Voyage Overview
Combine the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) and South Georgia with this 17-day expedition starting from Punta Arenas, Chile.
In the Falklands (Malvinas), enjoy watching rockhopper and gentoo penguins in their native habitat. From your zodiac spot Black-browed albatrosses and petrels high above. Hike into the local settlements and meet the people who have made this island 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.
Trip Details
Duration: 17 Days
Ship: Magellan Discoverer, Premium Ship, 96 passengers
Start: Punta Arenas, Chile
End: Punta Arenas, Chile
Highlights:
- 3 planned days in the Falklands & 5 days South Georgia
- Walk among vast king penguin colonies in South Georgia and spot albatrosses, seals, and whales in the Falklands.
- Follow Shackleton’s journey and visit his final resting place in Grytviken.
- Explore glacier-clad peaks, rugged coastlines, and windswept beaches teeming with wildlife.
- Encounter elephant seals, fur seals, dolphins, and whales in the region’s rich waters.
Tour Dates
- October 2027 to March 2028
| Dates | Availability | |
|---|---|---|
Oct 7 – Oct 23, 2027 (17 days) | Available | view pricing chart |
Itinerary
Day 1: Punta Arenas, Embarkation
From 10:00am, make your way to Explorers House in Punta Arenas and enjoy the facilities. At 2:30pm, a group transfer will take you to the port for embarkation. As we sail along the Strait of Magellan, our Expedition Team will introduce the history of this fabled sea route.
Day 2: At Sea
Enjoy the ship’s amenities and onboard naturalist program as we make our way to the Falklands (Malvinas). Our engaging series of lectures and presentations begin.
Day 3: Saunders Island & West Point Island
We enjoy the long white-sand beach during a morning visit to Saunders Island. A wilderness experience, the main attractions are rockhopper penguins, nesting black-browed albatross, and sub-Antarctic gentoo penguins. In the afternoon, we visit West Point Island. There is an option for an easy hike to a nesting black-browed albatross colony, bird watching, and a typical Falklands tea experience.
Day 4: Port Stanley
Join our expedition team on guided walking tours of Port Stanley. 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.
Day 5-6: At Sea
As we sail towards South Georgia, attend presentations on the history and fauna of the archipelago. 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.
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.
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.”
Day 9: Gold Harbour, Drygalski Fjord
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. If weather allows, we ship cruise across the Drygalski Fjord in the afternoon.
Day 10: St Andrews Bay, Ocean Harbour
St Andrews Bay is the destination of our morning excursion. The highlights here are a shipwreck and 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 landing at Ocean Harbour.
Day 11: Salisbury Plain
Depending on weather conditions, we plan to visit Salisbury Plain to observe more king penguins and stunning landscapes. After this morning activity, we start our way back to the Falkland Islands.
Day 12-14: At Sea
Our education program continues as we make our way back to the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas).
Day 15: Bleaker Island
Evening landing at Bleaker Island, a natural reserve with a famous bird area featuring a large variety of birds.
Day 16: At Sea
Day 17: Punta Arenas, Disembarkation
Upon arrival at Punta Arenas, we disembark and take a group transfer to the town center, where the expedition will end. Explorers House remains available to you for the day.
Please note the itinerary and route map are only tentative outlines of what you may experience. No specific itinerary, routing or landing sites can be guaranteed in advance. Where the ship actually sails will depend on a lot of factors including, but not limited to, the weather & ice conditions and the captain & expedition leader. Every trip is different, which adds to the excitement of expedition cruising in the polar regions.
Trips & Rates
Please note, rates are Per Person in USD
Availability & prices are subject to change at anytime
Oct 7 – Oct 23, 2027 (17 days)
| Start: | Punta Arenas, Chile |
| End: | Punta Arenas, Chile |
| Cabin Category | Deluxe Veranda | Grand Veranda Suite | Single Veranda |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per Person Price in USD | $15,995 | $17,495 | $29,595 |
| Availability | Open | Limited | Open |
Adventure Options:
- Full Kayaking program: $995/person. Experience required and must be booked in advance as spots are limited. There will be 2 separate groups of 10 kayakers, with each group kayaking on an alternating basis.
Voyage Ship
Magellan Discoverer
Scheduled for launch in December 2026, the Magellan Discoverer is a new vessel built specifically for boutique expeditions to the Southern Ocean. With a yacht-like design, all-balcony accommodations, and a capacity of just 96 guests, it offers one of the premier small ship experiences in the Polar regions.
Cabins & Deck Plan
Photos are artist renderings & actual cabins may vary
Grand Veranda Suite
Deck 4
Deck 5
The premier suites onboard featuring a private balcony, living area with sofa bed, walk in closet, desk & chair, fridge, safe, coffee maker, TV and bathroom with shower en suite.
409 ft² / 38 m²
1-2
1 king or 2 twin
Family Veranda Suite
Deck 4
These two room suites accommodate four guests. They feature a connecting door between both cabins, private balconies and two bathrooms with showers en suite. Additional features include desks & chairs, benches and coffee tables, closets, fridges, safes, coffee makers and TVs.
560 ft² / 52 m²
1-4
1 king or 2 twin
Deluxe Veranda
Deck 4
Deck 5
The most abundant cabin category on the ship, the Deluxe Veranda cabins are found on deck 4 & 5. They feature a private balcony, desk & chair, bench & coffee table, closets, fridge, coffee maker, safe, TV and bathroom with shower en suite.
280 ft² / 26 m²
1-2
1 king or 2 twin
Triple Veranda Suite
Deck 4
Accommodating 3 guests, Triple Veranda Suites are essentially two connecting Deluxe Veranda cabins. The suites have a connecting door between both cabins, private balconies
and two bathrooms with showers en suite. Additional features include desks & chairs, benches and coffee tables, closets, fridges, safes, coffee makers and TVs. There are just 2 Triple Veranda Suites and they will sell out far in advance.
560 ft² / 52 m²
1-3
1 king or 2 twin
Single Veranda
Deck 3
Single Veranda cabins feature a king bed, private balcony, desk & chair, bench & coffee table, closets, fridge, coffee maker, safe, TV and bathroom with shower en suite.
280 ft² / 26 m²
1
1 king
Inclusions/Exclusions
Inclusions:
- Comprehensive pre- and post-voyage information material.
- For guests visiting Punta Arenas, exclusive access to Explorers House.
- Ship cruise as indicated in the itinerary corresponding to each expedition.
- Daily buffet breakfast and lunch on board the ship offering a wide choice of dishes.
- Three course dinner served daily on board the ship offering a choice between one of three main courses.
- Wine, beer, juice, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board the ship.
- Coffee, tea, chocolate, cappuccino, water, and snacks on board the ship throughout the expedition.
- Loan of waterproof boots for landing.
- All guided shore excursions.
- Lectures and entertainment on board.
- A voucher for internet access.
- Landing fees and IAATO passenger fee
Exclusions:
- Flights, accommodation, meals, excursions, and transfers other than those included in the itinerary corresponding to each voyage.
- Beverages purchased at the ship’s bar.
- Personal travel insurance.
- Extra expenses (communication, laundry, souvenirs, etc.).
- Gratuities.
- Visas for Chile, Argentina, the UK and/or other destinations included in your itinerary, passport expenses, and any arrival and/or departure tax, if applicable.
- Required application for entry permit to South Georgia.
Solo Travelers
Are you traveling alone? Solo travelers have the following options:
- Can book a dedicated Single Veranda at prices listed above
- Can book into a share cabin in the Deluxe Veranda category (hotel supplement applies)
- Twin cabins can be booked at single occupancy at 1.85x the per person price for Deluxe Veranda. A 100% supplement applies when booking all other categories.
