. Your Expedition Team will help bring those days to life while you visit old whaling stations and enjoy presentations on the South Georgia of then and now.

One of the most significant sites you will visit on the island is Grytviken. This settlement was one of the first whaling stations established in sub-Antarctic waters. Many travellers find that it has a special appeal, as it is home to the remains of Sir Ernest Shackleton.

DAYS 9-10 | AT SEA

Say goodbye to the king penguins, as your next destination is Antarctica! Your days at sea are filled with presentations and workshops led by your Expedition Team, who will prepare you for the wildlife and landscapes that will surround you upon your arrival.

DAYS 11-13 | ANTARCTICA

The most common reaction upon reaching the White Continent is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is hard to put into words, since few places are as untouched and enduring as Antarctica.

You will discover that Antarctica is a land of extremes. At one moment you’ll be overcome with a feeling of complete isolation and silence, and at the next moment you’ll be inspired by nature as a calving glacier crashes into a brilliant blue sea or a penguin waddles by to inspect your footwear.

Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each excursion, whether you are Zodiac cruising, visiting a historical site or consorting with penguin colonies. Chinstrap, Adélie and gentoo penguins are found here, along with Weddell, fur, crabeater and leopard seals. Keep a lookout for Antarctic whales, such as minkes, while on a Zodiac cruise. Each day and each excursion will present a new collection of creatures to delight you and keep your camera busy.

As exciting as the Zodiac excursions and landings are, perhaps you’ll treat yourself to an extra-special Antarctic experience by partaking in an optional paddling excursion (at an extra cost) or cast reason aside and jump into Antarctic waters for the polar plunge!

DAYS 14-15 | DRAKE PASSAGE

After more than a dozen days of unique wildlife encounters and remarkable landscapes, your journey home begins. Crossing the Drake is your unofficial rite of passage. Spend time on deck watching for seabirds and whales, enjoy presentations by your Expedition Team, or simply relax and reminisce about your experiences.

DAY 16 | DISEMBARKATION, USHUAIA

You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning to continue your adventure onward or catch your flights home.

NEED TO KNOW

16 DAYS / 15 NIGHTS

Please enquire for pricing

START: USHUAIA, ARGENTINA | Finish: USHUAIA, ARGENTINA

Expeditions take place in Dec and Jan and Feb when Antarctica’s summer days are longest and temperatures are highest. Multiple dates available.
Capacity: World Explorer – 172 guests and 125 staff and crew.
Expeditions leaders include historians, biologists, ornithologists, glaciologists and photographic experts.
Included activities: Zodiac cruising, hiking, presentations, polar plunge, photography guiding. Optional activities at additional cost.
Single supplement may apply.
Flights and insurance on request.
Terms and conditions apply – please request a copy of our booking form for all details.
Price is subject to change due to currency fluctuation and unforeseen changes beyond our control.
Please contact us for pricing, dates and a full itinerary.

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